DTFH61-10-R-00028-RFP - Amendment 1.docx

DTFH61-10-R-00028 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Page 74 of 75

SECTION B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

The contractor shall furnish all necessary facilities, materials, equipment, and personnel and shall perform technical, non-personal services necessary in support of the Office of Planning, Environment, and Real Estate, through the issuance of Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Fixed Price (FP) Task Orders, under this Indefinite delivery/ Indefinite Quantity Contract (ID/IQ).

NOTE: Award preference will be given to those responsible small businesses that provide quality proposals at fair prices. Offerors may submit proposals for one, more than one, or for all task areas.

The maximum potential amount for all work under this ID/IQ Contract is ________ as delineated below:

FUNDS AVAILABLE

The minimum guarantee of work to be ordered under this Contract is $25,000.

TOTAL:

Travel: All travel shall be reimbursed at cost in accordance with the travel and per diem clause, at G.6. Travel cost is included in the estimated amounts, above.

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 BACKGROUND

The Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty (HEP) serves as FHWA's advocate and national leader for environment protection and enhancement, comprehensive intermodal and multi-modal transportation planning, and for fair and prudent acquisition and management of real property. HEP provides policy and direction in three major areas: transportation planning, natural and human environment and realty. HEP’s primary roles include the development of policy, legislation, regulations, guidance, training courses, and advancement of research related to these program areas. This ID/IQ will be utilized by four of the five offices within HEP to support the advancement of program and research activities in eleven different task areas.

The previous support services contracts were utilized for a wide range of support activities including: Tasks on the previous ID/IQs were utilized for a wide range of support activities including: (1) Facilitation of multiple interagency work groups; (2) Development of primer and outreach materials to support Context Sensitive Solutions; (3) Evaluation and dissemination of Conformity Practices; (4) Regional literature survey and distribution Analysis for the Indiana Bat in Northeast United States; and (5) Preparation of Reports to the President on Executive Order 13274. This ID/IQ includes tasks that were previously undertaken within the Real Estate Services ID/IQ that has expired. The Real Estate Services research includes assessments of potential regulatory changes, developing and refining the future direction of the Right-of-Way Program, initiating and analyzing pilot programs, initiating and reporting on domestic and international scans, and reviewing and analyzing Outdoor Advertising Control strategies.

C.2 CONTRACT OBJECTIVE

The objective of this contract is to provide readily available support to the HEP to give the FHWA and its U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) partners the flexibility to address a number of issue areas without specifically identifying each required task for the life of the contract. The contractor will be expected to provide a series of services as needed, with a variety of transportation and other expertise. They are expected to be able to organize resources to answer sophisticated research questions that will often be multifaceted and contentious in nature.

C.3 DEFINITIONS

C01: Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Highway Safety Research Project “A Frame-work for Collaborative Decision Making on Additions to Highway Capacity (includes concepts of watershed and habitat preservation and environmental stewardship)”

C06-A: Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Highway Safety Research Project “Integrating Conservation, Highway Planning, and Environmental Permitting Using an Outcome-Based Ecosystem Approach”

C06-B: Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Highway Safety Research Project “Development of an Ecological Assessment Process and Credits System for Enhancements to Highway Capacity”

CAAA: Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990

CEQ: Council on Environmental Quality

CEVMS: Commercial Electronic Variable Message Signs CFR: United States Code of Federal Regulations

CMAQ: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

CO: Contracting Officer

COTR: Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative

U.S. DOT: United States Department of Transportation

EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency

FHWA: Federal Highway Administration

GHG: Greenhouse Gas GIS: Geographical Information System

HEP: Federal Highway Administration’s Office Planning, Environment & Realty HBA: Highway Beautification Act

HUD: United States Housing and Urban Development Agency

ID/IQ: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

MOVES: United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Motor Vehicle Simulator Model

MPO: Metropolitan Planning Organization

MSAT: Mobile Source Air Toxics

NCHRP: National Cooperative Highway Research Program

NEPA: National Environment Policy Act

OMB: Unites States Office of Management and Budget

PEL: Planning and Environmental Linkages

ROW: Rights-of-Way

SAFETEA-LU: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

SHRP2: Strategic Highway Research Program 2 SOW: Statement of Work

TM: Task Monitor TOP: Task Order Proposal Uniform Act: Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended

C.4 SCOPE

The scope of this contract provides for technical assistance that consists of data collection activities, legislative/policy issue analysis, cost analysis, advanced analytical tool development, dissemination of best practices/case studies/guidance, steamlining and process improvement, program support (facilitators/mediators/conflict resolution), marketing and outreach in conducting environmental research/activities and research/activities in real property acquisition and outdoor advertising control. These initiatives will support the requirements in the following Task Areas:

a. Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat, and other Ecological Resources

b. Highways and Water Resources

c. National Environmental Policy Act and FHWA’s Environmental Review Process

d. Historic and Archeological Preservation and Aesthetics

e. Conflict Resolution, Facilitation, and Mediation of Environmental Disputes

f. Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

g. Transportation Air Quality and Noise

h. Climate Change and Sustainability

i. Real Property Acquisition under the Uniform Act

j. Outdoor Advertising Control

k. Marketing/Outreach

C.4 TECHNICAL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

Specific projects and task orders under the ID/IQ will be determined on an as needed basis by the FHWA.

C.5 Kick-off Meeting, The contractor shall attend a Kick-off meeting 2 hours in length, which will include the following attendees: the contractor’s key personnel, including the Program Manager, the Contract Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), and additional FHWA support staff.

The purpose of the Kick-off Meeting is to introduce the contractor and Government teams as well as to provide background information, clarify course content issues, define roles and responsibilities, establish timelines and respond to questions. This meeting is generally held at the U. S. DOT Headquarters in Washington D.C., 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590.

C.6 TECHNICAL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide expertise in the major areas described below under C.7 “Task Areas.” In addition, upon award of contract, FHWA shall be able to request an undefined number of hours of effort per year from the contractor. The specific projects to be completed will be determined on an as needed basis by FHWA.

C.7 TASK AREAS

[Note: Offerors are not required to propose to all task areas and may limit their proposal to selected tasks based on their strengths/capabilities; however, the Government places a greater value on proposals that provide coverage to a greater number of task groups than on proposals that provide coverage on only a few tasks.]

This section describes the specific task areas to be addressed and the technical skills necessary associated with each task area.

Specific work to be performed will be set forth under individual Task Orders. However, Task Orders will generally consist of work in the following areas:

C.7.1 Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat, and Other Ecological Resources

The planning, environmental analysis, construction, use, and maintenance of highway systems have potential primary and secondary impacts on ecosystems. Linear highway projects cross multiple watersheds, wetlands, and important wildlife habitats. Placing highways in river valleys and on drainage boundaries increases the potential for interaction between highway facilities and wetland and wildlife habitat resources, which often follow the same geophysical constraints. The land use changes that often provide the impetus for highway construction or that follow highway construction as a secondary development can generate impacts to habitats in addition to those directly attributable to the highway itself. Known impacts of highways and associated development on ecosystems include direct destruction of wetlands by fill, removal, or alteration of native vegetation, changes in surface and ground water hydrology, vehicle-caused wildlife mortality, fragmentation of wildlife habitat, pollution of waters by highway runoff and alteration or elimination of ecosystem services.

The overall objectives for this task is to: (1) Advance planning processes, methods and tools that systematically and effectively avoid and minimize environmental impacts; (2) Develop tools and methods to improve minimization and mitigation management science; and (3) Disseminate guidance and technical assistance to further wetland and stream mitigation, and corridor habitat management utilizing ecological principles. For more background on FHWA’s Wetland, Wildlife and Habitat program, please visit the following websites:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/wetland/index.htm http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/hconnect/index.htm http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecological/eco_entry.asp

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Developing and implementing decision support tools, web-based training and standardized techniques that quickly and effectively assess wetland impacts and evaluate wetland functions

· Improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation through better techniques of native vegetation and habitat restoration, habitat enhancement, and creation

· Enhancing the use of ecosystem service markets as viable, effective, tools of choice in situations where compensatory mitigation is necessary and appropriate

· Improving our understanding of transportation system impacts on both endangered species and their habitat and wildlife population viability and habitat connectivity

· Developing tools, methodologies, and processes that can lead to faster permitting of projects while maintaining or improving the environment and minimizing additional costs

· Rolling out and implementing Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2) “Integrating Conservation, Highway Planning, and Environmental Permitting Using an Outcome-Based Ecosystem Approach” (C06-A) and “Development of an Ecological Process and Credits System for Enhancements to Highway Capacity” (C06-B) products and other SHRP 2 Capacity projects

C.7.2 Highways and Water Resources

The planning for and implementation of highway systems can interact with the nation's water resources in numerous ways. Since all highway sections lie within or cross a watershed, all phases of project development have the potential for impacting both surface and underground water resources. Highway project planning, location, and design activities can greatly influence future uses of water resources in localities by reflecting patterns of growth, secondary development, and water supply distribution.

Construction and maintenance activities can have direct impacts to both supply and water quality characteristics of the project area. A variety of impacts are possible, ranging from the erosion of disturbed soils to the chemical pollutants associated with highway maintenance practices. Finally, the operation of highways open to traffic may cause numerous other potential pollution sources created by the chemical and biological contaminants present in roadway storm water runoff.

An important benefit of the Federal assistance provided to State and local transportation agencies is the protection of water quality and other watershed values through area-wide and project planning, mitigation and enhancement activities. Provisions of SAFETEA-LU strengthen the emphasis on the environmental aspects of transportation decision making and can lend support to watershed protection and management activities. The SAFETEA-LU act provides Federal-assistance eligibility to projects for environmental restoration and pollution abatement. Projects may include the retrofit or construction of stormwater treatment facilities under the National Highway System and the Surface Transportation Program. The SAFETEA-LU also provides funding for environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff under the Transportation Enhancement provisions. Funding is available to lessen the impacts of highway sources on overall watershed water quality problems. Changes due to implementation of watershed-based resource management programs will require continuing research to provide the transportation community with tools for area-wide impact assessment and mitigation techniques. The eventual re-authorization of the Clean Water Act will likely affect transportation development activities by implementing new ways to confront and eliminate pollution of the nation’s waters. Implementation of the Total Maximum Daily Load, which is the maximum amount of pollutant that a watershed can receive and still meet water quality standards, is based on watershed management techniques. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II adds additional requirements under a permit program to address stormwater runoff from urbanized areas and construction sites. In particular, water quality and ecosystem protection programs need to be applied on a watershed basis. Therefore, State and local transportation agencies will continue to rely on FHWA’s water quality expertise.

The overall objectives for this task is to: (1) Showcase best practices in the control of highway storm water runoff; (2) Develop tools and guidance for implementation of best management practices and meeting permit requirements; and (3) Support activities that advance regional watershed planning and investment decision support tools. To view more information about FHWA’s Water Resources program activities, please visit: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/h2o.htm

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Water quality analysis, treatment and management

· Water resource evaluation and management

· Watershed management

· Erosion and sediment control

· Policy and regulation analysis

· Integration of transportation and watershed planning processes

· Economic analysis of storm water treatment options

· Water quality assessment methodologies

· Water quality treatment system evaluation

· Water quality treatment costs

C.7.3 National Environmental Policy Act and FHWA’s Environmental Review Process

The National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) requires and the FHWA is committed to the examination and avoidance of potential impacts to the social and natural environment when considering approval of proposed transportation projects. In addition to evaluating the potential environmental effects, FHWA must also take into account the transportation needs of the public in reaching a decision that is in the best overall public interest. The FHWA’s NEPA project development process is an approach to balanced transportation decision making that takes into account the potential impacts on the human and natural environment and the public’s need for safe and efficient transportation.

Planning major transportation projects is extremely complex because of the varying legal, technical, and analytical requirements needed to meet all relevant national and state legal mandates for planning such projects. The FHWA adopted the policy of managing the NEPA project development and decision making process as an "umbrella," under which all applicable environmental laws, executive orders, and regulations are considered and addressed prior to the final project decision and document approval.

The overall objectives for this task includes: (1) Providing comprehensive technical assistance and project management oversight in the implementation of NEPA and the environmental review process for transportation projects; (2) Developing initiatives that enhance and improve the environmental review process; (3) Documenting and disseminating case studies and best practices; (4) Advancing analytical tools and processes to better link transportation planning and environmental planning and the environmental review processes; and (5) Identifying emerging issues and assess options for addressing issue in NEPA. For more background information on FHWA’s environmental review process visit: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/index.asp Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Documenting and promoting transportation planning, design, and construction practices that protect and enhance the human and natural environment while addressing the public’s need for safe and efficient transportation.

· Considering travel and land use forecasting in NEPA

· Addressing fiscal stewardship responsibilities and cost estimation techniques

· Improving consideration of indirect impacts and cumulative effects on a regional and project level

· Pursuing improvement of the quality of NEPA documents

· Documenting decision support tools that apply and balance social, environmental and economic factors in transportation decision making

· Facilitating effective interagency coordination and consensus building among different stakeholder parties.

· Establishing environmental process pilot projects, in conjunction with States

· Developing outreach to support, document, and evaluate new CEQ guidance on emerging issues (e.g. climate change, mitigation, and categorical exclusions)

· Establishing documentation management plans including project schedules

· Providing logistical support in the development of national policy and guidance associated with a transportation reauthorization bill

· Supporting Public Private Partnerships and emerging innovative financing methods

· Advancing performance measure tools for project and program level analysis

· Supporting SHRPII C01, Collaborative Decision-Making Framework and appropriate related research products

· Developing programmatic approaches to accelerate, enhance, and integrate environmental decision-making in transportation planning, programming, and the project development process

· Developing guidelines, decision-making strategies, analytical tools, and technical assistance to link transportation planning and environmental planning and review processes with state and local transportation and resource agencies.

· Promoting Context Sensitive Solution framework for project development through the following:

· Technical assistance to projects

· Support for the National Program initiatives (i.e. Livability and Sustainability as it applies to NEPA)

· Support for the State Programmatic Efforts

C.7.4 Historic and Archeological Preservation and Aesthetics

Historic and archeological preservation research addresses the procedural, technical, and legal issues associated with resource identification, evaluation, and rehabilitation in the highway and transportation context. In addition, research needs to be conducted, and best practices and tool kits need to be developed to promote environmental stewardship and heritage preservation as opposed to mere compliance to Federal and State law. Stewardship can be achieved by integrating historic preservation issues in the planning process conducted at the metropolitan planning organization and statewide levels, and further enhanced by early coordination with Indian Tribal Governments.

Historic preservation research must addresses the needs of planners, design engineers and maintenance personnel regarding treatment of historic bridges and roadways recognized as having historic values in their own right. Landscapes are also being increasingly recognized as important from an historic or cultural perspective. The role the roadway plays in the landscape and the influence the landscape has on design changes to the transportation system are not clearly understood. More and more people are visiting historic and scenic areas and using scenic and historic byways to get there. New methods and techniques must be developed to maintain operations and preserve the historic and scenic values. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal agencies to consult with Indian tribal governments concerning properties of religious and cultural significance regardless of their location to determine if Section 106 protections apply.

The overall objectives for this task are to: (1) Develop tools to assist States in meeting their Section 106 consultation requirements in a streamlined fashion; (2) Identify and disseminate best management practices in the protection of historic and archeological resources; and (3) Support the development methodologies to identify and evaluate the historic values of cultural resources. For more information about FHWA’s Historic and archeological preservation program, please visit: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/histpres/index.asp.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to:

· Providing the tools necessary to streamline technical and procedural requirements

· Developing training and educational materials, including pamphlets, websites, webinars, workshops, peer exchanges and informational meetings

· Identifying “best management practices,” and ways to better and more efficiently coordinate the sharing of information

· Developing methodologies to assist state and local transportation managers in identifying and evaluating the historic values of their bridges

· Identifying the critical engineering problems facing prolonged use of the bridge; and how to preserve, rehabilitate, and restore historic bridges

· Evaluating the nature of the resource base of bridge types within each state and within the region including broader scale studies of bridge builders and construction modifications;

· Identifying methods and techniques to identify and evaluate critical historic and engineering values of transportation-related structures and facilities along roads

· Targeting the development of tools to support maintenance personnel (i.e. structures and cultural practices of roadside maintenance

· Assisting States in minimizing the impact to our nation’s historic and archaeological resources while emphasizing avoidance

· Identifying the different visual impact evaluation methods and their associated assessment techniques

C.7.5 Conflict Resolution, Facilitation, Mediation of Environmental Disputes

Federal agencies continually face the challenge of meeting their environmental management goals and protecting the environment, while also meeting their Federal agency responsibilities and the interests of the public. Conflicting priorities can escalate to disruptive conflict, with associated cost and schedule delays, lost opportunities, or even litigation.

As detailed in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)/CEQ on Environmental Conflict Resolution (ECR) Policy Memo dated 11/28/2005, Federal departments/agencies are directed to increase the effective use of environmental conflict resolution and to build institutional capacity for collaborative problem solving in order to prevent or reduce environmental conflicts and generate opportunities for constructive collaborative problem solving when appropriate. The ECR involves neutral third-party assisted conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving in the context of environmental, public lands or natural resources issues or conflicts. Approaches such as facilitation, mediation, or conflict assessment can allow stakeholders to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement, save time, and avoid many of the costs of traditional legal proceedings. The FHWA continually looks for mechanisms and opportunities to support the use of environmental conflict resolution with our transportation partners. The FHWA continues to promote the use of qualified neutrals as a means of helping to meet project schedules and deadlines.

The primary objective if this task is to provide the FHWA access to facilitators/mediators for project level needs. The services to be provided to the FHWA are needed in a very timely manner to facilitate issues and situations causing conflicts and project delays related to the transportation project development process. To view information about FHWA’s environmental conflict resolution activities, please visit: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/es2conflict.asp.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Assessing conflict situations

· Identifying and using appropriate collaborative or conflict resolution processes

· Facilitators conflict resolution on transportation projects)

· Conducting training on collaborative problem solving techniques

· Integration of transportation and watershed planning processes

· Economic analysis of storm water treatment options

· Water quality assessment methodologies

· Water quality treatment system evaluation

· Water quality treatment costs

C.7.6 Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

The FHWA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian program oversees funding programs (i.e., Transportation Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program), develops research on walking and bicycling issues, develops guidance related to walking and bicycling, and develops outreach materials for transportation agencies and the public. Key audiences for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program include State and local managers (e.g., the State Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinators and State Transportation Enhancement Managers), planners, safety engineers, researchers, walking and bicycling advocates, health professionals, and the general public. Materials developed for the FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program are typically disseminated through the FHWA sponsored National Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse (currently called the Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center). The U.S. DOT’s Livability Initiative and the U.S. DOT-Housing and Urban Development (U.S. HUD)-Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Partnership for Sustainable Communities has brought about a new emphasis on walking and bicycling as transportation choices.

The overall objectives for this task are to: (1) improve data collection for walking and bicycling; (2) disseminate best practices for the planning, design, and funding for bicycle/pedestrian facilities; (3) examine the health and environmental benefits of walking and bicycling; and (4) outreach on funding programs that support walking and bicycling. For additional information please go to the FHWA website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/index.htm. Please also refer to the FHWA-sponsored clearinghouse on walking and biking at http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to:

· Conducting research related to data collection (e.g., walking and bicycling counts) and estimating non-motorized trips (e.g., for transportation modeling)

· Conducting research and outreach identifying best practices for planning, design, and funding for bicycle/pedestrian facilities

· Conducting research and outreach aimed at quantifying the health and environmental benefits of walking and bicycling

· Conducting research and outreach related to eligible activities for the Recreational Trails Program

· Conducting research and outreach related to projects that are eligible categories under Transportation Enhancement Activities

C.7.7 Transportation Air Quality and Noise Transportation Air Quality The Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990 significantly elevated the importance of understanding the relationship between the transportation improvements and their air quality impacts. Emphasis on modeling and analytic compliance was significantly increased especially in Transportation Conformity on transportation plans and projects in air quality nonattainment and maintenance areas. The analyses require continuous improvements to travel, emission, and dispersion modeling that better meet our analytical needs. There is also a need to translate state-of-the-art research into effective policies that further integrate transportation and air quality and maximize the emission reduction potential of transportation projects and programs.

The overall objectives for this task are: (1) evaluate important relationship between transportation improvements and the air quality; (2) evaluate existing and develop new modeling and analytic techniques for emissions and air quality analysis; (3) support effective policy development that further integrate transportation and air quality decision making; and (4) provide information and technical guidance to Federal, State, and local officials as well as the public at large on the new requirements and methods for compliance. Additional information is available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/aqupdate/index.htm.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

New and Revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Tasks to be included under this subject area include:

· Documenting and sharing best practices of meeting Clean Air Act requirements, including transportation conformity and air quality planning with new nonattainment areas

· Understanding new requirements that will have significant impact on the transportation program (e.g. impacts of near roadway monitoring and identifying precursors that contribute to multi-pollutants) 1.

2.

· Researching transportation sources and transportation control measures effectiveness, including co-benefits among different pollutants

· Researching new and innovative approaches that are beneficial to air quality improvement including noise walls and roadside vegetation impacts on air quality; impacts of increased bicycle and pedestrian and other livability initiatives on air quality

· Conducting research and documenting health implications of the new air standards and the relationship to vehicular emissions\

Reauthorization

Tasks to be included under this subject area include:

· Assessing legislative requirements and develop format and template for annual Report-to-Congress covering the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program

· Post-reauthorization, assess the operational effectiveness of a newly legislated sub-allocated CMAQ program, including redistribution of State-by-State obligations and overall rate of usage

· Developing policy and technical analysis tools to assist implementation of potential changes in the transportation and air quality area

New Models and Analytical Tools

Tasks to be included under this subject area include:

· Conducting research on the model sensitivities of the U.S. EPA’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) model

· Assessing data collection issues and techniques especially for freight and truck

· Developing a tool box such as data processors, fact sheets, data conversion methodologies for the application of the MOVES model, for both regional and project level analysis

· Conducting research related to the application of air quality dispersion models

· Conducting research in the application of MOVES to support categorical hotspot findings

Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT)

· Developing analytical tools to estimate MSAT, including research on state of the practice methodologies in assessment of emissions at the project level

· Conducting risk assessment and uncertainty analysis

· Developing potential new and innovative approaches as well as traditional strategies in mitigating MSAT emissions.

Highway Traffic Noise

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 provides broad authority and responsibility for evaluating and mitigating adverse environmental effects including highway traffic noise. The NEPA directs the Federal government to use all practical means and measures to promote the general welfare and foster a healthy environment. A more important Federal legislation which specifically involves abatement of highway traffic noise is the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1970. This law mandates FHWA to develop noise standards for mitigating highway traffic noise. The law requires promulgation of traffic noise-level criteria for various land use activities. The law further provides that FHWA not approve the plans and specifications for a federally aided highway project unless the project includes adequate noise abatement measures to comply with the standards. The FHWA has developed and implemented regulations for the mitigation of highway traffic noise in federally-aided highway projects.

The FHWA regulations for mitigation of highway traffic noise in the planning and design of federally aided highways are contained in Title 23, U.S. CFR, Part 772. The regulations require the following during the planning and design of a highway project:

· Identification of traffic noise impacts

· Examination of potential abatement measures

· The incorporation of reasonable and feasible noise mitigation measures into the highway project

· Coordination with local officials to provide helpful information on noise compatible planning

The regulations contain noise abatement criteria which represent the upper limit of acceptable highway traffic noise for different types of land uses and human activities. The regulations do not require that the abatement criteria be met in every instance. Rather, they require that every reasonable and feasible effort be made to provide noise mitigation when the criteria are approached or exceeded. Compliance with the noise regulations is a prerequisite for the granting of Federal-aid highway funds for construction or reconstruction of a highway. Additional information on the FHWA noise program is available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Providing the guidance documents, white papers, brochures and educational materials necessary to streamline technical and procedural requirements

· Developing training and educational materials, including pamphlets, websites, webinars, workshops, peer exchanges and informational meetings

· Identifying best management practices and ways to better and more efficiently coordinate the sharing of information

· Developing methodologies to assist state and local transportation managers in identifying and evaluating the highway traffic noise, construction noise, noise compatible planning concepts, livability initiatives, and quieter pavement technologies

· Developing enhancements to traffic noise prediction

C.7.8 Climate Change and Sustainability

As concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase, the greenhouse effect intensifies resulting in an increase in the average temperature of the Earth, as well as an increase in temperature extremes and variability across regions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), based on historical evidence, physical measurements, and scientific studies, the world has already begun to see increases in average air and ocean temperatures, melting snow and ice, and rising sea levels. For the 100-year period ending in 2005, global surface temperatures increased by 0.74 degrees centigrade and the rate of warming in the second half of the century was twice that of the first half indicating that climate change is accelerating.

Many factors, both natural and man-made, can influence the climate and cause it to change. However, an increasing scientific consensus has emerged that the current changes in the climate are the result of emissions of greenhouse gases from human activity since the beginning of the industrial age.

The effects of climate change are difficult to predict with certainty, but are potentially very serious. Although many of the effects may take 50 to 100 years or longer to occur, they could dramatically change the way future generations live. The IPCC notes that many impacts can be “avoided, reduced, or delayed” by cutting emissions: http://www.ipcc.ch/. Projected negative impacts over the century identified by the IPCC include:

· Sea Level Rise

· More Extreme Weather

· Health Issues

· Biological Diversity

· Agricultural Production

· Water Supply

· Northwest Passage (Negative/Positive Impact)

Climate change effects could impact transportation systems and would likely vary by region. Potential negative implications include physical impacts to infrastructure, effects on operations, or the need for design changes to adapt to different climatic variables:

· Sea Level Rise

· Increases in Storm Intensity

· Temperature Rise

· Increases in Storm Surge Effects

Adaptation to climate change would be necessary even if drastic mitigation measures were taken immediately to stabilize or even eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (IPCC 2007). The effects of global climate changes as warming temperatures and sea level rise occurring today reflect emissions of GHGs released into the atmosphere over the past century. Because of these long-lasting effects, the actions taken by transportation professionals today have implications for how the transportation system will respond to climate change in the near and long terms.

Furthermore, the need for more efficient and more flexible transportation systems to support our economy and our quality of life continues to outpace our ability to provide them. At the same time, climate change, energy security, diminishing natural resources, and questions about long term transportation financing raise concerns about the long-term viability of our current approaches to building and maintaining transportation infrastructure. The principles of sustainability are used in many other building and construction industries in order to demonstrate commitments to environmental goals and cost savings to society and organizational budgets. However, these principles are not widely understood or used in transportation project development and implementation.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

Climate Change Mitigation

· Improving the understanding of the transportation community about opportunities and strategies to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) emissions including carbon sequestration and cap-and-trade options

· Developing and improving analytic methods to measure transportation GHG reductions

· Producing memos and reports on options and opportunities to use transportation Rights-of-Way (ROWs) for carbon sequestration

· Producing memos and reports on cap and trade schemes and their implications for transportation and finance

· Evaluating climate change legislative proposals.

Climate Change Adaptation

· Incorporating information on climate change effects consideration into transportation decision making, policies, procedures and practices

· Providing information to inform discussions about updates to design and materials specifications

· Developing long range weather assumptions relevant to the transportation sector

· Developing risk assessment and management tools and processes

· Analyzing transportation decision-making processes (regional planning, state level planning, project level planning, and including adaptation options) to identify where and how questions tied to climate change adaptation should be addressed

· Assisting the FHWA in implementing activities tied to adaptation across multiple offices within the FHWA, including planning, asset management, NEPA, and Operations

Sustainable Transportation

· Improving the understanding of sustainable transportation principles, criteria and practices;

· Developing and improve technical abilities to implement sustainable principles and practices

· Promoting understanding and education between the FHWA and its partner on sustainable transportation

· Identifying, apply, and disseminate sustainable practices that are relevant to multiple decision-making processes and various aspects of the project development cycle

C.7.9 Real Property Acquisition under the Uniform Act

The FHWA conducts a variety of research to improve government wide implementation of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (Uniform Act), the Highway Beautification Act, and applicable regulations including 23 CFR, Parts 710,750,751 and 49 CFR, Part 24. The FHWA has a unique responsibility to provide stewardship and leadership for the implementation of the Uniform Act to both Federal agencies and State Departments of Transportation. As Lead Agency for the implementation of the Uniform Act, the FHWA develops policies and procedures, regulations and informational materials to ensure that the public receives constitutionally guaranteed just compensation and relocation assistance in a timely, efficient and uniform manner. In connection with real estate acquired for federal-aid projects and programs by state departments or local public agencies, the FHWA has responsibility for developing policies and procedures, regulations and informational material to ensure that the process for acquisition, as well as the subsequent management and disposition, meets applicable Federal requirements. The FHWA also develops policies and procedures, regulations and informational materials to ensure and promote effective control of outdoor advertising on controlled routes in compliance with the Highway Beautification Act. For more information on FHWA’s real estate acquisition and outdoor advertising control programs visit the program offices website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm.

A primary focus of the FHWA’s current research efforts will be to identify opportunities to streamline the process necessary to acquire right-of-way and to provide effective control of outdoor advertising. Another focus area of the FHWA’s research efforts will be to identify, develop, and promote those new and/or innovative uses of right-of-way that support Federal leadership in environmental, energy, and economic performance and the FHWA’s initiatives.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Conducting research into use of visualization technologies

· Conducting research into improvement of Federal Land transfer process

· Develop methods to promote use of Geographical Information System (GIS) in right-of-way. This includes marketing and promoting the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) study on GIS in right-of-way, NCHRP 08-55A. Develop methods to identify and act on opportunities for pilot implementation of GIS in right-of-way

· Conducting research into standardizing and improving implementation of voluntary acquisition provision

· Developing Uniform Act Real Estate/right-of-way course(s)

· Conducting research into benefits and costs of alternative uses of right-of-way aimed at identifying opportunities to support FHWA and Presidential initiatives

· Developing guidance materials which support effective and efficient management and or disposal of properties and property rights

· Developing and implementing plans for enhancement and improvement of annual statistical collection

· Researching actual costs business incurs as a result of moving for a Federal Aid project

· Identifying benefit shortfalls and developing suggested improvements which would ensure that businesses are able to successfully relocate

· Promoting and implementing findings from International Scan (2008)

· Assisting in developing local public agency stewardship tools and outreach/marketing efforts.

· Conducting programmatic research

C.7.10 Outdoor Advertising Control and Legislative and Policy Analysis

The FHWA develops policies and procedures, regulations and informational materials to ensure and promote effective control of outdoor advertising on controlled routes by State DOTs and local governments in compliance with the Highway Beautification Act Title 23, U.S.C. 131, and applicable regulations including Title 23 CFR, Parts 710, 750, 751, and 752. A primary focus of the FHWA’s current research efforts will be to identify opportunities to provide more effective control of outdoor advertising. More information on FHWA’s responsibilities in implementing the Highway Beautification Act is found at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov.gov/realestate/out_ad.htm.

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Identifying research, recommending, promoting and implementing findings from International Scan(2010)

· Recommending and developing implementation plans for Commercial Electronic Variable Message Signs (CEVMS) research findings and the development of guidance materials and in outreach/marketing efforts

· Identify researching and recommending efforts to improve program efficiency and effectiveness

Legislative and Policy Analysis

· Analyzing the process and performance of all transportation acquisition and land use activities in complex contexts

· Formulating process improvement alternatives and evaluate alternative actions through pilot programs

· Developing short term and long range performance improvement programs for State and Local Public transportation agencies

· Analyzing the cost, benefits, and impacts of proposals that support legislative and policy right-of-way initiatives (Such analysis shall be designed to provide technical assistance for implementation of future FHWA federal-aid reauthorizations.)

· Defining and evaluating common and distinguishing elements between FHWA regulations and State legislation relating to the Uniform Act and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice

· Identifying and evaluating positive and negative aspects of various legislative and policy related groups and constituencies

· Surveying Federal agency offices that implement the Uniform Act for acquisition or management of real property

C.7.11 Marketing/Outreach

The FHWA needs to market, communicate, and disseminate program and research information to a wide variety of national transportation stakeholders and partners. A broad range of strategies, techniques, and training mechanisms will need to be employed to ensure information effectively reaches the FHWA customers in all of the Task groups listed above (A-J).

Task Orders may be issued to include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Creating/ Maintaining website(s) including:

· Social networking outlets,

· List servers

· Blogs

· Producing marketing materials including:

· Brochures

· Pamphlets

· Outdoor advertising

· Educational materials

· Publications

· Video

· Photography

· Creating/Updating workshops, peer reviews, webinars, conferences, teleconferences, informational meetings, and/or symposiums

· Promoting communications/materials between the FHWA and its partners

· Distributing documents/marketing materials between the FHWA and its partners Demonstration projects

· Conducting scans that review document literature relating to best practices and innovative efforts, documenting findings, and disseminating results

· Assisting in the development of annual report on Uniform Act implementation.

· Assisting in the development and facilitation of meetings with partners, prepare materials for meetings, handle travel arrangements, write up reports, and perform duties associated with these tasks

· Assisting in developing and implementing implementation plan and activities for 2008 and 2010 international scans on Right-of-Way and Outdoor Advertising Control

· Assisting in development of resource material to support implementation of program initiatives.

· Providing technical assistance to FHWA, State DOT’s, MPOs and Federal Agencies with development of Uniform Act informational resources

C.8 SPECIFICATIONS FOR DELIVERABLES:

Applicable reports shall be prepared in accordance with the “Guidelines for Preparing Federal Highway Administration Publications” (which can be viewed at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/orders/h17104.htm). Specifically, the contractor shall provide the government with the following for each report developed under this contract:

(1) An executive summary under separate cover; An executive summary may be required as a convenience to the readers depending on the requirements of individual Tasks Orders.

(2) An electronic version of the report (files in Quark Express, or Adobe products) with GPO Form 952 OR a printed version of the report; A camera-ready copy (a publication term used to define the finished manuscript, including all art work (illustrations, photographs, charts, or tables) ready for printing by photographic or other means.

(3)…