SOLICITATION ADDENDUM

Transcription

1 SOLICITATION ADDENDUM Date: April 19, 2017 Subject: 2 Truck Mtd Falling Weight Deflectometer Solicitation Number: Due Date/Time: 04/21/ :00:00 Addendum Number: 1 To All Suppliers: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania defines a solicitation Addendum as an addition to or amendment of the original terms, conditions, specifications, or instructions of a procurement solicitation (e.g., Invitation for Bids or Request for Proposals). List any and all changes: Please see the questions and answers listed below. Question # 1 C. TRUCK MOUNTED DEFLECTOMETER TEST SYSTEM SPECIFICATION: 1. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: h. The System shall consist of an electromechanical pavement loading device (No Substitutes), that does not use hydraulics, plus an appropriately matched electronic package for data acquisition of the applied load and deflections, including a hardware/software package for automatic recording and preliminary data processing in the field. This requirement seems to be specific to only one vendor and that is Dynatest. It is our understanding that KUAB, JILS, Pavetest, and Carl Bro FWD use hydraulics. This requirement limits the competition to only one firm that is Dynatest. Please let us know if the deviation from this requirement will cause the rejection of our bid so that we do not spend our time in preparing the requires documents for this bid? Answer # 1 The Commonwealth is interested in purchasing units that meet the needs of the Commonwealth as set out in this IFB. If there is any reference to any manufactures specification It is only as a reference. We have found that hydraulic powered systems on FWD s are problematic when used in low temperature climates such as Pennsylvania. There have been times when the hydraulic power systems PennDOT is using now have become un-usable at low temperatures. Because the units in question will be used in in low temperature climates we are requiring that these FWDs to be electromechanically powered. We are asking that any manufacture of only hydraulic powered FWDs, retro-fit their system to meet this specification. If you are not inclined to meet this specification your bid will be rejected as no-responsive.

2 Question # 2 2. PAVEMENT LOADING/DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: f. The System shall be capable of carrying out a typical complete test sequence, consisting of the automated sequence initiation from within the vehicle which activates the lowering of the loading plate/falling weight/deflection sensor bar subassembly to the surface being tested, running (e.g.) three (3) test loads of 18,000 lbf each (using the 350 kg weight package), and raising the subassembly to the transport position again, all within a period of 15 seconds or less. Similar to Question # 1, it is our understanding that this requirement is also specific to only one vendor (Dynatest) as this vendor does not use hydraulics in its new model which does not have proven industry record over a long term period (over more than five-year period). This requirement limits the competition to only one firm that is Dynatest. Please let us know if the deviation from this requirement will cause the rejection of our bid so that we do not spend our time in preparing the requires documents for this bid? Answer # 2 As stated above, if there is any reference to any manufactures specification It is only as a reference. When it comes to the 5 year/usa requirement the Commonwealth will accept any hydraulic model that meet this requirement that is upgraded to an electromechanical power system. Therefore, PennDOT will consider an all-electric version of a hydraulic model that meets the 5-year specification. Question # 3 2. PAVEMENT LOADING/DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: g. The loading subassembly and the falling weight shall be operated by an entirely electromechanical system using no hydraulics (No Substitute). This requirement seems to be specific to only one vendor and that is Dynatest. It is our understanding that KUAB, JILS, Pavetest, and Carl Bro FWD use hydraulics. This requirement limits the competition to only one firm that is Dynatest. Please let us know if the deviation from this requirement will cause the rejection of our bid so that we do not spend our time in preparing the requires documents for this bid? Answer # 3 See answer to Question #1 Question # 4

3 2. PAVEMENT LOADING/DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: (Continued) s. Additional items must also be included in the total system cost: Project Viewing Software the software shall allow for viewing the photo-logging images synchronized with the FWD data that is sequenced with a pavement analysis program. What is meant by sequenced? Please clarify. Answer # 4 PennDOT wants to be able to see images and processed FWD data at the same time, that can be viewed in a pavement analysis program, in the order of where and when each test occurred on the roadway being tested. Question # 5 2. PAVEMENT LOADING/DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: (Continued) s. Additional items must also be included in the total system cost: Project Viewing Software the software shall allow for viewing the photo-logging images synchronized with the FWD data that is sequenced with a pavement analysis program. Which pavement analysis program? Please clarify. Answer # 5 Any pavement analysis software that can show processed FWD data results and images of where each test occurred on the roadway at the same time. Question # 6 D. COMPUTER/SOFTWARE DATA RECORDING SYSTEM: 2. The system will record data from field testing, keyed-in site identification information, time, pavement condition, wheel path, sensor spacing, loading plate size, etc., and also completely monitor all electrical sensors, motor temperature, shot bolts status sensors, voltages, and instrument ranges throughout the System. Please clarify Shot Bolts Status Sensors? Is this specific to one vendor i.e. Dynatest? Answer # 6 Shot bolts sensors are another term for transport bolt lock sensors that indicate if the locking bolt mechanism for the load weights are open or closed and if it is safe for the unit to be transported. Question # 7

4 D. COMPUTER/SOFTWARE DATA RECORDING SYSTEM: (Continued) 2. The System Software shall be designed to operate as a native program in the Windows 10 environment on the system computer. The System Software shall be GUI (Graphical User Interface) based and allow flexible layout and resizable windows. The GUI shall provide for display of normal operator/equipment interface functions such as setup, test location, file storage and data display as well as distance display (large and resizable), Geographic Position Data (GPS or DGPS), Is a GPS required on the FWD? We were not able to find the specifications the requirements for the GPS on the TMD. Answer # 7 No, the GPS reference is used as an example of what may be displayed on screen if the unit did have GPS installed. Question # 8 D. COMPUTER/SOFTWARE DATA RECORDING SYSTEM: (Continued) 2. The native MDB file format of the software shall be compatible and directly accessible automatically to a mechanistic analysis program with no manual entry or file conversion required. This program, using the TMD file load and deflection data plus user supplied layer thicknesses and traffic data, shall be able to estimate the non-linear response of the subgrade, calculate the E-moduli of up to four (4) pavement layers (both flexible and rigid), determine joint transfer, as well as assess seasonal variation in the E-moduli, predict future failure, and recommend overlay thickness if needed, based on user-defined material damage relationships and climatic variations, as well as additional calculations useful in the mechanistic analysis of pavements, for each point tested, using the deflection basin data as recorded in the TMD file format. Analysis programs shall be fully documented. Capability of plotting surface and layer moduli shall be presented in real time for viewing. Please clarify which mechanistic analysis program is discussed here? Does the vendor have to provide the mechanistic analysis program as part of the deliverable? Answer # 8 Any pavement analysis program developed for processing FWD data that allows the data to be used directly to estimate roadway repair treatments. Mechanistic in this case means that the data does not have to be reformatted to be used within the analysis software. Question # 9

5 D. COMPUTER/SOFTWARE DATA RECORDING SYSTEM: (Continued) 2. The native MDB file format of the software shall be compatible and directly accessible automatically to a mechanistic analysis program with no manual entry or file conversion required. This program, using the TMD file load and deflection data plus user supplied layer thicknesses and traffic data, shall be able to estimate the non-linear response of the subgrade, calculate the E-moduli of up to four (4) pavement layers (both flexible and rigid), determine joint transfer, as well as assess seasonal variation in the E-moduli, predict future failure, and recommend overlay thickness if needed, based on user-defined material damage relationships and climatic variations, as well as additional calculations useful in the mechanistic analysis of pavements, for each point tested, using the deflection basin data as recorded in the TMD file format. Analysis programs shall be fully documented. Capability of plotting surface and layer moduli shall be presented in real time for viewing. What is meant by real time viewing? Please clarify, in the field, and/or in the office? Answer # 9 The data from the testing will be displayed on screen after each test drop sequence, instead of needing to be processed later to show data results. Question # 10 IV. TRAINING: Operator: The successful vendor shall include services of qualified factory trained technicians for not more than 5 training sessions of not more than 6 hours at 1 PENNDOT location to train personnel in the proper operation, safety and servicing of the equipment. Are there 5 training sessions with each training session of 6 hours or combined time for 5 training sessions is 6 hours? If 5 training sessions of 6 hours each then do, we have to conduct them in five separate trips? Answer # 10 A maximum of 5 days of training with no more than 6 hours in one day, if needed. Each day will be after each other and consist of training 2 operators on all functions and aspects of the TMD operation including software. Question # 11 V. WARRANTY: (Continued) BODY WARRANTY: Constructability and durability of body shall be guaranteed for five (5) years, parts and labor. A decal shall be affixed to the driver s door, on the inside, stating the company s name, address and phone number. What is meant by body here? FWD system body or Truck Body or Service Body? Please Clarify.

6 Answer # 11 Service body. Question # 12 C. TRUCK MOUNTED DEFLECTOMETER TEST SYSTEM SPECIFICATION: 2. PAVEMENT LOADING/DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: The load requirement is defined in terms of loading time and rise time. The requested loads can be obtained with different combinations of mass, buffers and heights. The reason to specify certain masses to be dropped (50 kg, 150 kg, 250 kg and 350 kg) from a certain height range seems to be only to define a specific brand, rather than to describe good properties of the TWD. Answer # 12 This statement was meant to be an example, please disregard the actual mass numbers, the main requirement we are looking for is that your machine can drop different masses from different heights. Question # PAVEMENT LOADING/DEFLECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM: (Continued) k. The deflection sensors (hereafter called "deflectors") shall be inertial transducers, such that the peak magnitudes of deflection are obtained from an inertial reference system through signal integration. For maximum calibration accuracy and stability, all signal processing shall be performed digitally, i.e. no analog electronic circuits may be used for integration or filtering. The direct, buffered output from the deflectors shall be digitized by an Analog-to-Digital converting circuitry with 16-bit resolution or better. With 7 (or optionally more) active deflectors, each of these shall be sampled no less than 20 times per millisecond irrespective of the number of active channels

7 Requested deflection sensor accuracy and precision are defined by a percentage of measured deflection and a certain number of digits, and also by reference to calibration procedures. Such accuracy can be obtained with different AD-converter resolutions and different sampling frequencies. In addition, there are requests for the use of a certain resolution and a certain sampling frequency. Such additional requests seem to have no other purpose than to define a specific brand, rather than describe good properties of the device. Especially the sampling frequency request seems strange since it is about 5 times higher than what is needed to obtain the requested accuracy. Answer # 13 Once again, this statement was meant to be an example only, your main requirement is that the signal processing is digital and that you show what your sampling rate is. Question # 14 Specific requirements IC1h, page 6: Clearly states that the pavement loading device should be electromechanical with (no Substitutes) and that does not use hydraulics. We make a hydraulic lift system which eliminates us from the bid. Telling an FWD maker how to lift the falling mass is an eliminating strategy because how you lift the mass is irrelevant! As long as you meet the dynamic curve properties of the ASTM D Standard and the RS32 calibration protocol. Those are standards set in the United States to describe the real details of a Falling Weight Testing system. IC2G, page 7: Again, it is written here. Again, this is not rocket science, raising a dropping a weight is how we produce the required force and dynamics of a standard and choosing how we do it is a design decision and not the standard! Answer # 14 We agree, how you lift the mass is irrelevant as to meeting the dynamic curve properties of the ASTM D Standard and the RS32 calibration protocol. With that being said it is not a requirement to use hydraulic power to meet those standards. We have found that hydraulic powered systems on FWD s are problematic when used in low temperature climates such as Pennsylvania. There have been times when the hydraulic power systems PennDOT is using now have become un-usable at low temperatures. Because the units in question will be used in in low temperature climates we are requiring that these FWDs to be electromechanically powered. We are asking that any manufacture of only hydraulic powered FWDs, retro-fit their system to meet this specification. If you are not inclined to meet this specification your bid will be rejected as no-responsive. Question # 15 IC2E, page 7: This portion of the specification implies that you store the weights in the Utility bed. JILS does not add and remove weights from its falling mass. We use a lockout system to meet the same loading range specification. Answer # 15

8 We don t consider this a major issue; we are willing to accept your lockout system as an alternative. Question # 16 1C2f, page 7: The speed of the system is very important, this I agree, however, clearly you are calling out a Dynatest specification here. We can do this is 13 seconds! And by the way, the Dynatest High speed system doesn t have 5 years in the Market! Your specification is contradicting each other. I expect a full disclosure if Dynatest wins this as it is clearly written around their system. Ralph, you even said that you got these specifications from PDOT which uses a Dynatest which again proves my point of a bias specification towards them. Answer # 16 The Commonwealth is interested in purchasing units that meet the needs of the Commonwealth as set out in this IFB. If there is any reference to any manufactures specification It is only as a reference. The specification states that we require less than 15 seconds for a complete test cycle. If your system can do it in 13 seconds, then it is fully acceptable. When it comes to the 5 year/usa requirement the Commonwealth will accept any hydraulic model that meet this requirement that is upgraded to an electromechanical power system. Question # 17 1C2k, page 8: You even describe how we should sample and digitize our signals at 20k samples per second. How do you even know what Dynatest digitizes at? Why would an agency tell the vendor how to sample data! The ASTM standards, and calibration protocols dictate the industry and not Dynatest! Please explain in detail why you would call out a Dynatest digitization specification and it s meaning to you. Do you know if you sample that high, you could get major anti-aliasing errors! We can meet this specification, but there is no way you can check this specification because data collection is normally a proprietary item! I will have more questions on Monday, this is a good start to get this moving in the direction of re-writing this specification to allow for an open bidding and legal process. Answer # 17 Again, if there is any reference to any manufactures specification it is only as a reference. This statement was included as minimal requirement; we were not aware anti-aliasing errors at this sample rate. We would be willing to overlook this requirement if we could see documentation showing that the anti-aliasing errors exist at this rate.

9 Type of Solicitation: Electronic Bid (SRM) - Review the Questions section of your solicitation response to ensure you have responded, as required, to any questions relevant to solicitation addenda issued subsequent to the initial advertisement of the solicitation opportunity. Except as clarified and amended by this Addendum, the terms, conditions, specifications, and instructions of the solicitation and any previous solicitation addenda, remain as originally written. Respectfully, Name: Ralph Constance Title: Commodity Specialist Phone: rconstance@pa.gov