Weigh-in-Motion RFI Final 11.6.2024.pdf

Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4160, Boston, MA 02116 Tel: 857-368-4636, TTY: 857-368-0655 mass.gov/massdot

MassDOT Request for Information for Weigh-in-Motion System Capabilities

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to vendors to gather information related to the current state of Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) System capabilities as described below.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Respondents to this RFI are invited to provide feedback on any or all the items in this document. Responses to this RFI shall serve solely to assist MassDOT in understanding the current state of the market with regards to weigh-in-motion systems and software capabilities. This information may inform the development of a possible future solicitation for a low-bid construction project to install WIM systems and provide standalone software on MassDOT owned roads. This RFI does not in any way obligate MassDOT to issue or amend a solicitation or to include any of the RFI provisions or responses in any solicitation. Responding to this RFI is entirely voluntary and will in no way affect MassDOT’s consideration of any proposal submitted in response to any subsequent solicitation, nor will it serve as an advantage or disadvantage to the respondent during any low-bid construction project or any other solicitation that may subsequently be issued by MassDOT in the future.

Background MassDOT currently operates a network of WIM stations designed to collect critical traffic data, including speed, vehicle classification (13 types), and weight. The installation of additional locations with real-time data capability and accurate technology will increase the depth and frequency of data collected. MassDOT is considering a WIM enhancement and expansion project to upgrade existing WIM stations and establish new sites to address challenges and capitalize on emerging technologies. MassDOT's vision is to use available technology to create and manage a dynamic, intermodal transportation network for all users that is safe and efficient and supports economic growth in an environmentally responsible manner.

The WIM enhancement and expansion project for MassDOT includes sixteen potential locations for WIM stations across the state. These locations were selected based on their strategic importance, including interstate crossings, major highway connections, and known areas with high rates of weight or size permit violations. The initial sixteen stations will serve as a starting point for the project, with the possibility of expanding the network in the future based on the program’s success and MassDOT's evolving needs. The selected sites include both entirely new WIM stations and upgrades to existing traffic data collection stations.

2 | P a g e

Technology MassDOT is looking into technology enhancements as part of the WIM station capabilities. The enhancements may include:

Strain Gauge Axle Sensors: Currently, MassDOT WIM stations use Brass Linguini (BL) Trax piezo sensors. These sensors are impacted by temperature and lose their accuracy during the winter months. For this reason, strain gauge axle sensors or comparable technology are proposed to provide year-long operations that are not impacted by temperature.

CCTV Camera: Given that the WIM stations will incorporate real-time data collection and processing, it would be possible to configure the system to identify vehicles over a certain weight limit. A CCTV camera could provide a snapshot of the vehicle and general surveillance of the station when an overweight alarm is triggered. Depending on the camera model and system, a camera may also be used to take a snapshot of the USDOT number as well as the Hazardous Material number on the side of the vehicle.

USDOT Reader Camera System: A specific USDOT Reader Camera system is set to focus on the side(s) of the vehicle to identify and capture the USDOT number of the overweight vehicle. The system would convert an image of the USDOT number to a usable data value.

Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) System: The above CCTV camera provides a general station overview and the USDOT Reader camera is installed at an angle to capture the side(s) of the vehicles. An ALPR system identifies the license plate of the overweight vehicle using separate, more focused cameras installed over the travel lanes for license plate recognition.

Dimensioning System: This system helps determine the height, width, and length of vehicles and can identify over-height vehicles or trucks that violate width or length restrictions. Combined with the above ALPR system, the WIM station can identify the vehicle's license plate that violates any dimension restriction. These systems typically use an overhead-mounted LIDAR sensor to generate vehicle profiles and determine vehicle dimensions.

E-screening System: This system receives regular updates of the credential information from CVIEW (Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window) and SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) and performs screening operations of commercial vehicles as the vehicle data is collected in real-time at the WIM station.

Tire Anomaly Detection and Classification System: Additional tire anomaly detection sensors identify vehicles with flat, unsafe, or missing tires. These additional sensors can also improve the accuracy of vehicle classification.

3 | P a g e

Information Requested Vendors are invited to submit a written response of no more than ten (10) pages (single-sided in 12-point font) detailing their methodology for addressing the points below.

Some vendors may be invited to provide a capability briefing or demonstration of their WIM System.

MassDOT may request additional information from respondents, including further explanation or clarifications during the review process.

WIM Technology and Software must address the following needs:

• Technology installed needs to operate in all weather conditions, from -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Technology needs to adhere to federal reporting requirements for WIM, including the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) and the FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide.

• Technology and data output needs to be in a format that is easy to share with consultants and other MassDOT business units.

• Technology needs to adhere to MassDOT IT Security and privacy requirements.

• Technology needs to be compatible with other MassDOT systems, such as the Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW), MassDOT’s permitting software (OASIS), MassDOT’s central repository for data storage and access (MS2), MassDOT’s Data Lake (a database repository for centrally storing and managing a vast amount of transportation related data), Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system, PrePass, and Drivewyze.

• Technology needs to minimize the time for transmitting real-time data between the WIM software systems and other MassDOT systems listed above.

• Technology needs to adhere to national traffic data collection WIM technology standards and communication protocols, ASTM 1318E-09.

4 | P a g e

• There is a need for MassDOT to understand the electrical requirements of the WIM field equipment.

• There is a need for MassDOT to understand the technology maintenance requirements, recalibration, requirements, and general maintenance required to keep the WIM system field equipment in a state of good repair, including the software solution.

• There is a need for the WIM system software to have the ability to provide reports and performance metrics.

• There is a need for a recovery plan regarding unexpected software and equipment failures and how the software and equipment resolves these failures.

The WIM system is required to report back to the client on the cause and the resolution of the failure.

• Additionally, the respondent should include a general description of the WIM system software and example user interface.

Respondents may include the following information:

Respondent Name

Headquarters Location

URL of Respondent Web Site

Contact Name

Contact Title

Contact Email Address

Contact Phone Number

Number of Years of Experience in this Service Offering

Primary Type of Service(s) Provided

Calendar

Questions and formal inquiries due by Tuesday December 10, 2024, 3:00pm

Responses to questions posted On or before 12/13/2024

Submissions due December 17, 2024, 3:00pm

Submission of Bid Questions The “Bid Q & A” function in COMMBUYS allows Respondents to ask written questions and receive written answers regarding this Bid. To locate the Bid Q & A, log into COMMBUYS, locate the Bid, acknowledge receipt of the Bid, and scroll down to the bottom of the Bid Header page. The “Bid Q & A” button allows Bidder’s access to the Bid Q & A page.

5 | P a g e

All questions must be submitted through the Bid Q & A page. Questions must be asked prior to the Deadline stated in the Estimated Procurement Calendar. Respondents are responsible for verifying that their questions are recorded in COMMBUYS and appear on the Bid Q & A page. Content entered must be suitable for public viewing. Respondents must not include inappropriate content, including but not limited to, information that could be considered personal, security sensitive, inflammatory, incorrect, or collusory.

Steps for Respondents to Submit a Quote

1. Launch the COMMBUYS website by entering the URL (www.COMMBUYS.com) into the browser.

2. Enter Bidder login credentials and click the Login button on the COMMBUYS homepage. Respondents must be registered in COMMBUYS to submit a Quote.

Each contractor has a COMMBUYS Seller Administrator, who is responsible for maintaining authorized user access to COMMBUYS.

3. Upon successful login, the Vendor home page displays with the Navigation and

Header Bar as well as the Control Center. The Control Center is where documents assigned to your role are easily accessed and viewed.

4. Click on the Bids tab

5. Clicking on the Bid tab opens four sections:

a. Request for Revision

b. Bids/Bid Amendments

c. Open Bids

d. Closed Bids

6. Click on the blue Open Bid hyperlinks to open and review an open bid

7. A new page opens with a message requesting you acknowledge receipt of the bid. Click Yes to acknowledge receipt of the bid. Respondents should acknowledge receipt to receive any amendments/updates concerning this bid.

8. After acknowledgement, the bid will open.

The top left half of the page contains the following information:

a. Purchaser

b. Department

c. Contact for this bid

d. Type of purchase

i. Open Market

6 | P a g e

ii. Blanket

e. Pre-Bid Conference details (if applicable)

f. Ship-to and Bill-to addresses

g. Any attachments to the bid, which may include essential bid terms, response forms, etc.

The top right half of the bid includes the following information:

h. Bid Date

i. Required Date

j. Bid Opening Date – date the bid closes and no further quotes will be accepted

k. Informal Bid Flag

l. Date goods/services are required

9. The lower half of the page provides information about the specific goods/services the bid is requesting.

10. Click Create Quote to begin.

11. The General tab for a new quote opens. This page is populated with some information from the bid. Fields available to update include:

a. Delivery days

b. Shipping terms

c. Ship via terms

d. Is “no” bid – select if you will not be submitting a quote for this bid

e. Promised Date

f. Info Contact

g. Comments

h. Discount Percent

i. Freight Terms

j. Payment Terms

It is important to note that the bid documents (RFR and attachments) may specify some or all these terms and may prohibit you from altering these terms in your response.

Read the bid documents carefully and fill in only those items that are applicable to the bid to which you are responding.

Update these fields as applicable to the bid and click Save & Continue to save any changes and create a Quote Number.

12. The page refreshes and messages display. Any message in Red is an error and must be resolved before the quote can be submitted. Any message in Yellow is only a warning and will allow processing to continue.

7 | P a g e

13. Click the Items tab. The Items tab displays information about the items requested in the bid. To view additional details about an item, click the item number (blue hyperlink) to open.

14. The item opens. Input all your quote information and click Save & Exit.

15. Click on the Attachments Tab. Follow the prompts to upload and name all required attachments and forms and bid response documents in accordance with the instructions contained in the solicitation or bid documents. After uploading each individual file or form, click Save & Continue. After you have uploaded all required documents click Save & Exit. Be sure to review your attachments to make sure each required document has been submitted.

16. Click on the Terms & Conditions Tab. This tab refers to the terms and conditions that apply to this bid. The terms and conditions must be accepted before your quote can be submitted. If your acceptance is subject to any exceptions, those exceptions must be identified here. Exceptions cannot contradict the requirements of the RFR or required Commonwealth standard forms and attachments for the bid. For instance, an RFR may specify that exceptions may or will result in disqualification of your bid.

17. Click the Summary tab. Review the information and update/correct, as needed. If the information is correct, click the Submit Quote button at the bottom of the page.

18. A popup window displays asking for verification that you wish to submit your quote. Click OK to submit the quote.

19. The Summary tab redisplays with an updated Status for the quote of Submitted.

20. Your quote submission is confirmed only when you receive a confirmation email from COMMBUYS. If you have submitted a quote and have not received an email confirmation, please contact the OSD Help Desk at COMMBUYS@mass.gov.

If you wish to revise or delete a quote after submission, you may do so in COMMBUYS:

(1) for a formal bid, prior to the bid opening date, or (2) for an informal bid (which may be viewed upon receipt), prior to the opening of your quote by the issuing entity or the bid opening date, whichever is earlier.

Respondents may not submit Multiple Quotes in response to a Bid unless the Bid authorizes Multiple Quote submissions. If you submit multiple quotes in response to a bid that does not allow multiple quotes, only the latest submission prior to the bid opening date will be evaluated.

8 | P a g e

Respondents experiencing technical problems accessing information or attachments stored on COMMBUYS should contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. Respondents may only make inquiries and request clarification concerning this RFI by submitting questions via the COMMBUYS Q&A button under this RFI bid number. Responses to inquiries and clarification questions will be provided electronically to all interested parties via a posting on COMMBUYS. Respondents may not communicate directly or indirectly with any employee of MassDOT regarding this RFI, except as specified in this RFI.

Review Right, Public Records and Cost Responses to this RFI may be reviewed and evaluated by any person(s) at the discretion of MassDOT, including independent consultants retained by MassDOT now or in the future.

All responses to this RFI will be a public record under the Commonwealth’s Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66 Section 10, regardless of confidentiality notices set forth on such writings to the contrary.

All responses and other documents submitted in response to the RFI become the property of MassDOT. MassDOT is under no obligation to return any documents submitted by a respondent.

By submitting a response, respondents agree that any cost incurred in responding to this RFI, or in support of activities associated with this RFI, shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent. MassDOT shall not be held responsible for any costs incurred by respondents in preparing their respective responses to this RFI.

mailto:COMMBUYS@state.ma.us