Agency TRANSPORTATION DEPT

Contractor University of Minnesota

SWIFT Contract Number 3000087186 / 3000134753

Project Name Field Evaluation of Friction Measurement and Appli

Project Number (if applicable) 99008 WO56

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The potential benefits from this project include the following:
1) The use of friction measurements can serve as a quantitative and objective measure for determining how well winter road maintenance is being carried out.
2) Maps of measured friction coefficient as a function of GPS location would provide information on road conditions throughout the county area. These could be used for traveler information as well as for optimum scheduling of winter maintenance crews.
3) Successful deployment of the friction measurement based applicator control technology can lead to significant savings for the county by reducing the amount of unnecessary de-icing chemicals applied to the road. This is also likely to result in less damage to our waters, vegetation and transportation infrastructure.
4) At the same time, the technology can ensure that roads are kept safe by applying de-icing chemicals whenever needed.
5) The snowplow operator would be able to devote more time to the plowing operations and to driving safely. His/her burden in terms of applicator control decisions would be reduced.
6) Finally, the use of the automated applicator control technology and further recording of the friction coefficient values and application rates could be helpful in addressing the concerns of the public and in addressing lawsuits, if there were any legal suits related to winter maintenance filed by individuals.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 06/29/2012 - 00:00

Original end date Sat, 11/30/2013 - 00:00

Actual end date Sat, 11/30/2013 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $40000.00

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $40000.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Trunk Highway

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Rich Sanders

Evaluator Email Address Sanders.rich@co.polk.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Good

Evaluate the contractor's quality Average

Evaluate the contractor's cost Average…. For what we received

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Would be beneficial for both the contractor and owner to be in closer proximity to each other… Because of the distance it made things a little difficult to deal with… therefore an Average grade would be appropriate.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): {Empty}

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 3 - neutral