5- Cost Proposal Template.xlsx

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Attached to
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety Research Initiative – FY2026 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)
Solicitation number
PHMSA-26HM-BAA
Issued by

About this file

This is a Cost Proposal Template designed for the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Broad Agency Announcement solicitation. The template provides a standardized spreadsheet format (Appendix C) for contractors to submit detailed pricing proposals in response to research and development opportunities. The template includes instructions and worksheets for estimating all resource requirements including direct labor, materials, equipment, subcontracts, consultants, travel, and other direct costs. Contractors must complete Schedules A through J, with Schedule A serving as the cost summary that automatically aggregates direct costs from Schedules B through J. Indirect costs are calculated using standard federal formulas for fringe benefits (36.06% of direct labor), labor overhead (50.62% of direct labor and fringe benefits), and General & Administrative expenses (35.80% of total direct costs, excluding materials, subcontractors, and consultants).

The template requires detailed supporting documentation for all cost elements, with narratives explaining the basis for rates, quantities, and allocations. Labor entries must include hours, rates, and task correlation, while materials, equipment, and other items require vendor quotes, invoices, or market research documentation. Travel costs are calculated using GSA per diem rates and must be directly related to technical work performance. Consultants and subcontractors must provide rate justification demonstrating commercial rates charged to other customers. Schedule J captures milestone deliverables and delivery dates. Contractors experiencing difficulties with the spreadsheet formulas or requiring unlocked versions should contact hazmatresearch@dot.gov. The template emphasizes compliance with Federal Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and references the FAR, Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR), and Defense Contract Audit Agency guidance for cost accounting standards.

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1- BAA Solicitation_PHMSA-26HM-BAA.docx DOCX document
1-BAA_Solicitation_PHMSA-26HM-BAA_AMD_0003.docx DOCX document
1-BAA_Solicitation_PHMSA-26HM-BAA_AMD_0002.docx DOCX document
1-BAA_Solicitation_PHMSA-26HM-BAA_AMD_0001.docx DOCX document
4- Final Proposal Template.docx DOCX document
3- Final White Paper Template.docx DOCX document
2- Clauses and Contract Requirements.docx DOCX document
1- BAA Solicitation_PHMSA-26HM-BAA.docx DOCX document

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Coversheet

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Research, Development and Technology Branch
PRICING PROPOSAL COVERSHEET & INSTRUCTIONS
Estimated Cost$0
Total Price$0
BAA Topic:
Proposal Title:
Name of Contractor:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Zip Code of Primary Location of Work (If other than above)
Offeror's Point of Contact:
Title of Offeror's Point of Contact:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Tax Identification No., if available:
Instructions
The contractor is responsible for estimating the types, quantities, and prices of all resources required to perform the activities described in the statement of work. Instructions on how to complete the price proposal are found below as well as within the schedule tab for each price element.
Schedules A through J are provided in Appendix C to facilitate cost and pricing proposal preparation. Please note:

- Schedules A through J are linked and contain formulas to facilitate preparation.

- Contractor input is required in the grayed cells on all applicable schedules.

- No entries can be made in the white cells, which are populated from other cells or contain formulas.

- Additional instructions are included at the top of each schedule.

- If selected for award, an additional worksheet may be requested to assist in determining payment schedule.

- If additional space or an unlocked version of Appendix C is required, a request may be submitted to hazmatresearch@dot.gov

Indirect Costs
Ref.CategoryInstructionYesNo
1Indirect Rates - U.S. Government ReviewThe company has provided indirect rate submissions to an agency of the U.S. Government. If yes, include the most recent submission within the supporting documentation. Also include past rate approval both provisional and final for the past three (3) years. If no, proceed to number 2.
2Indirect Rates - Independent Auditor or Internal AccountingThe company has established rates in accordance with Federal Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). If yes, please provide detailed costs showing your companies direct and indirect costs in the supporting documentation. Include the calculations showing how you came to the indirect rates used in the cost proposal. If no, proceed to number 3.
3Government PropertyGovernment property (not included within either materials or equipment) is required in the performance of this offer. If yes, identify the property within the technical proposal.
Other Resources
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul

- Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR): https://www.transportation.gov/administrations/assistant-secretary-administration/transportation-acquisition-regulation-tar

- In addition to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Transportation Acquisition Regulation, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) website (https://www.dcaa.mil/) has useful information. There are a number of useful topic areas under the Guidance and Checklists & Tools tabs including the Contract Audit Manual, audit programs for various audit types, audit office locator instructions, and FAQs. The DCAA website is a valuable resource for prospective contractors.

How to Submit Appendix C
Fill out the spreadsheet as directed and upload it to the indicated section in the proposal submission website. If you have trouble accessing the Appendix C spreadsheet, please contact the U.S. DOT PHMSA Research, Development, and Technology Branch at hazmatresearch@dot.gov

U.S. DOT PHMSA SOLICITATION FOR BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

APPENDIX C

Cost summary_A

Schedule A - Cost Summary
Schedule A summarizes the direct costs from Schedules B through J. All direct costs from Schedules B-J automatically populate in Schedule A. Schedule A utilizes the most common methods of indirect costs and calculations, however, the contractor should enter fringe benefit, overhead, General & Administrative expense (G&A), and profit rates in the business format it uses. If the current Schedule A formulas do not sufficiently align with your accounting practices please contact the U.S. DOT PHMSA Research, Development, and Technology Branch at hazmatresearch@dot.gov
Pricing: For most schedules, the contractor enters the description, unit price, and quantity, and the worksheet calculates the total. The total is then automatically populated to the correct line on Schedule A. The amounts on schedule A are rounded to the nearest dollar. If the total for the technical FFP is slightly above the ceiling stated in the solicitation, please insert -$1 in cell to the left of the "Total Technical Effort" Line 16
Narrative: The contractor must prepare a narrative within each schedule describing the approach to estimating each cost element. Each schedule includes space for the narrative. If additional space is needed, indicate that the narrative is included within the supporting documentation.
Ref.Price ElementAmountSupporting Documents (Y/N)
1Total Direct Labor (from Schedule B)$0Y
2Materials (from Schedule C)$0Y
3Equipment (from Schedule D)$0N
4Subcontracts (from Schedule F)$0Y
5Consultants (from Schedule G)$0N
6Travel (from Schedule H)$0N
7Other Direct Costs (from Schedule I)$0N
8Total Direct Costs (Lines 1 to 8)$0
Indirect Rates:
9Fringe Benefits* (Allocated on labor)36.06%$0.00Y
10Labor Overhead* (Allocated on labor and fringe benefits)50.62%$0.00Y
11General and Administrative Expense* (Allocated on total direct costs, fringe, labor overhead, excluding materials, subcontractors, consultants)35.80%$0.00Y
13Total Estimated Cost (Line 8 + Lines 9 to 11)$0.00
16Total Technical Effort$0.00

tc={491A5E28-5CB5-4B88-9092-6A06672A0FE4}: [Threaded comment]

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Comment:

Not sure if we need this line since the old formula calculated profit rate and they is not likely needed for this document.Indirect Rate Narrative
* If the application of indirect rates differs from above, provided narrative on the allocations.
Fringe Benefits are calculated at 36.06% of direct labor. Labor Overhead is calculated at 50.62% of direct labor and fringe benefits. The Labor Overhead pool is composed of indirect labor and indirect expenses associated specifically with the contracts. G&A expenses are indirect expenses that cannot be attributed to any specific contract, but are for the general benefit of all contracts. Indirect labor, fringe on indirect labor and expenses for finance, business development, and general management that cannot be directly traced to a given contract are collected in the G&A pool. G&A is not applied to materials, subcontracts, and material handling.

Not sure if we need this line since the old formula calculated profit rate and they is not likely needed for this document.

U.S. DOT SOLICITATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROGRAM

APPENDIX C

Labor_B

Schedule B - Direct Labor
Key Personnel: Indicate whether each individual included within the key personnel section of the technical proposal. If yes, then include the individual's role.
Role: Indicate the role of the individual if included as Key Personnel

Labor Category: To the extent practicable Indicate the labor category that aligns with common labor market categories.

Title: If the individual has a title in addition to their labor category please include this information.

Do not include individual names.

Hours: Hours may include fractions based on 15 minute increments
Phase I
ReferenceKey Personnel (Yes/No)Role / Labor Category / TitleHoursRateDirect LaborSupport Doc. Page No.
ExampleYesPrincipal Investigator - Scientist IV - VP of R&D10$ 50.00$ 500.0013
1$ - 0
2$ - 0
3$ - 0
4$ - 0
5$ - 0
6$ - 0
7$ - 0
8$ - 0
9$ - 0
10$ - 0
Total Direct Labor Phase I$ - 0

APPENDIX C

Labor_B-Narrative

Labor - Narrative
Instructions - Correlation: Align the individual's labor to the tasking proposed. See examples below.

Rate Basis: Provide the basis for the rates proposed. For example, actual employee rates (if so, provide payroll documentation), BLS rates, or internet-based market rate comparison tool.

Phase I
ReferenceLabor Category/TitleHours Phase IPhase I Hours Correlation to Tasking
ExampleData Scientist10Task 6.1 Data Collection
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Direct Labor0

APPENDIX C

Materials_C

Schedule C - Materials
Instructions: The contractor shall submit documentation to support each item proposed. Examples of supporting documentation include, a quote, screen shot of a webpage, and receipts from previous purchases.
“Material” means property that may be consumed or expended during the performance of a contract, component parts of a higher assembly, or items that lose their individual identity through incorporation into an end-item. (FAR 45.101)
ReferenceItem DescriptionUnit PriceQuantityTotalSourceSupport Doc. Page No.
ExampleTrilithium 100 lb$1,000.003$3,000.00XYZ Inc. Website15
1$ - 0
2$ - 0
3$ - 0
4$ - 0
5$ - 0
6$ - 0
7$ - 0
8$ - 0
9$ - 0
10$ - 0
11$ - 0
12$ - 0
13$ - 0
14$ - 0
15$ - 0
16$ - 0
17$ - 0
18$ - 0
19$ - 0
20$ - 0
21$ - 0
22$ - 0
23$ - 0
24$ - 0
25$ - 0
26$ - 0
27$ - 0
Total Materials (to Schedule A)$ - 0
Materials Narrative
Instructions: Provide an explanation of why the quantities of the materials proposed above are needed and include the tasks they are associated with. If the rate and/or quantities are estimated, then explain how they were determined.
ReferenceItem DescriptionTask(s)Narrative
ExampleTrilithium 100 lb1.5 and 1.7.1Construction of prototype casting.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

APPENDIX C

Equipment_D

Schedule D - Equipment
Instructions: The contractor shall submit documentation to support each item proposed. Examples of supporting documentation include, a quote, screen shot of a webpage, and receipts from previous purchases.
“Equipment” means a tangible item that is functionally complete for its intended purpose, durable, nonexpendable, and needed for the performance of a contract. Equipment is not intended for sale, and does not ordinarily lose its identity or become a component part of another article when put into use. (FAR 45.101)
“Special test equipment” means either single or multipurpose integrated test units engineered, designed, fabricated, or modified to accomplish special purpose testing in performing a contract. It consists of items or assemblies of equipment including foundations and similar improvements necessary for installing special test equipment, and standard or general purpose items or components that are interconnected and interdependent so as to become a new functional entity for special testing purposes. (FAR 2.101).
“Special tooling” means jigs, dies, fixtures, molds, patterns, taps, gauges, and all components of these items including foundations and similar improvements necessary for installing special tooling, and which are of such a specialized nature that without substantial modification or alteration their use is limited to the development or production of particular supplies or parts thereof or to the performance of particular services. (FAR 2.101).
ReferenceItem DescriptionUnit PriceQuantityTotalSourceSupport Doc. Page No.
ExampleTurbo Fan Engine$1,000.003$3,000.00XYZ Inc. Website15
1$ - 0
2$ - 0
3$ - 0
4$ - 0
5$ - 0
6$ - 0
7$ - 0
8$ - 0
9$ - 0
10$ - 0
Total Materials (to Schedule A)$ - 0
Equipment Narrative
Instructions: Provide an explanation why the quantities of the materials proposed above are needed. If the rate and/or quantities are estimated then explain how they were determined.
ReferenceItem DescriptionTask(s)Narrative
ExampleTurbo Fan Engine1.5 and 1.7.1Wind tunnel testing
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

APPENDIX C

Subcontractors_F

Schedule F - Subcontracts
Instructions: The contractor shall submit documentation to support the prices proposed. Supporting documentation consists of subcontractor quote(s) or proposal(s). The quote(s) or proposal(s) shall support all the cost elements proposed by the subcontractor to the same level of detail required by this Appendix. The subcontractor may use Appendix C to facilitate the preparation of their proposal.
“Subcontract” means a contract or contractual action entered into by a prime contractor or subcontractor for the purpose of obtaining supplies, materials, equipment, or services of any kind under a prime contract. (FAR 3.502-1).
ReferenceVendorAmountSummary of EffortSupport Doc. Page No.
ExampleHi Tech Fabrication Inc.$15,000Fabrication of Prototype Frame18
1
2$ - 0
3$ - 0
4$ - 0
5$ - 0
6$ - 0
7$ - 0
8$ - 0
Total Subcontracts (to Schedule A)$ - 0
Subcontractors Narrative
ReferenceVendorTasksNarrative
ExampleHi Tech Fabrication Inc.6.3.2 and 7.2Subcontractor will build a frame for the prototype and another for the beta model.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

APPENDIX C

Consultants_G

Schedule G - Consultants
The contractor shall submit documentation to support the prices proposed. Supporting documentation consists of consultant quote(s) or proposal(s). The quote(s) or proposal(s) shall include a description of the services to be provided and evidence that the rates proposed are the same as the rates charged to other customers.
"Professional and consultant services” means those services rendered by persons who are members of a particular profession or possess a special skill and who are not officers or employees of the contractor. Professional and consultant services are generally acquired to obtain information, advice, opinions, alternatives, conclusions, recommendations, training, or direct assistance, such as studies, analyses, evaluations, liaison with Government officials, or other forms of representation. (FAR 31.205-33(a)).
ReferenceVendorHoursRate (Loaded)AmountSummary of ServicesSupport Doc. Page No.
ExampleVehicle Engineering Consulting50$125.00$6,250.00Test Results Review & Recommendations.19
1$ - 0
2$ - 0
3$ - 0
4$ - 0
5$ - 0
Total Consultants (to Schedule A)$ - 0
Consultants Narrative
ReferencePurpose of Consultant & Technical Proposal Task Reference
ExampleProvide technical expertise and analysis of sensor test data, Tasks 6 and 7.
1
2
3
4
5
ReferenceBasis of Rate Proposed
ExampleCommercial rate for all customers. See Invoice from Subcontractor in Supporting Documentation
1
2
3
4
5

APPENDIX C

Travel_H

Schedule H - Travel
Instructions: The contractor enters the number of people and unit airfare cost, and the worksheet calculates the total airfare. The contractor then enters the per diem and number of days*, and the worksheet calculates the total per diem costs (*the worksheet calculates the total per diem using 75% per diem rates for travel days and 100% per diem rates for non-travel days). If travel is a single day (less than 12 hours) then do not enter per diem rates. The worksheet then calculates the total trip cost. When all trips are entered, the worksheet calculates the total travel cost, and that automatically populates the travel cost on Schedule A.

- Travel should not include in person kickoff and/or final briefings.

- Travel has historically been atypical for Phase I, but is allowed if it is directly related to the performance of the technical work.

- The travel narrative section is where the contractor provides a description and amount of other types of the travel costs, if needed.

Fill in your travel information in the gray cells. The white cells will be automatically calculated.
Trip:Example123
Time FrameQ3
From:Boston
To:Washington DC
Technical Proposal Ref. & Estimated DateTask 3A - Month 6
Purpose - Tech Proposal Ref.Testing of prototype at subcontractor's facility.
Supporting Doc. Pgs.23-24
# Travelers2
# Days3
# Nights2000
# Travel Days2111
Airfare/Rail
(per person)$ 300.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Local Travel Mileage
(total)$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Rental Car (total)$ 150.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Taxi/Rideshare (total)$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Transportation Total$ 750.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Per Diem M&IE
(per person)$ 76.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Per Diem Lodging
(per person)$ 169.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Travel Day (75%) Per Diem (per person)$ 57.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Per Diem Total$ 1,056.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Other Travel Expense$ 25.00$ - 0$ - 0
$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Trip Total$ 1,831.00$ - 0$ - 0$ - 0
Travel Total$ - 0
Travel Narrative
Airfare/Rail
(per person)PreferRedcarrier.com - Support Doc. Pg. 15
Local Travel Mileage
(total)72.5 cents - 430 miles - Google Maps Support Doc. Pg 19
Rental Car3 days at $75 per day, Support Doc. Pg. 16
Taxi/RideshareUber Estimate Supporting Doc. Pg 18
Per Diemhttps://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates/per-diem-rates-results?action=perdiems_report&fiscal_year=2026&state=DC&city=&zip=
Other Travel ExpenseAirportShuttle $50 one way TintedAirportExpressVan.com Support Doc. 21

APPENDIX C

Other_I

Schedule I - Other Direct Costs
The contractor shall submit documentation to support the proposed cost for each item proposed under this schedule. Supporting documentation may consist of vendor quotes, invoices for recent purchases, internet quotes, etc.
Examples include software license fees, cloud services, rental fees, shipping costs, cost of money, and royalties.
ReferenceItem DescriptionUnit PriceQuantityTotalCost / Price BasisSupport Doc. Page No.
ExampleMan lift Rental$502$100Quote25
1$ - 0
2$ - 0
3$ - 0
4$ - 0
5$ - 0
6$ - 0
7$ - 0
8$ - 0
9$ - 0
10$ - 0
Total Other Direct Costs (to Schedule A)$ - 0
Other Direct Costs Narrative
ReferencePurpose of Item(s) Proposed
ExampleInstall test item on testing rig.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

APPENDIX C

Milestones Chart_J

Schedule J - Milestone Chart
MilestonePerformance YearMilestone TitleDeliverableDelivery Date (Months after award)
ExampleBaseFinal reportSubmission of Final Report detailing XXXX, XXXX, XXXX8
1
2
3
4

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