Core Research Program Technology Transfer & Commercialization Advancement

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), within the Department of Transportation, seeks proposals for Technology Transfer and Commercialization Advancement projects under Research Announcement 693JK326RA002, with proposals due November 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST. No set-aside is used, and the solicitation is open to universities, non-profit organizations, and private corporations, excluding foreign entities and federal, state, and local governments.

Proposals must target mature pipeline safety technologies at Technology Readiness Levels 7-9 and demonstrate a clear path to deployable products or service systems ready for pipeline operator adoption. Projects run a maximum of 12 months. Proposals require an active partnership with a pipeline operator or service provider, supported by letters of commitment for field testing and co-funding or formal transition agreements. Awarded projects must establish a Technical Advisory Panel of two to three active pipeline operators and at least two independent academic representatives. Place of performance is Washington, DC 20590.

A mandatory minimum 50% non-Federal cost share is required, in cash or direct cash-equivalent expenditures. The Q&A posted October 27, 2026 states that cost share may include operator-funded testing, committed financing, and donated test-facility use, provided those contributions do not derive from Federal funds. Federal contributions cannot exceed 50% of total allowable project costs. PHMSA has not established a fixed maximum award ceiling. Attachment 3's milestone schedule totals $106,200, split $53,100 Federal and $53,100 cost share. Awards are fixed-price on a quarterly milestone basis with no partial payments, and PHMSA may fund all, some, or none of the proposals.

Questions were due October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The submission portal opens October 28, 2026 through the PHMSA MIS online portal. The Q&A states that audit or approval letters are required at proposal submission, and Attachment 5 is required in final packages. Proposals are limited to 20 single-spaced pages, excluding title page, public summary, appendices, and attachments.

Projects are evaluated on equally weighted criteria, including Technical Maturity & Baseline Validation, Commercialization Outcome & Transition-to-Practice, Market Readiness & Competitor Landscape, Implementation Strategy & Project Design, Partnership Depth & Cost-Share Commitment, Impact Potential & ROI, and Commercialization Track Record.