6913G623Q300010 TWC SOW.pdf

RFQ No. 6913G623Q300010

ITS PCB ACADEMIC SUPPORT 2022-2024 –TWC’S SOW 1 OF 40 30 NOVEMBER 2022

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

VOLPE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER (VOLPE CENTER)

Volpe Program Development and Capacity Building Division (V327)

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS (ITS) PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY

BUILDING (PCB) ACADEMIC SUPPORT

1.0 Background

Under a succession of Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA), the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Volpe Center has supported the Intelligent Transportation Systems Professional Capacity Building (ITS PCB) Program since its establishment in 1996. The ITS PCB Program is a cross-cutting program based in the USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO). The ITS PCB Program Manager has requested that the Volpe Center conduct all activities necessary to progress from outreach enhancement, educational material concept, and training course formation to product development and delivery, including the procurement of third parties to create and deliver the training and educational products, when necessary.

Since 2010, the ITS PCB Program has significantly increased its academic initiatives to ensure that ITS knowledge elements are incorporated into a variety of academic programs (engineering, planning, information technology, etc.) at all educational levels (graduate, undergraduate, community college, technical school, secondary STEM programs). The Volpe Center’s academic ITS PCB efforts have expanded to a level that requires additional support from those inside the academic community.

An outgrowth of the April 2012 National Transportation Workforce Summit was the formation of the National Network for the Transportation Workforce (NNTW) launched and funded by the FHWA Office of Innovative Program Delivery’s (OIPD) Center for Transportation Workforce Development (CTWD). The NNTW was initially composed of five (now four) Regional Transportation Workforce Centers (TWCs) that would work collectively to provide strategic and efficient approaches to transportation workforce development. Together the TWCs and the CTWD worked as a coordinated, national network to achieve workforce-related objectives that affect the country as a whole. Since 2015, representatives from the NNTW institutions have attended the ITS PCB Program’s annual ITS academic Workshops (organized by the Volpe Center) and provided valuable contributions to each Workshop. In 2019, the ITS PCB Program initiated a modification to the four CTWD’s NNTW contracts for the development of preliminary academic ITS products and the expansion of the academic ITS community. The OIPD-CTWD’s contract with the NNTWs ended in 2020. At that time there remained an ongoing need to extend and expand on the work initiated through the coordination between the ITS PCB Program and the NNTW. Per the direction of the ITS PCB Program Manager, the ITS PCB Program at the Volpe Center contracted directly with each of the four TWCs in February 2021 to continue this ITS outreach and educational development effort with the academic institutions.

One critical task that was highlighted under the prior and current ITS PCB IAAs at Volpe is the expansion of the ITS PCB’s academic strategies. Specifically, the Volpe ITS PCB team continues to work with each of the four TWCs to create ITS educational materials and provide additional linkages to the educational community, including schools and programs focused on underserved populations. Each of the TWCs are

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contracted individually with the Volpe Center to focus on their previously identified strengths (product development, career pathway documentation, community building and coordinated outreach). This contract will cover a 24-month period that will be incrementally funded (an initial 17-month period and a 7-month extension period). The four TWCs, to be contracted separately, are the (1) Northeast Transportation Workforce Center (NETWC) at the University of Vermont, (2) Southeast Transportation Workforce Center (SETWC) at the University of Memphis, (3) West Region Transportation Workforce Center (WRTWC) at the Montana State University, and (4) Southwest Transportation Workforce Center (SWTWC) at the California State University at Long Beach.

2.0 Objectives

The ITS PCB Program is seeking to continue to enrich its interaction and partnership with academic institutions and the public agencies and private firms that employ the students educated by these institutions.

ITS PCB Program’s vision is to prepare a dynamically knowledgeable community of transportation industry professionals for a connected automated transportation system. The program connects ITS practitioners and decision makers with researchers, educators and trainers, and peers to advance the state of ITS practice. The ITS PCB Academic program seeks to ensure that there are pathways to support and encourage future transportation professionals to take up roles and work in public and private organizations to accelerate preparation for and sustain the deployment of innovative ITS.

The objective of this task order is to engage the Transportation Workforce Center(s) of the National Network for the Transportation Workforce (NNTW)1 to create new networks and vehicles to introduce ITS and transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) careers to a wider student audience, and to expand current ITS academic curriculum and other resources to support workforce connection efforts. The TWCs are uniquely positioned to support the educational and workforce development tasks laid out in this task order as a member of the academic community, but also having extensive connections with a number of professional organizations, public agencies (including the U.S. Department of Transportation), and public and private employers.

In supervising the work toward these objectives, the Volpe Center will be actively engaged in supporting program planning, reviewing and critiquing draft products and processes in a timely manner, and being the liaison to the ITS PCB JPO to ensure that information, resources, and products can be effectively and efficiently displayed for access by ITS PCB academic stakeholders (instructors, academic program administrators, and employers).

3.0 Tasks

The 24-month period of performance (POP) of this project will be incrementally funded by an initial 12-month period and a 12-month extension period. The project will be funded through CLINs 0100-0600 for the initial year and CLINs 00800-01300 for the extension period. Meeting travel, if required, will be funded under two optional CLINs 00700-01400. Travel will be funded through CLIN 0700 for the initial period and

1 The ITS PCB Program support tasks and subtasks detailed within Section 3.0 – TASKS are to be led by a single TWC or co-led by two of the TWCs. Each task and subtasks are to be supported in some level by the TWCs that are not identified as a lead or co-lead. The NETWC, SETWC, and WRTWC are each contracted under separate task orders.

Unless otherwise identified, “TWC” and “Contractor” will refer to the SWTWC, and “TWCs” or “NNTW” will refer to the four TWC consortium.

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through CLIN 1400 for the extension period. Travel is not to exceed $4,000 for the TWC over the entire 24-month POP. The six tasks under this contract are:

Task 1: Coordination and Project Management Task 2: Educational Resource Refinement and Promotion Task 3: Academic Workshop and Extensions Task 4: Continuity of Practice Task 5: K-12 Programming Task 6: NOCoE Partnerships

Task 1: Coordination and Project Management The TWC’s shall coordinate oversight and administration for this task order to ensure that all tasks outlined herein are executed in an efficient and effective manner and that all deliverables are completed in a timely manner. The Contractor (and the other TWCs) shall hold a kickoff meeting with the ITS JPO within three weeks of project commencement to discuss the objectives of the project and agree upon the format for the final deliverables. The TWC’s will initially develop a short Program Management Plan (PMP) that identifies how the tasks shall be accomplished, a definitive schedule, and provides a list of staff and their roles to be used in the support of each task. If requested and agreed upon, the NETWC can work with the other TWCs to submit a single PMP that lays out responsibilities for each TWC in each task.

In addition, under this task, the Contractor shall provide the financial and task status in a formal monthly progress report. The monthly reports shall include tracking of performance measures (e.g., outreach numbers, etc.) for each public-facing activity.

A separate component of this task is to schedule, manage, and attend monthly meetings with the ITS PCB Program Manager and ITS PCB Volpe team, and attend the larger ITS PCB Program team coordination meetings. Because there are an extensive number of projects in planning and underway by the ITS PCB Program, the ITS JPO, and by other USDOT and federal programs that intersect many of the tasks laid out in this agreement, it is critical that the TWCs be open to expand coordination beyond the core ITS PCB Program team. There may be additional un-recurring meetings that may be required for ongoing project coordination, but it is estimated that there will an average six one-hour recurring meetings per quarter (monthly progress meeting, business meetings, and one ITS PCB team coordination meeting every six weeks).

A final component utilizes the TWC’s unique perspective linking the academic world and increasing knowledge of the ITS PCB Program. This task requires the development of a succinct strategy paper on new ITS PCB Academic transformative opportunities over the next couple of years (2024 and beyond). The NETWC will lead the development of the strategy paper / outline with extensive input from the TWC’s and the other TWCs.

Task 1 Deliverables:

1. Kick-Off Meeting - Conduct a Kick-Off Meeting with the ITS PCB Volpe Center team, the ITS

PCB Program Manager, and the Volpe Center task order agreement processing and oversight representatives. [4 weeks from award]

2. Project Management Plan - Create a short Program Management Plan that includes staff, staff roles, and how tasks will be fulfilled and when. (NOTE: The four TWCs may request that the

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NETWC complete a combined PMP covering all tasks and staff detail from each TWC involved.) [2 months]

3. Status Reports - Provide monthly financial and progress status reports. (NOTE: The four TWCs may request that the NETWC complete combined monthly reports.) [Monthly]

4. Task Meetings - Schedule and conduct monthly task and business meetings (including development and distribution of post-meeting notes). [2 times per month]

5. Coordination Meetings - Attend ITS PCB Program coordination team meetings, and other relevant task coordination meetings and opportunities for consultation, as necessary. [every 6 weeks]

6. 2024 Opportunities and Priorities Strategy Paper - At month 12, provide a strategy paper for 2024 and beyond on transformative opportunities for new work to support the ITS PCB Academic Program that directly builds on the resources, processes, networks, and communities of practice developed as part of this task scope. [Draft: 10 months; Final: 12 months]

Task 1 – 12-Month 2024 Extension Activities and Deliverables: Status reporting, task and coordination meetings, and any updates on strategies (as identified in the 2024 paper) will continue throughout the contract POP in 2024.

Task 1 Roles

• Lead TWC: NETWC

• Lead Support: all NNTW

• TWC’s Role: Support and some Lead responsibilities, as needed

All Task 1 work will conclude within 24 months of award.

Task 2: Educational Resource Refinement and Promotion This task requires the TWCs to design, develop and deploy a number of ITS training and educational products targeted to the academic community. This also includes outreach efforts to interested faculty to enable them to be knowledgeable of and present an array of classroom support products. Under this task the TWC’s will provide direction on how these products can be used in an integrated way, or as individual educational units. This effort would include the new and revised case studies, project and career profiles, and the availability of subject matter expert (SME) speakers (to be organized and available on the NNTW website), as well as further refinement of select existing resources on the ITS PCB Academic webpage. This task includes the following subtasks:

2.1. CoPs – targeted audiences

2.2. Case Studies

2.3. Capstone Course

2.4. ITS Webpages

2.5. Production Promotion

2.6. ITS Speakers Bureau.

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Task 2.1 Identification and Outreach to Targeted Academic Communities This subtask continues the NNTW’s efforts initiated in 2020 to identify and develop academic community of practices (CoPs)2. The majority of CoPs created since 2020 have now been sunsetted. This task 2.1 calls for the identification and outreach to ITS-interested faculty at universities and community colleges (special attention to minority serving institutions, including Tribal Schools and HBCUs). The NNTW, led by the WRTWC, will conduct interviews and/or focus groups with faculty to understand elements required to make best use of available ITS PCB products and to shape deployment and outreach efforts. From this information, the NNTW will determine how to best organize the educators and targeted groups, which may include the creation of CoPs. This subtask will also include the creation or supporting of CoPs, identified in the engagement strategy, on an ongoing basis.

Task 2.1 Deliverable(s):

1. Listing of target institutions with key contacts [2 months from award]

2. Survey and conduct interviews [4 months]

3. Focus Groups with select educators [5 months]

4. Initial report and finding from initial outreach efforts [8 months]

5. Future outreach engagement strategy [12 months]

6. Lead or support new and ongoing CoPs [monthly or quarterly meetings through 24 months]

Task 2.1 Roles

• Lead TWC: WRTWC

• Lead Support: NETWC

• SWTWC Role: minor support, as needed

Task 2.2 ITS Case Studies – testing, piloting, and evaluating The ITS PCB Program created its first ITS Case Studies in 2012. The NNTW updated the initial 5 ITS Case Studies over the last few years and they are available for educators to use as part of their academic curriculum. This task order enables all 9 ITS Case Studies, listed below, to be completed. Under this subtask, the TWCs will test and evaluate the new and revised case studies. This requires enlisting faculty "champions" who will agree to use and assess where the products work and where important gaps exist and need to be bridged. The TWCs, led by the SWTWC, will update all 9 ITS Case Studies based on the assessments. This subtask also includes the development of an ITS Case Study Format Guide, which will function as a developer’s toolkit that includes document templates to create a common format and look for the existing and future ITS Case Studies.

ITS Case Studies

1. Enabling Data Driven Decisions (DDD) Through ITS (formerly Civil Design

Considerations (CDC))

2. ITS Architecture

3. Adaptive Signal Control

4. Concept of Operations (ConOps) in Systems Engineering Process (SEP)

5. Travel Time Based Performance Measures

2 A Community of Practice (CoP) will be the term utilized in this agreement to refer to any coordinated or organized body formed to provide program or task direction, review documents, or complete specific tasks in support of this agreement and the ITS PCB Program. CoPs may also be known as Working Groups, Task Forces, Committees, Sub- Committees, Interest Groups, or other related names.

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6. Changeable Message Signs (CMS) (formerly Dynamic Message Signs)

7. Safety Applications of ITS

8. Automated Bus Rapid Transit – ABRT / Improving Bus Transit Performance Through

ITS (formerly ITS in Bus Rapid Transit)

9. Planning Considerations for ITS Deployment: Digital Privacy Issues

Task 2.2 Deliverable(s):

1. Identification of schools & faculty participants for pilot testing & evaluation [1 month from award]

2. Development of assessment rubric [2 months]

3. Produce a Case Study format guide [8 months]

4. Pilot testing [1st round: 8 months; all 9 Case Studies: 22 months]

5. Assessment report [11 months]

6. Update Case Studies [20 months]

Task 2.2 Roles

• Lead TWC: SWTWC

• Lead Support: SETWC, WRTWC

• SWTWC Role: Lead

Task 2.3 Capstone Course from ITS Case Studies In 2022, the NNTW created a concept paper on the development of a Capstone Course that incorporates all ITS Case Studies. This task, led by the SWTWC, builds on that concept by creating a Capstone Course. The ITS Capstone Course will focus on Graduate and Undergraduate level training. However, the course design should also include direction to educators on how to modify this course to use for 2-year Community College and even High School STEM programs.

Task 2.3 Deliverable(s):

1. Outline of Capstone Course -building off of the 2022 concept [3 months from award]

2. Review of Course with reps from other schools & targeted programs (including assorted school levels [5 months]

3. Create draft course curriculum [12 months]

4. Pilot draft course & evaluate [14 months]

5. Finalize Capstone Course [16 months]

6. Post online & advertise [17 months]

7. Create feedback opportunities [17 months]

Task 2.3 Roles

• Lead Support: SETWC, WRTWC

Task 2.4 Develop ITS Webpages The TWCs will work with the ITS PCB Program’s website management staff to determine how to best post the educational material being developed by the NNTW. As part of this effort, the NNTW, led by the

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SWTWC, will develop ITS webpages on NNTW.org to make all new products available until they can be formally posted on the USDOT ITS PCB Program’s webpages.

Task 2.4 Deliverable(s):

1. Develop ITS webpages [2 months from award]

2. Link NNTW products to ITS PCB webpage [when new products are created and being initially posted]

3. Monthly updates (including tracking of usage) [Monthly].

Task 2.4 Roles

• Lead Support: none

Task 2.5 Product Promotion As part of the new and expanded ITS educational products library rollout, the NNTW, led by the SWTWC, shall develop informational and outreach materials that can be posted on (or linked to) the ITS PCB website, emailed to targeted audiences, and/or handed out as part of conferences or meetings. The promotional and informational materials are to include fact sheets on each ITS Case Study, an informational flyer on the full ITS Case Study library, and consolidated details on the large ITS project and career profiles library. This subtask includes identifying and developing social media opportunities for promotion of these ITS PCB products (e.g., podcasts). The NNTW will work with the ITS PCB Program team to determine how to coordinate with and be consistent to the existing ITS PCB Outreach and Stakeholder Plans. As one component of this subtask, the NNTW will create new profile videos to further the promotion of ITS as a career.

Task 2.5 Deliverable(s):

1. Technical memorandum outlining social media plan (including syncing with ITS PCB Outreach and Stakeholder Plans [2 months from award]

2. Social media posts [3 months, then Monthly]

3. Podcast development [4 months, then Quarterly]

4. Development of at least 3 project or profile videos per 12-month period [12 months (Year 1); 24 months (Year 2)]

5. Coordinate with industry/employer partners to add new production of additional project and professional profile videos [deliver and report Quarterly].

Task 2.5 Roles

Task 2.6 ITS Speakers Bureau Connecting students with practitioners is a valuable activity in growing interest in an ITS / TSMO career.

The ITS Speakers Bureau, conceived in 2019-2020 and initially deployed 2021-2022, targets academic audiences. An initial lists of subject matter experts (SMEs) by topic was developed under a prior contract.

Coordinating with the ITS PCB website management team, the SME list is to be integrated into a searchable

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database of topics and SME Speakers. This list is to be updated annually with new and expanded SME volunteers. The NNTW, led by the NETWC, will work with the ITS PCB website management team to install a Speakers Bureau webpage that explains this educational activity, holds the SME database, and provides an online application for educators.

During this contract period, the NNTW will continue to deploy the ITS Speakers bureau to support the promotion of the case studies. The NNTW will schedule and hold at least 10 speaking engagements during each of the next two academic year (2022-2023 and 2023-2024). After each speaking event, the subtask lead will conduct evaluations with the speaker, faculty and students; develop a post-event summary, and post on the ITS PCB website any quality presentation. At the end of the first academic year, the lead contractor will develop a short summary report on the Speakers Bureau experience, including any lessons to apply to year two. This summary report will also include any updates to outreach and the application process.

Task 2.6 Deliverable(s):

1. Coordinate, hold, evaluate, and report on 10 speaking engagements for 2022-2023 [8 months from award – delivered as completed]

2. Summary report on 2022-2023 Speakers Bureau experience, with recommendations for 2023-2024 [9 months]

3. Create a searchable database of topics and willing Subject Matter Expert (SME) speakers on various ITS/TSMO topics. [11 months and 22 months, to be updated annually]

4. Finalize Speakers Bureau webpage on ITS PCB Program website, including establishing an online application tool [12 months]

5. Coordinate, hold, evaluate, and report on 10 speaking engagements for 2023-24 [21 months – delivered as completed]

6. Summary report on 2023-2024 Speakers Bureau experience, with recommendations for 2024-2025 [21 months]

Task 2.6 Roles

• Lead Support: WRTWC

Task 2 – 12-Month 2024 Extension Activities and Deliverables:

• The NNTW will continue to support all academic CoPs through the end of the contract POP.

• The NNTW will continue its efforts to update all ITS Case Studies and pilot these new or updated Case

Studies as they are completed.

• In 2024, the NNTW will finalize the ITS Capstone Course, post its materials online, publicize it, and provide for feedback opportunities on this course.

• The NNTW will continue to work with the ITS PCB website management team to coordinate product postings, webpage content, and critical links (including links to the NNTW website). The NNTW will also coordinate with a variety of PCB stakeholders to ensure information is gathered and disseminated in a variety of outreach and promotional methods to a wide breath of academic and professional participants. As part of this effort, the NNTW will continue to produce videos and other educational materials which promote ITS/TSMO careers.

• The NNTW will continue to manage and update the SME speaker list into 2024. The ITS Speakers Bureau events will also continue into the 2023-2024 academic year and will lead to a summary report to be used to refine the 2024-2025 product.

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All Task 2 work will conclude within 24 months of award.

Task 3: Academic Workshop and Extensions The ITS PCB Academic team at the Volpe Center has historically led the development and execution of ITS PCB Academic Workshops, but now, under Task 3, looks to the NNTW to provide extensive support in the design, organization, attendance outreach, and facilitation of all ITS Academic Workshops occurring through the end of this contract period. Activity under this task also covers leadership and support for other related seminars and group meetings, including those with specialized focus (e.g., focus on K-12 pathway development).

Task 3.1 Seminars and Interactive Programs The NNTW, led by the SWTWC, will develop and support the development of training or knowledge sharing opportunities under four thematic program areas – (1) Equity, (2) Innovation, (3) Planning, (4) Workforce Development. This effort will include the development of a plan to identify how to disseminate information to the target academic audience(s); through individual seminars and program series of interactive events. The next step is to work with the ITS PCB Program to deploy the thematic activities. All of this effort increases outreach and knowledge in preparation of the 2023 Academic Workshop.

In preparation of the 2024 Academic Workshop, thematic program areas will again be assessed. The assessment may see the continuation of some of the four areas and the insertion of some new areas. The NNTW will also present a plan for these 2024 thematic areas and likewise work with the ITS PCB Program to deploy the identified activities. Some of the products produced or events occurring under subtask 3.1 may also be tied to efforts in other tasks.

Task 3.1 Deliverable(s):

1. Develop a Thematic Program Areas Plan with action items in preparation for the annual ITS Academic Workshop (webinars, other engagement series covering emerging ITS topics) [Year 1: 3 months from award; Year 2: 15 months from award]

2. Host and support four distinct interactive programs and/or program series (Year 1: Months 3–9;

Year 2: 12-22 months]

Task 3.1 Roles

Task 3.2 Virtual Academic Workshop (late 2022/early 2023) The ITS PCB Program is planning to have a virtual academic workshop in late 2022 or early 2023, prior to the larger, live 2023 All Levels ITS Academic Workshop, tentatively scheduled for March 2023. This event is to be led and hosted by the Volpe ITS PCB Academic Team, but will look to the NNTW for support in planning this targeted or open virtual event.

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Task 3.2 Deliverable(s):

1. Brainstorm and contribute to planning of event [1-3 months from award]

Task 3.2 Roles

• Lead TWC: NETWC, SETWC, SWTWC, WRTWC

• SWTWC Role: Lead, with all NNTW

Task 3.3 March 2023 All Levels Academic Workshop The NNTW will be a critical partner in the organizing, hosting, and executing a successful March 2023 live ITS Academic Workshop. The 2023 Workshop is planned to be held at the facilities at California State University at Long Beach. In addition to providing facility and logistical support for this event, the NNTW, led by the SWTWC, will coordinate with the ITS PCB Program on the planning, outreach and facilitation of the Workshop.

Task 3.3 Deliverable(s):

1. Provide logistics support and facilities management for March 2023 Workshop [1-5 months from award]

2. Support the March 2023 Workshop, including agenda development, session details, and facilitation of sessions [1-5 months]

3. Coordinate CAVe-in-a-Box bench toolkit (course application) and Workshop session, including faculty coordination for pilot testing [1-7 months]

Task 3.3 Roles

• Lead Support: SETWC

Task 3.4 Fall 2023 Virtual Academic Workshop (K-12 Focus) The TWCs, will support the SETWC in the planning and hosting of a Fall 2023 virtual ITS/TSMO Academic Workshop targeted to the K-12 academic level. In preparation for this targeted 2023 Workshop, the NNTW will design this program to focus on how pathways can be developed to post-secondary education and training. [proposed theme for 2023]. A series of pre-Workshop seminars and activities will be designed and hosted by the NNTW. Post-Workshop, a series of seminars and activities will be conceived and implemented to continue engaging the targeted Workshop audience.

Task 3.4 Deliverable(s):

1. K-12 Academic Workshop proposal and outline [7 months from award]

2. Host Pre-Workshop Webinars that will launch work to be done at Academic Workshop [6-12 months]

3. Attend and facilitate the Fall 2023 Workshop [13 months]

4. Post-Workshop Webinar series proposal and implementation [15-23 months]

Task 3.4 Roles

• Lead TWC: SETWC

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• Lead Support: SWTWC, WRTWC, NETWC

• SWTWC Role: Lead support

Task 3.5 2024 ITS Academic Workshop Just as with the Spring 2023 ITS Academic Workshop (subtask 3.3), the NNTW will be a vital partner in planning and facilitating a live, all levels 2024 ITS Academic Workshop. The Workshop location is yet to be determined (Texas, Memphis, or Washington, D.C. are under consideration). Detailed tasks by the NNTW will be determined in mid-2023, after the Spring 2023 Workshop, but will follow a level of effort similar to the 2023 Workshop (subtask 3.3)

Task 3.5 Deliverable(s):

1. Logistics support and facilities management, if appropriate [17-24 months from award]

2. Support the 2024 Workshop, including agenda development, session details, and facilitation of sessions [17-24 months]

Task 3.5 Roles

• Lead TWC: all NNTW to be involved, lead TBD

• Lead Support: all NNTW to be involved, support level TBD

• SWTWC Role: Lead or support, role TBD

Task 3 – 12-Month 2024 Extension Activities and Deliverables:

• The NNTW will continue to plan, develop, host and generally support distinct interactive programs following the 4 thematic program areas of the Academic Workshop into 2024.

• After the Fall 2023 Virtual Academic Workshop, the NNTW will design follow-up seminars and activities.

• The NNTW will remain a critical partner in providing agenda development and facilitation, along with logistics support, if appropriate, for the all levels 2024 ITS Academic Workshop.

All Task 3 work will conclude within 24 months of award.

Task 4: Continuity of Practice This task covers activities and products that were initiated by the NNTW in 2021 and will enable the expansion of that work. Prior tasks involved the development of a K-12 Working Group, supporting targeted ITS seminars, increasing student employment opportunities through stronger educator-employer coordination, and expanding and improving education in the planning and deployment of innovative technologies, systems and applications in rural and small metropolitan areas. This task will involve coordinating with new organizations, agencies, and targeted communities, and providing ITS/TSMO education to identified academic institutions and their students.

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Task 4.1 K-12 Working Group In 2021, the SETWC led the formulation of the National STEM Advisory Council. This NNTW effort, led by the SETWC and supported by the other TWCs, will expand that Advisory Council by merging it into the ITS Secondary Education Working Group. This group of K-12 leaders and educators will be charged with identifying additional ITS / TSMO / transportation-focused trainings for this age cohort. Additionally, this Working Group will focus on the agenda and development of relevant topics and sessions for the 2023 ITS Academic Workshop. If deemed beneficial to the ITS PCB Program, the K-12 Working Group could continue into 2024.

Task 4.1 Deliverable(s):

1. Establish expanded K-12 working group [3 months after award]

2. Review the K-12 Strategic Initiative established 2022 and make recommendations actionable [4 months]

3. Contribute planning ideas for a 2023 Academic Workshop [6 months]

4. Updated Strategic Initiative Paper for 2024-25 [12 months]

5. If valuable, continue K-12 Working Group into 2024 [13-24 months]

Task 4.1 Roles

Task 4.2 Organize and Host Interest Groups for 4 ITS Academic Topic Task 3.1 requires the development of a plan and follow-up activities on the four thematic program areas to be the focus of the March 2023 All Levels Academic Workshop (Equity, Planning, Innovation, Workforce Development). The NETWC, supported by the other TWCs, will organize and host four interest groups.

After the interest groups are created, the NNTW will provide ongoing engagement opportunities, consistent with the Thematics Plan highlighted in Task 3.1. The opportunities will continue throughout the life of this contract, as long as the interest groups are active.

Task 4.2 Deliverable(s):

1. Organize four thematic interest groups [2-5 months after award]

2. Ongoing engagement and co-learning opportunities with Quarterly updates on interest group current and future activities [24 months – Entire POP]

Task 4.2 Roles

Task 4.3 Educator-Employer Partnerships One of the Thematic Areas (subtask 4.2) is Workforce Development. During 2021-2022, the NNTW began examining successful practices of TSMO employment and training. Subtask 4.3 continues this effort, led by the WRTWC, to develop a series of employer-education partnership profiles. These profiles are to be

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followed by a webinar series on partnership building. The NNTW may also be requested to support the Volpe team’s efforts to hold ITS academic-student-employer pathways peer exchange events in 2024.

Task 4.3 Deliverable(s):

1. Create 5 new partnership profiles (Goal to finalize one profile each quarter) [3-15 months from award]

2. Host at least 3 partnership webinars [5-13 months]

3. Support ITS academic-student-employer pathways peer exchanges [15-24 months]

Task 4.3 Roles

Task 4.4 Rural ITS Planning and Deployment Focus Another specialty outreach initiated in 2021 was education on rural and small metropolitan ITS planning and deployment. This focused on ITS training at schools located in rural and small metros (which could include tribal schools and HBCUs). This initial 2021 effort will be continued under this contract. The NNTW, led by the WRTWC and supported by the other TWCs, will continue to host a working group on Rural ITS. This subtask will include documenting any unique processes involved in Rural ITS planning applications. These profiles will be available to educators to utilize with their courses, and will be a topic for a NNTW webinar.

Since 2018, the ITS PCB Program has coordinated with the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) to research ITS planning and deployment in rural and small metro areas. NADO has conducted training presentations from this research. In order to benefit from this research and outreach activities by NADO, and to avoid any duplication of efforts, the Volpe team will schedule an initial conversation between NADO and the NNTW. The NNTW can then determine how to best coordinate on this topic, particularly how to benefit the academic community and enhance linkages with the relevant ITS/TSMO public and private sectors within these target areas.

Task 4.4 Deliverable(s):

1. Host Rural ITS working group sessions at least once every quarter [Quarterly]

2. Overview documentation of ITS planning applications [8-10 months after award]

3. 3 Profiles of Rural ITS [9 months]

4. Rural ITS education webinar [10 months]

5. Collaboration with NADO on contacts and findings [ongoing]

Task 4.4 Roles

• Lead Support: All TWCs involved with NADO collaboration

• SWTWC Role: Support role

Task 4 – 12-Month 2024 Extension Activities and Deliverables:

• The NNTW will continue the K-12 Working Group and the Rural ITS Working Group into 2024.

• Throughout the contract period, the NNTW will engage with the four interest groups and continue learning opportunities identified by each of these groups.

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• The NNTW will continue to create workforce partnership profiles into early 2024 and will support educator-employer peer exchanges in the second year of this contract.

• The NNTW will continue collaborating with NADO on ITS planning and deployments in rural and small metropolitan areas.

All Task 4 work will conclude within 24 months of award.

Task 5: K-12 Programming Over the past few years, the ITS PCB Program began to identify a small network of secondary schools that focus on transportation concepts within their STEM programs (e.g., Giles County (VA) School District, Memphis S.T.E.M. Academy, Los Angeles Trade Tech College’s Early College Academy, and Cardoza Education Campus in Washington, D.C.). In 2021, the NNTW began ITS / TSMO awareness and education activities focused on K-12 programs. Under Task 5, the NNTW, the NNTW, led by the SETWC, will develop a comprehensive promotion program for creating pathways to ITS from K-12 to post-secondary training and education. This two-year effort will include creating a resource guide, promoting student competitions, holding virtual peer events, producing a focused professional development series for teachers, connecting to robotics programs, and continuing the STEM webinar series.

Task 5.1 K-12 ITS Training and Education Resource Guide The SETWC will lead this subtask, with support from the other TWCs, to provide an outline and design for a comprehensive set of resources for K-12 appropriate to different levels (e.g., K-5, 6-8, 9-12, CTE) that can be deployed and create logical pathways to post-secondary training and education for ITS. This effort may include determining how to best utilize the existing ITS STEM training on the ITS PCB website (produced by NanoSonic under a SBIR grant) and providing input in the development of a related Small Business Innovative Research topics statement and subsequent products.

Task 5.1 Deliverable(s):

1. Draft K-12 Resource Guide [8 months from award]

2. Final K-12 Resource Guide [11 months]

3. Evaluation by users of Resource Guide [15 months]

Task 5.1 Roles

Task 5.2 ITS Competition for Middle and Secondary Education Levels The ITS PCB Program has held its Transportation Technology Tournament (TTT) since 2018. The TTT is an ITS-solutions competition for undergraduate and graduate students. This NNTW subtask, led by the SETWC, will promote ITS competitions for middle and secondary education levels with existing programs (e.g., The National Inventors Hall of Fame, ATSSA Traffic Control Device Student Challenge, The Technology Student Association, AASHTO TRAC).

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Task 5.2 Deliverable(s):

1. Listing and contacts for appropriate competitions [3 months from award]

2. Engagement plan and meetings with appropriate groups [4-6 months]

3. Action plan for implementing new competitions [12 months]

4. Coordinate competition with existing (3rd party) programs [20 months]

Task 5.2 Roles

Task 5.3 Virtual Event between High Schools Based on discussions during ITS Academic workshops and other peer meetings, virtual events that include multiple schools have been successful in increasing interest in the topic among the attendees. This subtask, led by the SETWC, calls for the piloting of a student-to-student virtual engagement between two high schools with active ITS related programming. This pilot event will be evaluated to determine the value of expanding this shared event. If deemed worthwhile, the NNTW will proceed to hold a second shared peer event.

Task 5.3 Deliverable(s):

1. Engagement Agreement [3 months from award]

2. Virtual Event [6 months]

3. Evaluation on proposal for future applications [7 months]

4. If determined valuable, produce a second virtual event [22 months]

Task 5.3 Roles

• Lead Support: SWTWC

Task 5.4 Professional Development Series on ITS Under this subtask, the NNTW, led by the SETWC, will create a professional development series for secondary teachers and Guidance/Career Counselors that goes in-depth on ITS technologies and available educational resources. The series will also cover how to integrate the available resources into their courses (e.g., focus on next-gen ITS and science standards). The series will be a 60-to-90-minute training session held in the Spring 2023 and Fall 2023.

Task 5.4 Deliverable(s):

1. Design Professional Development series [4 months from award]

2. Identification of audience and engagement with associated organizations [5 months]

3. Pilot first Professional Development session [7-8 months]

4. Pilot 2-part Professional Development series [12-13 months]

5. Proposal for 2024 series - Year 2 [12 months]

6. Pilot second expanded Professional Development session - Year 2 [20 months]

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Task 5.4 Roles

Task 5.5 Connection to Robotics Programs During this contract period, the NNTW, led by the WRTWC, will reach-out to established robotics program at the secondary education level (high school or middle school) to identify ITS-related themes and create connections to ITS PCB activities. The NNTW will provide an overall assessment of near and long-term opportunities.

Task 5.5 Deliverable(s):

1. Identify programs [3 months from award]

2. Outreach & engagement [4-6 months]

3. Report on opportunities [10 months]

Task 5.5 Roles

Task 5.6 ITS STEM Webinar Series As it did during the 2021-2022 contract, the NNTW, led by the SETWC, will continue and expand on its ITS STEM Webinar Series by producing 6 sessions over each of the next two school years (2022-2023 and 2023- 2024).

Task 5.6 Deliverable(s):

1. Plan for Series [1 month after award]

2. Host 2022-2023 webinars [6 webinars – 2-8 months]

3. Report and attendance [10 months]

4. Plan for 2023-2024 series [12 months]

5. Host 2023-2024 webinars [6 webinars – 13-19 months]

Task 5.6 Roles

Task 5 – 12-Month 2024 Extension Activities and Deliverables:

• The NNTW will evaluate the usage of the ITS Training and Education Resource Guide for K-12 during the second year of the contract.

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• The NNTW will examine opportunities for secondary student ITS/TSMO-focused competition during the initial year of this contract. If any opportunities arise, the NNTW will coordinate with existing (3rd party) programs to hold this competition during the second year of the contract.

• If the initial virtual peer engagement is successful, the NNTW will produce a second virtual event in 2024.

• During Year 2 of the contract, a second expanded ITS Professional Development session will be piloted.

• The NNTW will host the 2023-2024 ITS STEM Webinar Series comprising 6 webinars.

All Task 5 work will conclude within 24 months of award.

Task 6: NOCoE Partnerships The National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) has become a key partner with many ITS PCB Program activities. Likewise, the ITS PCB Program’s academic initiatives build off of many of the research, documents and events sponsored by the NOCoE. A number of these products will feed into the tasks laid out in this agreement. Task 6, to be led by the SETWC, will continue the coordinated efforts among the ITS PCB Program, the NOCoE, and the NNTW.

Task 6.1 NOCoE ITS PCB Collaboration Meetings In order to stay abreast of the relevant efforts by the NOCoE, the NNTW will schedule and host continuing NOCoE collaboration meetings that include the NOCoE, the TWCs, the Volpe ITS PCB team, the ITS PCB Program Manager, and any other relevant members of the larger ITS PCB Program. The meeting will be held every two months or sooner, as dictated by need.

Task 6.1 Deliverable(s):

1. Set up meetings and agenda, produce notes and action items [Bi-monthly meetings]

Task 6.1 Roles

Task 6.2 Support TTT at Universities and Community Colleges The Transportation Technology Tournament (TTT) will enter its sixth season of competition in the 2022- 2023 academic year. Under this subtask, the NOCoE and the ITS PCB Program seek support from the NNTW in increasing TTT outreach of and engagement from Universities and Community Colleges over the next couple of academic years (2022-2023 and 2023-2024).

Task 6.2 Deliverable(s):

1. Report out on efforts to identify new schools to involve in the TTT [Quarterly reports]

2. Strategy recommendation for future NOCoE engagement and partnering [12 months from award]

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3. Assist in applying the recommended TTT engagement strategy during the 2023-2024 academic year. [22 months]

Task 6.2 Roles

Task 6.3 TSMO/ITS Workforce Development TSMO / ITS workforce development is a very critical and timely topic among transportation agencies and professional associations. The NOCoE has held TSMO workforce summits in June 2016 and September 2021, followed up by a TSMO Workforce Peer Exchange in May 2022. All of these NOCoE-sponsored events have resulted in action items, many overlapping with the mission of the ITS PCB Program. This subtask will focus on the NNTW’s efforts to support both the NOCoE and the ITS PCB Program to expand and enhance collaboration on TSMO/ITS Workforce Development, including outreach to associations to improve the TSMO/ITS job market connections.

Task 6.3 Deliverable(s):

1. Determine how to best utilize partner associations – AASHTO, ITE, ITSA, FHWA – to expand job market and perspective employees [4 months from award]

2. Support assessment of findings from NOCoE’s May 2022 Workforce Development Peer Exchange & 2021 TSMO Workforce Summit and where PCB intersects [6 months]

3. Ongoing input and support to utilize partner associations and action items presented in the NOCoE Workforce Development events (e.g., summits, Peer Exchange, other large collaboration meetings).

[24 months]

Task 6.3 Roles

Task 6 – 12-Month 2024 Extension Activities and Deliverables:

• In 2024, the NNTW will continue to arrange bi-monthly NOCoE collaboration meetings and produce notes and action items.

• The NNTW will assist in applying the recommended TTT engagement strategy during the 2023-2024 academic year.

• While not a major activity, the NNTW will provide ongoing input and support to utilize partner associations and action items presented in the NOCoE Workforce Development events (e.g., summits, Peer Exchange, other large collaboration meetings).

All Task 6 work will conclude within 24 months of work start.

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Project Travel Travel funded under this contract shall not exceed $4,000 per each Transportation Workforce Center for the entire contract period of performance. Travel will include travel to the annual ITS Academic Workshops (tentatively early spring 2023 and 2024). Other travel may include occasional meetings to Washington, D.C.

and other on-site locations.

4.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance to complete all task identified within this Task Order shall be for twenty-four (24) months from the commencement of this agreement. This two-year contract will be funded through two incremental periods. The initial period will be for 12 months, estimated to cover late 2022 through all of calendar year 2023. The final period will be a 12-month extension covering most of calendar year 2024.

The approximate time frame for the full two-year period will be late 2022 through late 2024.

5.0 General

5.1 Hours of Operation

The Contractor is free to conduct business during its typical business day; however, the Contractor should also be aware of Government hours of operation and schedule meetings and other coordination needed accordingly. The USDOT core business hours are between 10:00AM to 3:00PM ET, Monday thru Friday, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

5.2 Phase In /Phase Out Period

To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the Contractor shall have personnel on board, during the thirty (30) day phase in/ phase out periods. During the phase in period, the Contractor shall become familiar with performance requirements in order to commence full performance of services on the task order start date.

5.3 Special Qualifications

The primary qualification for the Contractor and its ITS PCB Program Support team is to provide an in-depth knowledge of the Academic industry and how technologies are impacting the curriculum and current and future workforce. While no specific professional certifications are required for this work; in rough order of importance, this task requires skills/knowledge related to:

1. Technology training at Academic institutions

2. Academic industry and key programs at each academic level (graduate, undergraduate, 2-year community/technical school, secondary and primary education)

3. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

4. Vehicles Connectivity, Automated Vehicles

5. Transportation Workforce – current and future

6. State-of-the-art Training practices

7. Policy and institutional issues relating to ITS projects

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8. Live and remote instruction capabilities

9. Development of soft skills by students

5.4 Identification of Contractor Employees

All Task Order personnel attending meetings, answering Government correspondence (calls, emails, etc.), and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. During all virtual or in-person meetings where the Contractor’s team play a key role, the Contractor’s team must be identified as Contractors working for US DOT. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by Contractors are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. Contractors shall wear badges identifying them as Contractor personnel when on-site at the Government’s facility.

5.5 Organizational Conflict of Interest

Contractor and subcontract personnel performing work under this Task Order may receive, have access to, or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection…