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A -- LONG TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE DATA ANALYSIS PROJECT POC Contact Derek W. Karis, HCP-30C, (202) 366-5750 The Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Program, is a 20 year study initiated under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) in 1987, and currently operated under the direction of the Pavement Performance Division of the FHWA. As the largest and most comprehensive pavement performance research project ever undertaken, it will extend the life of highway pavements through achievement of the following goals: Evaluate existing design methods, Develop improved pavement design methodologies and strategies for the rehabilitation of existing pavements; Develop improved design equations for new and reconstructed pavements; Determine the effects of (1) loading, (2) environment, (3) material properties and variability, (4) construction quality, and (5) maintenance levels on pavement distress and performance; Determine the effects of specific design features on pavement performance; Establish a national long-term pavement data base to support SHRP objectives and future needs. In support of these goals, nearly 2000 in-service pavement test sections, located throughout the United States and Canada, are under study. The test sections included in the program are organized as two suites of experiments: the GPS, or General Pavement Studies and the SPS, or Specific Pavement Studies. The GPS experiments focus on existing pavements, and the designs most commonly used in the United States and Canada. The SPS experiments involve test sections constructed specifically for the LTPP research, and focus on the efficacy of specific pavement design factors involved in new pavement construction, the application of maintenance treatments to existing pavements, and pavement rehabilitation. Highways selected for inclusion in the GPS and SPS experiments cover the full range of environmental conditions found in the United States and Canada, and, by virtue of being on in service highways, are subjected to ''real'', non- idealized traffic loadings. The study of these test sections involves an extensive and ongoing data collection effort to describe and characterize the pavements, and monitor their performance over time. The data collected are subjected to extensive quality control checks prior to storage in the LTPP National Information Management System (NIMS), which is operated by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Research Council (NRC) located in Washington, D.C. The objective of this procurement will be to provide the technical services required to support conduct of a coordinated and integrated program of analysis of the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) data, in pursuit of the objectives of the LTPP program. The Data Analysis Contractor selected through this proposed procurement will fill two general needs: (1)provide a core staff of well qualified individuals who will work closely with the FHWA LTPP staff in the conduct and oversight of the LTPP Data Analysis program; and (2) a pool of highly qualified individuals (as line staff, consultants, or subcontractors), referred to hereafter as the Analyst Pool, having in-depth, specialized knowledge related and/or applicable to pavement engineering, research, statistics, and data analysis, to undertake and/or work with the core staff on specific analysis projects. It is anticipated that the principal investigator and the other individuals composing the core staff will regularly devote a substantial portion of their time to this project, to ensure continuity and in-depth knowledge of the research. It is anticipated that a minimum of 80 percent of the effort required under this contract shall be performed by individuals and organizations named in the successful offeror's proposal. For the remainder of the anticipated level of effort, it may be desirable for the contractor to recruit or solicit additional expertise when the specific needs for individual data analysis projects are more clearly defined. The scope of work provided under this procurement shall encompass: (1) provision of assistance to the FHWA in coordinating and integrating the overall LTPP data analysis program; (2) preparation of detailed preliminary statements of work for specific analysis projects; (3) the conduct of LTPP data analyses by the successful offeror; and (4) assistance with technology transfer activities for promising analytical results. It is anticipated that approximately 50% of the annual FHWA LTPP data analysis program will be completed under this procurement. The Contractor shall, on a Task Order basis, support the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program for analysis of the LTPP data. The guiding document for the FHWA LTPP data analysis program is the Strategic Plan for LTPP Data Analysis, included as a part of the LTPP Roadmap. A preliminary draft of the Strategic Plan for LTPP Data Analysis is attached. Specific areas of activity are as follows: Coordination and Integration: Provide assistance to the FHWA in coordinating and integrating the overall LTPP data analysis program. Activities shall include, as a minimum: review of LTPP data analysis reports and products; assessment of overall program progress; participation in periodic updates of the Strategic Plan for LTPP Data Analysis; preparation of technical documentation related to LTPP data analysis. Preparation of Preliminary Statements of Work: Based on the objectives and products identified in the Strategic Plan for LTPP Data Analysis, prepare detailed preliminary statements of work for individual analysis projects, as directed by the Government. Analysis: Conduct analysis of LTPP data in accordance with selected statements of work approved by the Government. Note: Not all analysis projects for which statements of work are prepared under Task Area B will be completed under this contract. Technology Transfer: Develop technology transfer plans and ''products'' or participate in technology transfer ''activities'' for the purpose of accelerating the implementation of the research. Examples of technology transfer products that may be required are videotapes, manuals, information pamphlets/flyers or other similar user oriented materials. Activities may consist of attendance at Technical Working Group meetings, national conferences, seminars or other such gatherings to further develop and promote the results of the research. The Government will discuss the specific requirements of this Task with the contractor as the contract proceeds. The ''products'' and/or ''activities'' that will be carried out will be mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the Government. Work Orders: It is anticipated that one or two Work Orders will be awarded concurrent with contract award. Subsequent work orders will be awarded to provide for specific analysis projects, and other required work as needs become more clearly defined. It is anticipated that the number of active Work Orders in force at any given time during the contract term will range from 1 to 8. The successful offeror responding to this solicitation may be prohibited from participation, in any capacity, in any future LTPP data analysis contract(s) for the duration of the contract term. This restriction shall apply to both the company, and those individuals named in the contract as principal staff. It shall not apply to those named as members of the contractor's ''Analyst Pool'', except to the extent that (1) the level of effort contributed by those individuals under this contract exceeds 640 hours per year; or (2) the individuals in question have participated in the preparation or review of detailed preliminary statements of work for the procurement in question. The Government envisions that the successful offeror may consist of a team of contractors, insitutions of higher education, and/or non-profit entitites. Any proposed team should give strong consideration to including minority institutions of higher education. Concerns having the ability to furnish the following are requested to give written notification (including the telephone number for a point of contract) to the procuring office listed in this notice within 30 calendar days from the date of this synopsis. This is not a formal solicitation. However, concerns that respond should furnish detailed data concerning their capabilities and may request to receive a copy of the solicitation when it become available. (0173)

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