Research Initiatives in Support of FHWA Bridges and Structures Programs: Call 4.0

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) solicits research initiatives to support FHWA Bridges and Structures Programs. The goal is to advance state-of-the-art technologies to improve the safety and durability of the Nation's bridges and highway structures. This is an open BAA with anticipated annual calls for concept papers over 60 months. The BAA is developed in accordance with FAR 6.1 and FAR 35.016.

• Research topics include, but are not limited to: Steel Bridges, Concrete Bridges, Load Rating of Bridges and Tunnel Structures, Seismic and Multi-Hazard Resilience, Bridge and Tunnel Security, Bridge and Tunnel Safety Technology, and Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite Technology.

• Projects should develop technologies that align with FHWA's mission to improve safety and mobility through national leadership and innovation.

• Specific research topics are detailed in Appendix C.

• Deliverables include research development and technology (RD&T) reports, fact sheets, technical flyers, brochures, booklets, web pages, articles, and outreach materials, which must be Section 508 compliant and follow TFHRC R&D Communication Reference Guide.

• The Government reserves the right to award contracts, assistance agreements, or other instruments.

• Awards are subject to the availability of funds.

• Anticipated individual award values range between $50,000 and $250,000.

• Contract type is anticipated to be Firm-Fixed-Price with milestone payments.

• A two-phased process: Phase 1 involves submission and evaluation of Project Concept Papers. Phase 2 involves submission and evaluation of formal Project Proposals for selected concept papers.

• Project Concept Papers are due by 12pm ET on dates specified in Appendix C.

• Questions regarding the BAA content are due by 12pm ET on May 18, 2026.

• Proposals are due by 12pm ET on a date specified in a letter to Offerors.

• Evaluation Factors include: Technical Merit (of Concept Paper and Proposal), Cost/Price, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Pass/Fail), and Past Performance.

• This is an unrestricted solicitation. Any responsible source may submit a proposal.

• Eligible entities include: States or local governments, universities, hospitals, non-profit organizations, private individuals, and corporations.

• Businesses owned in whole or in part by the Federal Government are not eligible for direct funding but may subcontract.

• Small, SD, VO, WO, HUBZone, HBCU, and MI concerns are encouraged but no portion is set aside.

• Offerors must be registered on SAM.gov.

• This BAA is not for projects developing specific products for sale.

• Technology readiness levels 3 through 7 are the primary focus, but other levels will be considered.

• Cost sharing is not mandatory.

• Intellectual property rights and proprietary data restrictions are detailed in Section 2.10.

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

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a template for bidders to submit their cost proposals and time-and-materials pricing. It is intended for use in FHWA agreements.

• Cost Proposal Model (Excel Sheet): This section requires bidders to detail proposed costs across various categories, including:
  • Personnel (with estimated hours, rate/hour, and estimated cost)
  • Fringe Benefits
  • Travel
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Contractual/Consultants
  • Other Direct Costs
  • Indirect Charges (Facilities & Administrative - F&A)
• Time-and-Materials Price Model (Excel Sheet): This section is for detailing pricing based on labor categories, hours, and rates, broken down by task. It also includes sections for other direct costs such as travel, materials, and miscellaneous costs.

Bidders must use these templates to structure and submit their cost and pricing information as part of their proposal. The provided models outline the specific cost elements and format required by the government for evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Certification Regarding Lobbying" form. It requires the undersigned to certify that no Federal appropriated funds have been used to influence or attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. If non-Federal funds were used for lobbying, a separate disclosure form (Standard Form-LLL) must be submitted.

• Certification statements regarding the use of Federal and non-Federal funds for lobbying activities.
• Requirement for the undersigned to ensure this certification is included in all sub-award documents.
• Fields for Organization name, Street address, City, State, Zip.
• Fields for the certifying individual's typed name, title, signature, and date.

Bidders are required to complete and submit this form as part of their proposal or in connection with the award of a contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement. Failure to file the required certification can result in civil penalties.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix E - FHWA Subcontracting Plan, is a template for bidders to outline their subcontracting goals and plans. It requires bidders to detail their planned subcontracted amounts to various categories of small businesses, including "other than small business" concerns, Small Business concerns, Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) concerns.

• Subcontracting Goals - Base Year: Bidders must provide the total prime contract amount, total planned subcontracted amount, and specific dollar amounts and percentages for subcontracts to different business categories.
• Rationale for Lower Goals: Sections are provided for bidders to explain the rationale if they establish goals lower than the standard percentages for VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, and WOSB.
• Types of Supplies/Services: A table to list the principal types of supplies and/or services planned for subcontracting, including the subcontracted amount and the size standard of the subcontractor.
• Methods for Goal Development: Space to describe the methods used to develop subcontract percentage goals and identify potential subcontract sources.
• Indirect Costs: A section to indicate if indirect costs were included in establishing goals and the method used for their proportionate share.
• Subcontracting Program Administrator: Information about the individual who will administer the subcontracting program.
• Efforts for Equitable Opportunity: Description of efforts to ensure equitable opportunity for small business subcontractors.
• FAR Clause Compliance: Confirmation of agreement with FAR Clause 52.219-8 and requirements for subcontractors regarding FAR Clause 52.219-9.
• Record Maintenance: Details on records to be maintained regarding subcontracting compliance.
• Reporting Requirements: Agreement to cooperate with studies, submit periodic reports, and utilize the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS).
• Submission Details: Fields for the submitting entity's POC name, title, email, company name, DUNS/CAGE, and mailing address.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the government's expectations regarding small business subcontracting. Bidders must complete this form accurately to demonstrate their commitment to utilizing small businesses and to comply with federal acquisition regulations. The information provided here will be a factor in proposal evaluation and contract compliance. Failure to provide a complete and compliant subcontracting plan may impact a bid's acceptability.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a template or a slide for presenting project information. It is designed to outline key details about a project, likely for internal review, reporting, or a presentation.

• Project Title: A placeholder for the project's name.
• Project Description: A section for detailing the project's objectives and scope.
• Image: An image depicting the collapse of the Cyprus Viaduct during the 1988 Loma Prieta Earthquake, with a source attribution.
• Bridge and/or Tunnel Impact: A section to describe the impact on bridges or tunnels.
• Cost & Schedule: A section for outlining project costs and timelines.
• FHWA Task Monitor: Indicates a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) task monitor is assigned, with the FHWA logo present.
• Project Partners: A section to list involved project partners.

While this document is a template and does not contain specific solicitation details, it provides insight into the type of information that might be required in a proposal or project plan for a transportation-related infrastructure project, particularly those involving bridges or tunnels and overseen by the FHWA. Bidders may need to adapt their proposals to include similar categories of information.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix C solicits proposals for research into "Errant Vessel Warning and Sensing Technologies to Activate Automatic Bridge Closures." The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking to develop technologies that can detect errant vessels and bridge movements, provide warnings, and potentially initiate automatic bridge closures to prevent traffic entry during threats. This initiative is a response to the NTSB recommendation following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Proposals should, at a minimum, address the following:

• Conduct a literature review of existing domestic and international technologies for detecting errant vessels and warning/preventing motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. This includes researching technologies for other threats (e.g., earthquakes, vehicle collisions) that could be repurposed.

• Survey State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and other bridge owners regarding their current bridge threat sensing and automatic closure technologies, emergency closure policies and procedures, and the effectiveness of these systems.

• Investigate and recommend feasible bridge closure systems for errant vessel detection, warning signals, and closure for state DOTs and other bridge owners.

• The final results will be documented in an FHWA-published report.

• Contract Duration: Not to exceed 15 months.

• Estimated Budget: $150,000.

• Concept papers are not required.

• Formal proposals must follow Section 4 – PROJECT PROPOSALS of the BAA.

• Evaluation will be based on specific subsections of the BAA, excluding Factor 1 (Technical Merit of the Project Concept Paper).

• Proposals receiving a "Marginal" or "Unacceptable" rating in Technical Merit (Factor 2) will be removed from competition.

Not specified in this document.

• Proposals may be submitted at any time through the closing date of the research topic.
• The closing date for this specific topic (HIBS10-BTS-001) is June 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET (noon).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix A - Project QUAD Chart, provides instructions and guidelines for Offerors on how to create and submit a Quad Chart. The Quad Chart is a one-page, landscape-oriented synopsis of a project's objectives and progress, intended for use in briefings.

• Quadrant 1 (Upper Left): Visually appealing graphics or pictures representing the key technological idea(s) or expected impact (max 5 images). Requires copyright attribution.
• Quadrant 2 (Upper Right): Brief project description in a bulleted list format (max 5 bullets).
• Quadrant 3 (Lower Left): 3-5 quantitative statements discussing the project's revolutionary impact, current system limitations, and proposed improvements.
• Quadrant 4 (Lower Right): 3-5 significant project milestones and associated costs, presented on a timeline or in a bulleted list.
• Project Title: Clearly visible and centered at the top.
• FHWA Task Monitor Name: Bottom left corner.
• Project Partner Name: Bottom right corner.
• Font Requirements: Specific font sizes for title (30-36) and quadrant text (14-16) for legibility.

Offerors must use this template and adhere to the specified content and formatting requirements when preparing their Quad Chart submission. The Quad Chart is limited to one page and a file size of 500,000 bytes (0.5 MB). A sample outline is provided in the Microsoft PowerPoint template.