SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Precast Concrete Modular Pavement Technology Training
- Notice Date
- 9/20/2011
- 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, SHRP2, 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20001
- Solicitation Number
- SHRP2_R05A
- Archive Date
- 11/16/2011
- Point of Contact
- Mark Bush, Phone: 202-334-1646, Linda Mason, Phone: 202-334-3241
- E-Mail Address
-
mbush@nas.edu, lmason@nas.edu
(mbush@nas.edu, lmason@nas.edu)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program SHRP 2 Request for Proposals Focus Area: Renewal Project Number: R05A Project Title: Precast Concrete Modular Pavement Technology Training Date Posted: September 20, 2011 Proposal Due Date: November 1, 2011 SHRP 2 Background To address the challenges of moving people and goods efficiently and safely on the nation's highways, Congress 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); improved travel time reliability through congestion reduction (Reliability); transportation planning that better integrates community, economic, and environmental considerations into new highway capacity (Capacity) and rapid highway renewal addressing the aging infrastructure through rapid design and construction methods that cause minimal disruption and produce long-lived facilities (Renewal). Under current legislative provisions, SHRP 2 has expanded its efforts to include activities such as pilot tests and field demonstrations that help to prepare research results for implementation. Additional information about SHRP 2 can be found on the program's Web site at www.trb.org/shrp2. Renewal Focus Area 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 roadway classifications. Project Background As part of an overall plan for implementation, this project was approved for SHRP 2 funding to assist the implementation partnering agencies AASHTO and FHWA in promulgating the results of completed SHRP 2 research of precast concrete modular pavement technology and integrating them into standard business practice. The main products coming out of the original SHRP 2 R05 Modular Pavement Technology research include draft model design procedures, draft model specifications and construction guidelines, and a long-term evaluation plan. Modular pavements use prefabricated segments for quick placement of entire pavements or the replacement of pavement segments. This type of technology has been used by the military for rapid repair of airfields and has seen some civilian highway use. The process allows most of the work to occur outside the traffic stream. One example of a modular pavement technology is the use of precast portland cement concrete (PCC) slabs, where all curing and strength gain can occur without impeding traffic operations. In addition, the concrete fabricators and finishers can work in relative safety off the roadway. Off-site fabrication has the potential to permit lighter, thinner, or more durable pavement sections through more stringent quality control and use of design details not feasible for in-place construction. Development of training materials solely for precast concrete modular pavement technology is the focus of this project. The full integration into standard business practice using precast concrete modular pavement technology has significant potential for rapid pavement repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction and decreasing disruption and user-delay costs. Precast concrete modular pavement technology can speed construction without sacrificing quality while minimizing lane closures and traffic disruption. Applications include but are not limited to isolated repairs, intersection and ramp rehabilitation, pavement replacement under overpasses, and construction of longer mainline pavement segments. Challenges for fully integrated implementation of precast concrete modular pavements by public agencies include but are not limited to understanding of the following issues: •Load-carrying capacity and load transfer between modular units and between modular units and existing pavement •Seating and support for uniformity and longevity •Maintaining modular unit riding surface safety characteristics (smoothness) •Vertical and horizontal alignment between adjacent modular units and between modular and existing pavement segments • Passive and active joint sealants •Design criteria, construction practices, and maintenance guidelines •Generic or alternate specifications needed to facilitate implementation of precast concrete modular pavement technology. Considerations of both proprietary and nonproprietary precast concrete modular pavement technologies and component products must be made. Objectives The objectives of this project are to take the results and products for precast concrete modular pavement systems developed from the R05 Modular Pavement Technology research project and develop training materials based on National Highway Institute (NHI) guidelines. The audiences for the training materials include a range of transportation professionals including management, design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance. The training materials will address the challenges currently faced by these engineering practitioners in the following topic areas: 1.Project selection, life-cycle cost comparison, design, and specifications 2.Manufacturing, specifications, QC/QA, and inspection 3.Pre-installation (work crew training), construction, and inspection 4.Maintenance The goal of this project is for the final products to be transferred to NHI for adoption and training implementation. 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 contract objectives. Proposers are expected to describe work 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 meeting the contract objectives. Phase I - Analysis and Design Task 1: Review and evaluate the materials in R05. Identify appropriate R05 content for each target audience identified in the objectives. Of the four topic areas, the higher priority focus is on the design and installation audiences. Address both proprietary and nonproprietary issues and how each should be addressed in training. See Special Note 1. Task 2: Based on Task 1, develop a training material course outline for each of the four topic areas listed in the Objectives and suggest a time efficient delivery methodology for each: a.Instructor-led Training (ILT) b.Web-conference Training (WCT) c.Web-based Training (WBT) d.Blended approaches to Training Proposals should discuss current thinking of proposed delivery methods for each topic area. Task 3: Create course objectives and outlines for each module that emphasize core competencies. The curriculum outline should identify key components as a format to identify progression of material comprehension, such as chapters, building from elementary to complex. Task 4: Prepare course material outline of anticipated deliverables such as: •Participant Workbook •Instructor Guide •Reference Manual (Excerpted and cited portions of the R05 report compiled for the student's use). •Executive Summary presentation •PowerPoint Presentation and Visuals •Other material: proprietary and nonproprietary sample materials, story boards, video samples, and participant exercise samples. Proposers should specify in their proposals the type of deliverables and delivery method(s) to be prepared for each topic area listed in the objectives. See Special Note 2 Task 5: Interim Report: Prepare and submit to SHRP 2 a Phase I Interim Report documenting Tasks 1-4, no later than 90 days from the Notice to Proceed. Do not proceed to Phase 2 until approval is received from SHRP 2 (for planning purposes, allow three weeks for review and approval). Phase 2 - Development - Preparation of Training Materials After approval of the Phase 1 Report, and on receipt of direction to proceed, conduct the following tasks: Task 6: Prepare a complete final draft of the Participant Workbook, Reference Manual, and Instructor Guide for the "Project selection, life-cycle cost comparison, design and specifications" topic. Submit to SHRP 2 for review. Do not proceed to Task 7 until approval is received from SHRP 2 (for planning purposes, allow three weeks for review and approval). Work on planning the two pilot training session workshops may continue in parallel while review is under way. Task 7: Prepare full course materials for all topic areas. Task 8: Submit to SHRP 2 for review, all materials prepared in Tasks 6 and 7. (For planning purposes, allow three weeks for review and approval). Phase 3 - Development - Refinements of Training Materials After approval of Phase 2 deliverables and on receipt of direction to proceed, conduct the following tasks: Task 9: Pilot Trainings: Conduct two pilot training session workshops covering all four topics using the delivery methods proposed. The workshops shall include a cross section of transportation professional audiences. Locations preferably will be selected in separate AASHTO regions to maximize a cross section of participants, and proposers should identify a representative participant sample number. Location of pilot trainings shall be approved by SHRP 2. Proposers should include in the project budget all associated costs for conducting two pilot training sessions including the creation and distribution of hardcopy participant training materials and selective travel budget assistance for key participants. Provide electronic copies of all pilot training session workshop materials to SHRP 2. Task 10: Refine the full course training material on all topic areas based on feedback received from the pilot training sessions. Incorporate the feedback into final products. Task 11: Prepare and submit a Final Report documenting the entire project. Deliverables •Phase 1 Interim Report at the end of Task 4. •Draft Participant Workbook, Reference Manual, and Instructor Guide at end of Task 6. •Draft full course materials at end of Task 8. •Final Instructor-led Training (ILT) components for each topic area. (Hardcopy and electronic) •Final Web-based Training (WBT) and/or Web-conference Training (WCT) components. (Hardcopy and Electronic) •Monthly and Quarterly progress reports •Two pilot training sessions. •Electronic and hardcopy course materials for participants for each of the two pilot training sessions •Final Report documenting the entire project •Two (2) interim meetings with SHRP 2 staff: One (1) in Washington, DC and one (1) at the contractor's facility if necessary. •Telephone conference calls, as needed •One (1) interim meeting with the Renewal Technical Coordinating Committee in Washington DC; Irvine, CA; or Woods Hole, MA. Funds Available: Not to exceed $300,000 for the entire project Contract Period: Twenty-four (24) months for the entire project Responsible Staff: Mr. Mark S. Bush, mbush@nas.edu, 202-334-1646 Authorization to Begin Work: February 2012, anticipated Definitions: 1. For the purposes of this project the term modular pavement refers to precast concrete modular pavement. 2. PCP is portland cement pavement, an AASHTO standard term. 3. R05 refers specifically to the SHRP 2 R05 research project, "Modular Pavement Technology" References: 1.Deliverable products resulting from the R05 research project: a.Final Product Report (includes literature review, performance history, technical considerations, design, fabrication, installation, decision making process, etc.) b.Draft model design procedures c.Draft model specifications and construction guidelines d.Long term evaluation plan for modular pavements e.Immediate available R05 materials: Table of Contents and Chapter 1 2.USDOT FHWA National Highway Institute Style and General Standards Guide 3.USDOT FHWA National Highway Institute Instructor-led Training Standards 4.NHI Weblinks for information: a.http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/ b.http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/about/nhi_philosophy.aspx c.https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/ilt_developer.aspx Special Notes: 1.A literature search should focus primarily on the results and deliverables of the SHRP 2 R05 research project, "Modular Pavement Technology," but should not exclude other research in modular pavement technology design and practice. 2.At the conclusion of this contract, the deliverables will be transferred to NHI for final development into NHI-compliant courses. To facilitate the final NHI course development, the deliverables completed under this contract should be based on one or more of the three current NHI delivery toolkits: a.Instructor-led training (ILT): i. https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/ilt_developer.aspx ii.Traditional classroom-based live face-to-face and video conference training. ILT courses may have a related online component, often in the form of an Executive Summary presentation. ILT courses typically provide printed materials, including a Reference Manual, Instructor Guide, and Participant Workbook. b.Web-conference training (WCT): i.https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/wct_developer.aspx ii.An online meeting, led by a host and facilitator (instructor) with participants logging in from different locations at the same time. WCT courses may or may not provide physical materials to participants. WCT courses share many style elements with Web-Based Training courses (below). WCT courses may be repurposed from existing ILT offerings. c.Web-based training (WBT): i.https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/wbt_developer.aspx ii.Individual, self-paced instruction. WBT courses may or may not provide physical materials to participants. WBT courses share many style elements with Web-conference Training courses (above). WBT courses may be repurposed from existing ILT or WCT offerings. 3.It is possible that a single delivery method will not be the most efficient method for all four topic areas. Different methods for different topic areas, or a blend of methods within topic areas, should be considered. Proposers need to clearly define the optimum method(s) of delivery and their reasoning for recommendation. 4.Consideration should be given to both precast concrete modular pavement technology proprietary and nonproprietary products. 5.Proposals will be evaluated by SHRP 2 staff and an Expert Task Group (ETG) 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 - small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and (5) the adequacy of facilities. Additional rating evaluations will be specifically on: a.Understanding of the problem, knowledge of NHI training and associated requirements. b.Demonstrated expertise of the team, particularly experience relevant to NHI course development and training supported by NHI. c.Demonstrated experience in the knowledge of modular pavement technology. 6.The research approach section of the proposal is limited to 20 pages. 7.The biographical information, resumes, and CVs are limited to one page per team member. 8.The researcher should consider the current travel constraints on transportation agencies when developing the approach for the pilot training session workshops. 9.The ETG expects the total training modules not to exceed 18 classroom hours. Proposals (20 single-bound copies) are due not later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on November 1, 2011. 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 Liability 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 rejected. An executed, unaltered statement indicates the agency's intent and ability to execute a contract that includes the provisions in the statement. The Liability Statement is Figure 1 in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 (http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/PreparingSHRP2Reports.pdf) (see General Note 4). Here is a printable version of the SHRP 2 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. 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-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 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises 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 selection of the research contractor. The "Research Team Builder" section of the SHRP 2 web site (http://www.trb.org/StrategicHighwayResearchProgram2SHRP2/Pages/Research_Team_Builder_177.aspx) is a resource for proposers interested in participating on research teams. 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 October 14, 2011, after which 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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