693JJ324NF00013_NOFO_Concrete Pave 4-4-24.pdf

693JJ324NF00013

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ324NF00013

“Development and Deployment of Innovative Technologies for Concrete Pavements”

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date: 4/4/2024

Application Due Date: 5/20/2024

Estimated Cooperative Agreement Award: September 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Summary Information

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Acquisition and Grants Management 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Mail Drop: E62-304 Washington, DC 20590 Attn: HCFA-42

Funding Opportunity Title: “Development and Deployment of Innovative Technologies for Concrete Pavements”

Announcement Type: This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: 693JJ324NF00013

Total Amount Available: This NOFO will result in the distribution of up to $5 million. The actual amount available to be awarded under this notice will be subject to the availability of funds. This NOFO will result in the award of one cost reimbursement cooperative agreement with cost-sharing.

Award Type: Cooperative Agreement

Assistance Listing Number: 20.200, Highway Research & Development

Application Due Date: Applications Due by 3:00pm ET on 5/20/2024 via Grants.gov (see Section D).

Questions: Submit Questions by 3:00pm ET on 4/17/2024 to:

Freida.Byrd@dot.gov and Hector.Santamaria@dot.gov mailto:Freida.Byrd@dot.gov mailto:Hector.Santamaria@dot.gov

Each section of this notice contains information and instructions relevant to the application process.

The applicant should read this notice in its entirety so that they have the information they need to submit eligible and competitive applications.

The FHWA will not review applications in advance, but FHWA staff are available for technical questions and assistance. In addition, FHWA will post answers to questions and requests for clarifications at Grants.gov under this NOFO’s page.

Note: The FHWA uses www.Grants.gov for receipt of all applications. Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this Notice. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to monitor www.Grants.gov for any updates to this Notice.

http://www.grants.gov/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE

A

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 5

B

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 11

C

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 13

D

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 14

E

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 23

F

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 28

G

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) 36

H

OTHER INFORMATION 37

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies (AIDPT) Program was established more than a decade ago under the Moving Ahead for Progress in 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112-141). Since that time, the program has continued under Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114-94) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Pub. L. 117-58). The program encourages highway agencies to adopt and implement new technologies proven to save money, enhance safety, improve performance and quality, increase efficiency, reduce delay, and enhance road user satisfaction.

The purpose of this funding opportunity and planned cooperative agreement (Agreement) is to stimulate, facilitate, and expedite the deployment and rapid adoption of new and innovative technologies relating to the design, specification, production, testing, control, construction, investigation, operation, and impacts of concrete pavements. The Agreement will support public agencies by helping to increase the knowledge related to concrete pavements and concrete materials.

The proposed project is a cooperative effort between the FHWA and the Recipient to improve the quality and performance of concrete pavements.

Products will include, but not be limited to, implementation plans, market analyses, training tools, case studies, reports and analyses, and supporting stakeholder engagement via conference presentations, webinars, workshops, peer exchanges, videos, and technical assistance to public agencies. To accomplish and deliver these products, it is anticipated the Recipient will leverage engaging subject matter experts and make products available and accessible to a wide-ranging audience. This effort will leverage the unique technology capabilities and facilities of the Recipient with FHWA’s mission.

2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

In United States Code Title 23 – Highways, Section 503(c)(1)(A), the purpose of the Technology Innovation and Deployment program “shall be to significantly accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies by the surface transportation community.” Further, Section 503(c)(3), titled Accelerated implementation and deployment of pavement technologies, “[t]he Secretary shall establish and implement a program under the technology and innovation deployment program to promote, implement, deploy, demonstrate, showcase, support, and document the application of innovative pavement technologies, practices, performance and benefits.”

The funding provided for this program is given in Section 13006(a)(2) of Public Law 117-58, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Act.” Section 503(c)(3)(D) of United States Code Title 23 has been amended to state that “The Secretary shall obligate for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 funds made available to carry out this subsection $12,000,000 to accelerate the deployment and implementation of pavement technology.”

In order to carry out this program, Section 502(a)(7) of United States Code Title 23 states: “Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Secretary shall award, to the maximum extent practicable, all grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for research and development under this chapter based on open competition and peer review of proposals.”

The Federal Government’s cost share requirements are provided in Section 11101(c)(3) of Public Law 117-58 “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Act” as Funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out using those funds shall be 80 percent, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act (including the amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined by the Secretary, and remain available until expended and not be transferable, except as otherwise provided in this Act.”

3. BACKGROUND

The Agreement will focus on deployment of innovative technologies and strategies to advance concrete pavements. A primary goal of the FHWA AIDPT Program is the advancement of new and innovative technologies to design, specify, construct, and preserve pavements, which are supported by the advancement of superior practices for testing and evaluating materials. A high priority focus area of the Agreement will be to advance Performance Engineered Mixtures (PEM) and Performance Centered Concrete Construction (P3C). Collaboration with public agencies, industry groups, and the consultant and academic communities are vital to the success of advancing innovative strategies and shall be a consideration in all activities under the Agreement.

Once research projects are completed, the FHWA requires assistance in the deployment of the technology, which often includes items such as, but not limited to: marketing, material testing, product demonstration showcases, support of field trials, conference presentations, webinars, workshops, peer exchanges, videos, agency staff focused technical documents and presentations, and technical assistance to State DOTs and other public agencies constructing, maintaining, and owning Federal-aid highways.

A wide range of stakeholders implementing concrete pavement innovations often require assistance in characterization, data analysis, and evaluation. To this end, FHWA values participation in the form of a preeminent concrete testing laboratory and personnel with extensive test equipment and knowledge of concrete pavement materials, cementitious and alternative binders, supplementary cementitious materials, and how they are designed to form concrete mixtures. In addition, the FHWA requires the assistance of an entity with access to a network of engineers, technical experts, and subject matter experts across the United States to successfully carry out tasks, field projects, demonstration projects, and other technical transfer activities that will provide valuable information to improve the performance of concrete pavements for the betterment of the pavement community (e.g., owner agencies, industry, and academia) and the traveling public.

FHWA has a successful history of using Cooperative Agreements in the delivery of the AID-PT and supporting programs. A Recipient of a current Cooperative Agreement that is similar in scope in its support of concrete pavement innovations is The National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech) at Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation. CP Tech has made documents developed under the Cooperative Agreement entitled Advancing Concrete Pavement Technology Solutions publicly available on its webpage and details activities that it does to support FHWA in its deployment of innovative concrete pavement technologies. More information is available at:

https://intrans.iastate.edu/research/in-progress/advancing-concrete-pavement-technology-solutions/

4. GOALS

The goals of this funding opportunity and planned Agreement are to promote the deployment and rapid adoption of new and innovative materials, design and construction procedures, specifications, practices, and methods by which the concrete pavement can realize improved pavement performance and extended pavement life while integrating sustainability.

5. SCOPE OF WORK

Within 20 business days after execution of the Agreement, the Recipient shall facilitate a kick-off meeting. The Kick-off meeting can be held virtually or at a mutually agreed upon location. At a minimum, the Recipients key personnel shall attend this meeting along with FHWA staff identified by the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR). The meeting shall cover the details of the executed Agreement to ensure all parties have a common understanding of the tasks and requirements. The Recipient is expected to attend the kick-off meeting with detailed Year 1 Work Plan using the submitted Volume 3: Year 1 Proposed Activity List and any feedback provided by FHWA. The Year 1 Work Plan will be approved following a review by FHWA and budget review by the Agreement Officer (AO).

Throughout the period of performance, the FHWA and the Recipient shall meet, at a minimum, quarterly to discuss project activities. The location of the meeting shall be established in coordination with AOR and the Recipient and may be in Washington, DC, the Recipient’s primary office location, a mutually attended industry conference or meeting, or via an online meeting platform.

https://intrans.iastate.edu/research/in-progress/advancing-concrete-pavement-technology-solutions/

The Recipient shall support the deployment and rapid adoption, throughout the United States, of innovative concrete pavement technologies in the six work areas outlined below. Across the work areas, the Recipient shall support FHWA’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials (LCTM) program.

Approximately forty percent of the planned Agreement shall be targeted for development of tools, information, and resources and delivery of technical assistance to support the LCTM program.

Work Area #1: The deployment of new, cost-effective designs, materials, recycled materials, and practices to extend the pavement life and performance and to improve user satisfaction.

• The focus of this work area shall begin with the use of innovative, novel construction materials and support public agencies as they begin to evaluate and consider these novel materials for inclusion in their programs.

• This work area can continue the support of the Every Day Counts (EDC) innovation on Targeted Overlay Pavement Solutions (TOPS) and other prior EDC innovations.

• This work area can support concrete pavement technology through the delivery of tools supporting the use concrete pavements by a wide range of agencies, including agencies other than State DOTs.

Work Area #2: The reduction of initial costs and lifecycle costs of pavements, including the costs of new construction, replacement, maintenance, and rehabilitation.

• The focus of this work area shall begin with building upon the Guide for Reducing the Cradle-to-Gate Carbon Emissions of Paving Grade Concrete, with a Volume 2 focused on strategies beyond Cradle-to-Gate.

Work Area #3: The deployment of accelerated construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic disruption and congestion.

• The focus of this work area shall support the implementation and deployment of more robust quality control programs as outlined in the Quality Control for Concrete Paving: A Tool for Agency and Industry.

• This work area shall support the Performance Centered Concrete Construction (P3C) initiative.

• This work area can highlight different maintenance of traffic strategies, e.g., overnight, weekend, extended closures, and how they can contribute to sustainability goals while addressing user satisfaction.

Work Area #4: The deployment of engineering design criteria and specifications for new and efficient practices, products, and materials for use in highway pavements.

• The focus of this work area shall include the update and continued support for deployment of the Performance Engineered Mixtures (PEM) initiative, including compiling best https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/lowcarbon/ https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_6/targeted_overlay_pavement.cfm https://cptechcenter.org/news/cp-tech-center-publishes-reduced-carbon-guide/ https://cptechcenter.org/news/cp-tech-center-publishes-reduced-carbon-guide/ https://intrans.iastate.edu/app/uploads/2021/12/QC_for_concrete_paving.pdf https://intrans.iastate.edu/app/uploads/2021/12/QC_for_concrete_paving.pdf practices and feedback, to include suggestions for update, to the Standard Practice for Developing Performance Engineered Concrete Pavement Mixtures (AASHTO R 101).

• This work area could include the development of an updated design methodology for concrete mixtures that is based on constituent particle size, approximate surface area, aggregate blending, and performance criteria.

• This work area could include development of a carbonation potential calculator, which would use mixture proportions and constituent chemistry to estimate phases using a thermodynamic equilibrium approach of Gibbs energy minimization (GEMS) to estimate the maximum extent of carbonation a cement-based mixture could sustain.

Work Area #5: The deployment of new nondestructive and real-time pavement evaluation technologies and construction techniques.

• The focus of this work area shall include support for the range of test methods referenced in AASHTO R 101, to include resistivity testing, workability evaluation, air evaluation, and strength evaluation.

• This work area shall support the deployment of the use of maturity for assessing strength for opening to traffic applications in concrete pavements.

• This work area can support the long-term friction assessment of concrete pavements.

Work Area #6: Effective technology transfer and information dissemination to accelerate implementation of new technologies and to improve life, performance, cost effectiveness, safety, and user satisfaction.

• The focus of this work area shall begin with hosting FHWA’s Concrete Pavement and Materials Technical Feedback Group (CPM-TFG).

• This area can help support implementation of FWHA’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials Program with communication, tools, and expertise related to low emission concrete materials.

• The focus of this work area can include collaboration and education related to new standard test methods applicable to public agencies, such as performance standards of pozzolans and carbon sequestration, developed by standards organizations such as ASTM International or the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM).

6. WORK PLAN PROCESS

The Recipient shall submit proposed work plans to address the needs outlined in Subsection 5 – Scope of Work. At least on an annual basis, from the date of execution of the Agreement, the Recipient shall submit work plans to the AOR for review in order to determine and prioritize which needs shall be addressed each year. The AOR will provide comments to the Recipient, who will have 10 business https://store.transportation.org/Item/PublicationDetail?ID=4993 https://cptechcenter.org/cpm-tfg/ https://cptechcenter.org/cpm-tfg/ https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/lowcarbon/ https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/lowcarbon/ days to review revise the work plan(s) to address the AOR comments. Upon notification from the AOR of an accepted work plan, the Recipient shall proceed with the agreed upon tasks.

Note: The first year’s annual plan shall be prepared upon award and discussed at the kick-off meeting.

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. FUNDING

The award type is a Cooperative Agreement. The total amount of Federal funding (i.e., Federal share) that the Government expects to award through this notice is $5,000,000 over the life of the project.

Funds will be awarded upon the execution of a grant agreement with the FHWA.

Note: Application preparation costs are not an allowable charge under this Agreement.

NOTE: Please note that this NOFO is subject to availability of funding. The Government’s obligation under any resulting award is contingent upon the availability of funding. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are available and obligated to an award. The Government reserves the right to make no awards under this NOFO.

2. NUMBER/TYPE OF ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENT

The Government anticipates awarding up to one (1) Cooperative Agreement as a result of this notice. The planned award type is a cost reimbursement cooperative agreement with cost-sharing.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for the Cooperative Agreement will be sixty (60) months from the effective date. The agreement period of performance will begin on the effective date of the award, as stated in the signed grant agreement, and end on the period of performance end date that is listed in the signed grant agreement.

4. DEGREE OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT

FHWA anticipates substantial Federal involvement between FHWA and the Recipient during the course of this project. The FHWA anticipates the Federal involvement will include:

• Technical assistance and guidance to the Recipient;

• Close monitoring of performance;

• Involvement in technical decisions;

• Review, comment, and approval of work plans;

• Ability to redirect project activities;

• Performance reporting and financial reporting to ensure that the objectives and terms and conditions of the Agreement are met;

• Participation in status meetings including kick-off meeting and annual technical and budget reviews;

• Review and comment on draft and final documents as appropriate; and

• Review and request clarification (if needed) of technical reporting and financial reporting to ensure that the objectives and terms and conditions of the Agreement are met.

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

This funding opportunity is open to all sources.

NOTE: There is no limitation on the number of applications that may be submitted by a source.

2. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

The Federal share of the cost of this project shall be, at most, 80 percent. The Applicant shall provide a minimum 20 percent ($1,250,000) cost share of total project cost. Program Income must be handled in accordance with Section F.

Note: The “cost of the project” consists of the Federal share and the cost share combined.

Accordingly, the Federal share must be a maximum of 80 percent of the cost of the value of Federal share and cost share combined. The Federal share of the cost of the project can be less than 80 percent but cannot exceed 80 percent. For example, if the total project cost is $6,250,000, the Federal share must not exceed $5,000,000 (80%) and the recipient cost share must be a minimum of $1,250,000 (20% of total).

FHWA will not consider previously incurred costs or previously expended or encumbered funds towards the matching requirement for any project. Matching funds are subject to the same Federal requirements as awarded funds. See 2 CFR Part 200.306 on Cost Sharing or matching.

See Legislative Authority in NOFO SECTION A for specific citations.

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

Applicants may obtain application forms at Grants.gov under the Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ324NF00013.

The Applicant must complete and submit all forms included in the application package for this Notice as contained at www.grants.gov. If potential applicants are unable to download the application package from the internet, they may send a written request for a paper copy to agency contacts listed on the NOFO cover page or Section G of the NOFO.

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

i. Application Overview All applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov and include the following parts, limited to the corresponding page limit.

Part Page Limit Volume 1: Technical Application 25 pages Additional Supporting Documentation (As needed) 25 pages Volume 2: Budget Application None Volume 3: Year 1 Proposed Activity List 10 pages

Application parts prepared not following a Standard Form shall:

• Applications must be prepared on 8½ x 11- inch paper. Pages that exceed this size, such as foldouts, are not allowable;

• Adhere to the defined page limit, where page is defined as one side of an 8 ½ by 11 inch paper.

Therefore, a piece of paper with printing on both sides is considered two pages. If a part exceeds the page limit, only the pages within the limitation will be evaluated;

• Consider containing a cover page and a table of contents for orienting evaluators to the contents of the application package. These items will not be evaluated and are not included in the page limitation.

• Contain body text that is sizes no less than 12-point font;

• Include tables and images, as needed, in which text shall be at least a 10-point sized font;

• Contain page margins a minimum of 1 inch, in which shall contain a page number and a header or footer identifying the Applicant/Team and the Volume;

• Limit Resumes, if contained in the Application, to one page each.

• Only contain cost/price data within Volume 2: Budget Application.

ii. Volume 1 – Technical Application Volume 1: Technical Application shall be limited to 25 pages, not including cover page (1 page) and table of contents (2 pages max). Volume 1 shall speak to the following three components:

• Technical Approach

• Staffing and Management Approach

• Experience

Technical Approach: Provide a detailed description of the technical plan of how the Recipient would proceed if awarded this Agreement. Discuss and describe activities over the period of performance and how those will help FHWA achieve the goals of the AID-PT Program outlined in this NOFO.

Staffing and Management Approach: Provide a detailed description outlining the proposed staffing and approach to managing the entire project team to ensure successful and timely completion of activities.

• The staffing should include a diverse team with multiple levels of responsibility from management, technical engineering expertise, laboratory expertise, marketing experts, etc.

• A chart identifying proposed staff members and the organization structure of the project shall be included. The chart must be supported with narrative text to include the title and a brief description of each position’s responsibilities.

• A proposed level of effort and allocation of time (% in relation to their other duties) for each position on a yearly basis and in summary format shall be included. The level of effort may be displayed in a table format. One table can be presented if the level of effort will be constant over all years, and the table is annotated as such. The hours in this table must be consistent with the information presented in Volume II Budget Application.

• Provide resumes for the proposed Principal Investigator and other key personnel to include name, experience, education and proposed role in the project. Explain why the personnel possess the qualifications to perform the proposed positions. Resumes shall not exceed one page each and may be provided in the Additional Supporting Documentation.

• The proposer may wish to provide a contingency plan to replace personnel over the period of performance without adversely affecting performance.

Experience: Provide a summary outlining the Applicants relevant experience managing projects of this type and any unique skillsets in the proposed staffing that provide a unique capability to the Applicant. The applicant may provide the following information for a minimum of three specific past projects in which the Applicant participated as project leader and/or member of a project team:

• Project title, description, value, and dates;

• Sponsor/customer point of contact to include sponsor/customer name, title, organization, email address, phone number;

• Role of Applicant in project;

• Explanation of why or how the project is considered relevant or similar to the effort required by this Notice of Funding Opportunity;

• Explanation of the project goals accomplished and any cost growth or schedule delays encountered. For any projects which did not/do not successfully achieve its goals, a brief explanation of the reason(s) for such shortcomings and any demonstrated corrective actions taken to avoid recurrence; and

• If subcontractors were needed to achieve successful performance, a summary of how they were successfully managed.

Note: If an Applicant does not have a history of relevant experience, or if past experience information is not available, the Applicant will receive a neutral past experience rating.

Note: In determining relevancy, consideration should be given, but not limited, to such things as product/service similarity, size and complexity, Agreement type, and sub-Recipient interaction.

Note: Prior to award, FHWA may contact past sponsor/customers to support the agency’s risk assessment of the application.

iii. Additional Supporting Documentation If resumes are provided, they shall be limited to one page each. Other examples of optional supporting documentation could include, but are not limited to, letters of support, biographies or profiles about proposed subrecipients not included in Volume 2.

iv. Volume 2 – Budget Application as described below - no page limit Volume 2: Budget Application does not have a page limit, is encouraged to have a cover page and table of contents that include two components:

• Application Standard Forms

• Cost Information and Other Financial Information

a) Application Standard Forms

1. SF 424

Note: Applicants may leave fields 5a, 5b, 6, 7, and 13 blank on the form.

2. SF-424A

Note: Section A:

− Block 1(a): Print opportunity title listed on page 1;

− Block 1(b): Print Assistance Listing number listed on page 1;

− Block 1(c): Print Total Federal Funds Requested in dollars; and, − Block 1(d): Print Total Cost Share in dollars, and leave columns (e), (f), and (g) and rows 2, 3, and 4 blank.

3. SF-424B

4. SFLLL

Note: The form must be completed and submitted even if no lobbying to report. If no lobbying to report insert none or n/a in the relevant blocks.

b) Cost Information and Other Financial Information:

Provide a separate detailed budget plan for each year and summarize the information for all years for all activities. Spreadsheets can be formatted similarly to the format in DOT Form 4220.44, located at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/aaa/pdfs/frm4220_44.pdf.

NOTE: If needed, the FHWA may request additional budget information to clarify an application.

FHWA encourages Applicants to submit the most relevant and complete information they can provide.

The detailed budget plan must include each of the following items/sub-items:

1. Detailed Excel (or compatible) workbook containing spreadsheets/tabs (formatted to be printed out) and supporting information clearly delineating and supporting all estimated costs: with columns for Federal Share, Cost Share and Total Costs (per year and in summary form) as follows:

Note: Applicants can assume the Federal Share will be equally distributed across the Period of Performance, i.e., 1/5 of total Federal Share will be available per year.

a) Labor Rates Direct labor-by-labor categories to include hours, rates and escalation.

Anticipated promotions for any personnel must be included with the escalation calculation. The annual direct labor escalations rate and its basis should be clearly stated with the application. Discuss your proposed rate as compared to historical experience and include when and how escalation will be calculated/implemented.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/aaa/pdfs/frm4220_44.pdf

b) Indirect Rates Discuss your proposed indirect rates for all years. Identify all the various specific indirect rates including what they are (pool and base), and what they are based on (e.g.; labor overhead based on direct labor dollars) and how they are applied/calculated. Provide dollar values as well as percentages. Please also provide any audit information to support these rates (for example, a copy of signed Department of Health of Human Services rate agreement).

Note: Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), Indirect (F&A) Costs, an Applicant may elect to propose a de minimis indirect rate of 10% of modified total direct costs.

c) Other Direct Costs Applicants must provide a breakout and justification of Other

Direct Costs by Category (travel, equipment, etc.)

d) If subcontractors/sub-Recipients (lower-tiered organizations and/or individual consultants) will be used in carrying out this project, the following minimum information must be furnished:

i.Name and address of the organization or consultant.

ii.Description of the portion of work to be conducted by the organization or consultant.

iii.Cost details for that portion of work.

iv.Applicant’s cost/price analysis of each sub-recipient/contractor(s) showing how their price is fair and reasonable; and Applicant’s cost/price analysis of each sub-recipient/contractor(s) showing how their price is fair and reasonable (this includes any sub-recipient/contractor(s) that will be included in the Federal share or the non-Federal share); and v.Letter of commitment from each sub-recipient/contractor(s) (this includes any sub-recipient/contractor(s) that will be included in the Federal share, the non-Federal share or in a non-paid (volunteer) capacity).

vi.Provide detail and support for cost share as part of overall project budget.

vii.Clearly delineate cost share match versus Federal share.

2. Identify any exceptions to the anticipated award terms and conditions as contained in

Section F, Federal Award Administration Information. Identify any preexisting intellectual property that you anticipate using during award performance, and your position on its data rights during and after the award period of performance.

3. Applicant SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

4. A statement to indicate whether your organization has previously completed an A-133

Single Audit and, if so, the date that the last A-133 Single Audit was completed.

5. A statement regarding Conflicts of Interest. The Applicant must disclose in writing any actual or potential personal or organizational conflict of interest in its application that describes in a concise manner all past, present or planned organizational, contractual or other interest(s), which may affect the Applicant’s ability to perform the proposed Agreement in an impartial and objective manner.

Actual or potential conflicts of interest may include but are not limited to any past, present or planned contractual, financial, or other relationships, obligations, commitments or responsibilities, which may bias the Applicant or affect the Applicant’s ability to perform the Agreement in an impartial and objective manner. The Agreement Officer (AO) will review the statement(s) and may require additional relevant information from the Applicant. All such information, and any other relevant information known to DOT, will be used to determine whether an award to the Applicant may create an actual or potential conflict of interest. If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, the AO may (a) disqualify the Applicant, or (b) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the United States to contract with the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the Agreement pursuant to 2 CFR 200.112.

6. A statement to indicate whether a Federal or State organization has audited or reviewed the Applicant’s accounting system, purchasing system, and/or property control system. If such systems have been reviewed, provide summary information of the audit/review results to include (as applicable) summary letter or agreement, date of audit/review, Federal or State point of contact for such review.

7. Terminated Contracts - List any contract/agreement that was terminated for convenience of the Government within the past 3 years, and any contract/agreement that was terminated for default within the past 5 years. Briefly explain the circumstances in each instance.

8. Describe how your organization will obtain the necessary resources to fund and fulfill the proposed cost share, as applicable.

9. The Applicant is directed to review Title 2 CFR Part 170 (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl) dated November 12, 2020, and Appendix A thereto, and acknowledge in its application that it understands the requirement, has the necessary processes and systems in place, and is prepared to fully http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl comply with the reporting described in the term if it receives funding resulting from this NOFO. The text of Appendix A will be incorporated in the award document as a General Term and Condition as referenced under this NOFO’s Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.

10. Disclose any violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338 entitled Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180 and 31 U.S.C. 3321).

11. If a nonprofit or not-for-profit status, please provide evidence of this status preferably from the Internal Revenue Service.

12. Acknowledgement of acceptance of the NOFO terms and acknowledgement and acceptance of any Amendments issued to this NOFO. List Amendment numbers and issue dates, if any.

v. Volume 3– Year 1 Proposed Activity List The Application shall include a Year 1 Proposed Activity List. There is a 10 page limit, not including a suggested cover page and table of contents. The Year 1 Proposed Activity List shall not include pricing information; inclusion of any cost information will remove Volume 3 from evaluation. The Year 1 proposed activity list should develop a set of activities that would encompass approximately 1/5 of the total Federal Share.

In addition to any other information the Applicant deems relevant, each activity should be accompanied by a narrative description, provide expected outcomes or deliverables, and any expected partners or sub-recipients.

If the Applicant is selected for Agreement award, the Year 1 Proposed Activity List will form the basis of the Year 1 Work Plan.

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD (SAM)

The Applicant is required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an Applicant until the Applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an Applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the Applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another Applicant.

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

The application must be received electronically through www.grants.gov by the application due date/time listed on page 1 of this Notice of Funding Opportunity. The due date/time is the date and time by which FHWA must receive the full and completed application, including all required sections.

For the submitted application package, FHWA suggests that pictures, graphics, and other large files be reduced in number and quality to keep the size of the files of the application manageable and in line with the Grants.gov maximum size of 200 megabytes for the entire grant application package.

A late application will not be reviewed or considered unless the AO determines that doing so is in FHWA’s best interest. The FHWA will not consider late applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner. If Applicants are unable to use the system due to verifiable technical difficulties, Applicants must email complete applications directly to the FHWA point of contact listed in the NOFO Section G no later than the NOFO application deadline cited herein, with explanation of the technical issue experienced and supporting documents regarding the nature of the technical difficulties. For instance, provide screen capture(s) of the technical issues experienced along with corresponding Grants.gov “Grant tracking number If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to contact the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. Provide the Grants.gov Help Desk Tracking Number since it will assist FHWA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the system issue in the event of a late application. If the reported technical issues cannot be validated, late applications may be rejected as untimely.

GRANTS.GOV: Applicants must follow the instructions on Grants.gov to successfully use the website to submit an application. Use of Grants.gov may entail the following steps for those setting up new accounts or first-time users.

a. Register with SAM at www.SAM.gov

b. Obtain a valid UEI;

c. Create a Grants.gov account; and

d. Respond to the registration email sent to the E-Business Point of Contact from

Grants.gov, and login at Grants.gov to authorize the Applicant as the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more than one AOR for an organization.

http://www.sam.gov/

**Please note that the Grants.gov registration process may take two to four weeks.

GRANTS.GOV HELP: For Grants.gov training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

Home | GRANTS.GOV. For assistance with Grants.gov registration and application submittal, refer to the Grants.gov Support Center: Support | GRANTS.GOV.

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

An application under this Notice of Funding Opportunity is not subject to the State review under E.O.

12372.

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

The FHWA will not reimburse any pre-award costs or application preparation costs under this proposed Agreement.

7. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In the event of system problems or technical difficulties with the application submittal, Applicants should contact the FHWA points of contact designated on page 1. If Applicants are unable to use the system due to technical difficulties, Applicants must e-mail applications to the FHWA points of contact listed on page 1 no later than the application deadline cited above.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/support.html

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

The Government will evaluate the Application for responsiveness to the funding opportunity announcement once the applicant has demonstrated that it meets the eligibility criteria (see Section C).

1. EVALUATION CRITERIA

FHWA will evaluate applications on the following criteria: Technical Merit and Cost.

These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria (see Section C) that are addressed before an application is accepted for review.

i. TECHNICAL MERIT FHWA will evaluate and rank the Technical applications against the following criteria, listed in order of descending importance:

Technical Factor 1: Technical and Management Approach The application demonstrates adequacy and soundness of technical and management approach to successfully perform the work. Technical subfactors that will be evaluated are:

• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose of the Cooperative Agreement in support of FHWA’s delivery of the AID-PT program and concrete pavement technology transfer activities.

• An effective method to identify new and upcoming concrete pavement innovations throughout the period of performance that should be incorporated into FHWA’s AID-PT program.

• Proposed activities within each Work Area described in the Scope of Work that are likely to lead to successful implementation of innovative concrete pavement technologies.

• A Year 1 Proposed Activity List that demonstrates a thorough understanding of stakeholder needs and is likely to lead to successful technology transfer initiatives of key technologies.

• Demonstrated adequacy and soundness of approach to ensure quality deliverables, maintain schedule, and perform within estimated budgets.

• Demonstrated understanding of stakeholders and risks in relation to the possible ideas/activities.

• Demonstrated understanding of appropriate and valuable performance measures in relation to the possible ideas/activities.

Technical Factor 2: Staffing and Resources

The application demonstrates a proposed team that has the necessary technical and management capabilities and expertise and is adequately resourced to perform work successfully and achieve the goals of the Cooperative Agreement. Technical subfactors that will be evaluated are:

• Acceptable and relevant experience and education of the proposed Primary Investigator and Program Manager.

• Availability of the Program Manager during the period of performance.

• Demonstrated adequacy and soundness of staffing approach to provide the necessary resources, management, and oversight to successfully conduct work.

• Diverse network of engineers, technical experts, and subject matter experts throughout the

United States. The staffing should include a diverse team with multiple levels of responsibility and demonstrated expertise in the areas of management, technical engineering expertise, marketing, etc.

• Adequacy and soundness of contingency plan to replace key personnel and staff during performance as needed without adverse impact to the project.

• Documented evidence of capabilities to produce technically and aesthetically robust reports, graphics, visual aids, brochures, and marketing tools for use in information dissemination at meetings, industry conferences, and/or similar events.

• Sufficient resources are identified and available or an approach is presented to make resources available during the period of performance, to include making work products available to a wide ranging audience.

Technical Factor 3: Experience The application demonstrates experience relevant to this project and necessary to successfully perform the work of the Cooperative Agreement. Technical subfactors that will be evaluated are:

• Demonstration of experience performing similar work specific related to the development of guidance documents, technology transfer materials, workshop materials specific to concrete pavement and materials.

• Demonstration of experience and familiarity with concrete testing standard test methods as published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and ASTM International and constituent material evaluation and specification.

• Demonstration of partnering with key concrete pavement and materials stakeholders, across Federal agencies, State and local governments, universities, and private sector.

• Demonstration of familiarity with the goals specified under 23 U.S.C. 503 (c)(3)(B).

ii. COST Relative cost will be considered in the award decision. The budget application will be analyzed to assess cost reasonableness and conformance to applicable cost principles. This evaluation factor will not be rated.

Proposed cost share will be evaluated to ensure the proposed amount meets the minimum matching requirements and that proposed costs are in compliance with 2 CFR § 200.306. Applicants must provide the required matching funds, and supporting detail for these funds. Additional cost sharing will be considered beneficial to break ties among applications with equivalent ratings after evaluation against all other factors.

Funding availability will also be considered in the award decision.

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The DOT will screen applications received to confirm Applicant eligibility, project eligibility, completeness of submittal, and compliance with NOFO application requirements. An application determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-compliant with the NOFO application requirements may be removed from the competition and from further consideration for award or continued evaluation.

FHWA will utilize the following review process to evaluate applications:

A panel of DOT experts will collectively evaluate and rate all eligible applications using the selection criteria listed above. If deemed necessary, DOT may use outside experts and/or contractor support to review the applications. An application that receives an unacceptable rating in one or more selection criteria may be removed from the competition and from further consideration for award or continued evaluation. The panel will recommend awards to the selection official based on the results of the panel’s review. The panel will recommend for award the applications that are considered the most advantageous to DOT using the selection criteria.

NOTE: Award recommendations will consider the best use of the funds, given program and Administration goals. Award recommendations may consist of a group of projects that collectively represent the most advantageous use of funds to achieve a combination of program and Administration goals.

As determined necessary to support the evaluation and selection process, FHWA may conduct discussions with Applicants to clarify elements of the technical and budget applications and request additional detailed and itemized cost information.

Agency personnel from the FHWA Office of Acquisition and Grants Management will evaluate the cost criteria listed above, and conduct a risk assessment of the Applicant, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.206, prior to award as described below.

The Government will select the application that is considered the most advantageous to the Government using the criteria cited above, and subject to the results of an Applicant risk assessment.

The Government reserves the right to not make an award to an Applicant based on the results of the risk assessment.

The Agreement Officer in the FHWA Office of Acquisition and Grants Management is the official responsible for final award selection. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this notice.

i. Risk Assessment The Government will assess the risks posed by an Applicant before they receive an award, as required by 2 CFR 200.206. If the Federal awarding Agency determines that an award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the Federal award in accordance with 2 CFR 200.206.

This Risk Assessment will include evaluation of some or all of the following items relative to the Applicant and/or sub-applicants as applicable:

(1) Applicant’s financial stability;

(2) Applicant’s quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards prescribed in 2 CFR Part 200;

(3) Applicant’s history of performance;

Note: History of performance includes the Applicant's record in managing Federal awards, if it is a prior Recipient of Federal awards, including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, and if applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards. The Government will evaluate the relevant merits of the Applicant’s history of performance based on its reputation and record with its current and/or former customers with respect to quality, timeliness and cost control. The history of performance will be reviewed to assure that the Applicant has relevant and successful experience and will be considered in the risk assessment. In evaluating history of performance, the Government may consider both written information provided in the application, as well as any other information available to the Government through outside sources.

(4) Applicant’s audit reports and findings from audits performed on the Applicant pursuant to 2 CFR

Part 200 Subpart…