No-Dig Technology

ABSTRACT

A2A manages many construction sites where installation, maintenance, repair, demolition, conservation, or dismantling of pipelines in different materials are carried out. These activities are characterized by a continuous progression of work, usually in the city center, where traffic management could be a problem, at a speed that can vary from some meters to a few kilometers per day.

The "no-dig technologies” represent an excellent sustainable alternative to traditional interventions as they allow the operation of infrastructures linked to the citizen services sector (generally sewers, aqueducts, gas transport and distribution networks), minimizing or completely eliminating open pit excavations. These alternative technologies are of low environmental impact, less dangerous, equally reliable and less invasive, especially in terms of social discomfort and degradation of the surface or road pavement compared to traditional ones.

A2A is looking for a collaborator, a supplier or a partner capable of providing technologies that allow the drilling and/or restoration of underground pipelines, avoiding costly and polluting operations such as excavations, and all the related activities.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; the Solver will only need to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with the goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

OVERVIEW

No-dig technologies, especially if intended in the urban context, are a valid alternative to traditional installation techniques while maintaining proper respect for the environment in many situations such as crossings of roads, railways, waterways, historic centers, flanking urban roads with high traffic, maintenance of underground services, rehabilitation without removal of old pipes. 

There are many types of no-dig excavations, based on the type of intervention to be carried out. Some examples are the relining, a very efficient method used to rehabilitate existing pipes by inserting in new pipes, with a smaller diameter, or drilling solution that respects the precious flooring of the city center where it is necessary to carry out the relining in order to not occupy the entire area of working which could be dedicated to car parking or pedestrian zone, or again the upgrade of a gas pipeline in critical points of the city. The fact of having created a new infrastructure or replaced an existing one without using new raw materials, without digging trenches and without resorting to any superficial demolition, makes relining and any no-dig technology an efficient, safe and above all sustainable way of carrying out maintenance and replacements within the distribution network, simplifying the operations of that portion of the territory from the point of view of time constraints and planning space.

A2A is looking for an official partner to install new infrastructure or rehabilitate existing infrastructure through no-dig technologies or other innovative technologies to make construction sites less inconvenient, yielding faster repairs while reducing the interruption times of services, making it more sustainable for the environment and citizens.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge. The Solver will write a preliminary proposal (about 2-4 pages, including supporting non-confidential information and contact details) to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership. Upon completion of the evaluation, the Seeker may contact selected Solvers directly to work out terms for a collaboration contract. The monetary value of the contract will vary depending on the amount of work to be delivered and the agreed upon time frame.

Proposals from Solvers who have the ability to work directly as the collaboration partner or supplier will be considered first. The Seeker will also consider proposals from other Solvers who refer a suitable candidate as a partner for a “finder’s fee” of $2,000 USD if convinced the candidate is worth contacting. See full description for details.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on February 28, 2023. 

Late submissions will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of A2A Group and their families are not eligible to receive awards for this Challenge. 

ABOUT THE SEEKER

The A2A Group is the largest Italian multi utility, at the forefront of territorial services and technological solutions for ten years, with one hundred years of history and experience. We design smart and sustainable cities, with respect for the people who live there, we are protagonists of energy transition and we implement the principle of the circular economy in all of our activities. With a far-reaching strategic plan, we manage the generation, sale and distribution of electricity and gas, district heating, waste collection and recovery, e-mobility, public lighting and the integrated water services.

What is the Wazoku Crowd?

Imagine a world where any problem you have can be looked at by millions of expert, motivated eyes. The Wazoku Crowd makes this possible. With twenty years of experience in crowdsourcing, the Wazoku Crowd is the gold standard for open talent and external innovation solutions. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with the Wazoku Crowd to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is an eRFP Challenge?

A Wazoku Crowd eRFP Challenge allows Seekers to submit Requests for Proposals for a partner or supplier to provide materials or expertise to solve a business challenge by leveraging the Wazoku Crowd Solver network. This global community includes organizations and individuals, such as contract research organizations, scientists, university researchers, and technology companies.

After a Solver submits an eRFP response, the Seeker evaluates the responses to determine which Solver(s) to contact for further business discussions. With eRFPs, the Solver must not provide any confidential information in the eRFP response. If your eRFP response is selected, you negotiate the terms of the contract (including scope of work, tasks and duration) directly with the Seeker.

This Challenge type does not require Intellectual Property (IP) transfer. However, sometimes Seekers request that certain IP arrangements be made should a partnership be formed.