Tender for Ecological Restoration of Asphalt Roads in the Grand Site de l'Estérel Joint Management Public Establishment

Project Name: Ecological Restoration of Asphalt Roads in the Grand Site de l'Estérel

Notice Reference: 26-15131

Procurement Type: Works

CPV Code: 45112500 (Site clearance and earthmoving work)

Tendering Procedure: Open Adaptive Tender Procedure

Lot Division: Not divided into lots, awarded as a single contract

Project Location: Fréjus (83600), Var Department, France

Contract Duration: 1 month

Project Description: This project involves the ecological restoration of three asphalt roads within the jurisdiction of Fréjus. Two of these roads are forest fire access roads under the framework of the Intercommunal Plan for Forest Fire Prevention Clearance and Forestry Planning (PIDAF) of the Estérel.

The main works include, but are not limited to:

Road 1 (PIDAF North Line Fire Access Road)Length: Approximately 1.8 km

Current Condition: 4.5-meter wide asphalt pavement, partially damaged, with vegetation encroachment on both sides

Functional Role: Main forest firefighting access road, connecting the northern forest area of Fréjus to the departmental fire emergency network

Ecological Sensitivity: Traverses Mediterranean scrubland and the edge of cork oak forests, involving habitats for rare bird species

Road 2 (PIDAF South Line Fire Access Road)Length: Approximately 2.2 km

Current Condition: 3.5-meter wide asphalt pavement, with multiple areas of settlement and failed drainage facilities

Functional Role: Secondary firefighting access road and connector to hiking trails in the scenic area

Ecological Sensitivity: Adjacent to seasonal wetlands, requiring high soil permeability

Road 3 (Internal Scenic Area Connector)Length: Approximately 1.2 km

Current Condition: 4-meter wide asphalt pavement, with aging surface and clogged side ditches

Functional Role: Low-volume tourist traffic and ecological education trail

Ecological Sensitivity: Traverses cork oak forests, with high landscape visual sensitivity

Technical Requirements

Existing Pavement Removal and Material RecyclingPavement Saw Cutting

Use diamond saw blades or milling machines for longitudinal and transverse cutting of the asphalt surface layer

Cutting Depth: Determined based on structural layer thickness, generally not less than 6 cm

Cut edges must be straight and neat to avoid irregular disturbance to the base layer

Use low-vibration cutting techniques near tree root zones, establishing root protection buffer areas

Pavement MillingMilling Thickness: 4-6 cm (surface layer), deepening to 8-10 cm at locations with base layer damage

Milling Width: Full-width or partial-width implementation according to the design cross-section

Milled Material Particle Size Control: ≤30 mm to facilitate subsequent recycling

Simultaneously spray water mist during milling to suppress dust and control dispersion

Milled Material Handling and Recycling

Milled asphalt mix must be sorted and stockpiled on-site; mixing with debris is strictly prohibited

Encourage On-site Recycling: After crushing and screening, use as subbase or base course aggregate

Non-recyclable parts must be transported to licensed waste disposal sites with accompanying disposal manifests

Material Utilization Target: ≥70%

Subgrade Shaping and CompactionMilled Material Leveling

The exposed top surface of the base layer after milling must be leveled

Fill local depressions with recycled milled material, laid in layers

Leveling Tolerance: ±2 cm / 3-meter straightedge

Compaction WorkCompaction Machinery: Vibratory roller over 12 tons; use small rammers for edges and areas near trees

Number of Compaction Passes: Not less than 4 (2 static passes + 2 vibratory passes)

Compaction Degree Requirement: ≥95% (Modified Proctor method)

Moisture Content Control: Within ±2% of the optimum moisture content

Subgrade FormationCross Slope: 2% - 3%, ensuring smooth surface runoff

Longitudinal Slope: Maintain original design grade; adjust to ≥0.5% at localized ponding sections

The subgrade surface should be level, compacted, free of wheel ruts, and free of loose material

Road Alignment Reshaping and Longitudinal Grade AdjustmentHorizontal Alignment Optimization

Retain the overall original road alignment; moderately widen curves with insufficient radius

Minimum Curve Radius: ≥15 m (fire access roads) / ≥10 m (scenic area connector)

Use gradual transitions for widened sections, with a transition rate ≤1:10

Vertical Profile AdjustmentIncrease longitudinal grade to above 0.5% at ponding sections

Provide gentle slope sections where grade length exceeds 200 m

Vertical Curve Radius: Convex ≥300 m, concave ≥200 m

Cross-section ReshapingRoadway Width: Maintain original width for fire access roads (3.5 - 4.5 m); moderately narrow scenic area connector to 3 m

Use natural edge finishing, eliminate curbs, and achieve smooth transition with surrounding terrain

Provide permeable shoulders or grassed swales on both sides, width 0.5 - 1.0 m

Hydrological Management Facility InstallationSurface Runoff Diversion

Cross Slope Guidance: Roadway cross slope 2% - 3%, directing runoff to one or both sides of the road

Install Spaced Outlet Openings: One every 20 - 30 m, width 0.5 m, to allow dispersed runoff into roadside vegetation zones

Concentrated drainage directly impacting slopes or gullies is strictly prohibited

Grassed Swale SystemLocation: One or both sides of the road, flexibly arranged according to existing topography

Cross-section Form: Trapezoidal or parabolic, bottom width 0.3 - 0.5 m, depth 0.2 - 0.4 m

Side Slope Gradient: 1:2 - 1:3

Vegetation: Sow native drought-tolerant grass species (e.g., *Miscanthus sinensis*, fescue, Bermuda grass), coverage ≥90%

Function: Detention, filtration, infiltration, and peak flow reduction

Culverts and Low-water CrossingsInstall precast concrete pipes or stone masonry box culverts at seasonal gullies

Culvert Diameter: ≥400 mm, with inlet/outlet protection and energy dissipators

Use low-water crossings for low-flow channels: road surface smoothly connects to channel bottom, allowing shallow water flow

French Drains and Catch Basins

Install gravel-filled French drains in localized depressions, cross-section 0.3 m x 0.4 m, wrapped in geotextile

Catch basins are only permitted in extreme ponding areas, paired with subsurface infiltration/drainage systems

Soil and Water Conservation Measures

Install temporary sediment basins downstream of grassed swales during construction

Cover exposed slopes and temporary stockpile areas with biodegradable geotextile or sow fast-growing grass seeds

Restore vegetation on construction access roads; no bare ground shall remain

Special Ecological Restoration RequirementsVegetation Restoration

All disturbed ground surfaces must be revegetated during the first planting season after project completion

Priority use of native shrubs (e.g., rosemary, lavender, rockrose) and herbaceous plants

Introduction of invasive alien species (e.g., black locust, *Rhus typhina*, Canadian goldenrod) is prohibited

Wildlife Passage Protection

Install temporary barriers along forest edge sections during construction to minimize disturbance to amphibians and reptiles

Culverts shall also serve as small wildlife passages; lay natural gravel on the culvert bottom

Landscape Integration

Use light-colored gravel or permeable stabilized crushed stone for road surface materials, harmonizing with the surrounding natural environment

Use of white reflective materials and high-saturation road markings is strictly prohibited

Road edges should transition naturally, avoiding artificial appearance

Quality Control and Acceptance StandardsMaterial Testing

Milled Recycled Material Gradation: Sample once per 500 cubic meters

Compaction Degree Testing: One test point per 200 meters, using sand cone method or nuclear density gauge

Geometric Dimension AcceptanceRoadway Width: Allowable deviation ±5 cm

Cross Slope: Allowable deviation ±0.5%

Surface Levelness: ≤1.5 cm / 3-meter straightedge

Hydrological Function AcceptanceGrassed Swales: No ponding 24 hours after rain

Low-water Crossings: Even sheet flow, no concentrated scouring

Culverts: Smooth flow, no siltation at inlet/outlet

Ecological AcceptanceVegetation Coverage: ≥80% by end of first growing season, ≥90% by end of second growing season

No invasive alien species present

Soil Loss: ≤2 tons/hectare/year

Environmental Protection Measures During ConstructionDust Control

Milling and crushing operations must be equipped with mist cannons or water trucks

Transport vehicles must be covered; wash vehicles upon exiting the site

Suspend dust-generating operations when wind speed exceeds level 6

Noise Control

Prohibit high-noise operations between 22:00 and 07:00 the next day

Install temporary noise barriers near residential areas

Waste Management

Sort and stockpile milled material, waste concrete; clear regularly

On-site burial or random dumping is strictly prohibited

Conduct comprehensive site cleanup and restoration after construction

Schedule and Resource Allocation

ProposedPlanned Duration: 25 consecutive working days (extended during rainy season)

Construction Window: Recommended to avoid the peak bird breeding season (April-May) and extreme heat (July-August)

Personnel Allocation: Project Manager: 1, Site Supervisors: 2, Equipment Operators: 4, Laborers: 6

Main Equipment: Milling machine: 1, Roller: 1, Small excavators: 2, Dump trucks: 2, Water truck: 1

Site Visit Requirements:

Mandatory Site Visit: Yes

Site Visit Method: Bidders must independently visit the site before submitting their bid and bear the corresponding responsibility. The Tendering Authority will not organize a unified site visit. Bidders must declare in their bid documents that they have independently conducted the site visit and fully understand the site conditions.

Tender Rules:

Bid Submission Platform: French Public Procurement Electronic Platform

Negotiation Procedure: Not applicable (direct evaluation)

Qualification Requirements: Specific qualification conditions and documentary evidence requirements are detailed in the "Tender Rules Document"

Mainly include:

Professional Qualification: Possess legal qualification for undertaking public works contracts

Economic and Financial Capacity: Turnover for the past three years, bank credit certificate, or professional risk insurance

Technical and Professional Capacity: List of similar project experience in the past three years, description of construction equipment configuration, qualification certificates of the technical manager