SD Blowing Snow Mitigation Strategies Prioritization & Implementation
Closed State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- 23RFP9312
- State
- South Dakota
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- Jurisdiction
- NIGP codes
- UNSPSC codes
- 77111506 Radiation protection services
- 77111507 Endangered species protection services
- 77111503 Food or feed contamination protection services
- 77111504 Genetic resources protection services
- 77111505 Toxic substances protection services
- 77111508 Natural risks or hazards protection services
- 85101708 Health safety environmental service
- 85101710 Health, safety, security and environment protection service
- 77111500 Environmental safety services
- 77111502 Ozone protection services
Opportunity details come from postingboard.esmsolutions.com. Updated .
About this opportunity
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is seeking a research project focused on blowing snow mitigation strategies for non-interstate rural highways in the state. The primary objective is to develop comprehensive guidance for implementing snow fences and grading improvements to reduce winter road hazards, improve transportation safety, and minimize maintenance costs. Key deliverables include identifying optimal locations for snow mitigation, analyzing potential environmental and wildlife impacts, and creating a prioritized list of routes for intervention. Proposers must submit a detailed research plan addressing the project's objectives, which include interviewing surrounding state transportation departments, conducting data analysis, and developing a strategic implementation guide. The proposal must demonstrate a thorough understanding of blowing snow challenges, propose a feasible research methodology, and showcase the research team's qualifications. Proposals are due by 5:00 pm CST on December 22, 2023, with an anticipated project start date of March 15, 2024, and an expected duration of 18 months. The evaluation criteria will focus on the proposer's problem understanding, research plan quality, team expertise, and implementation practicality.
The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types. The project is specifically targeting research institutions or consulting firms with expertise in transportation engineering, winter road management, and environmental impact assessment. The available project budget is $125,000, with SDDOT reserving the right to negotiate with selected proposers and reject any submissions. The project will be managed by Andy Vandel, who can be contacted at andy.vandel@state.sd.us for any inquiries. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the research is intended to supplement existing SDDOT snow mitigation efforts, particularly for non-interstate rural highways. The project will require integration with existing SDDOT Geographic Information System (GIS) inventories of current snow fence locations and will build upon the department's strategic plan to improve winter operations and travel reliability.
Opportunity text
Blowing and drifting of snow is a major concern for safety, transportation efficiency, and road maintenance in regions subject to intense snowfall and winds during the winter season. Snow blowing (or drifting) across and accumulating on the roadway leads to reduced driver visibility and induces ice formation on roads posing serious safety concerns and leading to an increased number of incidents. The impacts of snowfall and snowdrifts on highway traffic are mitigated with a variety of methods and activities implemented before, during, and after snowstorms. One mitigation strategy is the deployment of snow fences. Snow fences can be temporarily or permanently installed along the roadway. They are deployed in areas prone to snow drifting as either structural barriers (constructed using lightweight construction materials) or as living fences (composed of a combination of planted shrubs, trees, and tall grasses) that act as a windbreak to effectively trap the snow before it blows onto the road which reduces winter maintenance costs and crashes. Another mitigation strategy is grading improvements. Grading improvements can provide additional snow storage in a cut section and allow snow to blow clear of the roadway in a fill section.
Due to the wide variety of options and conditions, a guidance document would be beneficial to determine appropriate locations, strategies, and benefits. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) currently has locations identified and plans in place for locations on the interstate system. Existing snow fence locations on the state system are inventoried in GIS. This proposed research is intended for non-interstate rural highways on the state system.
Importance: Blowing snow mitigation strategies are currently a very important topic for SDDOT. Following the 2022-2023 winter season, the department realized the need to better utilize snow fences and grading improvements to mitigate blowing and drifting snow. A long-term goal in the department's strategic plan is to improve the effectiveness of winter operations and travel reliability. This proposed research is in line with achieving that goal.
Project Management: Andy Vandel is responsible for the management of this project and can be reached at andy.vandel@state.sd.us to answer inquiries.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Research_Proposal_Preparation_Submission_and_Evaluation_10-28-22 (002).pdf | ||
| RFP Document.pdf |
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