693JJ3-23-BAA-0002-3_Questions_Responses.pdf

693JJ3-23-BAA-0002_Call 3_Questions & Responses

Question

Reference Vendors’ Questions Government’s Responses

1 General

Is it possible to be part of multiple bids

a. If we go in as main in one bid, can we also be the sub-supplier in another bid?

i. We are one of the few that provides connected vehicle friction and have gotten multiple inquiries… We want to be in the project, not just sell data; it is a lot of research to be made and I believe we should be one party together with an academic or state institute.

Yes, it is possible.

2 General

DoT participation,

a. Is it okay to include a state DoT like Texas DoT in the bid?

b. Is it normal for state DoT’s to participate in these bids?

Yes, it is possible. Need to meet all requirements of the solicitation and clearly identify if they are participating in a paid or unpaid capacity. Recommend letters of commitment from all entities involved in the proposed solution.

3 General If only a part (majority) of the challenges is being addressed, is it still worthwhile to submit a bid?

You can submit proposals with partial solutions proposed but should recognize you may be competing with other proposals that provide a comprehensive solution in their proposal(s).

4 General

Can the proposed team be expanded by adding other entities in the proposal phase if the team is selected for submission?

Yes, the proposed team can be modified when developing the full proposal if invited to participate. Invitation to participate is based on concept paper submission.

5 Topic HRDI-TRS-08

Pavement Preservation Treatments to Provide Higher

Level Friction, is it expected to have a lab evaluation component or does FHWA envision a field study from states?

It is suggested the effort includes lab evaluation as well as some limited field validation.

6 General Can we get support letters from states giving us access to field data and sites for data collection?

You are responsible for obtaining commitments and letters of support for any entity or person involved in your proposal. The government is not responsible for obtaining letters of support, identifying sites, or providing data.

7 Topic HRDI-TRS-10

Evaluation of Non-contact Friction and Microtexture

Systems, the statement is written as an assessment of emerging technologies. Do envision this study to evaluate what is available or developing new procedures? Given the project budget, it seems to be more of the first.

This study is primarily focused on evaluating the current state of practice and technology. However, if the research team has innovative ideas that could be initially started within the project budget, it is encouraged to include them in addition to the current state of practice.

Reference Vendors’ Questions Government’s Responses

8 Topic HRDI-TRS-09

Highway Resilience Measure Selection Tool, we have a question similar to the previous question, do you envision an effort to use available metrics and a framework capable of using new metrics.

It is suggested the effort review both available metrics as well as developing new metrics if needed.

Appendix C, Page 4, Topic HRDI-ADC-

12; Appendix C, Page

14, Topic HRDI-

EPM-04

HRDI-ADC-12 (Bid Items Standard Assessment) and

HRDI-EPM-04 (Update and Implement the Next-

Generation Asset Management Methodologies) are identified as "[Reissued]." Could FHWA clarify why these topics were reissued and whether there are any substantive changes in scope, objectives, anticipated outcomes, evaluation considerations, or expectations compared with the prior solicitation?

Topics labeled as reissued were not funded or awarded previously.

Reissued topics are provided and as described in the Call #3

Appendix C summary of topics. Evaluation criteria are provided in the BAA information.

BAA Amendment

0002, Sections 2.2 and 2.8.1

The BAA states that communication between offerors and

FHWA is encouraged during the concept paper phase and that discussions may occur to develop or refine project concepts. Could FHWA identify the technical point(s) of contact for each Call 3 research topic and clarify whether offerors may communicate with those individuals prior to concept paper submission?

Communications between the offeror and FHWA on specific topics are initiated through the official communication channels and point of contact identified in the BAA announcement. Ensure your requests are made well in advance of submission deadlines.

11 Topic HRDI-BPM-05

Will FHWA provide representative digital as-built bridge datasets or coordination with State DOTs, or should proposers assume responsibility for identifying and obtaining all datasets needed for the research?

The research team is responsible for identifying and obtaining all datasets needed for the research, as well as securing commitments and letters of support for any involved entity or person; FHWA can facilitate data access, help identify sites, and coordinate with State

DOTs.

12 Topic HRDI-BPM-05

Should the data architecture focus on historical and periodic asset data, or explicitly accommodate high-frequency, real-time SHM data streams?

The data architecture should focus on historical, periodic, and lifecycle asset data to establish the digital as-built foundation, while providing a standards-compliant, phased roadmap to conceptually accommodate high-frequency SHM streams.

13 Topic HRDI-BPM-05

Does FHWA expect the framework to be validated using bridge case studies or State DOT datasets, or is the emphasis on developing a nationally applicable methodology without full implementation?

The framework should focus on developing a nationally applicable methodology and a strategic work plan for full implementation, using stakeholder input and existing data (e.g., available State DOTs data).

14 Topic HRDI-BPM-05

Should the predictive capability rely on traditional deterioration models, or outline integration pathways for advanced AI/ML and physics-based approaches?

The emphasis of the strategic work plan should be placed on delineating standardized integration pathways and architectural workflows that conceptually synthesize both conventional

Reference Vendors’ Questions Government’s Responses deterioration methodologies and advanced AI/ML or physics-based predictive capabilities conforming digital twin structure.

15 Topic HRDI-BPM-05

Are there existing IFC 4.3-aligned IDS, schema templates, or baseline bridge models from TPF-5(523) Phase II that the research team is expected to adopt?

The research team is responsible for identifying and obtaining all datasets needed for the research, as well as securing commitments and letters of support for any involved entity or person; FHWA can facilitate data access, help identify sites, and coordinate with State

DOTs.