SPECIALTY MIXES The Contractors Perspective The Process

SPECIALTY MIXES The Contractors Perspective

The Process • • The Team The Budget The Lab/ Trials The Road

THE TEAM • • Typically 3 Partners • Owner • Consultant • Contractor To Tender or not to Tender?

THE TEAM - GROUP • • All parties need to take full ownership of the product Be Honest with yourself and one another Be Patient Identify strengths and support weakness Spend time discussing the project with all three partners

THE TEAM - GROUP • • Each partner develops an awareness of the other Partners and what they need to get out of the project Don’t try to get something out of the contractor

THE TEAM - CONTRACTOR • Do not enter in the partnership looking for a cash windfall

THE TEAM - CONTRACTOR • • Treat this as an opportunity to increase your companies knowledge and skills Senior Management must demonstrate the Company’s commitment

THE BUDGET - GROUP • • • Go into as much detail as possible This creates confidence and reduces perceived risk Allow for detailed costing reduces “Fudge Factor” All decisions must consider the end result It may take a couple of iterations to get all the costs right

THE BUDGET - CONTRACTOR • • • Do not call it “Hot and Black” Do recognize the product is different from Everyday Hot Mix Do not treat the project as just another days production

RESOURCES and LOGISTICS • Almost all Specialty Mixes require very specialized materials • Custom Aggregates • Crumb Rubber • Performance Graded Asphalts • Proprietary (4 th & 5 th Party) Materials • Mineral Fillers

RESOURCES and LOGISTICS • • • Not all contractors are blessed with infinite resources Introduction of special additives may require expensive modifications to facilities Sacrificing modifications may impact mix quality

RESOURCES and LOGISTICS • Understand that the Contractor is trying to participate in the project while also trying to run a business.

THE LAB/ TRIALS - GROUP • • • Verify that the materials you have selected will produce the desired result Ensure the Mix design is producible TRIAL! Do not lose patience at this point Do not push through this process ALL parties must agree to move forward

THE LAB/ TRIALSCONTRACTOR • • • Use this part of the process to educate your people Explain how the product may differ in manufacturing and laydown from their “normal” mixes i. e. . Mixing Temp, Rolling Patterns etc. Your attention to detail at this point will increase “buy-in” and improve their performance

THE LAB/ TRIALS CONTRACTOR • • • Use this process to get the BUGS out. Trials can be very frustration! DO NOT “GOTO THE ROAD” UNTIL YOU ARE COMFORTABLE

THE CONTRACT • • Involve the Contractor This is still an experiment Modify Standard documents to reflect the Team's objectives Ensure that performance penalties are appropriate and fair.

THE ROAD - GROUP • • Owners and consultants need to recognize that the contractors employees are not used to their presence and often feel “under the microscope” If you have concerns direct them toward the appropriate person do not direct the crew

THE ROAD - CONTRACTOR • • • Increased supervision is required Increased QC is required Special attention needs to be provided to the critical issues • Rolling patterns • Mixing temperatures etc.