ST9302-CN010703ALPHA TESTING, INC.
2209 Wisconsin St., Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75229
972/620-8911 - 972/263-4937 (Metro)
FAX: 972/406-8023 January 16, 2001
CITY OF COPPELL
P.O. Box 478
Coppell, Texas 75019
Attention: Mr. Ken Griffin, P.E.
Re: Proposal
Non-Destructive Testing for
Clay Ball Contamination - Phase I
SANDY LAKE ROAD
"Future" West-Bound Lanes
Moore Road to Denton Tap
Coppell, Texas
ALPHA Proposal No. 7946
We are pleased to present the following proposal for additional investigation of clay balls in the
"future" west-bound lanes of a portion of the recently constructed Sandy Lake Road pavement
between Moore Road and Denton Tap. The purpose of the initial phase (Phase I) of the work is
to determine if it is viable to detect clay balls not visible at the surface of the pavement using
non-destructive testing (NDT).
Detection of internal discontinuities in concrete is possible with various NDT techniques. For
structural members, the use of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity is commonplace when the member can
be accessed from two sides. Pavements, where only one-sided access is possible, require a
different procedure, the Impact-Echo method. When relatively small discontinuities are present,
their detection is more difficult and requires that the impact-echo readings be made at a fairly
close interval. In fact, it must be noted that neither this method, nor any other that we are aware
of, will detect very small clay balls in the pavement. Enclosed is information describing the
Impact-Echo method and how the Impact-Echo technique was used to locate internal
discontinuities in taxiways at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport.
Thus, we are proposing that this work be performed in a phased manner. The initial phase
(Phase I) will be a trial program to determine the reliability of the method and determine the
required spacing for impact readings. This will allow us to establish a statistically reliable test
program with proper confidence limits.
The initial program we propose is to select five or six pavement panels (between control joints
and two lanes wide) for testing and evaluation. Three or four panels with visible clay ball
contamination and two with no visible clay ball contamination will be selected. Impact echo
tests will be performed on pre-determined grids, using extremely close spacing on at. least one
"suspect" panel and one "good" panel. Upon completion of the impact echo tests, small
diameter cores will be removed at several locations where the impact echo tests reveal an
Geotec~nical Engineering · Construction Materials Testing · Environmental Engineering · Consulting
internal discontinuity and from locations where no internal discontinuity was found. The
purpose of these cores is to calibrate our nondestructive testing equipment and to verify the
reliability of the test procedure.
After the initial phase of work is completed and the results are analyzed, we will prepare a scope
and budget recommendation for investigation of the full length of the west-bound lanes.
It is expected the field portion of the work would be accomplished over about a 3-4 day period.
We will also perform the required core drilling and patch the core holes. It is anticipated that as
many as fifteen (15) two-inch diameter cores will be required. We understand that the City will
provide all needed traffic control during the duration of the field work.
We propose a budget of $25,000.00 be established for the Phase I work described above. This
includes travel and expenses for the engineer who performs these tests since he is located in
Northbrook, Illinois. Actual charges for this work will be on a time and expense basis, using our
standard rates in effect at the time the work is performed. All work is performed in accordance
with our standard Terms & Conditions enclosed.
It is anticipated, and the above budget recommendation is based on the fact, that this work on the
future west-bound lanes will not be performed until Contractor completes the work on the east-
bound lanes (currently under construction). If you wish to proceed with the initial phase of the
work at an earlier time, we would be pleased to do so, but traffic disruption will be greater, as
one lane would need to be blocked. Also, our work would likely not proceed as efficiently, so
the budget would need to be increased by about 20 percent.
If this proposal is satisfactory, would you please sign the white copy of the enclosed proposal
acceptance sheet and return it to us. We will consider receipt of a signed copy of this proposal as
our official notice to proceed. Work cannot be initiated prior to receiving a signed copy of this
proposal. Field work would commence within about three (3) weeks from your notification to
proceed. Three copies of the complete written report would be in the mail to you within about
ten (10) working days following completion of the field operations.
Payment will be due in Dallas, Texas within 20 days of receipt of invoice. Payment of our
invoices is not contingent upon the Client receiving funding or payment from other sources.
Modification of this proposal in any way must be initialed by both parties to be effective.
Thank you for this opportunity to offer our services. We look forward to working with you on
this project.
Sincerely yours,
JJ Jim L. Hillhouse, P.E.
~/ President
JLH/pc
Attachments: Proposal Acceptance Sheet
General Terms & Conditions
PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE SHEET
January 16, 2001
ALPHA Proposal No. GT 7946
Description of Services: Non-Destructive Testing for Clay Ball Contamination - Phase I
Project Name: SANDY LAKE ROAD (Future West-Bound Lanes)
Coppell, Texas
FOR PAYMENT OF INVOICES - Charge to the Account of:
Client: (}. ['-b-u O~
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The undersigned hereby accepts all terms and conditions set forth in this PROPOSAL and
warrants that he/she has full authority to bind the Client. Payment Terms: Net Within 20 days
in Dallas, Texas
gnature Date
PROPERTY OWNER IDENTIFICATION (if other than above)
Company ~ ~
Address:
Zip Code
FOR APPROVAL OF INVOICES - Send Invoices To:
Company
Attention:
Invoices for completed work Mll be issued eve~ ~o w~ks for continuous or e~ended projects
unless othe~ise agreed.
SPECI~ ~S~UCTIONS:
REPORT DISTRIBUTION
Firm Street Address City State Zip # of Copies
· GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SCOPE OF WORK. ALPHA TESTING, INC. (hereinafter called ALPHA) shall pedorm the services defined in this contract and shall invoice the client for those
rates shown on the attached fee schedules. The estimate of cost to the Client as stated in this contract shall not be considered as a firm figure, but only an
estimate unless otherwise specifically stated in this contract. ALPHA will provide additional services under this contract as requested by the Client and invoice
the Client for those additional services at standard rates.
SITE ENTRY. Unless otherwise specified, the Purchaser will furnish ALPHA employees and their equipment the right-to~entry to the job site to perform the
work. Reasonable precautions will be taken to minimize damage to the land from use of our equipment. If the Purchaser desires ALPHA to restore the land to
the former condition, the cost of this will be added to our fee. Any damage to property on the site, other than land, due to negligence by ALPHA employees
shall be paid by ALPHA and limited to actual replacement cost.
SAMPLING OR TESTING LOCATIONS. The unit fees included in this proposal do not, unless otherwise specified, include costs associated with surveying
of the site or the accurate horizontal and vertical locations of tests. Field tests or boring locations described in our report or shown on our sketches are based
on specific information furnished to us by others or estimates made in the field by ALPHA employees. Such dimensions, depths or elevations should be considered
as approximations unless otherwise stated in the report. If the Pumhaser specifies the boring locations, we will reserve the right to deviate a reasonable distance
from the locations specified unless this is specifically prohibited by Purchaser in wdting. ALPHA reserves the right to terminate this contract if site conditions
prevent drilling at or near the designated bodng locations and these conditions were not revealed to us pdor to submitting this proposal. If, in order to complete
the borings to their designated depths, a re-drilling is necessitated by encountering impenetrable subsudace objects, this will be charged for at an equitably agreed
on rate.
SAMPLES -- Unless otherwise specified by the Purchaser, ALPHA will: 1 -- Discard all samples (rock and/or soil) 30 days after submission of our final report or,
2 -- Deliver the samples to you or ship them to you at your cost or charges collect or,
3 -- Store the samples for you at an agreed upon rate.
REPORTS. ALPHA will furnish three copies of each report to the Client. The Client will be billed for additional copies at the rate specified in the Fee Schedule.
Reports will be furnished to parties duly authorized by the Purchaser.
DAMAGE TO EXISTING MAN MADE OBJECTS. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or his duly authorized representative to disclose the presence
and accurate location of all hidden or obscure man made objects, relative to field test or bodng locations. Our field personnel are trained to recognize clearly
identifiable stakes or markings in the field, and without special written instructions, to initiate field testing, drilling and/or sampling within a few feet of each designated
location. If we are cautioned, advised or given data in writing that reveal the presence of potential presence of underground or overground obstructions, such
as utilities, special instruction willl be given our field personnel by us. fi, contrary to information given ALPHA by you, in the opinion of our field personnel there
is reason to believe that there may be underground man made obstructions at the site, you and any possible interested third parties such as utility companies,
will be contacted and consulted. Any additional expenses incurred by this will be billed at an equitably agreed on rate. As evidenced by your acceptance of this
proposal, you agree to indemnify and save ALPHA harmless from all claims, suits, losses, personal injuries, death and property liability and resulting from unusual
subsudace conditions or damages to subsudace structures, owned by you or third parties, occuring in the prosecution of proposed work whose presence and
exact locations were not revealed to us in wriling, and to reimburse ALPHA for expenses in connection with any such claims or suits, including reasonable attorney's fees.
INVOICES. Purchaser shall make all payments in accordance with the invoices, and payment is due upon receipt of invoice, unless agreed upon in this contract,
even though Pumhaser has not received any payment from Purchaser's principal, if any. Invoices will be issued at least every four (4) weeks on projects of longer duralion.
Interest of 1.5% per month (but not exceeding the maximum rate allowable by law) will be payable on any amounts not paid within 30 days, payment thereafter
to be applied to accrued interest and then to the principal unpaid amount. Any attorney's fees or other costs incurred in collecting any delinquent amount shall
be paid by the Client.
This contract shall not contain any provisions relating to retainage, unless specifically agreed upon in advance. ALPHA shall furnish all necessary certificates, liens,
waivers, affidavits or other documents as and when requested by Purchaser, if all amounts due to ALPHA have been paid.
TERMINATION. In the event that the Client requests termination of the work pdor to completion of a report, we reserve the right to complete such analyses
and records as are necessary to place our files in order, and where considered by us necessary to protect our professional reputation, to complete a report on
the work performed to date. A termination charge to cover the cost thereof in an amount not to exceed 30 percent of all charges incurred up to the date of
the stoppage of the work may, at the discretion of ALPHA, be made.
ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES. The fees for such services are based upon all time spent on the project by engineering or technical personnel
at the hourly rate of this proposal. The proposal estimate or lump sum does not cover the cost of any conferences, site visits, review of foundation plans and
specifications, or other services subsequent to submittal of our report. Such additional services will be invoiced at the hourly rates. All engineering and technical
work is generally done by ALPHA's regular employees. Special services by other firms or consulltants may on occasion be needed and will be invoiced as shown
in our Fee Schedule.
WARRANTY AND LIABILITY. Our professional services shall be pedormed, our findings obtained, and our recommendations prepared in accordance with
generally accepted engineering practices. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties either implied or expressed. ALPHA assumes no responsibility for interpreta-
tions made by others based upon the work or recommendations made by ALPHA.
Our liability to the Client for injury or damage to persons or property arising out of work pedormed for the Client and for which legal liability may be found to
rest upon us, other than for professional errors and omissions, will be limited to our general liability insurance coverage. An insurance certificate will be furnished
upon request. If increased insurance coverage and/or greater responsibility is required by the Purchaser, we, if specifically directed by Purchaser, will take out
additional insurance (if procurable) to protect us, at Purchaser's expense. We shall not be responsible for property damage from any cause, including fire and/or
explosion, beyond the amounts and coverage of our insurance.
For damage on account of any error, omission or other professional negligence, our liability will be limited to a sum not to exceed $50,000 or our fee, whichever
is greater. Further the Client agrees to notify any contractor or subcontractor who may pedorm work in connection with any design, report, or study prepared
by ALPHA of such limitation of liability for design defect, errors, omissions, or professional negligence, and requires as a condition precedent to their performing
the work a like limitation of liability on their part as against ALPHA. In the event the Client fails to obtain a like limitation of liability provision as to design defects,
errors, omissions, or professional negligence shall be allocated between the Client and ALPHA, in such a manner that the aggregate liability for ALPHA for such
design to all parties, including the Client, shall not exceed $50,000 or the amount of ALPHA's fee, whichever is greater.
In the event the Client makes a claim against ALPHA, at law or otherwise, for any alleged error, omissions or other act arising out of the performance of our profes-
sional services, and the Client fails to prove such a claim, then the Client shall pay all costs incurred by ALPHA in defending itself against the claim.
CGO1083-14