RFP693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT A00001 April 27 2020.pdf

Responses to Offeror Questions, Solicitation No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001

Government Responses to Offeror Questions Solicitation No. 693JJ420R000001

Research & Technology (R&T) to Promote Safety of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Drivers, and Carriers

Contractual/Business

1. Is the subject solicitation the actual RFP or is it just the Draft RFP?

Government Response: Solicitation No. 693JJ420R000001 which inadvertently includes a “DRAFT” watermark on pages 3-79 is not intended to be a draft document.

The document has been amended to remove the “DRAFT”. Please refer to Amendment No. A00001.

2. The beta.sam.gov website does (not) list this solicitation as a draft solicitation, however, the associated PDF has a "DRAFT" watermark. Please confirm this is the final version of the RFP.

Government Response: Please see response to question 1. Please refer to Amendment No. A00001.

3. Is a proposal deemed responsive if the Offeror draws upon its own resources outside the

US? We wish to include resources we have in Europe - e.g., Driving Simulator - to support our activities in the consortium.

Government Response: No. (No change to the RFP.)

4. Page 63 of the RFP states the proposal should be typed “using elite font”. We are not familiar with this font. Is there an alternative standard font in Microsoft Word that would be acceptable?

Government Response: The Offeror shall use Times New Roman or Arial font. Please refer to Amendment No. A00001.

5. Page 63 of the RFP states that the proposal shall be typed in 12 pitch font. Is it acceptable to use font pitch smaller than 12 within tables and figures?

Government Response: The Offeror may use a font pitch smaller than 12 within figures and tables provided that any such smaller font is fully legible. Please refer to the Amendment No. A00001.

6. On pages 63 and 64 of the RFP, the major headings/components of Volume I (Technical Proposal) are listed twice as follows:

Part A – Technical Approach Part B – Staffing Proposal/Resumes Part C – Past Performance and

1. Table of Contents

2. List of Tables and Figures

3. Technical Summary

4. Technical Discussion

5. Technical Exceptions and Deviations

Are parts 1–5 above intended to be sections of Part A? Can you clarify which of the above components should be used as the major headings?

Government Response: Page 64, first paragraph, states, “These major headings may be subdivided or supplemented by the offeror as appropriate.” (No change to the solicitation.)

7. Paragraph (A)(5) under Volume 1 – Technical Proposal states that the proposal “…shall be typed, single-spaced, with one inch margins, using elite font, 12 pitch type (or equivalent) and printed, unreduced in size, on 8-1/2" by 11" paper, single sided…”

Two questions related to this paragraph are:

(1) Is hard copy required, and if so, how many copies should be prepared? Page 1 of the proposal states the proposal should be delivered electronically.

(2) Please clarify the font requirement. The font style “elite” does not come standard in the Microsoft Office suite (specified under Section C.5.3).

Government Response: SF33, Item 9, and Section L.19, page 61, states, “Each Offeror shall submit electronic documents in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF format, or Microsoft Excel.” The Offeror shall use Times New Roman or Arial font. Please refer to Amendment No. A00001.

8. Regarding the submission of the proposal, page 63 of the RFP states that “the email shall contain multiple Volumes for the overall IDIQ contract and the individual Task Orders.

The email shall not exceed 8MB”. We believe that it will be difficult to submit the 10 volumes, including interactive Cost/Price Proposal Excel spreadsheets for the overall IDIQ contract and four Task Order proposals, as one email with a total size of 8MB or less. Would it be acceptable to email the submission in multiple emails or using .zip files?

Government Response: The Offeror shall upload the individual volumes in a single zip file which shall be contained in a single email. Please refer to Amendment No. A00001.

9. The RFP states that the technical proposal for each Task Order shall consist of Part A (25 page limit) and Part B (10 page limit). Are items such as a cover sheet, table of contents, and references excluded from the page limits of Parts A and B?

Government Response: No. (No change to the solicitation.)

10. Can you please provide the Pricing Schedule of Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (Itemized) Labor

Rates form, which must be completed and is referenced on Page 65, Volume 2, (3)?

Government Response: The Offeror shall provide a customized Pricing Schedule of its Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (Itemized) Labor Rates form. (No change to the solicitation.)

11. Not all labor categories included on the B.2 Schedule of Labor Rates have defined duties as stated under item C.6 Contractor Staff Qualifications (Labor Categories). Should all labor categories include defined duties under C.6?

Government Response: Section C.6 of the solicitation sets forth the minimum qualifications – not defined duties. (No change to the solicitation.)

12. On the Pricing Schedule of Firm-Fixed Price (Fully Burdened) Labor Rates (Attachment

J.1), the form has travel, materials costs and other direct cost pre-populated, are these set amounts for this IDIQ?

Government Response: As stated, Attachment J.1 is provided to allow the government to conduct an apples-to-apples comparison of the offerors’ proposed FFP labor rates.

Attachment J.1 cites estimates for evaluation purposes only. The estimates are not set for the IDIQ as the actual amounts shall be as negotiated in the individual Task Order awards. (No change to the solicitation.)

13. Does the Government want one blended rate for each labor category, or does it prefer to see separate rates for the prime and each subcontractor?

Government Response: The Offeror may propose a blended rate for a specific labor category. However, the Offeror shall not propose a comingled prime/subcontractor rate.

(No change to the solicitation.)

14. If the list is not considered to be all inclusive may Offerors propose additional labor categories? If allowed, where should these additional labor categories be included with the Offerors proposal?

Government Response: See response to question 13. (No change to the solicitation.)

15. In the description of the components of the Technical Proposal in Section M.5

Evaluation Criteria (Factor 2 Management Approach), Sub-Factor 2C requires a plan to meet the Security-Privacy Requirements described in Attachment J.2. Attachment J.2 describes nine documents required to comply with the data security goals of FMCSA.

• Should the Technical Proposal include each of the nine documents described in attachment J.2?

• Should such documents also be included in each task order proposal?

Government Response: No. The Offeror’s Plans for the Security-Privacy Requirements shall be applicable and subject to approval for the resultant overall contract. As such, the Offeror is not required to request duplicate documentation and approval for individual Task Orders. (No change to the solicitation.)

Technical

16. Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 1?

Government Response: Yes. Please refer to Amendment No. A00001.

17. Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 2?

18. Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 3?

19. Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 4?

20. In Task Order 4, section 1.3.1 (Task 1), the RFP states, “The Contractor shall analyze two years of historical anonymized data, OBMS video and electronic data for incident records of safety events.”

The timing of Task 1 (as described in section 2.1, schedule of deliverables) means that the initial 2 years of OBMS data was likely collected prior to this project.

• Will the contractor be responsible to identify, locate, and secure access to the OBMS video?

• If not, then is there an existing set of data that can be accessed by the successful Offeror, and if so, is there information about the data content and any agreements that allow or restrict 3rd party users?

Government Response: Yes. It is the contractor’s responsibility to identify, locate, and secure access to the OBMS video. (No change to the solicitation.)

21. The Task 2 deliverables imply that the task order will also include securing new data, such that for instance the Year 2 report uses “1 year of new OBMS data,” and the Year 3 report uses a second year of new data. Further, in Task Order 4’s RFP, section 1.3.1 (Task 1), the RFP states, “The Contractor shall collect data on crashes and other incidents, including time of day, severity, type of crash, location, and roadway type. The Contractor shall describe how ADASs are linked with the vehicle, how they detect driver/vehicle actions, and how OBMSs report to fleet safety operations.”

• Can FMCSA confirm that the scope of this task order includes obtaining the appropriate data for Tasks 2 and 3, including information about the vehicles’ ADAS equipment?

Government Response: Yes. The scope of work includes collecting to meet the requirements in Tasks 2 and 3 and includes information about the vehicles’ ADASs. (No change to the solicitation.)

(x) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

693JJ4

OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT

US DOT FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMIN

1200 NEW JERSEY AVE SE

W66 - 6TH FLOOR

WASHINGTON DC 20590-0001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER

NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

MC-RS-20-33-00001

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

NO. A00001

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

x x

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

A. This amendment is issued to effect the following changes to the solicitation and extend the proposal due date to 10:00 a.m.

on May 19, 2020.

- CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 -

693JJ420R000001

04/15/2020

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 2 of 79

B. The solicitation contains the following revisions ---

1. Incorporates the Government Responses to Offeror Questions.

2. The solicitation, Pages 3-79, is revised to remove the "DRAFT" watermark.

3. Section L.21 (A) (5), Page 63, is revised to state that the Offerors’ proposal shall use Times New Roman or Arial font, and to allow a font pitch smaller than 12 within figures and tables contained in the proposal.

4. Section L.21 (A) (6), Page 63, is revised to state that the individual volumes shall be uploaded in a single zip file which shall be contained in a single email.

5. Section M.5.A., Factor 3 – Past Performance: Experience with contracts of similar scope and complexity, Page 73, revises the last paragraph to add the sentence, "If there is no past performance, the Offeror shall receive a neutral rating."

6. Section M.5.B., Factor 2 - Past Performance, Page 74, is revised to remove the second and third sentences, "Failure to provide any information may result in the Offeror being removed from consideration. Therefore, the Offeror shall address the Past Performance/Experience."

7. A section entitled, Level of Effort, is added to each Work Statement for Task Order Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 3 of 79

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 ITEMS BEING ACQUIRED/TOTAL PRICE

The government requires Research and Technology to promote safety of commercial motor vehicles, drivers, and carriers. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, travel, and services (except as otherwise stated) necessary to conduct all requirements set forth in the Work Statement of the resultant Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite- Delivery (IDIQ) contract and the individual Task Order(s).

As set forth in Section I.36 FAR 52.216-19, the maximum contract value of all Task Orders shall not exceed $24,000,000.00. The minimum guarantee Task Order value is $3,000.00. Task Orders shall be awarded on a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) basis.

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 4 of 79

B.2 SCHEDULE OF LABOR RATES

The resultant contract shall include the negotiated fully burdened labor rates.

(TABLE TO BE COMPLETED AT AWARD)

Labor Category Year 1 Labor Rate

Year 2 Labor Rate

Year 3 Labor Rate

Year 4 Labor Rate

Year 5 Labor Rate

Senior Technical Program Manager $ $ $ $ $

Senior Experimental Psychologist $ $ $ $ $

Experimental Psychologist $ $ $ $ $

Electrical Engineer $ $ $ $ $

Senior Statistician $ $ $ $ $

Statistician $ $ $ $ $

Computer Programmer $ $ $ $ $

Research Assistant $ $ $ $ $

Senior Research Associate $ $ $ $ $

Research Associate $ $ $ $ $

Instrumentation Engineer $ $ $ $ $

Electronics Technician $ $ $ $ $

Engineering Technician $ $ $ $ $

Clerical $ $ $ $ $

Support Specialist I $ $ $ $ $

Support Specialist II $ $ $ $ $

Support Specialist III $ $ $ $ $

Technical Writer - Editor $ $ $ $ $

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 5 of 79

SECTION C - WORK STATEMENT

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE SAFETY

OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES, DRIVERS, AND CARRIERS

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The United States Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Analysis Research and Technology Office (ART), is seeking new and innovative ideas to support its Research and Technology (R&T) Programs. The agency will consider original and creative solutions to achieve the agency’s goal of reducing commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

C.2 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The authority for the R&T Program is set forth in 49 USC 31108 Motor Carrier Research and Technology Program.

C.3 BACKGROUND

The mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is to reduce the number and severity of large truck and motorcoach crashes on U.S. roadways. The FMCSA’s Research and Technology (R&T) program is key to reaching the agency’s goal of reducing large truck and bus-related fatalities. Recognizing that highway crashes often stem from a number of interrelated factors and rather than a single cause, FMCSA has created a comprehensive commercial motor carrier R&T program to support its safety goal. The R&T program is based on the following strategic objectives:

1) Produce Safer Drivers: Ensure that commercial drivers are physically qualified, trained to perform safely, and mentally alert;

2) Improve Safety of Commercial Motor Vehicles: Improve truck and motorcoach performance through vehicle based safety technologies and infrastructure;

3) Produce Safer Carriers: Support efforts to improve carrier safety by applying safety management principles, compiling best management practices, communicating best practices, and supporting the Agency's enforcement of carrier-related regulations;

4) Advance Safety Through Information- Based Initiatives: Improve the safety and productivity of commercial motor vehicle operations through the application of information systems and technologies;

5) Improve Security through Safety Initiatives: Develop and implement safety initiatives in conjunction with external Agencies and organizations that also have security benefits for truck and motorcoach operations;

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 6 of 79

6) Enable and Motivate Internal Excellence: Improve performance to serve the customers of the Office of Research and Technology more effectively and economically.

In addition to supporting the FMCSA’s diverse operational safety initiatives, this program has a major thrust to deliver safety in new ways, including the development, evaluation, and deployment of advanced safety technologies such as those developed to facilitate automated driving systems. It also supports transportation security. For more information, see https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/analysis-research-technology.

The Analysis Research and Technology Office (ART) conducts a wide range of human factors and related research involving a variety of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver, vehicle, roadway, and environmental issues, including those associated with conventional, advanced, and automated in-vehicle technologies designed to assist drivers and influence their ability to avoid crashes. ART develops knowledge about how driver characteristics and capabilities interact with vehicle systems, the roadway (e.g., road type and other vehicles) and the environment (e.g., weather, daytime/nighttime) to influence the safety, effectiveness, and ease of use of these systems. Such research has a broad focus, including experimental studies of driver performance, measurement of on-road driver behavior and performance, driver outreach (education and training), evaluating driver behavior and performance in crash likely situations in simulators, evaluations of the safety benefits and disadvantages of system designs in real-world use and the application of cutting edge technology to address a wide range of traffic safety and related issues.

ART is responsible for the identification, testing, and technology transfer activities for technologies that improve CMV safety and efficiency. ART focuses on innovative solutions that assist roadside inspectors within the U.S. and at international border crossings, safety investigators conducting compliance reviews, and onboard safety systems for trucks and buses.

ART’s program also engages in real-world field testing which offers the best opportunity to assess the costs and potential benefits of new technology solutions. For example, FMCSA has conducted successful field testing of real-time electronic fuel-efficient driving feedback and related safety impacts, onboard safety systems, truck blind spot detection technology, electronic screening systems for trucks at international border crossings, safety enhancements to large truck stability controls, new mobile CMV safety applications for roadside inspectors as well as motor coach passengers, and wireless roadside inspections.

ART conducts studies to support its safety goal. These studies pertain to issues related to driver qualifications, health, and training. Specific examples of past and ongoing studies include:

• Safety Study of Double-Decker Motorcoaches with Rear Luggage Compartment:

The study was conducted through a combination of analyses and tests with a double-decker motorcoach. An exemplar motorcoach was examined under three loading conditions: a reference condition without a rear luggage compartment, a regulatory loading condition with a rear luggage compartment attached, and a maximum loading https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/analysis-research-technology

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 7 of 79 condition with a rear luggage compartment attached.

• FMCSA’s Advanced System Testing Utilizing a Data Acquisition System on the Highways (FAST DASH) Safety Technology Evaluation Project #2: Driver Monitoring: An independent evaluation of a non-video-based onboard monitoring system (OBMS) was conducted. The objective was to determine if the OBMS system performed reliably, improved driving safety and performance, and improved fuel efficiency in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation. The study involved a controlled test on a test track and a naturalistic driving field test with a CMV fleet.

• Performance Assessment of an Onboard Monitoring System for Commercial Motor

Vehicle Drivers: A Field Operational Test: The onboard monitoring system (OBMS) field operational test (FOT) was conducted to determine whether onboard monitoring systems that provide real-time performance feedback to commercial truck and motorcoach drivers could reduce the number of safety-critical events (SCEs) experienced over time and improve drivers’ overall safety performance. Findings were that onboard monitoring helped to reduce critical event rates. The effectiveness of onboard monitoring was dependent on the carrier and the coaching received.

• Distraction and Drowsiness in Motorcoach Drivers: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact that driver distraction and drowsiness have on motorcoach operations. The study analyzed naturalistic driving data from two motorcoach fleets. Four sets of analyses were completed: Secondary and driving-related task engagement, Environmental conditions, Eye glance analyses, and Drowsiness. Task types with the highest risk (odds ratios) were: reaching for an object; external distractions; and a novel distraction for motorcoach drivers, intercom use. Very few SCEs were coded with high drowsiness.

• Slosh Characteristics of Aggregated Intermediate Bulk Containers on Single-Unit

Trucks: The motion of the liquid in a container, known as slosh, can cause the vehicle carrying the liquid to move appreciably beyond its normal stopping point or normal turning path. This project was conducted to ascertain whether the slosh characteristics of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) aggregated to 1,000 gallons or more are similar to a single cargo tank of the same capacity.

• Research on Sensor Performance for Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

Applications: The goal is to conduct performance and maintenance research for add-on sensors that support various levels of automation on CMVs. Automated CMVs, currently still in the implementation and testing process, require additional sensors to “observe” their driving environment. Many of these sensors (radar, light detection and ranging [LIDAR], cameras, etc.) are mounted on the exterior of the vehicle. Dirt, rain, snow, bugs, and object strikes can all affect a sensor’s performance. This project involved outreach to vehicle automation companies for input regarding best practices for adequate

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 8 of 79 safe performance of relevant sensors.

• Study on Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Commuting (FAST Act Section 5515):

The goal is to study the effects of excessive commuting on safety and CMV driver fatigue. The study identified, and requested data from, nine large motor carriers (five trucking and four motorcoach carriers) to better understand commuting patterns of CMV drivers. The carriers were asked to provide information on their drivers’ home locations and work terminal locations, as appropriate, to estimate commuter distances traveled, time zones crossed, estimated time spent commuting, methods of transportation used, and the impacts of excessive commuting times on CMV crashes.

• FMCSA Data Repository: The goal is to create a permanent, secure Data Repository for data collected during FMCSA research and technology studies. FMCSA has ongoing and future studies that result in datasets that can be used for future analysis. In addition, FMCSA requires a public-use dataset as a result of these studies. This expanding rich data repository is very potent for further research by external researchers. Researchers will be required to follow access and security procedures to use the data for their studies.

Future human factors and other safety-related research will likely extend ongoing work dealing with conventional commercial vehicle issues as well as focus on the integration and development of advanced technologies that can assist drivers in detecting and responding to potential crash situations as well as systems that can be used to deter unsafe driving behaviors.

The availability of robust data collection and analysis tools provides a unique opportunity to address traffic safety issues that could not adequately be addressed in the past. These include: the availability of hardware and software to construct sophisticated, in-vehicle data collection systems that allow for unobtrusive naturalistic studies; the availability of the simulators which permits a wide range of studies that cannot be safely carried out on the open road; and the availability of eye movement and glance analysis techniques that permit the assessment of driver attention on a moment to moment basis.

The contractor shall explore, clarify or resolve human factors and other safety issues that require human behavior and performance data collected using on-road instrumented vehicles, field settings, simulation and advanced driving simulators. The type of data needed may include estimates of the prevalence and operational features of subsystems that drivers choose to use, comparisons of driver behavior and performance when performing specific maneuvers using vehicle systems, naturalistic driving assessments, and assessments of driver preferences for vehicle design features. In addition to drivers, roadside inspectors and other roadside CMV enforcement personnel are also a key focus for this effort. The contractor shall develop and implement various human factors test procedures (e.g., evaluation protocols) or systems (e.g., ITS devices) for demonstration to FMCSA staff and other designated personnel. Also, the contractor shall complete large-scale data analysis and design and implement databases for future use of the data. In addition, the contractor shall perform research to enable the safe operation of

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 9 of 79 highly automated commercial vehicles on the Nation’s transportation system to improve safety, prevent crashes, and efficiently move passengers and commerce. The contractor shall secure data from third parties to better understand the safety impact of new technologies.

The contractor shall provide resources and expertise in automated vehicle research data collection and analysis including the ability to provide voluntary best practices to States and industry automated vehicle (AV) implementers, research CMV driver factors and vehicle safety components, develop cybersecurity guidance for CMVs, establish data elements and data sharing guidance to support testing, and engage and communicate with State and industry stakeholders.

The contractor shall provide expertise in automated CMV evaluation programs including evaluations of roadside inspections of automated driving system (ADS)-equipped CMVs, automated CMV technologies and capabilities (e.g., platooning, advanced driver assistance), in-service training with FMCSA field staff, CMV driver readiness for advanced technologies, and CMV cybersecurity. The contractor shall conduct research activities utilizing simulation tools, such as TruckSim, or through test and evaluation utilizing FMCSA’s three Level 2/3 capable research tractor-trailers.

The contractor shall conduct empirical and analytical human factors and behavioral research to include vehicle and roadside systems and issues of interest that may include, but not be limited to, the following:

Automated Vehicle Technologies Automated Driving Systems Antilock Brakes Electronic Stability Control Vehicle Sensors Vehicle Rollover In-Vehicle Information Systems Event Data Recorders/Black Boxes Electronic Logging Devices Vehicle Suspension Vehicle Handling Tires Braking including Automatic Emergency Braking Truck Ergonomics

Driver Response Measurement and Instrumentation Driver Fatigue Monitoring Driver Distraction Monitoring Sleeper Berth design Advanced Technologies Simulator Research and Support (e.g., Validation, Scenario Development) Technology Assessment Device Acquisition, Demonstration and Preliminary Evaluation

- Interactions with automobiles

- Infrared-based screening systems

- Electronic screening systems

- Virtual weigh stations

Work ordered under this contract may include providing ancillary support to other ongoing work by providing field, simulator or laboratory data where required. The contractor shall have resources and expertise available to perform several types of field data collection, including: 1) Field surveys (e.g., the contractor shall determine the number of in-use vehicles equipped with a particular technology of interest, 2) Test track experiments (e.g., the contractor shall possess or have access to test tracks to perform large truck and motorcoach vehicle tests including high-

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 10 of 79 speed tests), 3) Field evaluations (e.g., may include measurement of driver behavior and performance while using specific technologies on-the-road, in a real-world, “naturalistic” setting;

4) Simulator evaluations (e.g., may include measurement of driver behavior and performance under high demand settings); 5) Field demonstrations (e.g., demonstrating a new technology or the implementation of a new systems evaluation tool); and 6) Management and utilization of FMCSA’s internal data collection and processing systems.

The contractor shall provide broad range, rapid response, timely, and accurate services of a cost-effective nature to assist with the accomplishment of FMCSA objectives.

It should be emphasized that no single organization is expected to have expertise in all relevant subject areas.

C.4 SCOPE OF WORK

The Scope of Work may relate to the following issues and subject areas: large truck and bus crash causal factors, driver performance, driver fatigue, driver training, driver impairment; driver distraction; vehicle handling and braking; vehicle dynamics; advanced driver-assisted/automated vehicle systems; and other vehicle characteristics that influence driver behavior, performance and response patterns, including possible synergistic effects associated with combinations of advanced technologies and implications for systems design. Other, related areas may be added as required. Research may incorporate various survey, testing, and experimental approaches which can provide information within a short period of time and with an acceptable degree of accuracy. Methods to be used for studies may or may not be specified by FMCSA. However, when methodologies are not specified by FMCSA, the contractor shall make recommendations subject to the approval of FMCSA. When methodologies are specified by FMCSA the contractor shall provide an independent assessment of the proposed approach(es). The Task Orders issued against the resultant IDIQ Contract will be of variable scope and duration and will likely require concurrent efforts.

The Contractor shall perform one or more of the following types of tasks and activities:

• Organize, implement and evaluate focus group sessions directed at understanding CMV driver attitudes towards advanced display/control and advanced technology systems in commercial vehicles.

• Organize, implement and evaluate conferences directed at understanding CMV driver performance problems and developing countermeasures aimed at improving commercial vehicle safety.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate surveys directed at determining operational aspects of the motor carrier industry, and the acceptability of various new systems, including advanced automotive technologies.

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 11 of 79

• Collect and analyze on-the-road data in both controlled and “naturalistic” driving settings using instrumented commercial vehicles to address a wide range of issues of interest to

FMCSA.

• Collect and analyze roadside observational data to determine the frequency with which various commercial vehicle technologies are used/present.

• Collect and analyze a subset of crash data to determine the potential for various (advanced) technologies to mitigate crashes.

• Develop research methodologies and models to conduct applied CMV driver research.

Identify the hypotheses to test and the research questions that need to be answered.

• Develop, manage, and analyze specialized databases, e.g., that relate crashes to causes, and to the presence or use of various (advanced) technologies.

• Complete analyses of data from Motor Carrier Management Information System

(MCMIS), Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS), Driver Information Resource (DIR), Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) and other safety datasets.

• Coordinate special data collection activities with state and local officials, develop the needed data collection instruments, perform the necessary training, and assemble and evaluate collected data. These activities may include roadside data collection as well as the collection of specific crash data by police.

• Prepare demonstrations of systems and (or) procedures, for FMCSA staff.

• Develop driving simulator research protocols and scenarios, and collect and analyze data.

• Collect data and conduct field evaluations of automated commercial vehicle applications on test tracks and on public roads.

• Develop and validate highway safety related standards and guidelines (e.g., related to infrastructure, icons, driver information systems) and driver qualifications (e.g., diabetes, vision, and hearing qualification standards, etc.) via driver simulators and naturalistic studies.

• Support validation and scenario development associated with simulator research through on-the-road data collection.

• Develop multiple presentations for FMCSA staff covering literature reviews, research plans, status, and preliminary and final study results. Final reports are expected to be of

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 12 of 79 high quality requiring only limited light editing. The contractor shall distill complex methodologies and analyses for appropriate executive audiences.

• Develop and evaluate outreach and educational materials designed to convey research findings and to change behaviors of motor vehicle drivers.

• Plan and conduct authorized conferences regarding CMV human factors research.

• Develop strategic direction and plans for CMV research

The contractor shall note that the issues illustrated by the above examples may be applied to other problem areas.

C.5 CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

C.5.1 EXPERIMENTAL AND HUMAN FACTORS

To support the various types of experimental and human factors studies to be conducted under this contract will require designated staff, as appropriate, to have proficiency and capability in such areas as:

1. Experimental design

2. Statistical analysis

3. Data reduction

4. Construction of well-designed table shells prior to data collection

5. Design final report lay-out by chapters and appropriate tables

6. Conducting tests and experiments in laboratory, test track, off-road, on-road and simulator settings

7. Measuring driver behavior and performance

8. Reporting study progress and results

9. Design and produce all components of the Information Collection Requests required under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

10. Literature searches and critical reviews

11. Computerized/automated data collection techniques

12. Design and construction of driver behavior/performance measurement instrumentation

13. Software development to support data collection, analysis and presentation

14. Selecting, testing and recruiting subjects for testing

15. Preparing analyses and reports to obtain approval to use subjects in experiments

C.5.2 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) REQUIREMENTS

Where the objective is the development of specialized databases, the contractor shall ensure that format and availability of data is compatible with existing FMCSA hardware and analysis software and consistent with existing database formats. Specific requirements in this regard will be provided with each Task Order.

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 13 of 79

The contractor shall be required to create complete datasets (including personally identifiable information (PII)) and public use data sets (PII removed) and archive the data for FMCSA to use as needed.

C.5.3 SYSTEMS, SOFTWARE AND WEB-BASED SERVICES

At a minimum, contractor personnel shall be able to access, navigate and or manipulate the following systems, software applications, or web-based services:

• Windows

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)

• Adobe Acrobat Professional

• Adobe Graphic and Web Design applications including (Illustrator, In Design, Photoshop and Version Cue)

• Other multi-media and social media web applications

C.5.4 OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (OMB) & INSTITUTIONAL

REVIEW BOARD (IRB) REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall comply with all Office of Management and Budget (OMB) paperwork reduction requirements for the collection of survey information. If required, the contractor shall submit the proposed research to an institutional review board (IRB) that has been formally designated to approve, monitor, and review biomedical and behavioral research involving humans. The IRB process is based on rules and regulations for federally funded research, primarily the provisions of Protection of Human Subject in the Code of Federal Regulations (45

CFR 46).

C.5.5 PUBLICATION GUIDELINES

All Deliverables are at the Task Order Level and the contractor shall ensure that each Task Order Final Report is ready for publication by FMCSA. It shall not contain any errors. It shall be formatted according to FMCSA publication guidelines. The guidelines will be provided to the contractor. The final reports for any task shall be Government Printing Office (GPO) style manual compliant. The final report shall comply with US Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Access Board Standards available for viewing at http://www.section508.gov. The contractor shall be required at the discretion of FMCSA to have each task peer reviewed at the beginning and end of the project.

C.5.6 TEST FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The contractor shall have readily available and be familiar with the use, maintenance and application of facilities and equipment necessary to support the work specified herein. Where appropriate, this would include fabrication of necessary hardware/instrumentation and development of supporting software. Examples of such facilities and equipment would include:

http://www.section508.gov/

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 14 of 79

- Instrumentation for measuring driver performance in on-road, real-world settings

- Access to test tracks for driver performance measurements

- Vehicles for use in subject testing in-vehicle camera systems -Facilities to mock-up test apparatus, such as vehicle bucks, roadway objects, mirror configurations, and lighting systems

- Laboratory facilities for testing subjects under highly controlled conditions -Computers and software for automated data collection, analysis, storage and retrieval.

-Capability for wireless transmission of data, status and control/update functions for remote data acquisition systems (e.g., instrumented vehicles).

-Driver skid pads as well as other driver related training systems.

C.6 CONTRACTOR STAFF QUALIFICATIONS (LABOR CATEGORIES)

The following defines the duties each labor category may be responsible for performing. This list, however, is not to be considered all inclusive.

a. Senior Technical Program Manager: Extensive experience in conducting and managing experiments and tests with human subjects. Recent experience shall have been as a principal investigator in the conduct of driver performance measurement and analysis studies.

b. Senior Experimental Psychologist/Human Factors Engineer: Experience in experimental design, statistical data analysis, and report writing. Computer use and programming skills related to driver performance measurement and data analysis.

Recent experience conducting tests and studies related to vehicle crash avoidance systems.

c. Experimental Psychologist / Human Factors Engineer: Experience in conducting applied human factors research. Demonstrated experience and capabilities in using various statistical techniques to analyze experimental data, in performing literature searches and in critically reviewing previous research methodologies and findings.

d. Mechanical Engineer: Experience in mechanical engineering, and experience in developing and testing of hardware and software. Experience interpreting systems specifications and coding software using a variety of languages and software tools.

Demonstrated experience assisting with the design, construction, and testing of hardware devices.

e. Electrical/Electronics/Systems Engineer: Experience in electrical/electronics engineering, and experience in developing and testing of hardware and software.

Experience interpreting systems specifications and coding software using a variety of languages and software tools. Demonstrated experience assisting with the design, construction, and testing of electronics systems and devices.

f. Statistician: Experience in applying statistical techniques to analyze experimental performance data. Experience in the use of various statistical computer programs

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 15 of 79 including SAS. Experience in interpreting experimental designs, verifying reduced data, and managing large or multiple data sets.

g. Computer Programmer/Software Engineer: Experience in developing and testing of software for reduction, analysis and presentation of research data. Fluency in computer languages and familiarity with computer hardware and software, including that associated with data acquisition and remote sensing.

h. Research Assistant: Experience in collecting human factors experimental or test data.

i. Research Associate: Experience assisting in the conduct of experiments, performing literature searches, developing and using experimental equipment, and performing computer programming in support of human factors research.

j. Instrumentation Engineer: Experience in developing and using human factors data collection instrumentation and performing computer programming related to data collection and analysis.

k. Electronics Technician: Experience developing, testing, and maintaining hardware systems. Demonstrated experience assisting with the construction, integration, calibration, and maintenance of hardware devices in support of human factors experimental research.

l. Engineering Technician: Experience in engineering, computer science, or related field, and experience assisting in the development, testing, and maintenance of hardware systems.

m. Clerical: Experience composing correspondence, collecting information, compiling reports, maintaining filing systems, and organizing meetings.

C.7 DELIVERABLES & MILESTONES

Specific deliverables, milestones, and reporting requirements shall be set forth in individual Task Orders. Specific deliverables may include such items as video recordings of experiments, photographs of test setups, hardware, or a written test procedure to permit replication of an experiment.

At a minimum, each Task Order shall include the following deliverable items:

C.7.1 PROGRESS REPORTS

The Contractor shall submit, to the Government, a progress report on the 10th day of each month.

The Contractor shall prepare a progress report advising of the work completed during the previous month, and the work forecast for the following period.

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 16 of 79

The report shall also include any additional information -- including findings and recommendations --that may assist the Government in evaluating progress under this contract.

The first report shall include a detailed work outline of the project and the Contractor’s planned phasing of work by reporting period.

C.7.2 MEETINGS AND REPORTS

C.7.2.1 KICK-OFF MEETING

For each Task Order, the contractor shall provide an initial in-person briefing at FMCSA in Washington, D.C., within 20 working days after award.

C.7.2.2 FINAL BRIEFING MEETING

The contractor shall give a final project briefing, at FMCSA Headquarters, covering the study’s objectives, methodology, and results. The contractor shall be prepared with briefing materials such as presentation slides or handouts. The briefing shall occur not later than 7 days prior to the Task Order completion date. The contractor shall provide electronic copies of all briefing materials including presentation slides and one (1) copy of any video or audio recordings used in the final briefing, to FMCSA at the time of the final briefing.

C.7.2.3 FINAL REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS

Within 30 days prior to the Task Order scheduled completion date, the Contractor shall submit a comprehensive draft report containing the Contractor’s findings and recommendations. The report shall conform to the requirements of the contract, and include all necessary data, maps and exhibits to support findings and recommendations. The report shall also include a brief summary, including short statements on the project’s objectives, scope, methodology, information obtained, and conclusions. For cost reimbursable task orders, it shall include a recapitulation of the amount of hours expended by each of the Contractor’s employees, including officials of the Contractor.

The Government will review the draft and return it to the Contractor within twenty-one (21) days after receipt with comments and instructions for a format to be used in the preparation of the final report. The Contractor shall incorporate the comments into a final report and furnish the Government with two (2) copies upon contract completion.

In the event the Government does not return the draft copy of the report to the Contractor within the prescribed period, the Contractor shall be permitted an extra day for each day of delay caused by the Government. The Government shall not be liable for increased costs by reason of any such delay.

The contractor shall prepare a final technical report for each task order. The report shall include a no more than five-page executive summary highlighting the specific findings, detailed information on the project’s objectives, data collection efforts, results, limitations, and the contractor’s conclusions based on the data collected during the course of the study. The contractor shall also submit a research or technology brief--a non-technical summary report that

RFP No. 693JJ420R000001 AMENDMENT NO. A00001 Page 17 of 79 summarizes the project’s objectives, data collection methods, and results. The final report shall be ready for publication by FMCSA. It shall not contain any errors. It shall be formatted according to FMCSA publication guidelines. The guidelines will be provided to the contractor.

C.7.2.4 ELECTRONIC FILES

Electronic files containing final reports required under this contract shall be provided in accordance with the following:

a. Specifications:

Electronic Master File:

An electronic version of Task Order final reports shall be used as the Master report final copy. A copy of the electronic master file shall be provided to FMCSA in a format as specified below.

Report Format:

- Font: 12 point Times New Roman font or equivalent font shall be used throughout the report

- Page Margins: Left, Top, Right, and Bottom shall be 1 inch.

- Page numbering: Lower right hand corner, using bold Times Roman 12-point font.

Software Application: The software application used to store the electronic file version of the deliverables shall be compatible with the Microsoft Office suite of products.

Printer: The report must print in the correct format, i.e. correct pagination, adequate text and image quality.

C. 8. RELEASE/DATA RIGHTS

All work products and deliverables, including videos, computer programming, audio recordings and photos (including fonts and talent usage), are the property of FMCSA and the U.S.

Department of Transportation. Deliverables may be used as deemed appropriate by FMCSA or DOT globally, in perpetuity and using all media. The Contractor shall ensure that releases for work are provided using the form provided after contract award.

The Contractor shall not publish, permit to be published, or distribute…