A -- DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR RETROFLECTIVE SHEETING USED FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS

The U. S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration intends to award a contract on a sole source basis to Dr. Paul Carlson from Texas Transportation Institute. The results of the proposed consolidation, review and analysis of research results and on-going evaluations will be used to develop a draft performance-based specification for retroreflective sheeting used in the manufacture of traffic control signs, and will serve as the basis for evaluating the potential impact of providing traffic control signs with varying levels of luminance on driver performance. The work will be documented in a manner to permit the FHWA to determine if additional research is required to fully develop a performance-based specification, and if there is a need to revise the minimum maintained levels of retroreflectivity of traffic control signs due to either new knowledge of driver performance, headlamp specifications, and/or changes in measurement protocols used to characterize material performance. Parties who feel they possess the capabilities to successfully perform the work referenced in this announcement should submit a letter of interest to the FHWA, along with their relevant experience, qualifications and capabilities to the following address: Federal Highway Administration, Office of Acquisition Management, 400 7th Street, S.W., Room 4410, Washington, D.C. 20590.