Bridge NOFO FY2023 FAQ.docx

FY2023ABTCNOFO

FAQ

Submitter for Notice of Funding Opportunity (9/6/2023) Question: In the NOFO, two-page limits are given, 30 pages and 25 pages. Could you please clarify.

Answer: The correct page limit requirement is 25 pages.

Question: While a majority of the work will be done within the UTC consortium, does the program allow us to subcontract small part of the work to industry subconsultants?

Answer: Yes, it would be permissible to partner with industry entities on a reasonable scale.

Question: Can a consortium partner of a UTC team be the lead?

Answer: A Consortia ‘Member’ (Institution of Higher Education) is eligible to apply as a Lead; other Consortia ‘Partner(s)’ (Industry organization or Private entity) is not eligible for apply as a Lead. All academic institutions that are part of a recently awarded BIL UTC (leads and members) are eligible to apply.

Question: In the FY2023ABTCNOFO opportunity, there is no clear field to upload attachments for the main proposal and budget information. The only possible place to add an attachment would be in field 15 of the SF424 cover page, after the title – is this where we are supposed to upload the proposal and supporting documents?

Answer: Yes, that is the correct place.

Question: Reading this solicitation in your email, it seems like only UTCs announced in 2022 are eligible for this solicitation. However, the solicitation at Grants.gov says “ This procurement is limited to proposals from University Transportation Centers and its sub-tier team consisting of one or more individuals, entities and/or professional organizations with either Not-for-Profit or For-Profit status”, which is not specific to 2022 UTCs. Which one is correct?

Answer: Please refer to Eligibility requirements as described in Section C.1, which is as follow:

Eligible applicant must be a current DOT-funded University Transportation Center (UTC) with capabilities in research and technology transfer related to bridge materials, approaches and technologies and associated sciences of a scope that covers the requested services. Additionally, only those UTCs which are currently funded by U.S. DOT under the provisions and budget authorization of the Infrastructure Improvements and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are eligible to submit proposals.

Question: The NOFO says “The significant evaluation factors include, but not limited to, the UTC team’s experience in (i) bridge technology(ies), (ii) research & transportation issues assessment, (iii) computerized database and AI architecture design, robotics, (iv) remote inspection technology capabilities, (v) evaluating environmental effects (on bridges), and (vi) other scientific disciplines of relevance to the bridge technology issues. “ Since evaluation will be based on remote inspection technology capabilities, is the ABCT is expected to propose and carry out fundamental research? By “Clearinghouse”, I understand dissemination of technology, which may require evaluation of research outcomes, but not carrying out actual research.

Answer: The ABTC is not expected to conduct actual research activities but to serve as a “clearinghouse” of advanced bridge technologies.