SASH Statement of Objectives.pdf

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

DRAFT Statement of Objectives for

“Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Study”

January 2024

1.0 OVERVIEW

The purpose of this request is to award a non-personal services contractor task order to conduct a study on the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) within the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry.

1.1 GOAL

The overall goal of this project is to understand and quantify the prevalence and severity of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) experienced across the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry, particularly among drivers. FMCSA seeks information on how best to design and conduct a study to identify, categorize, and assess context and trends of SASH in the CMV industry.

1.2 BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Office of Safety Innovation, Applied Research Division is planning a study of the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) among the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry. Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) are long-standing challenges for the CMV driving community, particularly for women.

Addressing these challenges is a priority for the Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB).1 Through previous research efforts, FMCSA sought to understand, characterize, and assess the prevalence and severity of SASH within the CMV industry. FMCSA had little information on the breadth of SASH problems in the industry or recommendations for solutions. A prior research effort, “Crime Prevention for Truckers,” helped frame the issues, including how to best support women in CMV careers through countermeasures designed to mitigate sexual assault and sexual harassment.2 Further, this study evaluated harassment of women and minority male truckers with incidents among non-minority males serving as a control group.

The study found that harassment and crime against drivers are prevalent. Drivers reported a range of harassment types, such as being called offensive names or threatened with weapons.

Further, harassment was not limited by gender and race, as the study found it extends to religion, lifestyle, and sexual orientation.

Women truck drivers are particularly exposed to crimes that are sexual in nature, and they are more likely to experience harassment from another truck driver or from trainers. Crimes against women truck drivers are more likely to happen at night, though they happen throughout the day and cycle of a driver’s run.

The study further found that many harassment incidents go unreported, but that women are reporting more often than men. Most respondents said that they did not think reporting harassment would make a difference. Many felt there might be retaliation or problems in some way, and they chose not to report the incident(s). However, women truck drivers were found to

1 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/advisory-committees/wotab/wotab-meetings 2 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/research-and-analysis/crime-prevention-truckers-study be two to four times more likely to report being touched without permission compared to non-minority males, and minority women were up to nine times more likely to report being physically harmed compared to non-minority men. Non-minority women are two to six times as likely than non-minority males to be touched without permission. The study included recommendations that were taken from the survey respondents’ comments (although these recommendations were not evaluated to determine feasibility, appropriateness, and most importantly, their ability to improve driver safety).

When the study was released, WOTAB received several comments, formally and informally, from industry groups and organizations focused on researching and stopping violence against women and SASH. 3,4,5 These organizations expressed concern that the FMCSA study was not comprehensive and that more questions needed to be asked to determine the full nature of the SASH problem. Key areas of concern included:

• Sample design and categories of gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.

• Types of questions asked to capture SASH and not using the latest standards in SASH research to design questions.

• Development of appropriate and evaluated recommendations to inform actions for SASH prevention.

While the study framed the SASH issues in the industry and provided some preliminary data to understand magnitude, WOTAB’s discussions on the study and other issues for women in the CMV industry indicated a need for additional research, especially to support improved participation of women in CMV careers. Additional research was suggested to support potential policy changes that would address improvements to current practices and reporting methods for drivers related to SASH, and to establish improved outreach and safety resources. WOTAB noted in particular that it is important to understand SASH with additional depth and breadth to ensure there is an awareness of the magnitude of SASH across the industry.

Therefore, FMCSA seeks to develop a comprehensive, expanded study that achieves a deeper framing and understanding of baseline data and issues related to SASH.

1.3 DETAILED REQUIREMENT

FMCSA is seeking creative and innovative approaches that achieve the objectives listed in the following sections.

2.0 DEFAULT WORK PLAN

FMCSA is seeking creative and innovative approaches that achieve the primary objectives list above. With this understanding, FMCSA has developed a high-level, “default” work plan for

3 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/advisory-committees/wotab/national-womens-law-center-public-comment 4 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/advisory-committees/wotab/futures-without-violence-public-comment 5 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/advisory-committees/wotab/real-women-trucking-public-comment-solutions-address-sexual consideration by bidders that describes key tasks. This work plan should not necessarily be considered complete, sufficient nor denote minimum requirements. Bidders are encouraged to add, remove, and/or modify this plan as appropriate to best accomplish the project objectives.

Key tasks for the default work plan are as follows.

• Task 1. Project Management including meetings, minutes, notes, and updates at key milestones; Coordination of a technical review stakeholder panel; and Meetings with the technical review stakeholder panel at key milestones

• Task 2. Literature Review and Consultation of Resources to Guide Study Design and Implementation

• Task 3. Develop SASH Study Design, Data Selection, and Methodology

• Task 4. Administer SASH Study

• Task 5. Document, Present, and Report findings and develop briefing materials

While performing the tasks above, the Contractor shall adhere to all quality assurance/quality control, security, and training requirements to ensure successful completion of the tasks.

2.0 TASKS

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

2.1 Task 1 – Program Management

The program management section for this requirement is to properly manage tasks and communicate project status. Program Management outcomes ensure successful project initiation, planning, execution, tracking, and finalization of the work to achieve work identified in subsequent tasks.

A kickoff meeting will be held virtually with FMCSA within two weeks of contract award and will involve the key team members. The contractor shall prepare a briefing to review the workplan.

The kickoff meeting will provide an opportunity for key staff to meet and discuss project details.

The contractor shall incorporate feedback from FMCSA into the draft workplan. A finalized work plan that provides details for the approach to each key task will be delivered within 1 months of NTP.

The contractor shall conduct monthly team meetings with FMCSA, record team meeting summaries/notes, and submit monthly progress reports to FMCSA.

The contractor shall submit monthly progress reports to FMCSA. At a minimum, the monthly progress reports shall include a narrative description of the following items:

• Task accomplishments made during the reporting period.

• Problems or delays encountered while conducting work tasks during the reporting period.

• Specific actions that shall be taken to resolve problems or delays, including any actions FMCSA would need to undertake.

• Plans for accomplishments in the next reporting period.

Further, the Contractor shall coordinate a Technical Review Committee of designated stakeholders from the trucking industry, women’s advocacy organizations, violence prevention organizations and other relevant groups to help FMCSA with expert input and review throughout the process. This Technical Review Committee is expected to be engaged at milestones throughout the study project to provide their expertise and feedback on deliverables.

The Contractor shall conduct review meetings with the FMCSA and Technical Review Committee for each task’s draft deliverable. These are in addition to the monthly meetings and are intended to be in-depth on each task to review the task materials for feedback.

2.2 Task 2 – Literature Review

The contractor shall perform a literature review of studies and resources that focus on SASH identification, measurement, and analysis in the workplace that will inform a subsequent task for following the latest standards and practices for SASH research.

It is expected that the contractor will develop an easy to digest database or matrix of sources for FMCSA and stakeholders to review to ensure that the study is informed by a comprehensive collection of relevant resources. The contractor shall categorize these resources by sources and type such as by academic studies, industry, non-profit or other sources and survey, interview, focus group, etc.

The second part of this task is to conduct a literature review and write a technical memorandum that identifies key themes, practices, and or recommendations for conducting a SASH study relevant for informing subsequent tasks that design and conduct a SASH study in trucking. The contractor shall review the resources collected in the matrix and create a draft Technical Memorandum and Final Technical Memorandum based on the findings. This Technical Memorandum is not to exceed thirty (60 pages).

2.3 Task 3 - Study Design

The contractor will create a study design for assessing the prevalence of SASH in the trucking industry. The contractor will use lessons learned from Task 3.2 Literature Review to identify the most recent standards and practices in SASH research methods to create a research proposal that includes the methodology for studying SASH in trucking. The Contractor will identify the appropriate subjects, methods of data collection such as surveys and or interviews, any survey, interview, or group questions, timeframes, data analysis plans, and reporting. Further, the Contractor will identify the types of software or web-based programs for communication, survey, or any other methods that will be used for data collection and analysis.

The Contractor will develop a draft study design for FMCSA and the Technical Review Committee and present the draft to FMCSA and the Technical Review Committee for feedback.

The Contractor will make edits based on feedback and produce a final draft Study Design document.

Once the Study Design is in Final Draft form, the Contractor shall support FMCSA in obtaining the necessary Office of Management and Budget (OMB) documentation for the required Information Collection Review (ICR). This includes submitting the Final Draft Study Design to OMB and making any required adjustments for publication in the Federal Register and the 60-day comment process, supporting FMCSA by reviewing any public comments received, drafting documentation and written responses, as well as identifying any adjustments to the Study Design. The Contractor shall prepare a second Final Draft Study Design for OMB to resubmit to the Federal Register. After comments are received, the Contractor shall review any further comments during the 30-day period, prepare any necessary documentation and response, and make any final adjustments to resubmit for OMB approval.

2.4 Task 4 - Study Administration

The contractor shall administer or perform the study designed in Task 3. Once OMB approval is obtained, the Contractor shall follow the approved study design and take the steps to perform the study. The Contractor will follow the OMB Approved Study Design and perform all steps including organizing any surveys or subject information collection.

The Contractor will identify any planned meetings, discussions, and other steps and prepare all logistics as approved in the OMB Approved Study Design.

2.5 Task 5 - Report of Findings

The contractor shall document and present the study. The Contractor will develop a comprehensive report document that includes the Literature Review, Study Design, and Findings, as well as a presentation, and briefing or handout materials (e.g., brochures or web-based PDF) for FMCSA to use in communicating the results.

The Contractor shall develop a Draft Report of Findings for FMCSA and the Technical Review Committee. The Contractor shall begin by creating an annotated outline of findings for FMCSA review and feedback. Once the outline is approved, the Contractor shall proceed with drafting the Final Report. The Contractor shall also develop a Draft Briefing Presentation and make a presentation to FMCSA and the Technical Review Committee. The Contractor shall obtain feedback from FMCSA and the Technical Review Committee on the findings. The Contractor will then revise the Draft Final Report and develop a Final Report and Final Presentation for FMCSA’s use. Further, the Contractor shall develop a two-page research brief/handout of the study and key findings for FMCSA to use provide to the stakeholder community. The final report and handout shall follow FMCSA’s standard template and be ready for publication. All deliverables must comply with US Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Access Board Standards available for viewing at http://www.section508.gov.

3.0 DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables are envisioned to support this project, but the contractor may suggest adjustments based on the approach.

TASK AREA DELIVERABLE DUE DATE

1 Briefing Materials, “Kick-Off” Meeting Within two weeks of

NTP.

1 Draft PMP, Final PMP Within one month of

NTP.

1 Draft Project Schedule, Final Project Schedule Within one month of

NTP.

1 Team Meetings Summaries Monthly

1 Monthly Progress Reports Monthly

1 List of Technical Review Committee members. Within one month of

NTP.

1 Milestone Review Meetings for each Task. With each Task, per below.

Draft Matrix of Resources for FMCSA and Technical Review Committee (two rounds of review) 4 months of NTP.

Final Matrix of Resources for FMCSA and Technical Review Committee 5 months of NTP.

Draft Technical Memorandum Literature Review for FMCSA and Technical Review Committee (two rounds of review) 12 months of NTP.

2 Final Technical Memorandum Literature Review 14 months of NTP.

Draft Study Design for FMCSA and Technical Review Committee (two rounds of review) 18 months of NTP.

Final Draft Study Design for FMCSA and Technical Review Committee 21 months of NTP.

3 Initial OMB ICR Study Design 21 months of NTP.

TASK AREA DELIVERABLE DUE DATE

Documentation and Response to 60-day notice comments 24 months of NTP.

3 Second Final Draft Study Design for OMB ICR. 25 months of NTP.

Documentation and Response to 30-day notice comments. 27 months of NTP.

3 Third Final Draft Study Design for OMB Approval 27 months of NTP.

Draft Final Report of Findings for FMCSA and the Technical Review Committee (two rounds of review) 33 months of NTP.

5 Final Report of Findings (508 compliant) 36 months of NTP.

Draft Briefing Presentation for FMCSA and Technical Review Committee (two rounds of review) 33 months of NTP.

5 Briefing Meeting to FMCSA 34 months of NTP.

5 Final Briefing Presentation (508 compliant) 40 months of NTP.

Draft Handout for FMCSA review (two rounds of review) 33 months of NTP.

5 Final Handout for FMCSA review (508 compliant) 40 months of NTP.