Intertek-PSI DOTD Retainer Agreement
Statewide
Geotechnical
Comprehensive IDIQ subsurface investigations and engineering analysis for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Firm Profile: Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI)
- Corporate Structure: Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intertek, a global leader in Total Quality Assurance. The firm operates as a major technical arm for geotechnical and construction materials testing across North America.
- Geographic Footprint: PSI maintains a robust presence within the state of Louisiana, with key operational hubs in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, and Shreveport. This localized presence ensures rapid mobilization for statewide DOTD projects.
- Statewide Contractual Standing: The firm is a primary holder of DOTD Contract Nos. 44-24650 through 44-24657, reflecting a deep institutional relationship with the Department of Transportation and Development.
- Technical Certifications: PSI’s laboratories are accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP), ensuring that all soil, rock, and concrete testing meets the rigorous standards required for public infrastructure.
- Interdisciplinary Capabilities: Beyond geotechnical engineering, the firm provides environmental consulting, non-destructive testing, and facility consulting, allowing for an integrated approach to complex bridge and highway projects.
- Human Capital: The firm employs a deep roster of Professional Engineers (PE) licensed in Louisiana, supported by certified geologists and drill crews experienced in the unique alluvial and coastal soil conditions of the Gulf Coast.
- Historical Performance: PSI has a multi-decade track record of delivering geotechnical investigations for high-profile Louisiana assets, including interstate expansions and major river crossings.
- Safety Culture: Operating under Intertek’s global safety protocols, PSI prioritizes Zero-Harm environments, particularly critical for high-traffic roadway drilling and marine-based exploration.
- Equipment Inventory: The firm maintains a proprietary fleet of truck-mounted, track-mounted, and barge-mounted drilling rigs, reducing reliance on third-party subcontractors for core field operations.
- Advanced Testing Services: Expertise includes specialized field testing such as Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT), Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA), and Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL).
- Data Management: Utilization of gINT and other industry-standard software for the digital management of boring logs, providing DOTD with interoperable data for long-term asset management.
- Regulatory Expertise: Deep familiarity with the DOTD Geotechnical Design Guide (GDG) and AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
- Project Management Methodology: Employs dedicated Project Managers for every task order to ensure adherence to strict DOTD timelines and budgetary constraints.
- Diversity and Compliance: Active participation in state DBE/SBE goals through strategic sub-consulting and localized hiring practices within Louisiana parishes.
- Quality Assurance: Internal peer-review processes for all engineering reports, ensuring that foundation recommendations are both conservative and cost-effective.
- Client-Centric Communication: Regular coordination with DOTD District engineers and the Headquarters Geotechnical Section to align field results with design expectations.
I. Scope of Services
- Field Exploration and Drilling: Execution of deep soil borings using hollow-stem augers or rotary wash techniques to characterize subsurface stratigraphy for bridge piers and embankments.
- Laboratory Testing Program: Comprehensive analysis of soil samples, including Atterberg limits, sieve analysis, unconfined compression, and triaxial shear testing to determine soil strength parameters.
- Foundation Analysis: Calculation of axial and lateral load capacities for various foundation types, including driven piles (steel, concrete) and drilled shafts.
- Stability Evaluations: Slope stability analysis for highway embankments and bridge approaches, utilizing limit equilibrium methods to ensure safety factors meet DOTD requirements.
- Seismic Site Classification: Determination of Seismic Design Category based on shear wave velocity or standard penetration test (SPT) data, essential for structural design.
- Settlement Monitoring: Provision and installation of settlement plates and piezometers to monitor consolidation in soft clay layers during and after construction.
- Pavement Design: Development of structural recommendations for asphaltic concrete and portland cement concrete pavements based on subgrade resilient modulus.
- Specialized Marine Investigations: Performance of over-water borings from modular barges for projects involving navigable waterways and river crossings.
- Ground Improvement Recommendations: Engineering guidance on soil stabilization techniques, including cement-treated base, lime modification, and stone columns.
- Deep Foundation Testing: On-site monitoring and analysis using PDA (Pile Driving Analyzer) to verify pile capacities and driving stresses in real-time.
- Reporting and Documentation: Delivery of stamped Geotechnical Evaluation Reports (GER) including final boring logs, laboratory summaries, and construction specifications.
- Instrumentation Support: Installation of inclinometers and extensometers to monitor lateral movements in retaining walls or active landslide areas.
- Construction Support Services: Review of foundation installation plans, inspection of drilled shaft construction, and consulting during pile driving operations.
- Geophysical Surveys: Utilization of electrical resistivity and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to identify underground voids or utility conflicts.
- Corrosion Analysis: Testing of soil and water samples for pH, resistivity, chlorides, and sulfates to inform material selection for concrete and steel components.
- Geosynthetic Design: Engineering for the use of geogrids and geotextiles in reinforced soil slopes (RSS) and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls.
Technical Regulation: LRFD
Load and Resistance Factor Design. The primary methodology used for bridge foundation design, replacing Allowable Stress Design (ASD) for increased reliability.
II. Technical Evaluation Criteria
Staffing and Experience (30%): Evaluation of the prime consultant’s personnel, including years of experience and licensure in Louisiana.
Past Performance (40%): Assessment of previous projects performed for DOTD, focusing on accuracy, timeliness, and budget management.
Project Understanding (20%): The firm's ability to demonstrate a clear grasp of the project-specific geotechnical challenges in Louisiana.
Laboratory Capabilities (10%): Verification of AASHTO accreditation and the ability to process high volumes of samples internally.
Contract Summary
Max Amount
$3,000,000.00
Contract IDs
44-24650 - 44-24657
Service Type
Geotechnical IDIQ
Glossary & Acronyms
IDIQ
Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity. A contract type providing for an indefinite number of task orders during a fixed period.
GDG
Geotechnical Design Guide. The Louisiana DOTD manual governing all soil and foundation design standards.
AASHTO
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Sets the standards for bridge design and lab accreditation.
INTERTEK-PSI
Statewide Prime Consultant