Introduction The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking ways to “promote use of construction materials with lower embodied emissions” in accordance with Executive Order 14057, “ Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability .” In connection with an upcoming program to modernize and construct land ports of entry, GSA is seeking information from industry on the availability of environmentally-preferable asphalt mixes, particularly along the U.S. northern and southern borders. For the purposes of this RFI, “environmentally-preferable” asphalt mixes are those with superior environmental attributes, such as low embodied carbon. “Embodied carbon” in this context refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, production, transport, and manufacturing of materials. GSA has engaged with industry trade associations and public sector agencies to learn more about what types of asphalt are available, and opportunities for specifying more sustainable options. While GSA knows there is market availability, there is more to learn from industry regarding barriers to production of sustainable asphalt, best practices for GSA-funded projects, and what opportunities there may be for our agency to consistently use such products in the future. This Request For Information (RFI) is for general fact-gathering purposes only. Interested parties will not be reimbursed for any costs related to providing information in response to this RFI. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. The proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for these services is 324121 Asphalt Paving Mixture and Block Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 500 employees. Purpose of this RFI To gather information on the ability of asphalt manufacturers and resellers, including small businesses, across the country to provide product-specific cradle-to-gate Type III environmental product declarations for asphalt, and to provide asphalt that has low embodied carbon or that has attributes that are environmentally beneficial. GSA also is interested in the impacts of its sustainability initiatives on underserved or disadvantaged communities. For the purposes of this RFI, “low embodied carbon asphalt” refers to asphalt that has reduced global warming potential, in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per cubic meter, compared to industry averages. Response Requested Your response must be provided no later than 6:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. To respond, please complete the "Online Form" below under Attachments/Links, or email responses to the questions below to
[email protected] . You are not required to answer all of the questions, but the more information we receive, the better GSA’s understanding of the asphalt market. To follow the RFI results or learn more about GSA’s embodied carbon reduction actions, please send a request to
[email protected] . Thank you. Questions for Industry What is your company name, point of contact, telephone number, and email address? Are you an asphalt manufacturer, re-seller, or retailer? Is your company a large or small (fewer than 500-employee) business? What, if any, SBA small business socio-economic category applies to your business, such as Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, or Historically Underutilized Business Zone? Has your company developed a product-specific cradle-to-gate environmental product declaration (EPD) for any of its asphalt mixes? How do you generate EPDs, or non-EPD documentation of attributes such as embodied carbon? Has your company received more business interest after investing in an EPD? Is your company aware of market demand for more sustainable (e.g. low embodied carbon) asphalt? What, if any, embodied carbon reduction strategies do you use ( e.g. EPDs from suppliers, plant energy efficiency, or alternative ingredients)? Do you have dedicated or specialized sustainability staff? Does your company currently produce or supply environmentally-preferable asphalt? If so, please explain ( e.g. at least 20% recycled pavement content, warm-mix (reduced temperature) installation capability, bio-based binders or reduced petroleum content, low embodied carbon, etc.). How does the material’s cost compare to conventional equivalents? Do you currently offer asphalt with innovative or outstanding environmental or performance attributes, such as reduced particulate matter or VOC emissions associated with its manufacture, installation, or use? What, if any, are the technical, economic, or regulatory obstacles to improving the sustainability and/or reducing the embodied carbon of your product? Any suggestions to help the industry reduce asphalt manufacturing’s carbon footprint? Is the strength and durability of your products tested using standard methods from ASTM International or the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials? Has your company experienced quality, workability, or durability challenges with environmentally-preferable asphalt? Please share any implementation lessons learned or best practices. Please identify each state where your company is able to provide environmentally-preferable asphalt. Are you able to provide your product to remote areas of the states that you supply? Is your company’s asphalt typically used on construction sites within 100 miles from your plants? Are measures like mobile asphalt batching plants typically employed when your products are used at remote sites? Have you generated an EPD for a mix produced at a mobile plant? Does your company have the capability to recycle pavement onsite?