RFP Document.pdf

Request for Proposal Page 1 SD Granular Moisture-Density Curve

Development and DCP Implementation

South Dakota Department of Transportation

Request for Proposal

Project SD2023-02

Title: South Dakota Granular Moisture-Density Curve Development and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

Implementation

Problem Description: The Ohio moisture-density curves used by the South Dakota Department of

Transportation (SDDOT) were not developed specifically for South Dakota’s granular materials. Previous

SDDOT research projects, SD2014-12 and SD2019-05, developed new moisture-density curves; however, these curves are not useable in their current form and further refinement is needed. Further recommendations from this previous research suggested SDDOT use a strength-based testing procedure for granular materials. Based on the results of this previous research, SDDOT has decided to refine the new granular moisture-density curves and implement a field density testing procedure using the Dynamic Cone

Penetrometer (DCP).

Currently, SDDOT does not have the resources available to analyze the additional available test results and refine the new moisture-density curves or to develop DCP specifications. Additional work is needed to digitize the moisture-density curves to incorporate into the Department’s testing software.

Importance: This topic is of high importance to the Department. Field testing of base and subbase materials is a critical part of assuring the quality of the roadways built for and used by the public. Moving the

Department to the DCP method of testing aggregate materials is the best way to assure that base and subbase materials are being properly compacted to ensure the maximum roadway life is attained.

Urgency: This research should be done as soon as possible. Implementing the DCP method of testing and making the procedures specific to South Dakota’s aggregates is vital to assuring the roads in South Dakota are built within specifications.

Research Objectives:

1. Perform an analysis of the moisture-density data supplied by the SDDOT and refine the SDDOT

Moisture Density Family of Curves.

2. Analyze the proposed DCP specifications for acceptance agreement with the new moisture density curves for subbase, base course, base course salvaged, and subbase salvaged.

3. Develop the DCP specifications specific to the materials used by the SDDOT.

Research Tasks:

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

2. Analyze the moisture-density data compiled by SDDOT from past construction projects (approx.

600 test results) and refine the SDDOT Moisture-Density family of curves.

3. Convert the SDDOT family of curves to wet unit weight.

4. Prepare and present for approval of the project’s technical panel a technical memorandum that summarizes the findings of tasks 2 & 3.

5. Develop an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the optimum moisture content and max dry unit weight based on a given one-point proctor test’s moisture and density information utilizing the SDDOT moisture-density family of curves approved by the project’s technical panel.

6. Prepare and present for approval of the project’s technical panel a technical memorandum that summarizes the suggested changes to the moisture-density curves and present the Excel spreadsheet developed in Task 5.

7. Analyze the DCP, sand cone, and Nuclear Density Gauge (NDG) side-by-side test data supplied by

SDDOT for agreement with the new moisture-density curves.

Request for Proposal Page 2 SD Granular Moisture-Density Curve

8. Develop the DCP specifications for subbase, base course, base course salvaged, and subbase salvages specific to SDDOT based on the results of Task 7.

9. Prepare and present for approval of the project’s technical panel a technical memorandum summarizing the results from Tasks 7 & 8.

10. In conformance with Guidelines for Performing Research for the South Dakota Department of

Transportation, prepare a final report summarizing the research methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

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

Potential Implementation: The refined SDDOT Moisture-Density family of curves will replace the Ohio

Moisture-Density Curves currently used. The Excel spreadsheet developed will be incorporated into the material testing software used by field personnel. The DCP specifications developed for granular materials will replace the sand cone and NDG testing procedures currently used for field testing.

SDDOT Involvement: SDDOT will provide side-by-side testing results of moisture-density testing and the

DCP results for the development of the DCP specifications. SDDOT will also provide past project testing data for granular material for refinement of the moisture-density curves.

Available Funding: $60,000 Anticipated Start Date: December 15, 2023 Duration: 15 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

4 25% 6 20% 9 25%

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 provides services without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability, according to the provisions contained in South Dakota Codified

Law (SDCL) 20-13, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address

Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 1994. Any person who has questions concerning this policy or who believes he or she has been discriminated against 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 SD Granular Moisture-Density Curve

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.

Proposal Deadline: Proposals are due to the SDDOT by 5:00 pm CDT on Friday, September 15, 2023.

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 michael.border@state.sd.us and andy.vandel@state.sd.us.

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

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.

Proposers will be notified of the results of the selection no later than November 30, 2023.

Project Management: Mike Border is responsible for the management of this project and can be reached at michael.border@state.sd.us to answer inquiries.

mailto:michael.border@state.sd.us mailto:andy.vandel@state.sd.us