693JJ3-24-BAA-0002 Amendment 1.pdf

Broad Agency Announcement

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Amendment 1

Reconnecting Community Pilot Program and Neighborhood Access and Equity

Program

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BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

SECTION 1

Section Title Page

1 BAA Process Overview 3

2 Statement of Objectives 5

3 General Proposal Information 9

Overview of Instructions For Submission of Proposals 11

5 White Paper Content 12

6 White Paper Evaluation 13

7 Instructions for Full Proposals 14

8 Evaluation Criteria for Proposals 18

9 Negotiations 19

10 Attachments 19

SECTION 1 – BAA PROCESS OVERVIEW

1.1 General Information

CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT:

Vivian Lu Contract Specialist Email: Vivian.Lu@dot.gov

Amalia Rodezno Contracting Officer Email: Amalia.Rodezno@dot.gov

1.2 Summary of Important Dates

This BAA describes a two-phase process for proposal submission and evaluation. In the first phase, white papers will be submitted for review. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will then encourage full proposals from those submitting white papers that are of interest to FHWA. Further detail on proposal dates are as follows.

The FHWA anticipates that the proposal, evaluation, and award process for this BAA will proceed generally in accordance with the following schedule:

BAA posted February 28, 2024 Questions Due 1:00PM ET March 11, 2024 White Papers Due 1:00PM ET March 27, 2024 Invitation to Submit Full Proposal Estimated April 19, 2024 Full Proposals Due 1:00PM ET Estimated June 3, 2024 Anticipated Contract Award Date Estimated August 2024

Proposals shall be sent by electronic transmission to Vivian.Lu@dot.gov and Amalia.Rodezno@dot.gov. Any questions relating to this announcement must be emailed to the contracting point of contact. No telephone requests will be taken.

1.3 BACKGROUND

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is written in support of FHWA’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Program (NAE) and the USDOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP) Technical Assistance. The FHWA’s Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty's research activities support this program and policy objectives that help the FHWA address topics associated with comprehensive intermodal and multi-modal transportation planning, enhancement of community and social benefits of highway transportation, and improvements to the quality of the natural environment by reconnecting community.

mailto:Vivian.Lu@dot.gov mailto:Amalia.Rodezno@dot.gov

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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA, P.L. 117-169) authorized up to $60 million total over five years for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program and Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Program Planning Technical Assistance to:

• study the feasibility and impacts of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible facility;

• conduct planning activities necessary to design a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility; and

• conduct construction activities necessary to carry out a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility.

NOTE: this Planning Technical Assistance is being coordinated with the larger $3 billion RCP/NAE that is being awarded under separate Notices of Funding Opportunity, with their own criteria and timelines.

The RCP/NAE will help States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), Local and Tribal Governments, and nonprofit organizations to restore community connectivity through the award of planning and capital construction grants that will remove barriers to mobility, access, or economic development due to high speeds, grade separations, or other design factors.

• This program restores community connectivity by correcting historical barriers to mobility, access, and economic development that left communities divided.

• Communities that plan how best to restore community connectivity will be able to apply for grants to implement solutions that are sensitive to the context of the surrounding area, and help achieve inclusive economic development benefits.

• Eligible facilities for grant funding are limited access highways, viaducts, or any other principal arterial facilities that create a barrier to community connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access, or economic development due to high speeds, grade separations, or other design factors.

1.4 PURPOSE

The FHWA, through the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty, is soliciting proposal(s) to conduct research and applied research that lead to or support the goal of reconnecting communities and neighborhoods that were previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure and could lead to innovative changes and revolutionary advances for transportation planning in the United States. The objective of this BAA is to advance the practice and application of transportation planning among State, metropolitan, regional, local, and Tribal transportation planning governments and nonprofit organizations in response to reconnect communities and neighborhoods in transportation planning and to identify new tools, techniques, and approaches that respond to national transportation planning priorities.

1.5 PROGRAM SCOPE

The program scope is designed to address the wide spectrum of topics and objectives including, but are not limited to, investigations, peer exchanges, workshops, research, and applied research. This program is intended to identify innovative solutions to reconnecting communities and neighborhoods and focus on all level initiatives with a large-scale, broad range, and high pay-off in

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research and applied research. The goal of this announcement is to support and advance the reconnecting communities and neighborhoods programs through additional research and applied research.

SECTION 2 – STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

2.1 APPLICATION AREA DESCRIPTIONS

Under this BAA, FHWA will award contracts to private sector entities, State Department of Transportations, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), Local Transit agencies, Tribal Governments, and nonprofit organizations to advance reconnecting communities. This BAA is intended to spur innovation and focus broad range research, development, and implementation to meet the requirements of the RCP and NAE technical assistance goal. This innovation may be delivered or assisted in various formats including, but not limited to, tools, documents, videos, one-on-one meetings, roundtables, peer exchanges, workshops, research and other strategies to advance/support technical assistance. The FHWA is seeking proposals within one or several focus areas that are of particular strategic interest and relevance. Proposals that address more than one of these focus areas are highly encouraged. These areas are consistent with emphasis areas identified for Surface Transportation Research, Development, and Technology under 23 U.S.C. Sections 502 and 503. The focus areas include:

2.1.1 Focus Area 1- Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods in Transportation Statewide and Regional Planning Capacity Building

The FHWA seeks to expand the knowledge, understanding, and implementation of efforts that will advance State, MPO, regional, local, Tribal, and nonprofit transportation planning capacity building to include the consideration of audience needs, agency practices, and process requirements in reconnecting community. Topic areas that consider reconnecting community include, but are not limited to, performance based planning, livability, advanced modeling, economic development, scenario/integrated planning, Complete Streets, sustainability, health, borders, equity, affordable transportation, safety, environmental mitigation etc. Applicants should recommend research and or applied research that leads to or support the goal of reconnecting communities and neighborhoods including, but not limited to, the following:

• Integrating the reconnecting community concept into the continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (3-C) performance-based multimodal transportation planning process, including the development of federally required planning product(s) such as Statewide or Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program, Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan, Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Congestion Management Process, State Highway Rail Grade Crossing Action Plan, Freight Plan, Resilience Improvement Plan, Complete Streets Prioritization Plan, etc.

• The benefits of performance-based planning, which creates a transparent transportation planning process that can demonstrate through data and analysis how the transportation system is performing to reconnecting communities, especially those that have been historically underserved and disadvantaged.

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• The benefits of livability and supporting healthy communities through developing new innovations that enhance historically underserved and disadvantaged communities social, environmental, and economic benefits of highway transportation, and result in reconnecting communities.

• New and innovative transportation modeling and forecasting techniques that support more informed decision making for planning of both motorized and non-motorized travel and result in reconnecting communities.

• New reconnecting community innovative tools and techniques in all aspects of economic development to help understand the links between the benefits of transportation and economic stability including innovations in program finances, revenue forecasts, and transportation asset management.

• Improved reconnecting community approaches, methods, and tools for conducting multimodal comprehensive planning that better reflects the implications and tradeoffs among transportation modes, livability, land use, environment, economic development, public health, equity, etc. Visioning, sketch planning, and scenario planning approaches and associated tools to better inform the planning process and decision makers on the real consequences, implications, and tradeoffs among issues.

• Identify how regional and local impacts of transportation investments on various sustainability indicators (economy, environment, health, etc.) are considered in the planning process and project selection process, which result in reconnecting communities.

• Identify how regional and local areas are addressing health in transportation for the historically underserved and disadvantaged and result in reconnecting communities.

• Identify reconnecting community scenarios and/or case examples where States or local areas have right-sized highways to accommodate livability or economic development needs (e.g., converting fully access controlled highways to urban boulevards).

• Develop improved methods for understanding the implications of cross border movement of people and goods and how the impact of transportation across borders can be better addressed in reconnecting communities.

• Develop reconnecting community case studies and best practices for all the topics under this BAA.

2.1.2 Focus Area 2-Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods in Transportation Corridor Planning

The FHWA seeks to expand the knowledge, understanding, and implementation of efforts that will advance the development of innovative tools or approaches that promote reconnecting communities in corridor planning. These key emerging planning research issues are to evaluate the feasibility of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible facility to restore community connectivity, including, but not limited to:

• Integrating the reconnecting communities and neighborhoods concept into any corridor planning activities that could inform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process.

• Current traffic patterns on the eligible facility proposed for removal, retrofit, or mitigation and the surrounding street network

• The capacity of existing transportation networks to maintain mobility needs

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• An analysis of alternative roadway designs or other uses for the right-of-way of the eligible facility

• The effect of the removal, retrofit, or mitigation of the eligible facility on the mobility of freight and people

• The effect of the removal, retrofit, or mitigation of the eligible facility on the safety of the traveling public

• The cost to remove, retrofit, or mitigate the eligible facility to o Restore community connectivity or o Convert the eligible facility to a different roadway design or use, compared to any expected costs for necessary maintenance or reconstruction

• The anticipated economic impact of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating and converting an eligible facility and any economic development opportunities that would be created by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating and converting the eligible facility

• The environmental impacts of retaining or reconstructing the eligible facility and the anticipated effect of the proposed alternative use or roadway design

• Other transportation planning activities required in advance of a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility to restore community.

2.1.3 Focus Area 3-Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods in Public Involvement, Equity, and Visualization

There is a continued need to conduct research to integrate new methods in public involvement, equity, and visualization-related practices. FHWA is seeking proposals on how to include public engagement opportunities for public input into a plan, program, and study to remove and convert a facility to reconnect communities. Furthermore, equity analysis and visualization techniques are emerging areas of research and practice for transportation planning practitioners that can be utilized to help convey and obtain technical information to underserved and disadvantaged reconnecting communities that traditionally were not involved in the planning process. FHWA is interested in proposals that include, but are not limited to:

• Developing innovative practices for building broad partnerships or coalitions in transportation planning that include the facility owner (State DOTs, local agencies and transit operator), users and/or impacted community, and local officials.

• Increasing the awareness among State DOTs, MPOs, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and other government agencies about the importance of ensuring civil rights and environmental justice in reconnecting community.

• Developing new visualization techniques to apply to transportation planning in which stakeholders from State DOTs, MPOs, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties would benefit from knowing how to effectively apply visualization tools for the reconnecting community plan, program, and project.

• Developing new public involvement techniques and communication strategies among transportation practitioners, decision-makers, and the general public for the reconnecting community plan, program, and project.

• Advancing creative opportunities to build collaborations with other agencies to incorporate equity factors in the transportation planning process in response to Executive Order 13985:

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Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

• Developing reconnecting community strategies which strengthen documentation of environmental justice data collection, issues and concerns which can successfully get integrated into the NEPA process.

• Developing reconnecting community recommendations or observational analysis on how to deter transportation impacts on environmental justice communities.

• Documenting the effects of social media participation in the reconnecting community project/program public involvement process.

• Developing reconnecting community environmental case studies that demonstrate successful environmental justice communities, participation, strategies, challenges, barriers, and outcomes.

• Developing opportunities for innovative mitigation and avoidance strategies on Environmental Justice communities that result in reconnecting communities.

• Developing reconnecting community strategies that strengthen documentation of environmental justice data collection issues and concerns that can successfully be integrated into the NEPA process.

• Developing reconnecting community analysis on how to deter transportation impacts on environmental justice communities.

• Developing reconnecting community case studies for projects that demonstrated successful reconnecting of environmental justice communities and participation strategies and discuss challenges, barriers, and outcomes.

2.1.4 Focus Area 4- Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods in Other Planning Activities

The FHWA also seeks other reconnecting community research in innovative tools or approaches to expand the knowledge, understanding, and implementation of efforts that will advance reconnecting community capacity. These planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Planning to address a highway or other transportation facility that creates a barrier to community connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access, housing, affordable transportation, or economic development due to high speeds, grade separations, or other design factors.

• Using and implementing equity tools for State governments, MPOs, Local governments, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations for project prioritization and selection

• Analysis to address underserved and disadvantaged communities through multimodal networks and connectivity analysis, including o Bicycle/Pedestrian networks (with access to transit) o Network planning for transit that utilizes existing infrastructure (e.g., more stops or bus rapid transit)

• Advancing active transportation o Planning for active transportation networks and active transportation spines o Investigating innovative funding and finance strategies for active transportation community connections o Implementing Complete Streets on existing infrastructure that connect communities

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• Implementing Complete Streets and Complete Networks (including on and off-road facilities) o Adoption of Complete Streets and Networks standards or policies o Development of a Complete Streets prioritization plan o Focus on major arterial redesigns, showcasing Complete Street roadway conversions

• Developing tools to Retain and expand affordability for communities and neighborhoods o New reconnecting community innovative tools, techniques, and activities for maintaining affordability in newly improved or invested transportation planning areas.

o Planning to Avoid and Reduce Displacement and Relocation o Analysis of whether the available right-of-way would suffice to create an alternative roadway design

• Researching Sustainable and efficient urban and rural mobility o Mobility patterns and traffic management o Data and travel demand forecasts

• Promoting Public involvement and community-led visioning o Developing interagency tools and resources to advance collaborative corridor planning o Centering community-based organizations in planning coordination and collaboration

• Applying the FHWA Framework for Better Integrating Health into Transportation Corridor

Planning to bring focus on health equity, and coordinate with public health partners

Note: The applicability of Section 508 will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of deliverables under each award that results from this BAA.

SECTION 3 – GENERAL PROPOSAL INFORMATION

3.1 DELIVERABLES

The specific deliverables will depend upon the scope and objectives of the negotiated award. At a minimum, the contractor shall present results from at least a peer exchange, webinar, or workshop and submit a final report with a technical summary that documents the research conducted in each task identified in the proposal. Additional deliverables, such as interim reports, documentation, and instrumentation could be required and the specific deliverables will be identified in the negotiated statement of work.

3.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The contract period of performance is negotiable but shall be no more than 24 months from date of award.

3.3 PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Government reserves the right to select for award any, all, part, or none of the proposals https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/health_in_transportation/planning_framework/framework_test_cases/index.cfm https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/health_in_transportation/planning_framework/framework_test_cases/index.cfm

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received in response to this announcement. This BAA is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay any proposal preparation costs. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals, which will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria in section 8. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals.

The FHWA has budgeted approximately $2,000,000 to fund this research program. Proposals will be evaluated using a two-part process consisting of white papers and full proposals. Offerors whose white papers adequately address the evaluation criteria found in Section 6 below will be encouraged to submit full proposals. The FHWA may select for award all, none, or a subset of the acceptable proposals to construct a balanced program meeting its needs.

The number of awards, and their dollar value, will vary depending on the merit of proposals received, their potential to lead to transformational changes and advances in transportation planning and environmental review practice, and availability of funding. Offerors should prepare proposals with a period of performance of no more than 24 months.

The scope of this announcement is intentionally broad to invite innovation and to provide the FHWA the flexibility to sponsor research that best addresses its objectives. In keeping with FHWA’s desire for innovation and flexibility, the specific approach in the selected full proposals will vary and may be negotiated. Any resulting contracts will contain appropriate Federal agency clauses for the type of procurement vehicle awarded. Prior to award, the Offeror shall be required to submit “Certifications and Representations.” Data and reporting requirements will be negotiated with the Offeror (s) selected for award(s).

The proposal submission shall be conducted in two phases:

1. White Papers

2. Full Proposals

White papers may respond to one or more of the subject focus areas but must indicate which area is primary and which area, or areas, are subordinate. Organizations also may submit more than one white paper when the proposed effort includes multiple disparate focus areas, or would have a more supportable budget if provided in parts; however, each proposal will be considered independently.

The FHWA will evaluate white papers against the evaluation criteria outlined in Section 6 below.

Those Offerors whose white papers adequately address the evaluation criteria in Section 6 will be encouraged to submit a full proposal, as described below. Offerors whose white papers are determined not to adequately address the evaluation criteria will not be precluded from submitting a full proposal. Approximately 30 days after the white paper submission deadline, Offerors who submitted white papers will be contacted by the Contract Specialist with a letter informing them whether FHWA encourages them to submit a full proposal.

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SECTION 4 –OVERVIEW OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

OF PROPOSALS

Offerors are required to follow the guidance contained herein. The following sections provide information on proposal format, the submission process, evaluation and funding processes, and other general information. Offerors may submit more than one proposal; however, each submittal must be in response to a complete and standalone innovative research that supports a topic on the BAA. The topic of the proposal must be clearly identified in the proposal title on the cover page.

4.1 BAA QUESTIONS

Questions concerning the BAA shall be submitted via e-mail to the FHWA Contracting Officer.

Questions shall be submitted using the following format:

# Page # Section # Paragraph # Question

All questions should be provided to:

Vivian Lu Contract Specialist Federal Highway Administration Email: Vivian.Lu@dot.gov

And Amalia Rodezno Contracting Officer Email: Amalia.Rodezno@dot.gov

Questions regarding this BAA solicitation shall be submitted in accordance with the information found in Section 1 of the BAA. Responses to questions received will be provided via an amendment to the BAA.

4.2 BAA PROPOSAL DUE DATES

4.2.1 WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION DUE DATE

The Offeror shall submit white papers in accordance with Section 5 of this BAA in accordance with the date found in Section 1 of the BAA. Proposals shall be submitted in an electronic format (Word and PDF) to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. White papers shall be provided at or before the exact time specified in Section 1 of the BAA. Hard copy transmissions of the white paper will not be accepted.

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4.2.2 FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DUE DATE

The Offeror shall submit a full proposal in accordance with Section 7 of this BAA by the date and time specified in the Government’s request for the full proposal submission. The Government anticipates that this request will be made within one-month of the white paper submission date.

Full proposals shall be submitted in an electronic format (Word, Excel, and PDF) to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. The full proposal shall be provided at or before the exact time specified in Section 1 of the BAA.

4.3 PROPOSAL FORMATTING

The Offeror shall adhere to the following format requirements in the White Paper and Full Proposals:

a) Proposal title shall adhere to the following naming convention: “Focus Area # [1-4], [Proposer] – Reconnecting Community Pilot Program Planning.”

b) Proposals shall be formatted to 8½ x 11-inch paper.

c) Text shall be printed using a Times New Roman or Arial font, size no less than 11-point font.

d) Page margins (exclusive of headers and footers) shall be a minimum of 1 inch top, bottom, and each side. Columns shall not be used as they are difficult to read electronically.

e) Footnotes, legends, labels associated with tables or diagrams, and other information that is ancillary to the main text may be presented in a font size smaller than 11-point font, provided that the font is fully legible.

SECTION 5 – WHITE PAPER CONTENT

All white papers should be submitted in Microsoft Word or text searchable PDF. The white papers shall be no longer than 10 pages in length, and include the following sections:

i. Cover Page (not included in the page limitation) that must include:

1) the BAA number

2) proposal title

3) type of organization (State DOT, local public agency, private sector/industry, public/private sector partnership, HBCU or MI, etc.)

4) estimated project duration,

5) technical and administrative points of contact including addresses, telephone numbers, electronic mail addresses

6) type of award anticipated (contract, or assistance agreement), and

7) a project abstract of no more than 200 words.

ii. Discuss the pertinence of the proposed research to FHWA’s program goals and objectives.

iii. Demonstrate the proposed effort’s ability to provide research or applied research in reconnecting communities that demonstrates furthering the effectiveness of planning technical assistance.

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iv. Discuss the products envisioned from this immediate effort and how they will reconnect communities.

v. Discuss your team composition, roles and responsibilities, and research approach for this proposed effort.

vi. Briefly describe the expected high-level tasks, total period of performance, and total cost.

vii. Business Information (not included in the 10-page limitation above): All Offerors shall include in their white papers the following mandatory business information regarding your business or institution:

a. Business Type (Small, Large, State, etc.)

b. Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)

c. Unique Entity Identifier Number (UEI)

d. Confirmation of a current SAM.gov registration for your organization

e. Name and contact information (mailing address, telephone, and email address) of your authorized business representative/point of contact

f. A preliminary and summary level cost estimate to accomplish the technical approach described; identification of any cost share if being proposed.

SECTION 6 – WHITE PAPER EVALUATION

The basis for categorization of white papers will be technical merit, the importance to the FHWA programs, and the availability of funds. The white papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria, listed below in descending order of importance:

i. The proposed solution is pertinent to FHWA’s program goals and objectives.

ii. The proposed solution has a new and innovative approach or would result in a new and innovative product.

iii. The proposed solution may be large-scale, broad range and has high pay-off benefit to advance Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods.

iv. The proposed solution is well-conceived and scientifically/technically sound, with a reasonable timeline and budget.

v. How much effort will be needed to translate the proposed products into practical outcomes or be replicated by others.

vi. How the proposed solution leverages existing research, related products, or other FHWA efforts.

vii. If the pre-proposal is research or applied research related to assisting an economically disadvantaged community(ies).

The evaluated white papers will be divided into the following two categories:

i. Category I: Category I white papers are well-conceived, scientifically/technically sound, and pertinent to program goals/objectives. Offeror’s whose white papers are considered Category I white papers will be encouraged to submit full proposals.

ii. Category II white papers are not technically sound or do not meet agency needs. White papers in this category are not recommended to submit full proposals, as FHWA does not believe it is likely that the Offeror’s full proposal will be selected for an award.

SECTION 7 – INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF FULL PROPOSALS

7.1 Full Proposal Instructions

After the white paper evaluation stage is complete, all Offerors will be notified of the official proposal submission dates in the letter notifying them which category their white paper was evaluated as. Additionally, an amendment will be made to the SAM.gov posting updating the proposal due dates. Full proposals will only be accepted from Offerors who submit white papers;

proposals received from Offerors who did not provide a timely white paper submission will be deemed ineligible for award.

Offerors submitting full proposals must submit technical proposals that provide a refined research problem statement and work scope, a management plan, technology transition plan, staffing qualifications, and information regarding other ongoing research and work in accordance with the format described below. In addition to the technical proposal, Offerors must submit a cost proposal that provides complete and detailed budget information, information on proposed cost sharing, and other general business information.

When evaluating the proposals, the agency may take into account any failure to conform to the instructions and rules in this section, or any attempt to evade these specifications and rules on the basis of technicalities, as indicators of future performance.

If an Offeror does not understand the instructions as described herein, they must submit their questions(s) to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer listed in Section 1 for clarification in accordance with the Question deadline provided in each Offeror’s letter.

7.2 Full Proposal Format

Full proposals shall be submitted by an authorized representative and include a technical proposal 20 pages or less in length and a cost proposal.

Part I Technical Proposal

The technical proposal shall include the following:

(1) Cover Page with:

a. the BAA number

b. proposal title

c. type of business (large business, small disadvantaged business, other small business, HBCU or MI, other educational, or other nonprofit)

d. complete list of subcontractors

e. technical and administrative points of contact including addresses, telephone numbers, and electronic mail addresses.

The Cover Page does not count against the 20-page limit.

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(2) Refined research problem statement (suggested up to three pages) with a description of the proposed innovative technique, system, or approach, and how the proposed effort will meet the objectives of the BAA, a comparison of these innovative ideas with current approaches and the current state of the art, and the expected impact of the research if successful. The research problem statement should discuss how the proposed research relates to relevant regulatory and programmatic issues. The research problem statement should discuss how the proposed research will lead to transformational changes and revolutionary advances for reconnecting communities.

(3) Complete scope of work (suggested up to 10 pages) describing research methods, steps, schedule (for a period of performance of up to two years) with milestones, expected deliverables, and associated evaluation metrics for the proposed effort. The proposed scope of work shall describe the necessary tasks required to support the proposed work in advancing reconnecting communities and shall clearly indicate if and how the proposed effort will leverage existing research, related products, or other FHWA efforts. The scope of work shall describe a timeline for completion of each task and the interrelationships of all tasks, including but not limited to the preparation of read-ahead documents, presentation materials, and meeting facilities, etc. In addition, at least one web conference may be subsequently held to respond to reviewer comments and present scenario evaluation findings.

(4) A Management Plan (suggested no more than two pages) describing the overall approach to management of this effort, including a brief discussion of the proposed organization and the use of personnel and other resources. This section should also describe any partnership structure between the entity proposing work and other public and private sector entities funding or otherwise substantially participating in the work, including State departments of transportation, State air quality agencies, MPOs, universities, foundations, etc.

(5) A Transition/Implementation Plan (suggested no more than one page) describing the how the research could be transferred into local or national practice.

(6) A Facilities section (suggested no more than one page) describing the facilities that would be used for the proposed effort.

(7) Research team qualifications (suggested up to three pages) with title and identification of association to a specific project or functional group within the proposing organization or to a specific proposed subcontractor. Indicate the proposed amount of effort (person-hours) to be expended by each person during the proposed program.

(8) Designation of a Project Manager and other personnel deemed by the Offeror to be essential to the successful completion of the contract. These individuals will be listed in the contract as key personnel.

(9) Reference to past relevant research (for Prime Offeror and subcontractors) at the national, State, or regional level (suggested up to two pages) describing capabilities, work, and significant accomplishments in areas associated with proposed research area or in closely related areas.

Associate the described relevant experience to the specific project group or functional group in the proposing organization or to the specific proposed subcontractor(s).

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(10) A summary (suggested one page) of other current and pending proposals being executed or proposed to be executed with the support of personnel proposed in this effort. This list should include project scale, start and end dates, and the average amount of time planned or currently being expended on each effort. The list should be organized by names of the key personnel and other significant senior personnel. If none, state none under this section.

(11) A Bibliography (suggested one page) of relevant technical papers and research notes that support the technical concepts and innovative ideas described in this proposal.

Part II Cost Proposal

In addition to the technical proposal, Offerors shall submit a cost proposal that provides complete budget information. There is no page limit for the cost proposal. The Offeror shall suggest a contract type (such as Firm-Fixed Price, Cost Plus Fixed-Fee etc.). Each summary budget shall include other than certified cost and pricing data including each major cost category such as direct labor, fringe benefits, subcontracts, travel and other direct costs, overhead/indirect costs, and fee (if applicable). Direct labor information shall provide detail regarding each proposed individual or labor category, the number of hours or percent of time proposed for each period, and the unburdened hourly rate or salary for each person or category. For other direct costs (travel, materials, and supplies, etc), provide detail and explanation for how each element of cost was derived and estimated. For any subcontracts, provide a separate detailed budget for the subcontract work, and provide a price analysis of the work, as described below. Only small printing/duplicating costs should be proposed, if needed; any large printing jobs must be carried out by the FHWA in accordance with Government Printing Office regulations.

A separate detailed cost breakdown shall also be provided by task and subtask, using the same task or subtask numbers as described in the scope of work in the technical proposal. Details of any cost sharing to be undertaken by the Offeror shall also be included in the cost section. Describe the type of funds (cash, in kind, etc.), and its contribution and relationship in enhancing the proposed effort.

The following mandatory business information regarding the Offeror must be included in the cost proposal: Business Size; TIN; UEI, Name and contact information (mail address, telephone, and email address) of authorized business representative/point of contact.

An estimated budget and spending plan for completion of the project must be clearly labeled and identified in the cost proposal.

Subcontractors

Subcontractors’ cost proposals must be similarly structured. All subcontracted work must be properly identified as such. If a subcontractor elects to submit an abbreviated proposal, it is the Offeror’s responsibility to see that the subcontractor submits the information requested in the section above and submits the proposal directly to the Government’s point of contact. The Offeror must ensure that the subcontractor adheres to the guidance set forth herein. FAR 15.404-3 requires that the Offeror provide an analysis of subcontractors’ cost proposals. To that end, Offeror’s proposal must:

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(1) Identify principal items/services to be subcontracted.

(2) Identify prospective subcontractors and the basis on which they were selected. If non-competitive, provide selected source justification.

(3) Identify the type of contractual business arrangement contemplated for the subcontract and provide a rationale for same.

(4) Identify the basis for the subcontract costs (e.g., firm quote or engineering estimate, etc).

(5) Identify the cost or pricing data or information other than cost or pricing data submitted by the subcontractor.

(6) Provide an analysis of the proposed subcontract in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(b). Provide an analysis concerning the reasonableness, realism, and completeness of each subcontractor’s proposal. If the analysis is based on comparison with prior prices, identify the basis on which the prior prices were determined to be reasonable. The analysis should include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: materials, labor, travel, other direct costs and proposed profit or fee rates.

Small Business Subcontracting Plan

If any Offeror not considered a small business under the NAICS code 541715- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) submits a proposal with a total cost of $750,000 or more, the Offeror must submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan. The Offeror must complete Attachment 1- FHWA Small Business Subcontracting Plan template and submit it with their Cost Proposal.

NOTE: Rights to copyrightable software delivered under any resulting award of this BAA shall be determined in accordance with FAR 52.227-14 and alternates I, II, III, or IV, if applicable.

Furthermore, all software deliveries, preliminary and final, will include as a minimum, well-documented source code in electronic readable format, overall software architecture documentation, overall and individual module interface documentation, and a user’s operations manual. All hardware deliveries will include all documentation necessary to reproduce (assemble) and operate the delivered hardware system(s). Also, if applicable, provide a summary of any proprietary claims to results, software, hardware, prototypes, or systems supporting and/or necessary for the use of the research, results, software, hardware, prototype, or system proposed for development under this broad agency announcement. If there are no proprietary claims, this section shall consist of a statement to that effect.

NOTE: All Offerors must be registered to accept Federal contracts in SAM.gov before submitting a proposal. All Offerors must complete the representations and certifications portion in SAM.gov before submitting a proposal.

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SECTION 8 - EVALUATION CRITERIA OF FULL PROPORALS

8.1 Evaluation Criteria

The primary basis for selecting proposals will be technical merit, importance to the FHWA program, and the availability of funds. Individual proposal evaluations will be based on acceptability or non-acceptability without regard to other proposals submitted under the announcement. Note that not all technically meritorious proposals may be funded due to budgetary constraints.

Technical merit will be evaluated based on the following criteria, listed in descending order of relative importance:

Technical Approach

A. Provides a sound, feasible, and achievable technical approach. Discusses the steps (or tasks) to execute the methodology by which the project objective will be achieved.

B. Discusses and demonstrates the ability to clearly describe the project objectives, needs, and the manner in which they will be addressed.

C. Demonstrates a solid grasp of the subject area and familiarity with regulatory or programmatic issues.

D. Leverages existing and related products or other FHWA efforts.

Staffing

A. Proposed personnel, including subcontractors, have the academic credentials, professional experience, subject matter expertise, technical competence and relevant skills to complete the technical solution proposed by the Offeror and successfully perform.

B. Provides contingency plans in place to replace key personnel over the life of the project without any adverse impact on performance.

Team Experience

A. Recent successful research, organization, and material development on the project objective.

8.2 Cost

Cost reasonableness and realism will also be considered in the overall selection process. Cost reasonableness and realism analysis will only be conducted on proposals preliminarily selected for award. Cost will be considered in the ultimate award decision, as the Government may elect not to award to a proposal if the Contracting Officer is unable to determine that the costs are realistic and reasonable.

8.3 Administrative Information

It is the policy of the FHWA to treat all proposals as competitive information and to disclose the contents only for the purposes of evaluation. Only Government evaluators will make selections

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under this BAA. This announcement constitutes the public announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2), and no formal Request for Proposals or other solicitation regarding this announcement will be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to select for award any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. In addition, the Government reserves the right to award either contracts, purchase orders, or other instruments determined to be of benefit to the government in achieving the goals of this program.

SECTION 9 - NEGOTIATIONS

9.1 Proposal Selection and Negotiations

After a proposal is selected for an award, the USDOT may choose to enter into negotiations with the Offeror regarding any aspect of the contract award. The Government reserves the right to remove an Offeror from award consideration should the parties fail to reach an agreement on contract terms, conditions, and cost/price within a reasonable time or if the Offeror fails to promptly provide any additional information requested. Once the proposal evaluation is completed and ranked, the Offerors selected for negotiations are notified by email via letter by the Contracting Officer.

Contracts awarded through this announcement are not controlled by general procedures of FAR Part 15, “Contracting by Negotiation.” Instead, they are awarded under the authority and procedures described in FAR Part 35, “Research and Development Contracting.” Accordingly, given the inherent nature of BAAs, specific terms, conditions, and contract clauses, including FAR, USDOT, and FHWA terms and conditions, can only be determined by specifics of a proposed project and will be determined based on the appropriate contract and entity type. Accordingly, contract clauses will be identified and defined during negotiations before the award.

The Offeror must propose a contract type in their proposal, but the Contract Officer will ultimately determine the appropriate contract type for contract award depending on the work to be performed.

The Offeror will be notified if a different contract type will be required and will be negotiated with the Offeror. If necessary, an Offeror may be requested to submit either an updated or revised cost proposal and any additional cost information or backup cost data.

SECTION 10 – ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1- FHWA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Template