Request for Proposal (RFP)
Active January 28, 2005

Requests Closed 2/28/05 at 4:00 PM (EST)

IPRF Project FAA-01-G-002-04-6


Lithium Admixtures And Early Age Properties of Production Concrete

Requests Closed

RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT:

There are reports based upon laboratory scenarios that describe changes in properties of concrete mixes prepared in the laboratory as a result of using lithium as an admixture. The information that describes the impact of changing the dosage of lithium admixtures and the effect on the characteristics and properties of early age concrete being produced for mass paving is at best second hand. Any changes in the properties of field placed concrete mixes due to variations in the dosage of lithium admixtures must be documented.

OBJECTIVES:

The research program will be in the form of a three step solution.

1. Evaluate the construction records of a concrete previously placed in an airfield environment and determine if those records are beneficial to providing information about the concrete properties and any change in characteristics or properties at various dosages of lithium.

2. Using the construction records and a limited scope literature search, develop a research plan that can be used to implement a field sampling plan of fresh concrete and subsequently use those samples to evaluate the characteristics and properties of both fresh and hardened concrete. Field sampling and testing will be accomplished on an actual airfield pavement construction project. Coordination with both the airport owner and the paving contractor will be a requirement.

3. Determine the upper limits of lithium dosage for the concrete mix before there are adverse affects on plastic or hardened properties. This may be accomplished by duplicating the concrete mix used for production in a laboratory and using that mix, progressively increase dosages of the lithium admixture and determine the relevant early age properties.

PRODUCTS:

The final product will be an Innovative Pavement Research Foundation (IPRF) report that provides the results of the investigation. The final report should be a document(s) that the engineer or constructor can read and gain an understanding of the impact of using lithium as an admixture in airfield quality concrete used for pavement.

The final report will be provided to the IPRF in the form of two originals, in a camera ready format, including any artwork, graphics or photos. An electronic version of the final report in a format compatible with off-the-shelf desktop computer publication software will also be provided. The investigator will not be responsible for the reproduction and printing of the final document(s) but will assist with minor editing requirements generated by the printing and reproduction process.

The investigator is expected to develop sub-tasks that when completed will result in completion of the project within the time and budget available. It is not necessary that the proposal reflect the exact budget or the planned time. However, any deviation from the designated resources must be justified and clearly explained in the proposal. The following are the minimum tasks that are considered necessary to complete the project.

Task 1 - Literature Review and Information Gathering.

A. Review existing literature. Provide a summary of any previous research or reported problems of using lithium admixtures in concrete pavement.

B. Using the construction records of an actual construction program that incorporated lithium as an admixture (provided by the IPRF after award of the research contract), develop a preliminary report that describes any impact of using the lithium admixtures on the plastic or hardened concrete used for airport pavement construction.

Task 2 - Document a Research Plan. Develop a plan for doing the research. The anticipated techniques and tests to be employed in the field and in the laboratory will be straightforward. It is preferred that the tests specified would have been employed in other published research or testing protocol. The submittal of the research plan to the IPRF Technical Panel is designated as the 20% review point of the research. As a part of the proposal, the researcher will designate the approximate time after the construction records review to report initial findings and present a research plan for the field sampling and laboratory testing. It is essential that the research plan be approved prior to proceeding with Task 3.

A 20% on-board review will be accomplished. The investigator will not proceed to Task 3 without the written approval of the IPRF. An on-board review meeting must be scheduled prior to the actual meeting. Documents that are prepared for technical panel review must be provided prior to the meeting. The location of the meeting will be coordinated with the IPRF. The investigator is responsible for documenting the comments of IPRF Technical Panel members and the disposition of each comment.

Task 3 -Implement the Field Sampling and Testing Plan. Accomplish the test plan on an actual airport pavement construction activity. The plan will be implemented at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta, GA. The project site will be the construction of an apron. The estimated construction notice to proceed date is March 20, 2005. The placement of concrete in the field is planned to begin after May 1, 2005 and end before February 19, 2006.

Task 4 -Perform Laboratory Studies. Accomplish the laboratory studies according to the research plan.

The summary of initial findings is defined as the 60% review point of the research. The report should be prepared and submitted at a time during the field and laboratory studies such that corrections to the test plan or modifications of test protocols could be accomplished as deemed appropriate.

A 60% on-board review will be accomplished. The review will be a meeting between the investigator and the IPRF Technical Panel. The initial findings report will be provided to the technical panel prior to the meeting. The investigator is expected to present to the technical panel discussion items that will result in policy decisions for critical elements of the final report. Additional research may be needed to respond to questions that are developed as a result of the on-board review. The location of the meeting will be coordinated with the IPRF. The investigator is responsible for documenting the comments of IPRF technical panel members and the disposition of each comment.

Task 5 - Advanced Final Report. When the field and laboratory study is completed, make corrections using the 60% review, additional data gathered as a result of the 60% review and the completion of the laboratory testing. Include in the report all artwork, graphical presentations, format, etc. The document shall be in a form that for all intent is complete with the exception of final comments made by the Technical Panel. The submittal of the advanced final report is designated as the 90% review point of the research project.

A 90% on-board review will be accomplished. The advanced final report will be submitted to the IPRF Technical Panel for review. The Technical Panel will have 30-days to review and comment on the report. The report will include a summary of the results of testing and recommendations for the research plan that should be followed for mitigation of problems that are discovered as a result of the research. The investigator is responsible for documenting the comments of IPRF Technical Panel members and the disposition of each comment.

Task 6 - Final Report. Make corrections to the 90% document and submit the final documents to the IPRF. Assist the IPRF with publication related editing.

Products Summary:

    1. A final report (an IPRF Report), that includes recommendations for the research and study of probable mitigating methods, with all artwork, graphics, tables, pictures, documentation, etc. ready for reproduction and distribution. The report will be submitted in two original documents and one on electronic media.

    2. A brief summary of the literature search, and a proposed research plan. Submit 6 copies. This is defined as the 20% level of completion. The products of the research to date will be reviewed at an on-board meeting at a location to be determined. The investigator will host the meeting. Location will be determined in coordination with the IPRF.

    3. The 60% on-board review will be accomplished when the investigator has developed initial findings that confirm the intent of the research plan or require that test programs be modified. The draft report (6 copies) will include a summary of all research completed to date. The investigator will host the meeting. Location will be determined in coordination with the IPRF.

    4. Advanced final report submittal (6 copies) for 90% review.

     

Other Considerations and requirements.

The investigator will be responsible for the preparation of quarterly reports that describe the progress of the research effort. Reports are due in the offices of the IPRF on the last day of the fiscal year quarter. The reports will be limited to two pages in a format specified by the IPRF. The first page will be a word document describing the progress of the work. The second page will provide a summary of the estimated costs versus the costs incurred to the report date.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

After the technical panel completes the evaluation of proposals, each of the proposals will be rank ordered. The organization, group, or individual that is ranked as the first and second choice for the recommendation to award may be asked to participate in a telephone interview. The Principal Investigator, and one other person, representing the entity ranked first and second choice by the technical panel may be asked to participate in the interview to discuss the project details, goals, and objectives.

The proposal should describe the research plan that the investigator intends to modify subsequent to a review of construction records. Types of tests and the purpose for the test should be listed.

IPRF PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE:

IPRF procedural guidance documents are available below. Persons preparing proposals are urged to review the following documents to be sure that there is a full understanding of IPRF procedures and requirements. Proposals must be prepared in the format specified in the instruction documents. The proposal will be submitted as one (1) original and 6 copies.

The documents required as an aide to the preparation of the proposal include:

FUNDS AVAILABLE: Not to Exceed $125,000

CONTRACT TIME: Not to exceed 12 Months

PROJECT DIRECTOR: Mr. Quintin Watkins, (404) 530-5903

ESTIMATED NOTICE TO PROCEED: March 18, 2005

PROPOSAL DUE DATE: February 28, 2005 not later than 4:00 P.M. (Eastern Time)

DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS: Proposals will be delivered to:

Innovative Pavement Research Foundation
Cooperative Programs Office
1010 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Suite 200
Washington DC 20001
(202) 842-1131
Fax: (202) 842-2022
Attention: Research Proposal Log

 

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