SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- High-Speed Nondestructive Testing Methods for Mapping Voids, Debonding, Delaminations, Moisture, and Other Defects Behind or Within Tunnel Linings
- Notice Date
- 3/10/2009
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- The National Academies, Transportation Research Board, Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001
- ZIP Code
- 20001
- Solicitation Number
- SHRP2_R06-G
- Archive Date
- 5/6/2009
- Point of Contact
- Monica A. Starnes,, Phone: 202-334-1894, Linda Mason,, Phone: 202-334-3241
- E-Mail Address
-
mstarnes@nas.edu, lmason@nas.edu
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- SHRP 2 Request for Proposals Focus Area: Renewal Project Number: R06-G Project Title: High-Speed Nondestructive Testing Methods for Mapping Voids, Debonding, Delaminations, Moisture, and Other Defects Behind or Within Tunnel Linings Date Posted: March 10, 2009 SHRP 2 Background To address the challenges of moving people and goods efficiently and safely on the nation's highways, Congress has created the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2). SHRP 2 is a targeted, short-term research program carried out through competitively awarded contracts to qualified researchers in the academic, private, and public sectors. SHRP 2 addresses four strategic focus areas: the role of human behavior in highway safety (Safety); rapid highway renewal (Renewal); congestion reduction through improved travel time reliability (Reliability); and transportation planning that better integrates community, economic, and environmental considerations into new highway capacity (Capacity). Under current legislative provisions, SHRP 2 will receive approximately $150 million with total program duration of 7 years. Additional information about SHRP 2 can be found on the program's Web site at www.trb.org/shrp2. Renewal Focus Area Background The U.S. highway system is aging and must be rebuilt while we are driving on it and living next to it. Research in the SHRP 2 Renewal focus area therefore addresses the need to develop a consistent, systematic approach to completing highway projects quickly, with minimal disruption to the community, and producing facilities that are long-lasting. Identifying new technologies for locating underground utilities; developing procedures to speed the evaluation of designs and the inspection of construction; and applying new methods and materials for preserving, rehabilitating, and reconstructing roadways and bridges are among the goals for this focus area. Alternative strategies for contracting, financing, and managing projects and mitigating institutional barriers also are part of the emphasis on rapid renewal. The renewal scope applies to all classes of roads. Project Background Periodic inspection of highway tunnels to assess changes in structural condition over time is critical to timely detection and remediation of problems to ensure road user safety. Tunnel structural problems that are considered widespread and potentially serious are tunnel leaks, concrete cracking, concrete spalling, concrete delamination, debonding, steel corrosion, and improper drainage. Monitoring of tunnel condition and deterioration rate is key to determining the appropriate schedule of maintenance and/or rehabilitation activities to remedy structural and safety problems that might lead to accelerated deterioration and sudden tunnel failures that could cause serious injury and even fatalities. Tunnel inspection is a challenging problem. Tunnels typically service high volume traffic and operate in aggressive environments. Keeping tunnels open during inspection and minimizing tunnel closures and user delays must be carefully balanced with the need to conduct detailed inspections to ensure the safety of drivers. Consequently, nondestructive test methods that are automated, quantitative, and rapid, and that provide complete coverage compared to conventional visual inspections need to be identified and evaluated. However, there does not appear to be any high-speed nondestructive (NDT) testing method for assessing the condition of tunnel linings that would minimize the disruption of ongoing traffic. Project Objectives The objectives of the proposed research are: - To identify NDT technologies for evaluating the condition (e.g., moisture, voids, and corrosion) of various types of tunnel linings (e.g., unreinforced concrete, reinforced concrete, shotcrete, and steel) and tunnel lining finishes such as tile. The techniques must be capable of analyzing conditions within the tunnel lining and the surrounding substrate; - To evaluate the applicability, accuracy, precision, repeatability, ease of use, capacity to minimize disruption to vehicular traffic, and implementation and production costs of the identified technologies; - To conduct the required development in hardware or software for those techniques that show potential for technological improvement within the time limitations of this project; - To prove the validity of the selected technologies/techniques to detect flaws within or verify conditions of the targeted tunnel components; and - To recommend test procedures and protocols to successfully implement these techniques. Note: Evaluation, in the context of this project, is defined as both a rapid screening of the testing area and as an in-depth, although slower, assessment of an area deemed problematic during screening. In both cases, and based on SHRP 2 priorities, dependable NDT techniques that minimize disruption to traffic are sought under this project. Tasks Task descriptions are intended to provide a framework for conducting the research. SHRP 2 is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meet the research objective(s): Phase I Task 1: Conduct an international literature search to identify current and emerging NDT technologies and techniques for evaluating the condition (e.g., moisture, voids, and corrosion) of various types of tunnel linings (e.g., unreinforced concrete, reinforced concrete, shotcrete, and steel), tunnel lining finishes such as tile, and the surrounding substrate. The literature search should also include technologies used in other industries that have potential to detect and characterize deterioration within and beyond tunnel linings. Task 2: From the literature review, categorize and rank the promising technologies for the given types of tunnel linings and the most common deterioration mechanisms. Task 3: Propose for SHRP 2 approval an independent panel of experts well versed in operations, maintenance, and engineering of tunnels who will define the testing needs from the perspective of applicability, accuracy, precision, repeatability, ease of use, speed (to minimize disruption to traffic), and cost. These defined needs, in a quantitative form, will become the performance criteria or system requirements for the NDT technologies under development and testing. A minimum of six volunteers is suggested for this independent panel. The panel shall be balanced to represent the various types of operational aspects that exist across the country and the various types of linings that are targeted for investigation in this project. Task 4: Upon approval from SHRP 2, conduct a working session with the independent panel to establish the testing criteria and prioritize the techniques to be developed and evaluated in subsequent tasks. Task 5: Develop a detailed research and development (R&D) plan for Phase II for the most promising NDT technologies. The plan will describe any additional hardware/software development proposed for those technologies. For all the recommended NDT techniques, the plan will include details on the testing criteria established in Task 4, the controlled laboratory and field testing for proof-of-concept and validation, the proposal for validation test beds (existing and/or to be constructed) for positive proof of the NDT techniques, and any envisioned numerical or physical modeling. Task 6: Prepare and submit a draft Phase I Report documenting Tasks 1-5. Task 7: Based on the review comments, prepare and submit a revised Phase I Report. Wait for SHRP 2 approval before proceeding to Phase II. The SHRP 2 Technical Coordinating Committee for Highway Renewal will review the Phase I report to determine whether this contract should continue into Phase II. Phase II After approval of the Phase I Report, and on receipt of direction to proceed, conduct the following tasks: Task 8: Conduct the necessary technology development (hardware and/or software) and perform proof-of-concept testing for those techniques recommended in the Phase I Report. Task 9: Conduct field validation testing to evaluate the recommended technologies for each type of tunnel lining and deterioration type (moisture, corrosion, delamination, debonding, etc.). Task 10: Prepare an Interim Report documenting the accuracy, precision, repeatability, calibration procedures, testing procedures, cost, limitations, data management, and data analysis and interpretation for each of the NDT techniques tested. Recommend the most promising technologies for field implementation based on the performance criteria established in Phase I. This report will be submitted to SHRP 2 and shared with the independent panel of experts in preparation for Task 11. Task 11: Conduct a working session with the independent panel of experts to discuss the findings in Tasks 8 and 9. Document the working session and revise the Interim Report for submission to SHRP 2. The revised Interim Report must provide the final recommendations for protocol development in subsequent tasks. Task 12: Develop a User's Manual for the final recommended technologies. The manual shall include detailed information on the following: equipment and systems integration requirements, test procedures, inspector's training requirements, data management procedures, data analysis procedures, and interpretation guidelines. For each NDT technique, the manual must also address its limitations (e.g., technical, operational, environmental). Task 13: Prepare recommendations for implementation of these NDT techniques. Task 14: Prepare and submit a Draft Final Report documenting Tasks 1 through 13. Task 15: Based on the review comments, prepare and submit to SHRP 2 a revised Final Report. Deliverables 1. Recommendation of membership to the independent panel of experts (Task 3) 2. Draft Phase I Report 3. Phase I Report 4. Interim Report (Task 10) 5. Revised Interim Report (Task 11) 6. Draft Final Report 7. Final Report 8. Quarterly and monthly progress reports 9. Four (4) interim meetings with SHRP 2 staff: three (3) in Washington, DC and one (1) at the contractor's facility 10. Telephone conference calls, as needed 11. One (1) interim meeting with the TCC in Washington DC; Irvine, CA; or Woods Hole, MA. Funds Available: Not to exceed $1,650,000 for the entire project. Contract Period: Thirty (30) months for the entire project Responsible Staff: Dr. Monica A. Starnes, mstarnes@nas.edu, 202-334-1894 Authorization to Begin Work: September 2009, anticipated Proposals (20 single-bound copies) are due not later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 21, 2009 This is a firm deadline, and extensions simply are not granted. In order to be considered, all 20 copies of the agency's proposal, accompanied by the executed, unmodified Liability Statement must be in our offices not later than the deadline shown, or they will be rejected. Delivery Address PROPOSAL-SHRP 2 ATTN: Neil F. Hawks Director, Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 202-334-1430 Liability Statement The signature of an authorized representative of the proposing agency is required on the unaltered statement in order for SHRP 2 to accept the agency's proposal for consideration. Proposals submitted without this executed and unaltered statement by the proposal deadline will be summarily rejected. An executed, unaltered statement indicates the agency's intent and ability to execute a contract that includes the provisions in the statement. Here is a printable version of the Liability Statement ( http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/LiabilityStatement.pdf ). A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat PDF reader is available at http://www.adobe.com. The Liability Statement is included as Figure 1 in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 referred to in General Note 4. General Notes 1. Proposals will be evaluated by SHRP 2 staff and Expert Task Groups (ETGs) consisting of individuals collectively very knowledgeable in the problem area. Selection of an agency is made by the SHRP 2 Oversight Committee, based on the recommendation from SHRP 2 staff and the ETG. The following factors are considered: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experimental design; (3) the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; (4) the proposer's plan for participation by disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs)-small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and (5) the adequacy of facilities. TRB and the SHRP 2 Oversight Committee strongly encourage the significant participation of DBEs in SHRP 2 research contracts. Although no quota is specified nor is DBE participation mandated, the proposer's plan for involvement of DBEs is a factor in contractor selection, and the contractor's adherence to its DBE plan will be monitored during the contract period. Contractors are required to submit periodic reports comparing actual with proposed payments to DBEs. The Contractor Expression of Interest section of the SHRP 2 website is a resource for proposers interested in participating on research teams. This database is being enhanced and will be renamed the Research Team Builder. 2. Any clarifications regarding this RFP will be posted on the SHRP 2 Web site ( www.TRB.org/SHRP2 ). Announcements of such clarifications will be posted on the front page and, when possible, will be noted in the TRB e-newsletter. Proposers are advised to check the Web site frequently until March 26, 2009, when no further comments will be posted. 3. According to the provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 21, which relates to nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs, all parties are hereby notified that the contract entered into pursuant to this announcement will be awarded without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. 4. The essential features required in a proposal for research are detailed in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 ( http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/PreparingSHRP2Reports.pdf ). Proposals must be prepared according to this document, and attention is directed specifically to Section IV for mandatory requirements. Proposals that do not conform to these requirements will be rejected. 5. The total funds available are made known in the project statement, and line items of the budget are examined to determine the reasonableness of the allocation of funds to the various tasks. If the proposed total cost exceeds the funds available, the proposal is rejected. 6. All proposals become the property of the Transportation Research Board. Final disposition will be made according to the policies thereof, including the right to reject all proposals. IMPORTANT NOTICE Potential proposers should understand that the research project described herein is tentative. The final content of the program depends on the level of funding made available. Nevertheless, to be prepared to execute research contracts as soon as possible after sponsors' approvals, the Strategic Highway Research Program is assuming that the tentative program will become official in its entirety and is proceeding with requests for proposals and selections of research agencies.
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