Accelerating Market Readiness Program
ID: 693JJ325BAA0001Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OFFEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION693JJ3 ACQUISITION AND GRANTS MGTWASHINGTON, DC, 20590, USA

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330)

PSC

TRANSPORTATION R&D SERVICES; SURFACE TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND RAIL; APPLIED RESEARCH (AS12)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Transportation, specifically the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is soliciting proposals for the Accelerating Market Readiness Program, aimed at enhancing the integration of innovative technologies in highway transportation. This initiative seeks to address critical transportation challenges by inviting proposals that focus on six key innovation topics, including safety, project delivery efficiency, infrastructure performance, climate sustainability, equity, and advanced simulation techniques. The program is designed to foster collaborations among transportation organizations to conduct field tests and document results, ultimately advancing technologies to a market-ready status. Interested parties can reach out to Kristen Hayes at kristen.hayes@dot.gov or Khadija Osman at Khadija.Osman@dot.gov for further information. The solicitation is part of a five-year Broad Agency Announcement, with ongoing opportunities for submission.

    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The memorandum discusses proposed modifications to the Accelerating Market Readiness Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) No. 693JJ325BAA0001, issued on February 13, 2025. The changes aim to align the BAA with recent Executive Orders focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, by removing relevant language and activities. Key alterations include the removal of the Federal Highway Administration's strategic goals and objectives from the main document and the deletion of Topic Areas 4 and 5 from Appendix C, which will be updated for the next call as needed. The document maintains a formal tone and requires feedback to be sent to the Program Manager, Amit Armstrong. This memorandum is part of the government's ongoing efforts to refine grant and funding announcements in accordance with evolving policy priorities.
    The "Accelerated Market Readiness Phase I White Paper Example" outlines a framework for proposing innovative solutions in the transportation industry that aim to address current challenges effectively. The document is structured into several sections requiring detailed responses, including identification of transportation challenges, descriptions of the proposed innovations, their alignment with federal goals, and the anticipated advancements over conventional practices. The guidelines emphasize demonstrating national demand, assessing technology readiness levels (TRLs), and outlining prior support received from research programs. Additionally, it necessitates presenting a funding request and a plan detailing key activities to enhance market readiness, timelines, associated risks, and any proprietary items that may feature in the evaluation processes. This White Paper serves as a pivotal step for stakeholders seeking federal grants or partnerships by promoting innovative transportation technologies supporting national strategic initiatives. It highlights the significance of market research and collaborative efforts with state DOTs to ensure the proposed technology's adaptability in various settings. Ultimately, the submission aims to advance innovations to a TRL of 7 or greater, facilitating their deployment in the transportation sector.
    The document outlines the contract pricing model associated with FHWA Contract # 693JJ3-18-D-000001 for PTG International, Inc. It presents a structured format for estimating direct labor costs, including various labor categories and associated hours, rates, and total costs — all currently indicated as zero. Additionally, it addresses other direct costs (ODC), detailing anticipated expenses for travel, materials, miscellaneous costs, and summaries of total pricing per task. The clear categorization of expenditures aims to guide budgetary considerations and planning for proposals submitted under the Federal Highway Administration's Broad Agency Announcement No. 693JJ3-25-BAA-0001. This pricing model serves as a template for applicants to structure their cost proposals, ensuring transparency and consistency in federal and state RFP submissions.
    The Accelerating Market Readiness (AMR) program, governed by this solicitation, aims to fill technology gaps that enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of U.S. transportation systems. It focuses on six primary innovation topics: 1. **Safety**, targeting the reduction of transportation-related fatalities through data analysis and infrastructure improvements. 2. **Shortening Project Delivery**, seeking efficiencies in project management and funding to better deploy federal investments for high-priority infrastructure needs. 3. **Infrastructure Performance**, promoting strategies to enhance lifecycle performance and maintenance of transportation facilities. 4. **Climate and Sustainability**, addressing the climate impact of transportation systems by adopting resilient infrastructure practices to cope with extreme weather events. 5. **Equity**, working to ensure access to transportation for underserved communities while integrating community engagement into infrastructure planning. 6. **Digital Twins and Advanced Simulation Techniques**, leveraging advanced technologies and AI to improve transportation system planning, design, and maintenance. The purpose of this solicitation is to invite proposals that align with the U.S. DOT and FHWA's strategic goals, aiming for transformative impacts on transportation project delivery and system performance. Feedback on additional topics is welcomed as part of ongoing assessments for innovation opportunities.
    The Accelerating Market Readiness (AMR) program, managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), aims to address transportation-related challenges by supporting innovative technologies and solutions. The program focuses on four main topics: safety, shortening project delivery, infrastructure performance, and digital twins with advanced simulation techniques. 1. **Safety**: The initiative seeks innovative proposals to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, improve safety data analytics for transportation decision-making, and enhance infrastructure for automated vehicles. 2. **Shortening Project Delivery**: The goal is to improve project development processes, target federal investments effectively, and better leverage state and private resources. 3. **Infrastructure Performance**: Proposals should address how to enhance the life cycle operations of transportation systems, utilize innovative maintenance strategies, and employ best practices in planning and risk management. 4. **Digital Twins and Advanced Simulation Techniques**: The program encourages the development of digital twins and AI-driven simulations to enhance planning, construction, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. The FHWA is open to future modifications or new topic areas to align with evolving strategic objectives, emphasizing the importance of innovation to transform transportation project delivery.
    The file outlines the subcontracting plan requirements for bidders in federal solicitations, particularly focusing on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It details the procedures for determining and reporting subcontracting goals, including total contract amounts and specific percentages for various categories, such as small businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, and Historically Underutilized Business Zones. Bidders must provide justifications for lower goals and ensure equitable opportunities for small business concerns. The document also stipulates administrative responsibilities for the subcontracting program, methods for identifying potential subcontractors, and record-keeping obligations. Moreover, it requires participation in compliance studies and submission of periodic reports to ensure adherence to established goals. These guidelines aim to promote the inclusion of small businesses in federal contracting opportunities, ensuring a diverse group of subcontractors is utilized. The overall process reflects the government's commitment to fostering equitable business practices within federal contracting, highlighting transparency and accountability in subcontracting efforts.
    The document outlines the requirements for disclosing lobbying activities as mandated by 31 U.S.C. 1352. It serves as a formal tool for organizations involved in federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to report any lobbying efforts aimed at influencing federal actions. The form requires detailed information, including the type and status of the federal action, the name and address of the reporting entity and any subawardees, the federal agency involved, and the specific program details, including any associated Federal Action Numbers and the awarded amount. Individuals engaged in lobbying must also provide their details. The form emphasizes that failing to file this disclosure can result in significant penalties. Moreover, it is designed to ensure transparency in government transactions, holding organizations accountable for their lobbying activities. The document's outline provides clear instructions for completion, stressing the importance of accurate and truthful reporting in compliance with federal regulations. Overall, the form is a crucial aspect of maintaining integrity in federal funding processes and enhancing public confidence in government activities involving lobbyists.
    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is launching the Accelerating Market Readiness (AMR) Program, soliciting proposals and white papers aimed at enhancing the integration of innovative technologies in highway transportation. This five-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), compliant with federal acquisition regulations, facilitates a flexible approach to address pressing transportation challenges by advancing high-potential innovations from research to practical market application. The program emphasizes transformative solutions that significantly improve safety, project delivery timeframes, and infrastructure efficiency. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with FHWA's strategic goals. The AMR will foster collaborations among transportation organizations to conduct field tests, document results, and increase the knowledge base around these innovations, using the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale as a benchmark for technology maturity. The BAA particularly encourages participation from diverse sectors, including small businesses and academic institutions, while ensuring compliance with relevant government standards and intellectual property requirements. The structure allows for ongoing solicitation through individual calls throughout its duration, providing a strategic avenue for accelerating innovation in the transportation industry.
    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) inviting white papers and proposals for the Accelerating Market Readiness (AMR) Program. This program aims to expedite the adoption of transformative innovations in transportation by funding evaluations and pilot projects that demonstrate their effectiveness. The BAA operates under a five-year open solicitation, allowing for flexible proposals that align with FHWA’s goals of enhancing safety, accelerating project delivery, and improving infrastructure performance. Innovations supported by the AMR must significantly advance conventional practices or fill technological gaps. The BAA seeks submissions that can show the maturity of innovations that are at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5 or 6, with the aspiration to advance them to a market-ready status. The document outlines eligibility, submission processes, funding ranges, and evaluation criteria for proposals, emphasizing the need for objective documentation and thorough testing. Additionally, it stresses strategic collaborations with organizations like the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to foster widespread adoption of successful innovations. Ultimately, the BAA serves as a vital tool for integrating advanced technologies into the transportation sector while ensuring alignment with federal goals and research initiatives.
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