RFP Document.pdf

Request for Proposal Page 1 Efficient Construction Material Testing and Inspection Based on Risk Levels

South Dakota Department of Transportation Request for Proposal Project SD2024-02

Title: Efficient Construction Material Testing and Inspection Based on Risk Levels

Problem Description: SDDOT previously completed research project SD91-05 Essential Testing and Inspections Levels which was conducted over 30 years ago. It would be beneficial to review SDDOT’s current construction material testing and inspection program using a “Risk-Based Analysis”. This type of analysis would focus on the value of each material test and type of inspection, thus helping SDDOT to direct resources to where they would provide the most value and reduce the risk to end quality and performance. Risks include but are not limited to time, cost, safety, quality, and scheduling. Advancements in technology and software since SD91-05 have improved processes and productivity in the highway construction industry. Current and emerging technologies should be considered in this research to improve the efficiency of SDDOT construction material testing and inspection.

Importance: Due to limited resources and loss of experienced personnel, SDDOT needs to assess the current construction material testing and inspection frequencies. Potentially modifying construction material testing and inspection frequencies and directing workforce resources to where they provide the most value for construction activities.

Research Objectives:

1. Review requirements and practices commonly used for construction material testing and inspection by

FHWA, AASHTO, and surrounding state transportation agencies.

2. Review SDDOT’s material testing and inspection for all construction activities and evaluate the level of risk associated with each activity.

3. Prioritize and recommend potential modifications to the SDDOT material testing and inspection frequencies based on a risk-based analysis.

4. Recommend ways to improve the efficiency of construction material testing and inspection while considering current and emerging technologies.

Research Tasks:

1. Meet with the project’s technical panel to review the project scope and work plan.

2. Perform a literature review of FHWA, AASHTO, and programs of surrounding state transportation agencies to determine construction material testing and inspection practices and requirements. The review should include construction material testing and inspection frequencies, who performs the test or inspections, expected end quality benefits, potential risks, and prioritization based on a risk-based analysis. The review should also include current and emerging technologies to improve the efficiency of construction material testing and inspections.

3. Review SDDOT’s construction material testing and inspection program to include the Minimum Sample and Test Requirements (MSTR). Upon approval by the technical panel, interview SDDOT personnel, South Dakota contractors, and South Dakota material suppliers to identify construction material testing and inspection priorities in the field, failure rate of material tests and inspections, potential risks, resource/staffing needs, and current technologies being used by SDDOT.

4. Upon approval by the technical panel, conduct a nationwide survey of other state transportation agencies on current practices for construction material testing and inspection frequencies with risk-based considerations, staffing needs, and current and emerging technologies in use.

5. Prepare and present for approval of the project’s technical panel a technical memorandum detailing the results of Tasks 2 - 4.

6. Identify and evaluate the level of risk with current SDDOT construction material testing and inspection

Request for Proposal Page 2 Efficient Construction Material Testing frequencies and the associated staffing needs for construction activities.

7. Develop recommendations, prioritization, and implementation strategies for the frequencies of SDDOT construction material tests and inspections and staffing needs for construction activities based on a risk-based analysis. Also, recommend ways to improve efficiency using current and emerging technologies for construction material testing and inspections.

8. Prepare and present for approval of the project’s technical panel a technical memorandum detailing the results of Tasks 6 and 7.

9. In conformance with the Guidelines for Performing Research for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, prepare a final report and executive summary of the literature review, research methodology, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and implementation strategies.

10. Make an executive presentation to the SDDOT Research Review Board at the conclusion of the project.

Potential Implementation: If successful, the Minimum Sample and Test Requirements (MSTR) within the SDDOT Materials Manual will be revised to incorporate changes to sampling and testing frequencies, sample locations, and other proposed changes including new technologies. The Construction Manual may need to be revised to conform with proposed changes to testing and inspection frequencies.

Available Funding: $160,000 Anticipated Start Date: January 15, 2025 Duration: 18 Months

Terms of Payment: Payment for study services will be made upon SDDOT’s acceptance of key project deliverables. For this study, percentages of total project cost will be paid upon satisfactory completion of the following tasks:

Task % of Total Cost 5 35% 8 35%

All Tasks 30% Total 100%

General Information: The South Dakota Department of Transportation solicits proposals from colleges, universities, research institutes, foundations, consultants, federal, state, and local agencies, and others with demonstrated capability and experience in the subject area.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation gives public notice of its policy to uphold and assure full compliance with the non-discrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related Nondiscrimination authorities. Title VI and related Nondiscrimination authorities stipulate that no person in the United States of America shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, income level or Limited English Proficiency be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Any person who has questions concerning this policy or wishes to file a discrimination complaint should contact the Department’s Civil Rights Office at 605-773-3540.

Proposals must remain valid for at least 120 days after the submission deadline. All submitted proposals become the property of the South Dakota Department of Transportation. SDDOT has the right to use all information presented in any proposal unless it is specifically annotated as being proprietary. SDDOT considers all information contained in proposals to be privileged and reserves the right to maintain its confidentiality.

South Dakota state statute requires the winning proposal, with proprietary information redacted, to be posted online along with the corresponding contractual agreement.

SDDOT reserves the right to reject any proposals submitted. SDDOT may negotiate with a selected proposer to address specific weaknesses in the selected proposal prior to contract award.

Request for Proposal Page 3 Efficient Construction Material Testing

SDDOT is not responsible for any costs, including proposal preparation, incurred by researchers prior to the execution of a contract.

Certification Relating to Prohibited Entity: For contractors, vendors, suppliers, or subcontractors who enter into a contract with the State of South Dakota by submitting a response to this solicitation or agreeing to contract with the State, the bidder or offeror certifies and agrees that the following information is correct:

The bidder or offeror, in preparing its response or offer or in considering proposals submitted from qualified, potential vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors, or in the solicitation, selection, or commercial treatment of any vendor, supplier, or subcontractor, is not an entity, regardless of its principal place of business, that is ultimately owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a foreign national, a foreign parent entity, or foreign government from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Cuba, or Venezuela, as defined by South Dakota Executive Order 2023-02. It is understood and agreed that, if this certification is false, such false certification will constitute grounds for the State to reject the bid or response submitted by the bidder or offeror on this project and terminate any contract awarded based on the bid or response. The successful bidder or offeror further agrees to provide immediate written notice to the contracting executive branch agency if during the term of the contract it no longer complies with this certification and agrees such noncompliance may be grounds for contract termination.

Restriction of Boycott of Israel: For contractors, vendors, suppliers, or subcontractors with five (5) or more employees who enter into a contract with the State of South Dakota that involves the expenditure of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or more, by submitting a response to this solicitation or agreeing to contract with the State, the bidder or offeror certifies and agrees that the following information is correct:

The bidder or offeror, in preparing its response or offer or in considering proposals submitted from qualified, potential vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors, or in the solicitation, selection, or commercial treatment of any vendor, supplier, or subcontractor, has not refused to transact business activities, has not terminated business activities, and has not taken other similar actions intended to limit its commercial relations, related to the subject matter of the bid or offer, with a person or entity on the basis of Israeli national origin, or residence or incorporation in Israel or its territories, with the specific intent to accomplish a boycott or divestment of Israel in a discriminatory manner. It is understood and agreed that, if this certification is false, such false certification will constitute grounds for the State to reject the bid or response submitted by the bidder or offeror on this project and terminate any contract awarded based on the bid or response. The successful bidder or offeror further agrees to provide immediate written notice to the contracting executive branch agency if during the term of the contract it no longer complies with this certification and agrees such noncompliance may be grounds for contract termination.

Certification of No State Legislator Interest: Offeror (i) understands neither a state legislator nor a business in which a state legislator has an ownership interest may be directly or indirectly interested in any contract with the State that was authorized by any law passed during the term for which that legislator was elected, or within one year thereafter, and (ii) has read South Dakota Constitution Article 3, Section 12 and has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice on the applicability of that provision to any Agreement entered into as a result of this RFP. By signing an Agreement pursuant to this RFP, Offeror hereby certifies that the Agreement is not made in violation of the South Dakota Constitution Article 3, Section 12.

Proposal Deadline: Proposals are due to the SDDOT by 5:00 pm CDT on Friday, September 27, 2024.

This deadline is firm. Extensions will not be granted.

Proposals must be submitted as an e-mail attachment in Portable Document Format (PDF) not exceeding 14MB. The email must be addressed to andy.vandel@state.sd.us and danny.doorn@state.sd.us.

Proposers should send the e-mail using “Delivery Receipt” and “Read Receipt” options to verify successful delivery.

mailto:andy.vandel@state.sd.us mailto:danny.doorn@state.sd.us

Request for Proposal Page 4 Efficient Construction Material Testing

Proposal Guidelines: Proposals must fulfill the requirements listed in the document entitled RESEARCH PROPOSAL PREPARATION, SUBMISSION, AND EVALUATION and dated October 28, 2022.

Proposal Evaluation: Proposals will be evaluated by a technical panel knowledgeable in the problem area.

Selection will be made in consideration of criteria listed in RESEARCH PROPOSAL PREPARATION, SUBMISSION, AND EVALUATION.

Project Management: Danny Doorn is responsible for the management of this project and can be reached at danny.doorn@state.sd.us to answer inquiries.

mailto:danny.doorn@state.sd.us