Technical Proposal for Roads & Signage Public Contracts

The proposal must present mastery of different asphalt types conforming to NF EN 13108: BBSG (Semi-Coarse Asphalt Concrete) for structural wearing courses, BBM (Thin Asphalt Concrete) for medium-traffic roads, BBTM (Very Thin Asphalt Concrete) for maintenance, EME (High Modulus Asphalt) and GB (Bituminous Gravel) for high-traffic base courses. Structural design follows NF P 98-082 and the SETRA/CEREMA pavement structure catalogue. Structure selection depends on traffic class (T5 to TEX), subgrade bearing capacity and frost zone.

The application plant is a major evaluation criterion. The proposal must detail: the paver (make, screed width, heating system, automatic guidance), the compaction train (number and type of rollers: vibratory, pneumatic, combination), supply equipment (tipper trucks, material feeder) and continuous monitoring tools (infrared thermography, on-board compactometer). NF P 98-150-1 defines application conditions: minimum laying temperature, layer thickness, longitudinal and transverse joints, connection to existing structures.

The quality control plan must cover all stages: material control at the asphalt plant (formulation, temperature, binder content), application control (thickness, compaction, longitudinal evenness) and acceptance testing (core sampling, Marshall compaction, SRT pendulum skid resistance). Compliance thresholds are defined by technical specifications and test standards (NF EN 12697 series). The proposal must present the testing laboratory (in-house or external) and non-conformity treatment procedures.

Road marking must comply with NF EN 1436 (user performance: retroreflection, luminance, skid resistance) and national signage regulations. The proposal must present mastered products: road paint (epoxy, acrylic), hot-applied materials (thermoplastics), preformed tapes and resins. Performance criteria include retroreflection (RL in mcd/m²/lux), durability and skid resistance (SRT). Application requires specific marking machines and controlled application conditions (surface temperature, humidity).

Vertical signage must comply with NF EN 12899-1 (fixed signs) and CE marking. The proposal must cover: regulatory, warning and direction signs, supports and foundation blocks, retroreflective devices (class RA1, RA2, RA3), and compliant installation. Safety barriers (metal barriers NF EN 1317, concrete) require specific qualification. The proposal must also address temporary works signage: approach signage, position signage and traffic management.

Any road intervention requires underground network management. Utility surveys and declarations are mandatory before any excavation. Network intervention authorisation is required for plant operators, works supervisors and managers. The proposal must present the percentage of qualified staff, network marking procedures, excavation techniques near sensitive networks (gas, electricity, telecoms) and protection clauses. Non-compliance carries criminal liability.

The proposal must present a detailed programme with works phasing: earthworks, sub-base, base course, wearing course, signage. Traffic management during works is critical: provisional traffic plan approved by authorities, compliant temporary signage, maintained access for residents, user information. Intervention constraints (night works, time restrictions, exclusion periods) must be integrated.

Qualiroute is the benchmark qualification for road construction companies, covering hot-mix asphalt, surface dressing, road marking, road drainage and earthworks. The proposal must mention qualifications held, their scope and validity dates. Staff must demonstrate specific training: network intervention authorisation, electrical authorisations (near street lighting) and plant operator certificates.

Road works generate significant waste volumes: asphalt planings, excavated soil, rubble. The proposal must present recycling policy: planing recycling at the asphalt plant (incorporation into new mixes), soil reuse, waste tracking. Nuisance reduction is an increasing criterion: noise (night works), dust (watering), vibration (compaction near dwellings). The carbon footprint of warm-mix asphalt and cold techniques is an environmental differentiator.