FRAMEWORK FOR BUNDLING PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECTS USING COMPATIBILITY SCORES TO IMPROVE PROJECT DELIVERY EFFICIENCY IN TENNESSEE
Abstract
State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) face growing challenges in securing competitive bids for small-scale maintenance projects, often due to the limited financial value of these contracts and the overwhelming demand for contractors' resources. Project bundling has emerged as a promising strategy to address these challenges by aggregating multiple smaller, similar projects into larger contracts, making them more attractive to a wider pool of contractors. Despite its potential, the lack of clear guidelines and frameworks for effective bundling remains a significant barrier. This study develops a practical framework and tool for optimizing project bundling to enhance competition and project delivery efficiency. By using an 11-year project cost dataset from the Tennessee DOT (TDOT), the research examines key factors influencing successful bundling strategies, including project compatibility, geographic proximity, and the ideal bundle size to maintain contractor interest. Validation results indicate that the framework achieved an 89% success rate for bundling compatibility and a 78% accuracy in replicating historical bundling patterns, demonstrating its ability to generate optimal project bundles. The proposed framework provides state DOTs with an actionable tool to group similar projects in ways that maximize competition, improve project delivery outcomes, and support more efficient use of public resources.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Krishna Shrestha
FRAMEWORK FOR BUNDLING PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECTS USING COMPATIBILITY SCORES TO IMPROVE PROJECT DELIVERY EFFICIENCY IN TENNESSEE
303
State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) face growing challenges in securing competitive bids for small-scale maintenance projects, often due to the limited financial value of these contracts and the overwhelming demand for contractors' resources. Project bundling has emerged as a promising strategy to address these challenges by aggregating multiple smaller, similar projects into larger contracts, making them more attractive to a wider pool of contractors. Despite its potential, the lack of clear guidelines and frameworks for effective bundling remains a significant barrier. This study develops a practical framework and tool for optimizing project bundling to enhance competition and project delivery efficiency. By using an 11-year project cost dataset from the Tennessee DOT (TDOT), the research examines key factors influencing successful bundling strategies, including project compatibility, geographic proximity, and the ideal bundle size to maintain contractor interest. Validation results indicate that the framework achieved an 89% success rate for bundling compatibility and a 78% accuracy in replicating historical bundling patterns, demonstrating its ability to generate optimal project bundles. The proposed framework provides state DOTs with an actionable tool to group similar projects in ways that maximize competition, improve project delivery outcomes, and support more efficient use of public resources.