Research initiative on the use of steel slag in concrete and cement

The research study will advance the Decarbonization Research Priority and Embodied Carbon Research Priority as listed in the RD & T Strategic Plan: • Reduce carbon emissions associated with the extraction and manufacture of construction materials and

U.S. DOT hereby requests applications to result in the award of a new Cooperative Agreement, that will establish research on the properties and effectiveness of steel slag for use in concrete and cement and as construction material for transportation infrastructure. This funding opportunity requires an accredited research university of higher education to partner with a producer of steel in the United States to conduct this research.

Eligible applicant must be an accredited university with capabilities in conducting advanced research, data analysis and mining, laboratory and field testing related to pavement and asphalt materials and have a good understanding of approaches and technologies and associated sciences of a scope that covers the requested services. Additionally, the incumbent must partner with a US steel manufacturer that produces steel slag materials. The recipient Eligible Entity (accredited university) will be the direct and primary recipient of the U.S. DOT funds and must perform a substantive role in carrying out the cooperative agreement activities; it may not serve primarily as a conduit for awards to another party.

U.S. DOT hereby requests applications to result in the award of a new Cooperative Agreement, that will establish research on the properties and effectiveness of steel slag for use in concrete and cement and as construction material for transportation infrastructure.

no construction allowed

The planned award type is a cost reimbursement Cooperative Agreement with 50% funding match to the Federal share. The Federal share shall not exceed 50% of the total contract cost. The period of performance will be 60 months. The period of performance will begin on the effective date of the award, as stated in the resulting grant agreement, and end on the period of performance end date that is listed in the signed grant agreement, unless extended

U.S. DOT may share application information within the Department or with other Federal agencies if U.S. DOT determines that sharing is relevant to the respective program's objectives. Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in each activity and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for or has been awarded, if any, that the applicant intends to use. Application must discuss: • Methodologies to identify critical chemical, physical, mechanical and durability, and hydration affect to maximize utilization of steel slag in cement and concrete. • How best to utilize steel slag in cement manufacturing, as a substitute for cement, in concrete admixtures, as road base materials and aggregates, and in other innovative construction applications. • How their research proposal through laboratory testing will determine the performance and durability of steel slag concrete, aggregate, and base material etc. in the transportation infrastructure construction. • Finally, if the steel slag is deemed to be a suitable material for specific cases in construction of the transportation infrastructure, then how the proposed research study will advance the Decarbonization Research Priority and Embodied Carbon Research Priority as listed in the DOT RD & T Strategic Plan - Reduce carbon emissions associated with the extraction and manufacture of construction materials (i.e., cement and concrete) and the construction and maintenance of infrastructure. Proposals that that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered for review or award.

If an applicant is selected for award, they will be notified and sent an award document for signature. Applicants not selected for award will be notified in writing by U.S. DOT. Only the Authorizing Official (AO) can commit the U.S. DOT. The award document, signed by the AO, is the authorizing document. Only the AO can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds. Notice that an Applicant has been selected as a Recipient does not constitute approval of the application as submitted. Before the actual award, U.S. DOT will enter into negotiations concerning such items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and administrative systems, if necessary. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submittal, the U.S. DOT reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the Applicant.