Tender Advertisement #1310773

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this project is to find, refine or modify a test method that can satisfactorily measure the segregation of a range of polymers within a Polymer Modified Binder (PMB). The segregation of polymers within existing and emerging PMBs needs to be measured to assess storage stability, including those PMBs that are modified with hybrid polymers - i.e., more than one polymer type, and/or include recycled materials such as crumb rubber and plastic.

SCOPE:
This project will find, refine, or modify a test method to assess the segregation of polymers within a PMB, including those that are modified with multiple polymer types or hybrid polymers that may segregate in a way that current test methods would not identify. Existing test methods will be identified and reviewed for suitability, and laboratory tests will be performed to investigate the sensitivity of the proposed candidate test method.
This project will investigate international test methods that can identify the segregation of PMBs and evaluate their suitability for polymers currently used or likely to be used in Australia and New Zealand including hybrid binders that are manufactured with more than one polymer type including recycled materials such as a combination of crumb rubber and plastic.
A literature review will be conducted to identify whether an existing version of a test method could be used to assess the segregation of existing and emerging PMBs. If no method is suitable, modifications to a current test will be proposed to develop a new Austroads Test Method. Once a candidate method is identified, testing will be undertaken to validate its sensitivity on a range of PMBs which represent existing and potential future products.
A technical report outlining the technical basis and research for the test, and an Austroads Test Method are to be developed. The report will recommend the outcome for the existing Austroads Test Method AGPT-T108-21 Segregation of Polymer Modified Binders - i.e., to be withdrawn or retained for PMBs with only one polymer.

DELIVERABLES:
This project will produce the following final deliverables:
• Technical report
• Test method
• Project data
• Webinar.

Also included as part of this tender are the following documents:
• Writing & Format Requirements for Austroads Publications which sets out the writing and formatting standards for research, technical and internal reports.
• Master Services Agreement outlining our Terms and Conditions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions are not negotiable.

All submissions are to be submitted as a PDF at a maximum size of 10MB.

All submissions are to include a completed Tender Proposal Coversheet.
The naming convention for submissions is: [your Company name] – [Project No.] – [any internal reference numbers].

All submissions are to include a statement as to how the respondent proposes to undertake the work, and keep to the agreed deadlines, given the current and proposed requirements and restrictions due to COVID-19.