Denver, CO, June 26, 2003 -- The Awwa Research Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the science of drinking water, announced Wednesday that proposals are being requested for an engineering research project scheduled to be launched later this year.
The project--"Installation, Condition Assessment, and Reliability of Service Lines, Connections, and Fittings" (RFP 2927)--was first opened for proposals in March. Due to the high priority of the topic and the lack of suitable proposals received, the project's request for proposal (RFP) is now being re-issued.
Up to $300,000 in funding is available for this study. Information about the RFP will be available on the Foundation's Web site on August 1, 2003, at http://www.awwarf.org. Proposals are due by October 1, 2003.
Many drinking water utilities experience premature failure of service line pipes, connections, and fittings and need comprehensive information on the useful life of service pipe materials to make informed decisions about long-term replacements of these components.
This project would identify parameters and conditions that influence the failure rate of service pipe materials, connections, and fittings, resulting in a best-practice manual based on extensive analysis of existing installation techniques and material types. The project would also develop a methodology for assessing the life expectancy of service lines, connections, and fittings for different materials using a variety of installation techniques under varying environmental conditions.
Proposals submitted in response to the RFP must be postmarked by October 1, 2003. The project must include 25 percent of the total project budget as in-kind or cash contribution. In-kind contributions can be in the form of labor, materials, or laboratory and other services, and may come from project participants such as water utilities, consulting firms, and universities. For the project, an appointed project advisory committee will evaluate proposals based on responsiveness to the RFP, scientific and technical merit, and qualifications of the researchers.
The Awwa Research Foundation is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers. With more than 1,000 subscriber members in the U.S. and abroad, the Foundation has funded and managed more than 700 projects valued at more than $250 million. More information on the Awwa Research Foundation is available at www.awwarf.org.
