FY21 NOFO 693JJ321NF00009 - National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ321NF00009

“National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety”

Issue Date: June 29, 2021

Application Due Date: August 18, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE

PAGE

N/A

SUMMARY INFORMATION

N/A

WEBINAR DETAILS 4

A

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

B

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

D

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

E

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

G

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

APPENDIX

APPENDIX I: FHWA Labor Estimate 49

The FHWA is using www.Grants.gov for issuance of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Applicants must register at Grants.gov under the subject NOFO number to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this NOFO. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to monitor the Grants.gov site for any updates/amendments to this NOFO.

http://www.grants.gov/

Summary Information

Funding Opportunity

Summary:

Up to $4,900,000.00 in Federal funding to award a single cooperative agreement to an eligible entity to transition, operate, and maintain the National Center for Excellence for Rural Road

Safety (Rural Safety Center).

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Office of Acquisitions & Grants Management

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Mail Drop: E86-205

Washington DC 20590

Attn: Ryan Buck

Funding Opportunity Title: National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety

Announcement Type: This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity. This is not a follow-on notice.

Funding Opportunity

Number:

693JJ321NF00009

Type of Award: Cooperative agreement

Assistance Listing Number: 20.200 -- Highway Research and Development Program

Application Due Date: Submission Deadline: Applications Due by August 18, 2021 at

11:59 PM Eastern Time through www.Grants.gov

Note: FHWA seeks this early notification of interest to inform its allocation of resources for application evaluations and to facilitate timely and efficient awards. FHWA requests that all interested applicants confirm their intent to submit an application in response to this opportunity no later than thirty (30) days prior to the submission deadline noted above.

Questions: Submit Questions to: Ryan.Buck@dot.gov with cc to HCFA-

32SRI@dot.gov http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Ryan.Buck@dot.gov mailto:HCFA-32SRI@dot.gov mailto:HCFA-32SRI@dot.gov

Funding Opportunity Informational Webinar

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will host a virtual Informational Session regarding this funding opportunity. This session will focus on specific topics to help potential applicants gather additional information and ask specific questions.

Participation in this session is not mandatory to submit an application under this NOFO.

However, we encourage potential applicants to take advantage of this opportunity to gather information regarding this specific funding opportunity. The Webinar will be recorded and the recording will be made available to interested parties.

SESSION: Virtual Webcast: Background and Application Information for the

National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety

DATE: July 23, 2021

TIME: 11:00AM to 12:30PM Eastern Time

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: To Be Determined

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The FHWA hereby requests applications for assistance from all interested parties to result in the award of a cooperative agreement to transition, operate, and maintain the Rural Safety Center.

This opportunity is being issued under assistance listing number 20.200 for the Highway

Research and Development Program.

2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) that required the Secretary “to make grants to establish and maintain centers for transportation excellence.” [Section. 52004(7) amended Section 504(h) of title 23, United States Code

(U.S.C.)]. Passage of section 6002 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST)

Act continued without change program eligibilities under FHWA’s Training and Education programs, including the Centers for Surface Transportation Excellence. The Continuing

Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (Pub. L. 116-159) extended Federal surface transportation programs through September 30, 2021.

The goals of the Centers for Transportation Excellence established under MAP-21 and continued under the FAST Act are to promote and support strategic national surface transportation programs and activities relating to the work of State departments of transportation in the areas of environment, surface transportation safety, rural safety, and project finance.

Subsection (h) in section 504 of title 23 U.S.C., requires the Secretary to competitively select any party performing research or providing technical assistance as a Center for Excellence. The

FHWA is accepting applications for a cooperative agreement to establish and operate a Rural

Safety Center.

Subsection (c) of section 6002 of the FAST Act requires that a 20 percent cost share be applied to all funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a), to include the Rural Safety Center.

Therefore, a recipient of a cooperative agreement under this program would have to provide support for at least 20 percent of the Rural Safety Center's activity cost.

Subsection (c) of section 6002 of the FAST Act reads as follows:

(c) Applicability of Title 23, U.S.C. - Funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall—

(1) be available for obligation in the same manner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, U.S.C., except that the Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out using those funds shall be 80 percent, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act (including the amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined by the Secretary; and

(2) remain available until expended and not be transferable, except as otherwise provided in this Act.

3. BACKGROUND

23 U.S.C. 504(h), unchanged by the FAST Act, retained the focus areas of highway safety – to include rural safety and surface transportation safety – and gave to the Secretary the discretion to create the number of centers necessary to achieve those goals. Given the integrated nature of these two goal areas, the Secretary established one Safety Center for Excellence that can address both safety goals with an emphasis on rural safety.

The Rural Safety Center was established to provide technical assistance, information sharing of noteworthy practices, and training in the use of tools and decision-making processes that can assist transportation agencies in effectively implementing rural safety and surface transportation programs, projects, and policies.

In 2014, a cooperative agreement was awarded to Montana State University, Western

Transportation Institute and has been operating as the Rural Safety Center. This cooperative agreement period of performance will end December 31, 2021, and FHWA intends to award a new cooperative agreement to transition, operate, and maintain the Rural Safety Center.

The focus of the Rural Safety Center1 is providing technical assistance, information sharing, and training on rural road safety for State, local, and Tribal road owners, and their stakeholders. A secondary and much smaller portion of the Rural Safety Center’s mission will be to conduct research supporting rural safety and surface transportation safety. The Rural Safety Center should produce products and create opportunities for State, local, and Tribal transportation agencies to make better, more informed decisions about safety as it relates to the roads that they own and operate. The Rural Safety Center’s strategic plan of activities and initiatives shall include how the Rural Safety Center will:

1 Additional information for the Rural Safety Center can be found at https://ruralsafetycenter.org/ https://ruralsafetycenter.org/

1. Coordinate with the FHWA safety units (Headquarters and Office of Technical

Services, Resource Center) to identify what training objectives are most critical for target audiences, and design outreach activities and materials with an emphasis on improving the overall understanding of safety data, analysis, evaluations, and investment decision-making;

2. Provide training and education to support transportation professionals in the advancement of evidence-based decision-making;

3. Expand the availability, access to, and understanding of tools and information required to make data-driven safety decisions;

4. Include a significant focus on rural road safety to address the unique challenges of applying evidence-based decision-making for rural roads;

5. Provide for a focused and disciplined approach to address the specific safety data and information needs of State, local, and Tribal road owners. For example, access to data, better data, and balance of desired data vs. available data;

6. Provide innovative methods of delivery for training, education, technology deployment, and communication to rural safety partners;

7. Identify and engage State, local, and Tribal partners who have successful educational efforts for roadway and rural road safety to more broadly disseminate advanced transportation safety techniques and innovations in both rural safety areas and urban communities; and

8. Develop and implement a marketing and communication plan for the Rural Safety

Center’s transportation safety products and services.

4. OBJECTIVE

The primary mission of the Rural Safety Center is to facilitate training and educational exchange, as well as provide technology transfer and deployment to practitioners to improve the overall understanding of roadway safety data and analysis, safety effectiveness evaluations, and investment decision-making in the areas of rural safety and surface transportation safety.

Although proposals are not limited to DOT priorities, the Department is interested in these areas:

• Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.)

Initiative: A strong transportation network is critical to the functioning and growth of the

American economy. The Nation’s industry depends on the transportation network to move the goods that it produces and facilitate the movements of the workers who are responsible for that production. When the Nation’s highways, railways, and ports function well, that infrastructure connects people to jobs, increases the efficiency of delivering goods and thereby cuts the costs of doing business, reduces the burden of commuting, and improves economic well-being. Rural transportation networks play a vital role in supporting our national economic vitality. Addressing the deteriorating conditions and disproportionately high fatality rates on our rural transportation infrastructure is of critical interest to the Department, as rural transportation networks face unique challenges in safety, infrastructure condition, and passenger and freight usage. Consistent with the R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative, the Department will consider how the project will address the challenges faced by rural areas. More information on

R.O.U.T.E.S. can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/rural.

• Complete Trip – ITS4US Deployment Program: The Complete Trip - ITS4US

Deployment Program is a DOT initiative that is exploring emerging technologies to enhance travel that includes opportunities for people with mobility challenges by providing travel opportunities that are seamlessly integrated into their daily lives. The lack of transportation options for all travelers, including travelers with disabilities, travelers from rural areas, and lower income travelers is a persistent challenge for access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other activities. The Complete Trip Program will:

Engage stakeholders to assess impacts and effectiveness of accessible technologies, define complete trip, and what it means, and what is missing; advance technological innovation for accessible transportation through foundational research, prototype development, and technology transfer programs; improve transportation systems integration including pedestrian, and built environments; coordinate with key partners, within the Federal Government, the research community, stakeholder organizations, and private industry; and, demonstrate, deploy, evaluate, and provide guidance for accessible transportation technologies. The DOT is interested in emerging technologies that support the Complete Trip ITS4US Deployment Program. More information on

Complete Trip – ITS4US Deployment Program can be found at https://www.its.dot.gov/its4us/index.htm.

The Department will consider the following key Departmental objectives:

• Ensuring safety;

• Fostering economic strength and good-paying American Jobs;

• Creating equitable access to opportunity;

• Tackling the climate crisis;

• Making our infrastructure more resilient; and

• Modernizing our nation’s infrastructure.

5. STATEMENT OF WORK

The purpose of the agreement between FHWA and the Recipient is to support tasks that meet the objectives of the Rural Safety Center. The Rural Safety Center will largely provide Training and

Education to roadway owners and practitioners to improve rural and surface transportation safety.

Opportunities for Technology Transfer and Deployment, as well as Research exist within the

Rural Safety Center and will reflect the major needs and gaps in rural road safety, and surface transportation safety in addition to advancing existing efforts.

Task 1: Administration and Reporting

Task 1 involves the non-technical regular planning, tracking, and reporting. The Recipient will engage in the following: a project kick-off meeting, monthly scheduled and as-needed status conference calls, quarterly progress reports, and quarterly financial reports with labor/cost/expenditure tracking and invoicing.

Task 1A: The Recipient shall schedule and facilitate a project kick-off meeting with FHWA and the Rural Safety Center’s Director and key staff within four (4) weeks of this agreement’s effective date. The location of the kick-off meeting will be determined at the agreement effective date. The Recipient shall be responsible for providing a meeting agenda no later than three (3) business days prior to the kickoff meeting as well as providing meeting minutes within ten (10) business days after the kick-off meeting.

NOTE: The kick-off meeting may be in a virtual (e.g., teleconference, webinar) format.

Task 1B: The Recipient shall furnish an electronic copy of quarterly progress reports to the

Agreement Specialist (AS), Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR), and any other FHWA personnel, as instructed by the AOR, on or before the 15th of the next month in accordance with the instructions in Section F.3 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS. Each report shall contain concise statements covering the activities relevant to the statement of work including, but not limited to:

a) A clear and complete account of the work performed during the period.

b) An outline of the work to be accomplished during the next reporting period.

c) A description of any problem encountered or anticipated that will affect the completion of the work within the time and fiscal constraints as set forth in the contract, together with recommended solutions to such problems.

d) Preliminary or interim results, conclusions, trends, or other items of information that may be of timely interest to FHWA.

e) A comparison of current and completed activities against planned schedule of activities.

f) A tabulation of the current and cumulative labor expended by the personnel, compared against planned labor expenditures.

g) A tabulation of the current and cumulative costs expended by cost element (labor, travel, indirect costs, subcontractors, etc.) versus budgeted costs, for the Federal share and the cost share.

Task 1C: The Recipient shall facilitate monthly conference calls with FHWA to discuss the status of the projects and products of the Rural Safety Center. The Recipient shall submit a summary of the topics discussed during each monthly conference call to the AOR and any other

FHWA personnel as instructed by the AOR within five (5) business days following each call.

Task 1 Deliverables: Kick-Off Meeting Agenda and Minutes, Facilitation of Monthly Calls, Conference Call Notes/Summaries (as performed), Quarterly Progress Reports

Task 2: Transition, Operate, Host, and Maintain Rural Safety Center and Strategic Plan

Development

Task 2 includes the transition from the current Rural Safety Center, standing up this new Rural

Safety Center, and the preparation of a 5-year Strategic Plan for the new Rural Safety Center.

The Rural Safety Center has an established “branding” and it is intended that this current

“branding” will remain.

Task 2A: The Recipient shall transition the platform and content from the current Rural Safety

Center and establish the new Rural Safety Center within eight (8) weeks of the agreement effective date. This shall include, but is not limited to:

1. Transitioning the platform, content, and materials from the current Rural Safety Center to the new Rural Safety Center

2. Operating, hosting, and maintaining a Rural Safety Center website

Task 2B: The Recipient shall finalize a 5-year Strategic Plan for FHWA’s approval. Starting with the proposed 5-year Strategic Plan submitted as part of the Recipient’s application, the

Recipient shall make any required revisions based on discussions and comments provided during the Kick-off meeting. The Strategic Plan shall include all activities that the Rural Safety Center is anticipated to engage in to meet the objectives and mission of the Rural Safety Center as defined within this document.

The revised 5-year Strategic Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comment within two (2) weeks following the Kickoff meeting. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of receipt of the revised plan. The FINAL 5-year Strategic Plan shall be submitted for

FHWA approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments.

The 5-year Strategic Plan shall be updated on an annual basis, as necessary, and agreed upon by the Rural Safety Center’s Director and the AOR. The Recipient shall submit an updated Strategic

Plan every 12 months following award of this agreement. On an annual basis, FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of receipt of the updated plan. The FINAL updated 5-year Strategic Plan shall be submitted for FHWA approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of

FHWA’s comments.

Task 2 Deliverables: Fully Transitioned Rural Safety Center Website, Revised and Final

Strategic Plan, Update(s) to Strategic Plan

Task 3: Update Synthesis of Existing Rural Safety and Surface Transportation Safety

Projects

Task 3 involves the update of the synthesis of existing rural and surface transportation safety projects related to the mission of the Rural Safety Center and focused on training and education.

The purpose of this task will be to prevent duplicative efforts; identify gaps in training, education, and research; catalogue resources and material already available, and provide a basis for Rural

Safety Center projects that advance and accelerate current undertakings.

Sources of information (reports, data, research papers, practices, etc.) related to Rural Safety and

Surface Transportation Safety will include FHWA (Office of Safety, Office of Safety Research and Development, Resource Center, Center for Local Aid Support, National Highway Institute

(NHI)), State departments of transportation (State DOT), Local Technical Assistance Program

(LTAP), Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Centers, Transportation Research Board

(TRB) (Committees, sub-committees, NCHRP projects), American Traffic Safety Services

Association, University Transportation Centers (UTC), State Local Road Research Boards, National Association of County Engineers (NACE), and other noteworthy Rural and Surface

Transportation sources.

Task 3A: The Recipient shall update the existing Rural Safety Center synthesis, identifying, assessing, and summarizing the significant rural safety and surface transportation safety projects and practices. The White Paper or equivalent shall serve as a synthesis of existing work in these areas with all relevant references cited.2

A DRAFT White Paper or equivalent shall be submitted within 18 months of this agreement effective date for FHWA review and comment. The FHWA will provide comments within two

(2) weeks of receipt. The FINAL White Paper shall be submitted within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments.

2 Include customary bibliographic citation, including author attribution, date, and article title.

Task 3B: The Recipient shall update the White Paper or equivalent from Task 3A once during

Option Period 2 (Year 4) with an addendum for any new relevant projects or efforts that start after the original White Paper.

A DRAFT Addendum to the White Paper or equivalent will take place during Option Period 2

(Year 4), if exercised, and shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments no later than 30 months after this agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal. The FINAL Addendum to the White Paper shall be within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments.

Task 3 Deliverables: DRAFT White Paper (or equivalent), Final White Paper(s), DRAFT

Addendum, Final Addendum

NOTE: All Task 3 Deliverables for Option Period 2 will only be required if that option is exercised.

Task 4: Collaboration with Stakeholders

Task 4 includes outreach to relevant Stakeholders and the assembly of a Safety Stakeholder group, comprised of approximately five but no more than eight transportation safety experts representing the diversity of the profession (Note: Only one person per agency will be allowed).

The purpose of the Safety Stakeholder group (Group) will be to exchange facts and/or information on the on-going efforts of the Rural Safety Center. In addition, the Group will participate in information-gathering and sharing sessions related to cutting edge and emerging issues, and potential gaps that are relevant to the Rural Safety Center’s Mission, and success in the advancement of rural safety and surface transportation safety. The purpose of the Group is not to provide advice, opinions, or recommendations to FHWA in any capacity. No collective advice or recommendations resulting from group interaction is expected or will be solicited.

A list of Stakeholders and a list of potential candidates for the Group will be submitted by the

Recipient within three (3) weeks of this agreement effective date for consideration by FHWA with the Rural Safety Center and discussion at the Kick-Off meeting scheduled in Task 1. The

Recipient shall be responsible for preparing and sending out invitations to those individuals and should take into the consideration the current and past Rural Safety Center Stakeholder group members3 when making recommendations. Potential candidates may be members of relevant

TRB and American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

3 A list of current and Past Rural Safety Center Stakeholder group members can be found at RuralSafetyCenter.org file:///C:/Users/hillary.isebrands/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/73721CIF/RuralSafetyCenter.org

Committees, NLTAPA (LTAP/TTAP), NACE, American Public Works Association, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Regional Planning Associations, Rural Transportation

Planning Originations, and other partners as appropriate. This Group will provide the noted information and/or facts to FHWA through the life of the Rural Safety Center and the Recipient will convene the group twice per year, except for Option Period 3 (Year 5) where one meeting shall be held.

(Note: If replacement experts are needed during the life of the project the Rural Safety Center and FHWA must approve the replacements.)

The Rural Safety Center shall provide logistical support in preparing working sessions with the Group, such as, meeting invitations and facilitation, correspondence between the Rural Safety Center and Stakeholders, meeting agendas and minutes, and if applicable, facilitating travel accommodations for participants. It is anticipated that only one face-to-face Safety Stakeholder meeting will be held during the entire period of performance; see schedule below. The remaining meetings will be in a virtual format. The Rural Safety Center may pay for travel (flights, hotels, limited rental cars, and per diem) for the Safety Stakeholders as appropriate. Any travel for which the Recipient will seek reimbursement must receive prior approval from the AOR. In no case shall the Recipient pay for travel of any Federal employees.

A proposed schedule of meeting dates with the Group shall be provided within 8 weeks of this agreement effective date. The first face-to-face or virtual working session with the Stakeholders shall be held within six (6) months of this agreement effective date. The recipient will facilitate the session, take minutes, and prepare and disseminate minutes.

An estimated schedule for the Virtual Stakeholder meetings is as follows:

1. Virtual or Face-to-Face Stakeholder Work Session 1 (Base Period) - Within 6 months of this agreement effective date

2. Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 2 (Base Period) – Within 12 months of this agreement effective date

3. Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 3 (Base Period) – Within 18 months of this agreement effective date

4. Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 4 (Base Period) – Within 24 months of this agreement effective date

5. *Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 5 (Option Period 1) - Within 30 months of this agreement effective date

6. *Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 6 (Option Period 1) - Within 36 months of this agreement effective date

7. *Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 7 (Option Period 2) - Within 42 months of the

8. *Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 8 (Option Period 2) - Within 48 months of the agreement effective date

9. *Virtual Stakeholder Work Session 9 (Option Period 3) – Within 54 months of the

Meeting agenda for the Virtual Stakeholder workshops shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments two (2) week prior the meetings. The meeting agenda shall be sent to the

Stakeholders at least one (1) week prior to the meeting date.

Task 4 Deliverables: List of Stakeholders, list of potential Group membership, Estimated schedule of meeting date(s), Meeting agendas and meeting minutes

*NOTE: ALL Task 4 Deliverables for Option Periods 1 – 3 will only be required if those options are exercised.

Task 5: Annual Project and Product Plans

Task 5 will include the development of a proposed ‘Project and Product’ Plan, hereinafter referred to as the Plan, on an annual basis using the required Strategic Plan as its foundation. The Plan shall include proposed Training and Education, Technology Transfer and Deployment, and

Research Projects, Initiatives and Products. The Rural Safety Center shall submit a list of proposed projects and products to the AOR for consideration, and if warranted, advancement of ongoing efforts. The proposed list shall include the need, scope, learning outcomes, audience, level of effort, project costs (including travel), and project evaluation metrics. The Plan will be submitted to FHWA for approval. Potential Rural Safety Center activities and products to be considered include, but are not limited, to the following:

1. Webinars;

2. Peer Exchanges;

3. Summits;

4. Train the trainer sessions;

5. Data analysis;

6. Performance metric measuring and targets;

7. Community of practice support;

8. Surveys (Note: Some surveys may require approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) which can take at least 6 to 8 months. These will be handled on a case-by-case basis.);

9. Case Studies;

10. Presentations at live and virtual meetings;

11. Videos;

12. Handbooks;

13. Decision support tools; and

14. Develop and deliver training curriculum.

Task 5.A: The DRAFT Base Period (Years 1 & 2) Plan should be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within eight (8) weeks of this agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within 11 weeks of this agreement date. The FINAL Base Period Plan shall be submitted for FHWA approval within 14 weeks of the agreement date and will be considered as part of the evaluation of the Rural Safety Center at the end of the Base Period (end of Year 2) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 1 (Year 3).

Task 5.C: The DRAFT Option Period 1 (Year 3) Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comment within 21 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 1 (Year 3) Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments date and will be considered as part of the evaluation of the Rural Safety Center at the end of

Option Period 1 (Year 3) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 2 (Year 4).

Task 5.D: The DRAFT Option Period 2 (Year 4) Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comment within 33 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 2 (Year 4) Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments

Option Period 2 (Year 4) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 3 (Year 5).

Task 5.E: The DRAFT Option Period 3 (Year 5) Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comment within 45 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 3 (Year 5) Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments

Option Period 3 (Year 5).

Task 5 Deliverables: DRAFT Project and Product Plans, FINAL Project and Product Plans

NOTE: ALL Task 5 Deliverables for Option Periods 1 – 3 will be required only if those options

NOTE: The FINAL Project and Product Plans must be 508 compliant.

Task 6: Training and Education

Task 6 includes all work related to Training and Education as approved in Task 5: Annual Project and Product Plans. Traditionally, training can be viewed as efforts to teach a skill or provide knowledge to make an individual qualified or proficient in a defined area and is often thought of as a defined event that can be consistently repeated with an agenda that transfers needed knowledge to perform an activity. Also, training typically is thought of as having learning objectives that the recipient could demonstrate upon completion.

Training and Education efforts should contribute to and result in the development of a transportation safety workforce that is prepared to design, deploy, operate, and maintain the diverse transportation systems of the future in the safest manner possible. The topics should include notable practices as well as cutting edge technologies, and the products should be repeatable and in accordance with NHI adult learning standards. The most beneficial products will be those that are implementable in the current environment.

Task 6.A: The Recipient shall provide a Training and Education program related to rural safety and surface transportation that includes development of course work and its delivery and supports workforce development activities and programs to expand the knowledge and abilities of the transportation workforce in the area of rural safety and surface transportation safety. All training materials shall meet the NHI adult learning guidelines:

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/intro_developing.aspx

The Recipient shall document all work as a part of the quarterly progress report(s) in Task 1.

Task 6.B: The Recipient shall prepare an annual summary of the Training and Education projects and products including the number of deliveries, number of workshops, number of participants, hours of training, costs per person trained, employers of participants, summary of evaluations, results generated from the endeavors (i.e. requests for more training, implementations of technologies presented), evaluation metrics employed, and documented performance based on those metrics.

Subtask 6.B.1: The DRAFT Base Period (Years 1 & 2) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 21 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Base Period (Years 1

& 2) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/intro_developing.aspx

FHWA’s comments and will be considered as part of the evaluation of the Rural Safety Center at the end of the Base Period (end of Year 2) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period

1 (Year 3).

Subtask 6.B.2: The DRAFT Option Period 1 (Year 3) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 33 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 1 (Year 3)

Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments and will be considered as part of the evaluation of the Rural Safety Center at the end of the Option Period 1 (Year 3) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 2 (Year 4).

Subtask 6.B.3: The DRAFT Option Period 2 (Year 4) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 45 months of the agreement effective date. FHWA will provide comments within 2 weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 2 (Year 4) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s comments and will be considered as part of the evaluation of the Rural Safety Center at the end of Option

Period 2 (Year 4) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 3 (Year 5).

Subtask 6.B.4: The DRAFT Option Period 3 (Year 5) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 56 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 3 (Year 5)

Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s

Task 6 Deliverables: Status and evaluation of all work shall be documented as a part of the quarterly progress reports as detailed in Task 1; Yearly DRAFT Summary Report, Yearly FINAL

Summary Report.

*NOTE: ALL Task 6 Deliverables for Option Periods 1 – 3 will only be required if those options

Task 7: Technology Transfer and Deployment

Task 7 shall include all work related to Technology Transfer and Deployment as approved in

Task 5: Annual Project and Product Plans. This task shall include dissemination (e.g., Peer

Exchanges, Demonstration Projects) of rural and surface transportation safety research results and best practices available to potential users in a form that can be implemented in a timely manner.

The work shall demonstrate and promote state-of-the-art/practice technologies, elevated performance standards, and new business practices and processes that result in improved safety, quality, and user satisfaction.

The Rural Safety Center shall provide logistical support to FHWA in preparing for in person

Summits and Peer Exchanges, that would include meeting invitations and facilitation, correspondence between Rural Safety Center and speakers, meeting agendas and minutes, and if applicable, facilitating travel accommodations for speakers. The Rural Safety Center may pay for travel (flights, hotels, limited rental cars, and per diem) for speakers, as appropriate. In no case shall the Rural Safety Center pay for travel of any Federal employees.

Task 7.A: The Recipient shall deliver an ongoing program of Technology Transfer and

Deployment that increases the reach and disseminates knowledge and implementation of rural and surface transportation safety practices. All work shall be documented as a part of the monthly progress report in Task 1.

Task 7.B: The Recipient shall prepare an annual summary of the Technology Transfer and

Deployment efforts including the types of technologies deployed, who they were deployed to, number of workshops, hours of Technology Transfer Deployment activities, number of participants, costs of deployment per participant, summary of evaluations, and results generated from deployment (e.g., requests for more training, implementations of technologies presented, changes in policies).

Subtask 7.B.1: The DRAFT Base Period (Years 1 & 2) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 21 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Base Period (Years 1

& 2) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of

FHWA’s comments and will be considered as part of the evaluation of the Rural Safety Center at the end of the Base Period (end of Year 2) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period

1 (Year 3).

Subtask 7.B.2: The DRAFT Option Period 1 (Year 3) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 33 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 1 (Year 3)

Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s the Option Period 1 (Year 3) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 2 (Year 4).

Subtask 7.B.3: The DRAFT Option Period 2 (Year 4) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 45 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 2 (Year 4)

Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s

Option Period 2 (Year 4) to determine continuation of funding for Option Period 3 (Year 5).

Subtask 7.B.4: The DRAFT Option Period 3 (Year 5) Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for review and comments within 56 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within two (2) weeks of the submittal date. The FINAL Option Period 3 (Year 5)

Summary shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within two (2) weeks of receipt of FHWA’s

Task 7 Deliverables: Status and evaluation of all work shall be documented as a part of the monthly progress reports as detailed in Task 1; Yearly DRAFT Summary Reports, Yearly FINAL

Summary Reports

*NOTE: ALL Task 7 Deliverables for Option Periods 1 – 3 will only be required if those options

Task 8: Research Projects

Task 8 shall include conducting research on projects identified within Task 2 and approved in

Task 5. The Recipient shall conduct applied safety research, the products of which are judged by peers or other experts in the field of rural safety and surface transportation safety to advance the body of knowledge in safety. Research projects may include literature reviews, data collection, development of methodology, data analyses, presentation of results and recommendations, documentation and dissemination (i.e. Presentations at professional conferences, webinars, etc.)

of findings, and other pertinent research tasks deemed necessary for the project.

Subtask 8.A: Quarterly Reports for Research

The Recipient shall submit quarterly reports for each approved research project. All reports will be reviewed, and comments provided by FHWA. The FHWA review process (i.e., submit, review/comment, revise, submit for approval) will be established for each project similar to the review process used elsewhere in the agreement. Exact dates for submittals will be determined once a project is approved by the AOR.

Subtask 8.B: Final Reports for Research

Final reports for each approved research project shall document all task-specific evaluation activities, analyses, and findings, including appropriate statistical summaries (means, variances, and percentiles), the data collected, and an implementation plan. The Recipient shall prepare a

DRAFT Final Report for FHWA review and comment and a FINAL Research Report shall be submitted for approval. The FHWA review process (i.e., submit, review/comment, revise, submit for approval) will be established for each project similar to the review process used elsewhere in the agreement. Exact dates for submittals will be determined once a project is approved by the

AOR.

The report shall contain appropriate text and figures, and would likely follow an outline similar to the following:

1. Introduction;

2. Literature Review;

3. Methodology;

4. Data Collection and Analysis;

5. Results and Recommendations;

6. Implementation Plan;

7. Summary and Conclusions; and

8. References.

Subtask 8.C: Technical Summaries

The Recipient shall prepare Technical Summaries for each approved research project upon completion and approval of the final research report. The Technical Summary shall include a succinct description of the research scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations. Draft

Technical Summaries shall be submitted for FHWA review prior to completion of the Final

Technical Summary. The FHWA review process (i.e., submit, review/comment, revise, submit for approval) will be established for each project similar to the review process used elsewhere in the agreement. Exact dates for submittals will be determined once a project is approved by the

AOR.

Technical summaries should be approximately 4-6 pages in length, suitable for distribution to practitioners at meetings and conferences. The technical summary shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with other FHWA technical summaries and briefs.

Subtask 8.D: Outreach Materials

The Recipient shall prepare a PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes summarizing the research that is suitable for delivery by LTAP/TTAP Centers, and FHWA field staff. The content of the PowerPoint presentation shall be suitable for all experience levels of transportation professionals and practitioners. The outreach materials shall consist of PowerPoint slide presentations, with detailed speaker notes, and sufficient for 15 to 20-minute duration. The Rural

Safety Center shall make extensive use of open domain photos and graphics to make the salient points.

The FHWA review process (i.e., submit, review/comment, revise, submit for approval) will be established for each project similar to the review process used elsewhere in the Agreement. Exact dates for submittals will be determined once a project is approved by the AOR.

Task 8 Deliverables: Quarterly Research Reports, DRAFT Final Report, Final Report, DRAFT

Technical Summaries, FINAL Technical Summaries, DRAFT Outreach Materials, FINAL

Outreach Materials

NOTE: All deliverables under Task 8 must be 508 compliant.

Task 9: Develop and Implement a Marketing and Communication Plan

Task 9 shall include the development of a marketing and communication plan for all training, education, research, and other projects that the Rural Safety Center shall conduct. The Recipient shall consider the specificity of the training and address this as appropriate in the plan. The marketing plan shall include audience contacts, formats, frequency, key messages, timeline, events, and responsibilities. Consideration should be given to use the Internet, Social Media, trade shows, web publications, as well as the traditional methods of marketing at meetings and conferences. The Marketing Plan will be used by FHWA and the Rural Safety Center for implementation.

Subtask 9.A: A DRAFT Marketing and Communication Plan shall be provided to FHWA for review and comment within four (4) months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will submit comments within five (5) months. A FINAL Marketing Plan shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within six (6) months of the Agreement effective date.

Subtask 9.B: A DRAFT Marketing and Communication Plan Update shall be submitted to

FHWA for review and comment within 30 months of the agreement effective date. The FHWA will provide comments within 31 months of the agreement effective date. A FINAL Marketing and Communication Plan Update shall be submitted to FHWA for approval within 32 months of the agreement date.

Task 9 Deliverables: DRAFT Marketing and Communication Plan, FINAL Marketing and

Communication Plan, DRAFT Marketing and Communication Plan Update in Year 3, FINAL

Marketing and Communication Plan Update, Marketing and Communication products

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. FUNDING AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

FHWA intends to award one cooperative agreement as a result of this opportunity.

The FHWA anticipates Federal funding up to a total amount of $4,900,000.00 from the Training and Education and Technology and Innovation Deployment Programs may be made available for this opportunity, subject to the availability of funding. Available funding for the Base Period is currently $1,444,154.00. Additional Federal funding is subject to the availability of funds and exercise of the option periods. Inclusive of all Option Periods, FHWA anticipates the following schedule and of funding availability:

Estimated

Federal

Funding

Availability

Base Period – Years 1 & 2 (24 months) $ 1,876,966.42

Option Period 1 – Year 3 (12 months) $ 980,545.42

Option Period 2 – Year 4 (12 months) $ 1,007,409.21

Option Period 3 – Year 5 (12 months) $ 1,035,078.95

$ 4,900,000.00

NOTE: This table only reflects FHWA’s anticipated schedule for the availability of Federal funding for the duration of this requirement and is not necessarily reflective of the actual funding amounts to be obligated. Obligation of Federal funding will be based on approved budget amounts and availability of funds. Non-Federal funding amounts are not reflected in the above table.

2. TYPE OF AWARD

The planned award type is a cost-reimbursable cooperative agreement.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance will consist of one 24-month Base period, with up to three (3)

12-month Option periods. The total potential period of performance, if all option periods are exercised, is 60 months (5 years).

4. DEGREE OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT

The FHWA will provide general direction and guidance to the Rural Safety Center to ensure all of the undertakings of the Rural Safety Center align with its Mission, the greatest needs, and gaps in the area of rural safety and surface transportation safety as well as reduce any overlap with ongoing and future FHWA and other Stakeholder efforts. Work cannot be initiated without FHWA’s approval / concurrence. The FHWA anticipates substantial involvement between FHWA and the Recipient during the course of this project. FHWA anticipates the

Federal involvement will include at a minimum:

• Technical assistance and guidance to Rural Safety Center staff;

• Collaboration with the Stakeholder Group;

• Close monitoring of performance;

• Involvement in technical decisions; and

• Participation in status meetings, including the kick off meeting, and annual technical and budget reviews.

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

This Notice of Funding Opportunity is open to all interested parties.

2. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

Cost sharing or matching means the portion of project costs not paid by Federal funds. For a more complete definition, please see the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR Part 200, including section 200.306 on

Cost Sharing or matching. Other Federal funds using their appropriate matching share may be leveraged for the deployment but cannot be considered as part of the recipient’s matching funds, unless otherwise supported by statute. Applicants should refer to section D.2 of this opportunity for more information about submission requirements concerning cost sharing under this program.

Subsection (c) of section 6002 of the FAST Act requires that a 20 percent cost share be applied to all funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a), to include the National Center for

Excellence for Rural Road Safety. Therefore, a recipient of a cooperative agreement under this program must provide support for at least 20 percent of the Rural Safety Center's activity cost.

Subsection (c) of section 6002 of the FAST Act reads as follows:

(c) Applicability of Title 23, United States Code. --Funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall—

(1) be available for obligation in the same manner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out using those funds shall be 80 percent, unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act (including the amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined by the Secretary; and

(2) remain available until expended and not be transferable, except as otherwise provided in this Act.

The matching requirements will be monitored by FHWA over the life of this effort. At the conclusion of the Agreement, FHWA will determine whether the 20 percent cost sharing percent matching requirement has been achieved.

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

All required standard forms for this opportunity can be obtained through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

Applicants who do not have broadband access and wish to obtain paper application packages may contact Ryan Buck at Ryan.Buck@dot.gov or by calling (202) 366-4229.

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applicants shall submit an application consisting of the following application volumes and sections:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html mailto:Ryan.Buck@dot.gov

Table D.2 – Application Volumes

Volume Section Page Limitations

Volume I. Technical

Application

Cover Page

One (1) file, 30-page limit

I – Technical and Management

Approach

II –Staffing Approach (resumes are not included in the page limit)

III – Experience

Volume II. Budget

Application

I - Application Standard Forms

One (1) file, no page limit

II – Summary Budget Plan

III – Cost Share…