Specifications include, but are not limited to:The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT or Department) is requesting proposals from qualified firms or Offerors for the purpose of hiring a Contractor to develop a complete Hot Mix Asphalt design procedure that considers NMDOT traffic volumes/loading, mixtures containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), PG binders, aggregate types and mix types (Superpave). The Superpave 5 project aims to develop a more robust HMA pavement section. The concept is to design and compact the HMA to 5% air voids and compare it with the currently practiced method of designing at 4% air voids; placing at 7% - 8% air voids, and allowing traffic to compact the material to final design requirements. This new pavement innovation should logically decrease the permeation of water (freezethaw damage) and reduce evaporation of volatiles throughout the mix, which oxidizes the HMA and ultimately makes it more vulnerable to cracking and raveling. The selected Contractor shall perform the following services: Task 1: Review of Current Practice Conduct a thorough and comprehensive National literature research and review to identify and compile current available literature pertaining to Superpave 5 (Hot Mix Asphalt [HMA] Lab Mix Design Procedure at 5% Laboratory Air Voids), including efforts being used in various states. The assessment should include, but not be limited to the following: 1. Designing HMA mixtures at 5% laboratory air voids. 2. Designing and testing mixes at 5% laboratory air voids to have an equivalent rut resistance according to nationally accepted methods. 3. Synopsis of other states’ specifications regarding laboratory air voids at 5%. 4. Summary and comparison of other states specifications regarding mix design procedures for 5% laboratory air voids compared to the current NMDOT practice of design at 4% laboratory air voids but constructing at 7% -8% . 5. Summary of the Superpave 5 mix design concept and how it is being implemented on a national level. This task will identify and compile relevant books, periodicals, documents, technical reports, microfilms, and microfiche through available avenues, including various library databases and interlibrary loans. Task 2: Development of Mix Design at 5% Laboratory Air Voids At the direction and assistance of NMDOT assigned personnel, the Contractor shall identify and collect material according to the following: 1. Collect material from three different aggregate mineral types. 2. Collect three different performance binder grades (64-22, 70-22, and 76-22). 3. Develop two mix types (SP-III and SP-IV). 4. Gyrations for traffic ESALs of: > 30 million and 3 – 30 million shall be utilized in mix design development. 5. Develop a 25% RAP Mix and provide blending chart data that provides verification that the blended binder grade meets virgin binder requirements (PG 70-22). An SP-III and an SP-IV shall be developed for the RAP Mix utilizing gyrations for 3 – 30 million ESALs.