TRI_KTID_Statement_of_Objectives_.docx

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

Knowledge Transfer and Information Dissemination (KTID) Office of Research, Innovation and Demonstration

1.0 Background / Purpose

The purpose of the Knowledge Transfer and Information Dissemination (KTID) program is to facilitate the deployment, implementation, and information dissemination of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) research and technology products and findings. Authorized by the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S. Code § 5312), the program supports the advancement of public transportation research and development and it helps foster new ideas to benefit the public transportation industry and the general riding public.

KTID will support the Department of Transportation (DOT) goal of Efficiency by improving how FTA delivers research products and results. KTID also supports DOT’s Office of Research (OST-R) Technology Transfer requirement by coordinating, documenting, and supporting research and development (R&D) activities, focusing on research collaboration, knowledge transfer, and practical application of research. An essential part of FTA’s national leadership role is to ensure that promising research findings and technologies benefit public transportation. FTA will use mechanisms to cultivate partnerships to disseminate research results. KTID aims to maximize the impact of federally funded research by moving innovative technologies to the market and wider society.

This work will strengthen FTA’s capacity to maximize the use of research products in the public transportation industry. Most of the research that is performed, for varying reasons, does not reach the appropriate audience for utilization.

2.0 Objectives

KTID will help to facilitate the deployment and information dissemination of FTA research. The Contractor(s) shall design, implement, and manage a program-wide capability that achieves the following high-level objectives:

· Develop processes, systems, and resources to support the deployment and adoption of FTA’s innovative research.

· Facilitate the commercialization and production of technologies developed in the U.S. in part through FTA-funded research and development.

· Strengthen the capacity of public transportation stakeholders to deploy FTA’s research products.

· Assist with the information dissemination of FTA research.

3.0 Desired Outcomes

The Contractor’s work shall achieve the following outcomes:

1. Develop a KTID Plan

· Develop a conceptual outline, roadmap, and timeline of needed KTID activities to include aspects such as how to engage with internal and external stakeholders, public transportation agencies, the industry as whole, and general public.

· Conduct a survey of public transportation agencies to identify what their needs are and what role they can play in facilitating success in adopting technology.

· Develop a list of potential barriers that a public transportation institution could face in adopting new research.

· Define what the needs of the public transportation community using the survey and rank them according to priorities.

· Meet with members of the transit community, particularly those that may be early adopters and those who are facing unique challenges to gather insight towards developing the KTID plan.

· Develop best approaches for engaging stakeholders and building support for FTA’s research.

· Design a sequence of KTID activities that will engage the public transportation community, mitigate barriers to adoption and convince adopters of the value of FTA’s research and technology.

2. Report Production

· Manage the process of producing research reports.

· 508 Compliance & Accessibility

· Plain Language Requirement - Content must be clear, concise and well-organized for the general public.

· Graphic design - Create compliant, accessible, and professional visual materials for publications.

· Other materials - Fact sheets, brochures, flyers and postcards used to explain research findings.

3. Inventory of Research Programs and Projects

· Assist with the inventory of active programs and projects of FTA funded research.

· Assist with the information needed for the Research Portfolio Management Data System (PMDS) and research annual report.

· Create interactive templates for programs and projects for internal and external use.

4. Historic FTA Research Database

· Gather information on previous FTA research projects and their results.

· Create a database of outcomes, outputs, and impacts of those projects

5. Develop an FTA Research Library

· Create a research library that includes the cataloging and categorizing of FTA’ research products and deliverables.

· The library should be searchable online and allow users to filter and search for specific resources.

· All media resources are to be included such as videos, charts, diagrams, etc.

6. Track Patents (Domestic and International)

· Create an inventory of patents and trademarks from products and services derived from FTA funded research. The inventory will use information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Center, the agency managing and checking the status of U.S. patent applications.

· Monitor public transportation industry trends to follow what others are patenting.

· Track ownership changes.

7. Outreach Materials and Information Dissemination

· Create materials to be distributed to public transportation agencies to inform about FTA research.

· Assistance in the creation of social media and other forms of communication. With the FTA Program managers and FTA’s Office of Communications for posting.

· Create tools to assist the public transportation agencies, communities, and stakeholders learn about FTA research products.

· Create a knowledge-sharing and peer support system across the industry; key activities include workshops, peer exchanges, training, and the creation of online knowledge-sharing tools.

· Assist with the events, such as industry events and conferences, for information dissemination and marketing opportunities.

8. Execute the KTID Plan and Facilitate Deployment

· Facilitate the deployment of FTA’s research and innovations that have demonstrated promising results and impacts to the public transportation industry.

· Evaluate the progress and take corrective action, when necessary, which requires defining metrics for a specific project’s needs.

9. Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting

· Gather information from sources such as surveys, interviews, and observations in the public transportation industry.

· Validate data to remove errors and use statistical methods to identify patterns and trends.

· Present analyzed data using maps, charts and graphs to stakeholders for decision making.

4.0 Performance Measures

FTA will assess Contractor performance using the following high-level indicators:

5.0 Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

FTA will provide the following resources, as needed:

· Access to all of FTA Research Reports and other relevant FTA reports

· Access to relevant project documents and agency contacts

· Data governance and security guidelines

· Existing tools, templates, and guidance

6.0 Documentation Standards and Quality Indicators

All deliverables shall meet the following documentation and quality standards:

· Deliverables shall be submitted electronically in Google Doc and PDF format. All deliverables shall comply with the DOT Plain Language and Section 508 standards.

· Compliance with all applicable federal confidentiality, cybersecurity, and data-management requirements.

· Deliverables shall be clear, concise, and suitable for dissemination if approved by FTA.

7.0 Deliverable Expectations

While specific deliverables will be determined at the task order level concerning the Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN), the Contractor is expected to provide:

· Data management plans

· Quarterly Progress Reports

· Rapid-response briefs and technical memos

· Annual program impacts summaries

· Training materials and stakeholder engagement products

8.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance for this requirement shall be 5 years from the date of award, with four 12-month option periods, subject to availability of funds and continued need.