RFI - Webinar Q and A.pdf

FMCSA MC-R

FMCSA Analysis, Research &Technology IDIQ Webinar on Upcoming Procurement

Questions and Answers from August 1, 2023 1 What is the expected month of the RFP release?

We do not have a specific month yet, but we anticipate releasing the RFP in early 2025.

2. Will the presentation be available after the event?

Yes, here is the link: FMCSA Analysis, Research & Technology IDIQ Webinar on Upcoming Procurement | FMCSA (dot.gov)

3. Will we publish separate RFPs for each of those research areas? Will vendors need to submit separate proposals?

We’re in the very early stages of acquisition planning at this time, so we don’t have the details of the structure. We ask that you continue to look at www.sam.gov for future information.

4. Will FMCSA research health technology as part of looking for better ways to define regulations?

Potentially, but our research primarily supports policy decisions and our regulatory agenda. Our research doesn't always directly lead to some policy change or regulatory decision. Oftentimes it results in advancing the state of the knowledge of the industry in a particular area and can be used by truck OEMs or carrier suppliers just to improve their operations.

5. You discussed a number of analysis and information gathering projects. Do you expect to include research projects that are designing and prototyping, such as new ADAS features for example?

In the scope of the research program, we tend to engage in applied engineering. In the technical areas, we do more applied research than fundamental or discovery-based research.

Occasionally, we will be involved in research that is a bit more leading-edge. In general, it’s more applied research—looking at existing or emerging technologies or systems and better understanding their efficacy, unintended consequences, and applications for different types of carriers and operations.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/research-and-analysis/fmcsa-analysis-research-technology-idiq-webinar-upcoming-procurement https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/research-and-analysis/fmcsa-analysis-research-technology-idiq-webinar-upcoming-procurement http://www.sam.gov/

6. Is the timeline for IDIQ different from the timeline for specific project proposals?

We're very early in the acquisition planning stage. Details about timelines and instructions to offerors will be included in the formal solicitation.

7. As a shipper with several private fleets throughout the U.S., how can we partner with you?

We do field operational tests to better understand either a technology or a new type of operation, or to better understand human factors issues. We’re always challenged with finding participating fleets and participating shippers. So, if shippers can help advocate for their carriers to work with us that would be hugely beneficial. When we have these field operational tests, we tend to focus on carriers. But it's a good question about also thinking about executing some of these field operational tests by working more directly with shippers.

8. Do you expect to use IDIQ traditional vehicle, or use a GSA BPA form?

This will be a multiple award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity, contract type.

9. Are there specific projects in mind for direct contractor participation? And if so, what are they?

We don't have specific projects in mind at this time, the answer will come in the 2025 timeframe.

The project areas discussed in the presentation should provide good hints and clues as to the areas that we're going to research. We engage in all manner of operations, methods, and technologies that affect the safety of vehicles, drivers, and carriers. This ranges from health and wellness issues, vehicle driver interface issues, fatigue impairment issues, hours of service issues, and of course, technologies—both the leading-edge technologies as well as fundamental areas around tire safety and brakes, the things that have always affected safety.

10. Do you expect to conduct research on governance aspects that might assist in incorporating innovation and institutional change as opposed to only the technology?

Yes. FMCSA may engage in research focused on management and organizational changes within various industry stakeholder entities that improve effectiveness and efficiency of safety related activities within such entities. For example, FMCSA may engage in research related to technology transfer, maintenance, inspection, and training processes, as well as staffing, organizational design, management methods, and capability building to advance safety culture within motor carrier organizations.

11. In terms of the Sources Sought Notice that was referenced, are we going to solicit input and market research in advance of the actual IDIQ?

Yes, in December 2023, we plan on issuing a Sources Sought Notice (SSN). The SSN will be released on www.sam.gov. Thereafter, if the government decides to proceed with the recompetition of the R&T Multiple Award IDIQ, the procurement will move forward with an http://www.sam.gov/ estimated award date in 2025. That is roughly a procurement action lead time of two years. Be on the lookout for the SSN on www.sam.gov.

12. What is the duration of the expected IDIQ?

We’re still in the early acquisition planning stages, but the period of performances for most of our IDIQ contracts can range up to 60 months.

13. Will the government be open to having one-on-one conversations with the industry or interested vendors between now and the RFP release?

A SSN will be released on www.sam.gov in Decemberr of 2023. That's our time to really engage more with vendors and share more about what the R&T IDIQ requirements look like then. We really want to hear from industry.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/