00795335

Component

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) began contracting a part of roadside mowing operations in the mid 70s. A reduction in forces after the majority of the interstate highway construction was complete, emphasized the need to contract, to maintain the high level of service citizens of Texas had come to expect. The first contracts were for mowing. It was thought that this would be a cost effective activity to contract because it was a seasonal activity with most of the work being performed between April 15 and October 15. It also took a large investment in equipment and is very labor intensive. By contracting mowing the department could reduce the number of maintenance forces and reduce expensive equipment inventory. Also, it was felt that it would be relatively easy to develop a contracting industry, because local farmers could use their existing tractors and mowers to perform this work. Contracts were originally small, usually 2-4 contracts per county. This allowed for many different contractors to bid on the multitude of projects. This was very effective resulting in good competition, low prices and the development of many contractors. The Department continues to contract over 90% of mowing and usually only mows in spot locations or when a contractor defaults. Contracting continued to increase through the 80s with many activities contracted, such as picnic and rest area maintenance, guardrails, raised pavement markings, striping and other mostly non pavement related activities. A dedicated program for preventive maintenance was created in 1986 with $145M for contracted seal coats and light overlays. In the last few years almost every maintenance function has been contracted to some extent. In 1999, for the first time in its history, the TxDOT awarded two Total Maintenance Contracts. This type of contract is more of a management contract whereby the contractor is required to maintain a prescribed level of service for a lump sum bid.

Session H

English

10p

2000

Ninth AASHTO/TRB Maintenance Management Conference

Competition; Contracting out; Cost effectiveness; Guardrails; Highway maintenance; Mowing; Overlays (Pavements); Preventive maintenance; Raised road markings; Roadside rest areas; Seal coats; Striping

Total maintenance contracts

Texas

Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Terminals and Facilities; I60: Maintenance

TRIS, TRB

Jul 19 2000 12:00AM

• EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES AND THE ORGANIZATION BY IMPLEMENTING AND EVOLVING A MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - THREE YEARS IN
• EXPERIENCES IN IMPLEMENTING NEW MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
• IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT IN GREECE
• THE EVOLUTION OF CONTRACT MAINTENANCE