About

The Water Research Foundation is seeking proposals for its new project called Pipeline Infrastructure Replacement Costs.

Objectives

• To provide the water community with reliable cost data that can be used to evaluate different technologies, different project alternatives, and set initial project budgets.

• To present the information in a readily understood format that can be adjusted for regional cost differences and inflation.

Research Approach

• Research Approach Key project aspects would include: 

  • Enlist the participation of leading utilities from across North America, who represent various geographical regions and system sizes and have experiences in a diverse range of rehabilitation technologies. 

  • Convene an expert workshop to decide upon the technologies and parameters to be examined in the project. 

  • Collect relevant bid packages and results from utilities including change order costs (if available). 

  • Exclude costs that are irrelevant to the analysis. 

  • Normalize data in terms of region and translate to current dollars using the Engineering News Record (ENR) construction cost indices. 

  • If appropriate, incorporate updated data from a similar 2003 study by the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) of Louisiana Tech University. 

  • Compile and analyze the cost data.

  • Develop curves for determining appropriate planning level estimates. 

  • Provide methodology for adjusting estimates to reflect regional differences and future inflation. 

  • Provide relevant statistical parameters (e.g., R-square values) for each curve. 

  • Prepare Project Report. 

  • Present this information in an easily understandable and user-friendly format. 

  • Discuss background and bases for the data, and limitations. 

  • Identify key data gaps.

  • Discuss potential future improvements, including concepts for a “living” database/estimating guide and need for ongoing utility involvement.

Funding Information

• The maximum funding available from WRF for this project is $150,000. The applicant must contribute additional resources equivalent to at least 33% of the project award. For example, if an applicant requests $100,000 from WRF, an additional $33,000 or more must be contributed by the applicant. Acceptable forms of applicant contribution include cost share, applicant in kind, or third-party in-kind that comply with 2 CFR Part 200.306 cost sharing or matching. The applicant may elect to contribute more than 33% to the project, but the maximum WRF funding available remains fixed at $150,000.

Eligibility

• Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities. (If there is any funding from non-WRF sources, staff should check with WRF Grants Management regarding possible eligibility restrictions that need to be included). 

• WRF’s Board of Directors has established a Timeliness Policy that addresses researcher adherence to the project schedule. Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals. Direct any questions about eligibility to the WRF project contact listed at the top of this RFP.

Post Date: September 19, 2024