Long-Term Pavement Performance Data Collection Services
This Synopsis is issued in accordance with FAR Part 5.203 in response to the mandatory requirement for a 15-day pre-solicitation notification. The purpose of this Synopsis is to announce the Federal Highway Administration’s intent to issue a solicitation for a Full and Open Competition to procure Non-Personal Technical Support Services for the Office of Infrastructure Research and Development pursuant to FAR Part 19.2.
The Government contemplates award of one Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract utilizing Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Time-and-Materials (T/M) pricing arrangements resulting from this solicitation. The anticipated period of performance is 60 months from the effective date of the contract. The solicitation will be issued during December 2022.
BACKGROUND
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure Research and Development administers the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program in cooperation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the State Highway Agencies, and the National Academy of Science.
The primary goal of the LTPP program is to understand how and why pavements perform as they do. To accomplish this goal, the program collects pavement performance data using standard data collection procedures and protocols on a variety of pavement types. Since 1989, the LTPP program has collected this information at nearly 2,509 pavement test sections throughout the United States and Canada.
Test sections are designated to be part of the General Pavement Study (GPS) experiments or the Specific Pavement Study (SPS) experiments. The GPS test sections were established on existing pavements that used an experimental matrix to guide the selection of the test sections that would cover, to the greatest extent possible, the range of factors required to explain pavement performance. Test sections for SPS experiments were built to specific designs and thicknesses, as defined in the experimental plans. The pavement performance and other data collected at the GPS and SPS test sections are available through the LTPP InfoPave™ web portal to pavement engineers and researchers worldwide to advance the science of pavement engineering.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this contract is to provide technical non-personal services to collect, manage, and process pavement performance and other data in support of the LTPP program. The Contractor shall supply all of the necessary facilities, equipment, materials, personnel supervision and other items and services necessary to provide technical support to the LTPP and other FHWA research programs as defined in the Statement of Work (SOW).
The scope of this contract includes the collection of site-specific data from LTPP test sections or other test sections of importance to FHWA, the coordination of data collection efforts of other Contractors and highway agencies, quality control of data collection procedures and data, and the entry of data into the LTPP program’s Pavement Performance Database and the Ancillary Information Management System. There are currently 332 active LTPP test sections located throughout the US and Canada where pavement performance and other data are still being collected. It is anticipated that data will be collected from approximately 100 to 150 test sections per year.
DETAILS
The solicitation will be released electronically via this Government Point of Entry (GPE) otherwise known as Federal Business Opportunities or www.SAM.gov. As such, no written, telephonic or other type of request for an advance copy of the solicitation will be entertained at this time. Potential Offerors are encouraged to register on www.SAM.gov to receive any further information in reference to the subject action inclusive of any announcements, and/or amendments to the solicitation after its release.
693JJ323R000009 Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
12/1/22, 2:21 PM Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) III Program (2020-2025)
The purpose of this announcement is to update the opportunity originally posted on FAACO on 01/14/2020, titled CLEEN III, Solicitation # 693KA9-20-R-00003.
Amendment 693KA9-20-R-00003-0001 posted on 01/21/2020 sought to clarify questions about the SIR.
Amendment 693KA9-20-R-00003-0002 posted on 01/30/2020 cancelled the Draft SIR notice. Based on the feedback received as a result of the DRAFT SIR notice, the SIR has been updated and modified to reflect an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) template.
Beta.SAM.GOV will be the central entry point for those who make, receive, and manage federal awards and is the authoritative site for the following government contract opportunity below.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) located at 800 Independence Ave Southwest, Washington, D.C., 20591, is issuing this Screening Information Request (SIR) to procure Other Transaction Agreement(s)(OTAs), as authorized by 49 U.S.C., §106 (l)(6) and/or 106(m) Cooperative Agreement. The purpose of this Agreement is to establish on a cost share, 1:1 minimum, basis, the development of Phase III of the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program (2020-2025) to mature technologies for civil subsonic and supersonic airplanes to help achieve the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) goals to increase airspace system capacity by reducing significant community noise and air quality emissions impacts in absolute terms and limit or reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions impacts on the global climate.
The period of performance includes one base year and four one-year option periods. All awardees will enter into the Agreement utilizing the OTA format, included as Attachment A of the SIR.
Questions for the SIR can be submitted no later than 2:00 p.m. EDT, 28 February 2020 via email only. Interested vendors are advised that the FAA reserves the right to not address any questions that are submitted after this date has closed.
Proposals are due no later than 2:00 p.m. EDT, 20 March 2020 (electronic copies only).
No telephone calls will be accepted.
693KA9-20-R-00003 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters
2/25/20, 11:23 AM Unmanned Aerial Systems Research
1.0 Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), Cambridge, MA, is conducting a global market research to identify availability of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones suitable to carry a minimum of 250 pounds, either a person or bulk payload, at a minimum speed of 50 mph with a sustained flight of 20 minutes. The solution may be commercially-off-the-shelf or do-it-yourself kits and/or plans for actual systems. This Sources Sought Notice does not constitute a solicitation and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government will not pay for any effort expended in responding to this notice.
2.0 Background
The dynamic and rapid advancement in UAS requires the Volpe Center to assess current UAS and drone technology and determine development trends in the next 5 years. The Volpe Center is researching various platform’s capability; performance characteristics; and safety of possible passengers and surrounding public.
3.0 Description
The Volpe Center is conducting a global market survey to determine the current and near term (within 3 years) technology for civilian UAS/drone operations capability of carrying a payload of 250 pounds or more (passenger(s), and/or payload) with a minimum cruising speed of 50mph for a minimum of 20 minutes. The UAS/drone may be of any configuration, such as fixed wing, tilt-wing, tilt-rotor, rotor, or quad/multi-engine copter; with any launching/recovery methodology, such as wheeled, skids, Vertical/Short-Take-off and landing (V/STOL). The Volpe Center is also interested in understanding the remote piloting operation and safety systems in case of communication link failure or on-board performance issues that requires the UAS/drone to immediately land safely.
The Volpe Center is focusing on new to market or systems with a targeted commercial availability within the next three years. The systems may be available as a completed systems, do-it-yourself kit, or detailed plans with commercially available equipment list. The Volpe Center is not focusing on ultra-lights, gyro-copters, or existing similar systems which require a pilot to be in the vehicle. Tested technology to adapt piloted craft to remote operation is welcome.
To assist the Volpe Center in conducting this market survey and assess responses in a timely manner, the Volpe Center will review Offeror information to determine answers to the following items:
General description of UAS/drone
Physical dimensions and specifications
Number of Engines and power requirements
Number of seats (if any)
Ability to be piloted on-board as well as remotely
Tested maximum payload load for a sustained flight of 20 minutes at maximum cruising speed
Tested minimum/maximum cruising speed of with maximum payload and with no payload
Tested minimum/maximum altitudes
Tested or estimated maximum range at 50mph and at maximum cruising speed
Tested or estimated maximum flight time and under what operational conditions
Tested performance characteristics at maximum cargo loading and at zero cargo loading, and at various in-between weights
Tested performance characteristics at maximum cargo loading weight with equal balance in each longitudinal half of the cargo compartment, as well as at 85% of the cargo weight in the aft half of the cargo compartment (i.e., 15% in front half), and at all in-between weight and balances
Power/fuel type; required and/or options
Methodology visual information, if any, provided to the remote pilot (i.e. wide field of view camera, or 360 degrees horizontal and 180 degrees vertical rotation with in-cockpit controls and display.
Cargo/passenger compartment specifications (internal or external)
Methodology to deliver cargo/passengers
Methodology to initiate return to origination or next location following delivery of cargo/passengers
Known consumables
Logistics to transport UAS/drone to/from a facility to safe operational area and amount of time and personnel to prepare for operations.
Method of take-off/landing, and minimum/maximum length of surface when operating a maximum useful load capacity and when operating with maximum fuel with no passenger/cargo.
Skill level to assemble/build/operate UAS/drone, tools required, estimated hours and personnel to assemble/build
Technical description of the systems electrical system with rechargeable battery, to include method of charging batteries and manufacturer)
Ability and method to operate autonomously (full/semi/none) along pre-loaded flight plan to destination
Ability to automatically and dynamically compensate for minor, random, and continuous weight-and-balance shifts within the cargo area
Ability to automatically and dynamically compensate flight path for changing environmental characteristics (e.g., winds, rain)
Ability to operate in non-ideal visibility conditions (such as fog, low ceiling, dusk/dawn, night)
Tracking system, if so equipped
Lost Link Emergency procedure
Communication system from remote pilot to UAS/drone
Certification from nation civil aviation authority requirements for UAS/drone and for pilot.
Software to operated UAS/drone and remote pilot control system
Control system for remote pilot
Estimated cost to acquire and time to ship after receipt of order
4.0 Submission Instructions
The Offeror shall provide documentation that adequately describes the UAS capabilities, flight control and instrumentation; performance characteristics; estimated cost to acquire, build, operate; Availability of UAS as a commercial-off-the-shelf plans/kit/constructed UAS, or prototype systems with proven ability to safely fly; certification, either obtained or in the process of obtaining, from the Offeror’s nation’s civil aviation authority (i.e. the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency). Hyperlinks to videos showing actual flight is welcome in addition to the provided documentation.
Interested Offeror shall submit a written Statement of Capabilities of sufficient detail demonstrating their understanding of the Section 3.0 description of characteristics (above). The Offeror must describe how the services relate to the Offeror relevant past performance (three (3) previous or current experiences in the past five (5) years). Capability information for the three (3) previous or current past performance experiences shall include: Contract number; Customer (Government agency, private industry); Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) name, telephone and fax numbers; contract value and type of contract; period of performance; and description of product/services. Information provided shall be detailed and shall show technical capabilities, knowledge, and expertise so the Government can assess the ability to provide the described services in each of the above stated work areas.
All of the information sought should be conveyed in no more than fifteen (15) pages. Page size is set at 8.5” X 11” and text should be no smaller than 11 point and double spaced. All responses must be in electronic form. Had papercopies will not be accepted. Each response must reference the Sources Sought title. Ensure to provide the Offeror’s name and the following Offeror information:
Point of Contact (along with telephone and email address);
DUNS Number and CAGE Code;
Contractor Address; and
NAICS code as registered in the System for Award Management.
Interested small businesses shall indicate their socio-economic small business size status (Total Small Business, 8(a) business development, historically underutilized business zone, service disabled veteran owned, small disadvantaged, or woman-owned) in the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. As a result of recent changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19, small business concerns must ensure that their status certifications are up to date.
Interested parties must respond to this announcement in writing by 14 August 2020, 2:30 PM, Eastern Time. Telephone requests will not be honored. All responses must be submitted via e-mail to David Berger at david.berger@dot.gov. Electronic attachments to the e-mail should be submitted in Microsoft Office 2007 (or later) productivity application formats, or any format that can be imported by Microsoft Office.
5.0 Information Availability
THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for information and planning purposes only, and is a market research tool to determine the availability and technical capability of Contractors prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal. The notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotations, and proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of response to this Sources Sought notice. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this synopsis and submittals will not be returned to the sender. Submissions must be disclosable to the public or the submitter should provide a summary statement that can be disclosed to the public with fuller supporting information that is clearly marked as restricted. The Government will use customary means to safeguard proprietary information, but only when such information is (1) clearly marked as proprietary; (2) is, in fact, information that could not have been obtained from another party or source; and (3) is otherwise deserving of such treatment under standards and processes described in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Executive Order 12600.
For information about the Volpe Center refer to the Volpe Center website at http://www.volpe.dot.gov.
UAVR-D27AUG2020 Department of Transportation Immediate Office of the Secretary Transportation
7/27/20, 2:05 PM Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Noise Measurement Support
THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation or a request for proposal and no contract will be awarded from this notice. No solicitation or specifications are available at this time. Please monitor www.Beta.SAM.gov, this sources sought notice will not be linked to the solicitation.
The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is conducting market research to determine if any Small Business sources have the current relevant qualifications, experience, personnel, and capability to perform the work described herein under a program entitled “Aircraft Performance Assessment Subject Matter Expert.” The primary NAICS code for this sources sought notice is 541330, Engineering Consulting Services.
The ability to quantify and mitigate aviation environmental effects such as aircraft noise and emissions is crucial to the success of aviation as a mode of transportation. Volpe Center has provided technical expertise and support to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Environment and Energy (AEE) for several decades in the area of aircraft noise measurement, analysis and modeling and has initiated similar efforts in the fields of aircraft emissions and ambient air quality modeling. Also, the Volpe Center has supported the FAA in analyzing aviation data to provide a thorough assessment of the environmental effects of aircraft.
Under a proposed project over the next three years (FY21-FY23), the Volpe Center and FAA AEE are tasked with facilitating the integration of eight (8) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). The Volpe Center is seeking an expert analyst on aircraft performance and flight test design who is qualified to support UAS data collection.
Therefore, the Volpe Center is seeking qualified potential contractors to provide the following aircraft performance assessment subject matter expert support required under this potential work:
Task 1: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) National Airspace Integration Pilot Program (IPP) support
Task 1A. Flight test planning support
The Volpe Center and FAA are working to facilitate the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS). Several organizations have been selected by FAA to participate in a pilot program which allows these operators to be exempt from some existing limitations on the use of UAS. As part of the agreement between FAA and these operators, Volpe will perform noise measurements and recordings of these aircraft at the individual Integration Pilot Program (IPP) sites around the U.S. The Contractor shall plan and develop noise flight tests at FAA-designated IPP sites. The Contractor shall use experience with manned and unmanned flight tests to develop flight test plan reports. This may include participation in up to eight (8) site scoping visits.
The deliverable for this task will be flight test plan reporting within each Monthly Status Report and Final Report associated with each UAS Measurement.
Travel may be required under this task to up to eight (8) site scoping visits within the continental US, for a duration of one (1) day.
Task 1B. Flight test support
The Contractor shall support up to eight (8) UAS noise flight tests at FAA-designated IPP sites. The Contractor shall act as Flight Test Director and use experience with manned and unmanned flight tests to assist Volpe staff in performing the flight testing, data collection, and reporting of results.
The Contractor shall lead and assist with noise flight tests, analyses of the test results, and documentation of results in the Monthly Status Reports and Final Reports associated with each UAS Measurement.
Travel may be required for this task to up to eight (8) noise flight test locations within the continental US, for a duration of three (3) days per test.
Task 2: UAS Noise Certification support
Task 2A. Data analysis support
The Volpe Center is supporting FAA’s work on integrating UAS operations into the NAS. Much of this work is focused on assisting FAA with the development of appropriate noise certification standards. The Contractor shall support Volpe staff by providing data analysis services. The Contractor shall use its experience with operations in the NAS as both a licensed pilot and a remote pilot to inform the data analysis process.
The deliverable for this task will be technical input to Monthly Status Reports in MS Word format.
Task 2B. UAS noise certification standards development support
The Contractor shall support development of recommendations for UAS noise certification standards. Any development of such recommendations for standards will be coordinated with the Volpe Center and FAA.
The deliverable for this task will be technical input to Monthly Status Reports, specifically UAS noise certification material including noise certification standards.
Task 2C. UAS noise metric development and evaluation support
The contractor shall assist Volpe staff with the development of candidates for UAS noise certification metrics. Any development of such candidate metrics will be coordinated with the Volpe Center and FAA.
The deliverable for this task will be technical input to Monthly Status Reports, specifically discussion of UAS noise certification metrics being developed.
Please respond to the following questions by 8 August 2020. Failure to address any of these questions will result in your firm not being considered as part of this market research.
Can you briefly discuss your approach to providing the support required in Tasks 1 and 2 above?
Briefly, identify past experience which demonstrates that your firm is qualified to perform work under the two (2) support tasks identified above. Please include points of contact and telephone numbers.
Does your firm qualify to compete under a total small business set-aside under NAICS 541330, Engineering Consulting Services, and if a total small business set-aside is conducted will your firm compete?
Is your firm registered in System for Award Management (SAM)? You must be registered in SAM to do business with the government. Please make sure your Reps and Certs are up to date in SAM. https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONENTS. Please address the two (2) support requirements and how they will be achieved, the 4 questions listed above and your qualifications to perform this work in your response. Your responses should be limited to five (5) pages in total and should be emailed into the Volpe Center. No hard copies will be accepted for this Sources Sought Notification. All inquiries on this Sources Sought Notification should be emailed to David Berger at david.berger@dot.gov.
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This is for planning purposes only and is a market research tool to determine availability and capability of potential Small Business Sources. This is not a solicitation and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. Additionally, any response to this sources sought notice is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of any forthcoming solicitation. Please monitor www.Beta.SAM.gov for any modifications, changes and/or solicitation regarding this Sources Sought Notification. The Government will not reimburse responders for the cost of the submittals. Statements of Capability, your response, should be sent David Berger, Contracting Officer and Small Business Specialist by email only to david.berger@dot.gov.
V3242062 Department of Transportation Immediate Office of the Secretary Transportation
7/27/20, 2:31 PM