Research Initiatives in Support of FHWA Bridges and Structures Programs 3.0
ID: 693JJ3-23-BAA-0001Type: 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)

Set Aside

No Set aside used (NONE)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Transportation, through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is soliciting research initiatives to support its Bridges and Structures Programs under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 693JJ3-23-BAA-0001, Call 3.0. The primary objective is to develop innovative solutions that enhance the safety, durability, and resilience of the nation’s bridges and tunnels, focusing on areas such as steel and concrete bridges, load rating, seismic resilience, and security technologies. This initiative is critical for advancing infrastructure safety and addressing vulnerabilities, particularly in light of historical events like the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Interested parties must submit concept papers electronically by November 3, 2025, with funding awards typically ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, depending on the availability of funds. For further inquiries, contact Tamiko Aikens at tamiko.aikens@dot.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    This government file presents two cost proposal models, primarily for use in FHWA agreements. The first, a general Cost Proposal Model, details proposed costs across various categories: personnel (categorized by rate/hour), fringe benefits (as a percentage of total personnel cost), travel (number of trips and cost per trip), equipment, supplies, contractual/consultant services, and other direct costs. It concludes with calculations for total direct charges, indirect charges (Facilities & Administrative), and overall totals. The second model, a Contract Price Model specific to FHWA Contract # 693JJ3-18-D-000001 and BAA No. 693JJ319BAA0001 (Time-and-Materials), provides a detailed breakdown of estimated direct labor costs by labor category, hours, rate, and extended cost across multiple tasks. It also includes an
    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement for research initiatives supporting its Bridges and Structures Programs, specifically focusing on bridge and tunnel safety. The announcement outlines three key research topics with a closing date of November 3, 2025, for concept papers.The first topic, HIBS10-BTSIP-001, concerns the 'Analysis and Performance Testing of T-1 Steel Ultrasonic Testing.' It seeks to evaluate ultrasonic inspection reliability based on data from a 2021 FHWA memo requiring verification of butt welds in high-strength steels. Proposals should link defect decibel ratings to forensic evaluations and analyze quality control data to assess UT technician performance and inspection effectiveness.The second topic, HIBS40-TUN-001, addresses 'Safety of Highway Tunnels During and After Fire Events – Smoke Removal Capability of Ventilation Systems.' This project aims to categorize existing tunnel ventilation systems and demonstrate their smoke removal capabilities through physical testing to assist tunnel owners in evaluating their systems.The third topic, HIBS40-TUN-002, focuses on 'Safety of Highway Tunnels During and After Fire Events – Structural Component Assessment.' It seeks to develop post-fire inspection guidelines, including visual assessment and non-destructive testing techniques, to help tunnel owners quickly determine structural integrity after fire events.
    The "CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING" document is a mandatory federal certification for entities receiving federal grants, loans, cooperative agreements, or contracts. It requires the undersigned to certify that no federal funds have been or will be used to influence government officials or members of Congress in connection with these federal transactions. If non-federal funds are used for lobbying, a Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities," must be completed. The certification also mandates that this language be included in all sub-awards at every tier. This certification is a critical prerequisite under section 1352, title 31, United States Code, and failure to comply can result in significant civil penalties ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
    The FHWA Subcontracting Plan Template outlines requirements for bidders/offerors to establish and manage subcontracting goals for federal contracts. It mandates the submission of a plan detailing subcontracting opportunities, particularly for small businesses and other designated categories like Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged, and Women-Owned Small Businesses. The template specifies how to calculate and present these goals as percentages of the total planned subcontracted amount, including rationales for goals set below certain thresholds. It also requires detailing the types of supplies/services to be subcontracted, methods for developing goals and identifying sources, the inclusion of indirect costs, and the designation of an individual to administer the program. Furthermore, the plan necessitates outlining efforts to ensure equitable opportunities for small businesses, maintaining records, and complying with reporting requirements such as the Individual Subcontract Report (ISR) and Summary Subcontract Report (SSR) via the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS). Contractors must also agree to include specific FAR clauses in subcontracts and ensure timely payments to small business subcontractors. This comprehensive template ensures accountability and promotes the utilization of small businesses in federal procurement.
    Appendix A outlines the requirements for a Project QUAD Chart, a standardized one-page visual summary used by government agencies for project briefs. This chart is divided into four quadrants, with a clear project title at the top, and the FHWA Task Monitor and project partner names at the bottom. The first quadrant features visually appealing graphics or pictures (maximum five) representing key technological ideas or expected impact, with copyright attribution. The second quadrant provides a brief project description using a maximum of five bullet points. The third quadrant includes three to five quantitative statements detailing how the project will revolutionize bridge and highway safety, durability, or efficiency, also in a bulleted list. The fourth quadrant presents three to five significant project milestones with associated costs, depicted on a three-year timeline or as a bulleted list. All text must use a common, legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, with specific font sizes for the title (30-36) and quadrant text (14-16) to ensure clarity and brevity. Quad Charts must be submitted using a provided Microsoft PowerPoint template, be limited to one page, and have a file size not exceeding 500,000 bytes (0.5 MB).
    This government file outlines a project likely related to infrastructure or engineering, given its references to a "Project Title," "Project Description," "Cost & Schedule," and "Project Partners." A critical component of this project involves an assessment of "Bridge and/or Tunnel Impact," suggesting that it pertains to transportation infrastructure. The mention of the "Cyprus Viaduct Collapsed – 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake" and its source from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates a focus on structural integrity, seismic resilience, and disaster preparedness in the context of infrastructure development or maintenance. The file also lists an "FHWA Task Monitor," implying oversight by the Federal Highway Administration. This document, therefore, appears to be a preliminary outline for an RFP or grant application, emphasizing structural safety and resilience in infrastructure projects.
    This government file outlines a project likely related to infrastructure or engineering, given the inclusion of 'Project Title,' 'Project Description,' 'Cost & Schedule,' 'Project Partners,' and 'Bridge and/or Tunnel Impact.' The specific reference to the 'Cyprus Viaduct Collapsed – 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake' and the 'FHWA Task Monitor' strongly suggests the project focuses on structural integrity, earthquake resilience, or the assessment/repair of bridges and tunnels, possibly in response to seismic vulnerabilities or historical failures. The document serves as a framework for an RFP or grant application, detailing the scope, budget, collaborators, and potential structural implications of the proposed work, with a clear emphasis on federal highway administration oversight and lessons learned from past disasters.
    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 693JJ3-23-BAA-0001, Call 3.0, seeking research initiatives to support its Bridges and Structures Programs. This BAA, open for 60 months with annual calls for concept papers, aims to solicit solutions for advancing the safety and durability of the Nation’s bridges and highway structures. It focuses on areas like Steel and Concrete Bridges, Load Rating, Seismic Resilience, and Bridge/Tunnel Security, aligning with FHWA’s strategic goals (FY 2022–2026). The selection process is two-phased: an initial project concept paper evaluation (Phase 1) followed by an invitation for full project proposals (Phase 2) for promising concepts. Offerors, including various government entities, universities, and businesses (excluding federal government-owned), must submit concept papers electronically, detailing their technical approach, team qualifications, schedule, and cost estimates. Awards, typically ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, are subject to funding availability and will prioritize proposals demonstrating technical merit, impact on engineering practice, and reasonable costs. All submissions must adhere to specific formatting, intellectual property, and Section 889 compliance requirements.
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