Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Appendix C, the FHWA Subcontracting Plan Template. It provides a standardized format for offerors to outline their subcontracting goals and plans.

• Instructions: Guidance for bidders on how to complete the plan, including submitting a rationale if no subcontracting opportunities exist.
• Subcontracting Goals - Base Year: A table to detail the total prime contract amount, total planned subcontracted amount, and planned subcontracts to various small business categories (Small Business, VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, WOSB).
• Rationale for Lower Goals: Fields to provide justification if subcontracting goals are set below specific percentage thresholds for VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, and WOSB.
• Planned Subcontracted Supplies/Services: A table to list the type of supply/service, company/firm name, subcontracted amount, and subcontractor size standard.
• Methods for Goal Development and Source Identification: Sections to describe how subcontracting goals were developed and how potential subcontract sources were identified (e.g., using SAM.gov, DSBS).
• Indirect Costs: Information on whether indirect costs were included in goal establishment and the method used for proportionate share.
• Subcontracting Program Administrator: Fields to identify the individual responsible for administering the subcontracting program.
• Equitable Opportunity: A section to describe efforts to ensure equitable competition for small business subcontractors.
• Record Maintenance: Requirements for maintaining records related to subcontracting plan compliance.
• FAR Clauses: References to FAR Clauses 52.219-8 and 52.219-9 regarding subcontracting plan requirements.
• Reporting Requirements: Details on submitting periodic reports, Individual Subcontract Reports (ISR), and Summary Subcontract Reports (SSR) via the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS).
• Good Faith Effort: Requirements for making a good faith effort to acquire goods and services from small businesses.
• Submission Details: Fields for submitting entity information, including POC name, title, email, company name, DUNS/CAGE, and mailing address.

This template is crucial for bidders to understand and fulfill the government's requirements for subcontracting plans. It outlines the specific data points and justifications needed for proposal submissions, particularly concerning small business utilization. Bidders must complete this template accurately to demonstrate compliance with federal subcontracting regulations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a template for bidders to submit their cost and pricing proposals. It includes two sheets: 'Cost Proposal Model' and 'Time-and-Materials Price Model'. Bidders are expected to use these models to detail their proposed costs for the opportunity.

Cost Proposal Model:

• Sections for Offeror Name, Project Description, and Home Office Address.
• Detailed breakdown of cost elements including Personnel (by category), Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual/Consultants, and Other direct costs.
• Fields for estimating hours, rates, and costs for each element.
• Calculation of Total Direct Charges, Indirect Charges (F&A), and overall Totals.

Time-and-Materials Price Model:

• Sections for Proposal Title and Period of Performance.
• Detailed breakdown of Direct Labor Costs by Labor Category and Task.
• Estimation of Hours, Rate, and Extended Cost for labor.
• Breakdown of Other Direct Costs (ODC) including Travel and Materials by Task.
• Summary of total costs by category (Labor, ODC) and by Task.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to structure and present their pricing information accurately. It outlines the specific cost categories and labor categories the government expects to see in a proposal, and provides a standardized format for submission. Failure to use this template or provide complete pricing information may impact proposal evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions and a template for creating a Quad Chart. The Quad Chart is a one-page, landscape-oriented document used to visually represent a project's objectives, progress, and key information in four quadrants. It is intended for use in briefings to help Task Monitors explain work to various audiences, including non-technical experts.

• Quadrant 1 (Upper Left): Visually appealing graphics or pictures representing the technological idea or expected impact (max five images).
• Quadrant 2 (Upper Right): Brief project description in a bulleted list format (max five bullets).
• Quadrant 3 (Lower Left): Three to five quantitative statements discussing how the project work will revolutionize an area, including current limitations and expected improvements in areas like performance, durability, safety, efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency.
• Quadrant 4 (Lower Right): Three to five significant project milestones and associated approximate or projected costs, presented on a three-year timeline or in a bulleted list.
• Overall: Includes a project title, FHWA Task Monitor name, and Project Partner name.
• Formatting: Specific font types (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial) and sizes are recommended for uniformity and legibility.

This document outlines the required format and content for Quad Charts, which are likely a required submission for proposals or project updates related to this opportunity. Bidders must adhere to these instructions regarding content, structure, and file limitations (one page, max 0.5 MB file size, PowerPoint template) when preparing their Quad Charts.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Corporate Research, Technology and Innovation (HRTM) Research Team solicits proposals for research and development in the Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program. The BAA aims to quickly and efficiently execute research to deliver practical solutions to high-priority problems, focusing on areas that could result in significant changes in highway transportation safety, mobility, state of good repair, or environmental stewardship. Specific program areas include construction automation and safety, management of assets (pavements and structures), and active roadside safety systems for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. This is an Open BAA with a 5-year duration, and calls for proposals will be issued periodically.

• Proposals should focus on research and development, not specific products for sale, primarily targeting Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 through 8.

• Deliverables must be Section 508 compliant and provided in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF formats.

• Deliverables include results, data, source code, documentation, test data, and contractor-developed publications.

• Intellectual property limitations must be clearly described in proposals.

• All awarded contracts must comply with Section 889 Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

• Awards are subject to the availability of funds.

• Anticipated individual award values range between $750,000 and $1,000,000.

• Cost sharing by awardee is not mandatory.

• Proposals are submitted in two volumes: Volume I (Technical Proposal) and Volume II (Cost and Pricing Proposal).

• Volume I has a 25-page limit, excluding the cover page and appendices.

• Evaluation will be based on scientific and technical merit, importance to FHWA programs, and availability of funds. Cost realism and reasonableness will be considered for preliminarily selected proposals.

• A two-phased process will be used for awards.

• Proposal due dates will be specified in individual call solicitations.

• This is an unrestricted BAA. Any responsible source may submit a proposal, including State/local governments, universities, non-profits, and commercial organizations.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Small Business Subcontracting Plans are required for proposals over $900,000 from other than small businesses and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

• Points of Contact: Alicia Dallas (Contract Specialist) and Robert P. Brown (Contracting Officer).

• Communications must adhere to procurement integrity requirements.

• Attachments include Quad Chart Instructions, Cost/Price Proposal Models, and Small Business Subcontracting Plan template.