Integrated Corridor Management Deployment Planning Grants |
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Victor M. Mendez
Federal Highway Administration
November 1, 2013
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65751-65754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26057]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Integrated Corridor Management Deployment Planning Grants
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; Request for applications.
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SUMMARY: This notice invites States, Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPO), and local governments that intend to initiate or
continue Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) development with their
partners, such as arterial management agencies, tolling authorities,
and transit authorities, to apply for deployment planning grants. The
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) authorized
the FHWA to encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
deployment on the national highway system through demonstrations and
grant programs. The purpose of this program is to promote the
integrated management and operations of the transportation system,
thereby improving multimodal transportation system management and
operations.
This notice seeks applications for available funding for this
program. This funding will be provided to cover a maximum of 80 percent
of each proposed program/project. Total costs of each proposed program/
project should not exceed $200,000. Up to 10 awards are anticipated,
but not guaranteed.
Optional phase two: FHWA has the discretion to award additional
funding to successful applicants to further advance their ICM concepts
within the context of ICM deployment beyond the initial work product
delivered.
DATES: Formal applications must be submitted no later than December 31,
2013 to be assured consideration. Applications should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about the program
discussed herein, contact Mr. Robert Sheehan, FHWA Office of
Transportation Management, (202) 366-6817, or via email at
Robert.Sheehan@dot.gov, or Mr. Brian Cronin, Team Leader, Research,
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) ITS-Joint
Program Office, (202) 366-8841 or via email at Brian.Cronin@dot.gov.
For legal questions, please contact Adam Sleeter, Attorney Advisor,
FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-8839, or via email at
adam.sleeter@dot.gov. Business hours for the FHWA are from 8:00 a.m.,
e.t., to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the
Federal Register's home page at: http://www.federalregister.gov.
Additional Information on Applying Through Grants.gov
Applications for ICM Deployment Planning Grants would be submitted
through Grants.gov. To apply for funding through Grants.gov, applicants
must be properly registered. Complete instructions on how to register
and apply can be found at www.grants.gov. If interested parties
experience difficulties at any point during registration or application
process, they should call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-
800-518-4726, Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. e.t.
Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however,
processing delays may occur and it can take up to several weeks for
first-time registrants to receive confirmation and a user password.
Accordingly, FHWA highly recommends that potential applicants start the
registration process as early as possible to prevent delays that may
preclude submitting an application by the deadlines specified.
Applications will not be accepted after the relevant due date; delayed
registration is not an acceptable reason for extensions. In order to
apply for ICM Deployment Planning Grants under this announcement and to
apply for funding through Grants.gov, all applicants are required to
complete the following:
1. Acquire a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. A DUNS
number is required for Grants.gov registration. The Office of
Management and Budget requires that all applicants for Federal funds
include a DUNS number in their applications for a new award or renewal
of an existing award.
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A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the
universal standard for identifying and keeping track of entities
receiving Federal funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes
and to validate address and point of contact information for Federal
assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-recipients. The DUNS number
will be used throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number
is a free, one-time activity that can be completed by calling 1-866-
705-5711 or by applying online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
2. Acquire or Renew Registration with the Central Contractor
Registration (CCR) Database. All applicants for Federal financial
assistance maintain current registrations in the CCR database. An
applicant must be registered in the CCR to successfully register in
Grants.gov. The CCR database is the repository for standard information
about Federal financial assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-
recipients. Entities that have previously submitted applications via
Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it is a requirement for
Grants.gov registration. Please note, however, that applicants must
update or renew their CCR registration at least once per year to
maintain an active status, so it is critical to check registration
status well in advance of relevant application deadlines. Information
about CCR registration procedures can be accessed at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
3. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a
Grants.gov Username and Password. Applicants will need to complete an
AOR profile on Grants.gov and create a username and password. The
assigned DUNS Number is required to complete this step. For more
information about the registration process, go to: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
4. Acquire Authorization for the AOR from the E-Business Point of
Contact (E-Biz POC). The E-Biz POC for the applicant must log in to
Grants.gov to confirm the applicant as an AOR. Please note that there
can be more than one AOR.
5. Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Applicants for
this solicitation would use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
number 20.205, titled Highway Planning and Construction, when searching
for the ICM Deployment Planning Grant opportunity on Grants.gov.
6. Submit an Application Addressing All of the Requirements
Outlined in this Funding Availability Announcement. Within 24 to 48
hours after submitting an electronic application, applicants should
receive an email validation message from Grants.gov. The validation
message will specify whether the application has been received and
validated or rejected, with an explanation. Applicants are encouraged
to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date of the
application to allow time to receive the validation message and to
correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.
Note: When uploading attachments, applicants should use
generally accepted formats such as .pdf, .doc, and .xls. While
applicants may imbed picture files such as .jpg, .gif, .bmp, in your
files, they should not save and submit the attachment in these
formats. Additionally, the following formats will not be accepted:
.com, .bat, .exe, .vbs, .cfg, .dat, .db, .dbf, .dll, .ini, .log,
.ora, .sys, and .zip.
Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues
If an applicant experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues
beyond its control that prevent the submission of an application by the
established deadline, such applicant must contact Grants.gov.
To ensure a fair competition for limited ICM Deployment Planning
Grants, the following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late
submissions: (1) Failure to complete the registration process before
the deadline date; (2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how
to register and apply as posted on its Web site; (3) failure to follow
all of the instructions in the funding availability notice; and (4)
technical issues experienced with the applicant's computer or
information technology environment.
Background
Section 53001 of MAP-21 (Pub. L. 112-141) created Section 513 of
title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 513) that authorizes the
Secretary of Transportation to encourage and fund grants that support
the deployment of ITS. The objective of the ICM Deployment Planning
Grant program is to advance ICM planning and development efforts. With
ICM, the various partner agencies manage the transportation corridor as
a system, rather than the more traditional approach of managing
individual assets. They work together to manage the corridor as an
integrated system in order to improve travel time reliability and
predictability, help manage congestion, and empower travelers through
better information and more choices. This objective is consistent with
the MAP-21 emphasis on accelerating technology and innovation
deployment, and will contribute to agencies' ability to meet the system
performance goals called for in MAP-21. It will be achieved by
providing funding to support the recipients' application of ICM
Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) products including: ICM
Implementation Guidance; Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Guidance;
Model System Engineering documents; and technology transfer activities
such as technical support workshops and peer-to-peer support.
The expected output from a grant recipient would be one or more of
the following:
ICM Concept of Operations (ConOps);
ICM System Requirements Specifications (SyRS);
ICM Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (AMS) Plan;
ICM AMS Activity Findings Report; or
ICM Implementation Plan.
Each funding recipient should also develop or update a Project
Management Plan (PMP) and a System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP).
These plans should be finalized and provided to the FHWA before
initiation of any other activity funded through the formal agreement.
Each funding recipient should also provide a brief final report
summarizing the effectiveness of the applicable KTT products in
supporting their ICM development efforts.
Only one entity should be identified as the funding recipient for
grant administration purposes. This entity is expected to coordinate
with all appropriate transportation stakeholders, and is responsible
for managing the grant and meeting the grant requirements to be defined
in a formal agreement. Potential funding recipients may differ in their
immediate technical or institutional need or challenge; therefore, the
approach to advancing ICM and the expected output may differ.
More information on the ICM research initiative can be found at
http://www.its.dot.gov/icms/index.htm.
Grant recipients are expected to meet a variety of basic
qualifications. These ensure that grant recipients are capable of
implementing ICM in their chosen corridor. Basic qualifications cover
requisite technology and characteristics of the corridor such as:
1. Existing System Technology Base--participating agencies should
have a basic level of management and operations capability upon which
to
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build. Applicants should describe the base level of technology in place
in the specified corridor (See items 2 and 5 under How to Apply). This
could include communications, data, data sharing, traffic management
strategies, demand management strategies, traveler information, real-
time corridor performance measurement, and analytical tools.
2. Alternate Routes or Modal Alternatives--the specified corridor
should contain alternate routes to enable rerouting of traffic or
alternative modes of travel (e.g., transit bus, rail, or HOV/HOT
lanes). The applicant should discuss and address this requirement in
the proposal (see items 1 and 2 under How to Apply).
3. Performance Issues--the specified corridor should have a variety
of performance issues that can be addressed by integrated corridor
management strategies. These issues should be identified and assessed
by the applicant in the proposal (see item 3 under How to Apply).
Examples include:
a. Congestion and system reliability--the specified corridor may
contain considerable periods of congestion and unreliable travel times
along critical corridor routes including transit routes; travelers may
not have sufficient access to corridor performance information in order
to make informed travel choices routinely or in certain situations.
b. Transit system reliability--performance of transit services in
the specified corridor may be degraded due to other factors affecting
performance of the corridor; the transit system may not have sufficient
capacity or capability to meet unusual spikes in demand.
c. Commercial Vehicles--the specified corridor may contain
considerable freight demands affecting the performance of the corridor.
d. Safety--the specified corridor may contain considerable safety
issues caused by variable traffic demand, incidents, construction,
weather, or other environmental or operational conditions affecting the
performance of the corridor.
4. Institutional relationships and agreements--the transportation
agencies with operational responsibility in the corridor should have a
minimum level of institutional coordination that would indicate the
potential success of ICM.
How To Apply
Formal proposals should include the following:
1. Description of the corridor--geography, State(s) involved,
metropolitan area(s) encompassed, and other relevant information which
the proposer deems important.
2. Transportation assets--describe the transportation assets,
modes, and facilities within the corridor that the proposal will
impact, including major highways, arterials, transit facilities, and
existing ITS infrastructure.
3. Performance issues facing the corridor--types of transportation
challenges facing the efficient and effective operation and management
of transportation facilities and services in the corridor.
4. Membership of the existing or proposed organization that will
lead to the development and operation of ICM--including specific
organizations such as transportation agencies, State safety enforcement
agencies, MPOs, tolling authorities, transit operators, etc., and
existing or proposed charter, governance, and/or procedural
documentation. All transportation agencies with operational
responsibility in the corridor should be included. The application
should demonstrate an inclusion and coordination of transportation
facility owners and operators within and adjacent to the proposed
corridor. Proposers do not necessarily have to have formed an existing
corridor organization or coalition but should show evidence that a
cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other
organizational mechanism can be executed in a reasonable timeframe
after selection.
5. Extent to which member agencies have integrated decisionmaking,
operational, and data systems. This includes, but is not limited to,
coordination or integration for routine operations, incident
management, and other operational situations.
6. Related projects or programs in the Long Range Statewide
Transportation Plan (LRSTP), Statewide Transportation Improvement
Program (STIP), Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Transportation
Improvement Plan (TIP), or Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).
7. The vision of the organization and goals, objectives, and
activities to be pursued in addressing the identified issues and
challenges facing the corridor including a discussion of how the grant
will accelerate or facilitate the achievement of the overall vision.
8. In order to demonstrate the success of the grant program the
proposals should define project success factors and key performance
indicators.
9. Initial Scope and Funding request--A complete list of activities
to be funded by the request. The applicant must follow the systems
engineering process as presented in FHWA's System Engineering Guidebook
(http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cadiv/segb/). The applicant must have in place
a Project PMP and SEMP. If a PMP and/or a SEMP are not in place the
recipient must develop or update a PMP and/or SEMP as part of this
award.
10. The applicant should develop one or more of the following: ICM
Concept of Operations, ICM System Requirements, ICM Analysis, Modeling
and Simulation Plan, ICM Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation Activity
Findings Report, or an ICM Implementation Plan.
a. In order to request funding for ICM Concept of Operations, the
applicant should demonstrate the development of a multiagency and/or
multimodal stakeholder group. The establishment of a multiagency and/or
multimodal stakeholder group for the specified corridor should be
demonstrated and approved by FHWA prior to reimbursement of any work
effort on the ICM concept of operations
b. In order to request funding for ICM System Requirements, the
applicant should show the development of a Concept of Operations. The
ConOps should be completed and approved by FHWA prior to FHWA
reimbursement of any work effort on ICM System Requirements.
c. In order to request funding for ICM Analysis, Modeling, and
Simulation Plan or Activity, the applicant should the show the
initiation or completion of a ConOps. The ConOps should be completed
and approved by FHWA prior to FHWA reimbursement of any work effort on
ICM Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation plan or activity.
d. In order to request funding for ICM Implementation Plan the
applicant should show the initiation or completion of a ConOps and have
an analysis approach established.
11. The proposal should include organizations and key staff
involved, estimated costs, an identification of all funding sources
that will supplement the requested funds and will be necessary to fully
fund the request, and a timeline for completion of the activities to be
supported. The maximum amount of funding requested from the ICM
Deployment Planning Grant program should not exceed $200,000 nor should
it exceed 80 percent of the total cost of the activities proposed to be
funded by the ICM Deployment Planning Grant program. The proposal
should identify the party or parties to the award, including a
description of the entity that will be entering into the agreement with
FHWA, and a description of how that
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entity will process or manage the program funds. The term ``eligible
entity'' means a State or local government, tribal government, transit
agency, public toll authority, MPO, other political subdivision of a
State or local government, or a multistate or multijurisdictional group
applying through a single lead applicant.\1\ Only one entity should be
identified as the lead for grant administration purposes. Other
transportation agencies are expected to partner with eligible entities
to submit an application. (FHWA plans to administer these grants
through the appropriate FHWA Division Offices.)
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\1\ 23 U.S.C. 513(a)(1).
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12. Proposals should include a description of the basic approach
for an optional phase two deployment project. This should include, at a
minimum, an implementation plan (or the approach to develop the
implementation plan), and the relationship to the success factors
identified above. If the DOT elects to proceed with phase two, it will
provide a complete request for applications at that time. Proposals
should not exceed 25 pages in length. Additional information supporting
the application, such as maps, completed ICM planning documents,
technical information, and letters of endorsement may be submitted as
addenda to the application and will not count against the application
page limit.
To ensure that all proposals receive fair and equal consideration
for the limited available funds, the Department requires formal grant
applications to be submitted to http://www.grants.gov by close of
business December 31, 2013.
Application for Optional Phase Two: How To Apply
Upon the request of the DOT, successful initial recipients may
submit an application for optional phase two funding. In addition to
the information included in the initial application, the phase two
application is expected to include, at a minimum:
1. Deployment project goals and objectives;
2. Description of deployment;
3. Approach to deployment design, build, and operate;
4. Development and application of analytical tools;
5. Schedule;
6. Risk mitigation summary; and
7. Scope.
Evaluation Criteria for Phase One
The ICM program has identified a series of criteria to help assess
the potential for ICM in a corridor or region, and prioritize grant
applicants. These criteria are intended to gauge how successful a
potential grant recipient will be in delivering the expected output as
described above. In addition, these criteria are intended to enable the
ICM Program to prioritize among grant applicants. Listed in order of
importance:
1. Overall effectiveness--how well the vision of the organization
and the activities proposed address the transportation issues and
challenges in the corridor, provide an integrated management
perspective, and align with DOT goals.
2. Institutional collaboration--depth, clarity, and potential
effectiveness of the organization's structure; evidence of commitments
by key partners to participate.
3. Integrated strategies and systems--the level of integration and
coordination already demonstrated for routine operations, incident
management, and other operational conditions of the corridor. This
criterion also incorporates data sharing among involved agencies.
4. Performance issues assessment--the identification and
qualitative or quantitative assessment of the performance issues in the
specified corridor to be addressed by the integrated corridor
management system.
5. Availability and diversity of alternative routes or modes of
travel in the specified corridor--enabling realistic options for
travelers or freight providers.
6. Safety and weather--inclusion of safety issues on corridor; and
safety and mobility impacts due to weather or environmental conditions
considerations in the program or project.
7. Commercial vehicles--inclusion of commercial vehicle demand and
freight movement considerations in the program or project.
8. Past Performance Related to ITS deployment--relevant examples of
how the applicants have deployed, operated, and maintained ITS
solutions that continue to provide safety, efficiency, mobility, and
other benefits to corridor stakeholders and the general public.
Evaluation Criteria for Optional Phase Two Funding
In addition to the evaluation criteria for the initial funding, the
following criteria may be used to evaluate optional phase two funding.
1. Performance indicators--How well did the phase one deliverable
meet the project success factors and key performance indicators
identified in the initial application.
2. Potential benefits--Potential of the system to demonstrate
measureable benefits including availability of measurable objectives
for ICM within the corridor; use of appropriate ITS strategies for
implementation, matched to goals and objectives for the Demonstration
System; and well-defined and appropriate corridor-level performance
measures.
3. Alignment of deployment project to goals and objectives in the
LRSTP, STIP, MTP, TIP, or UPWP.
4. Quality of the proposed deployment--Clarity and depth of
understanding documented in the ConOps; Quality of the SyRS; Documented
understanding of the complexity of the proposed integration of all new
and existing subsystems for an ICMS; Description and availability of
data required to calculate performance measures; Clear identification
of standards necessary to support an ICMS.
5. ICM Implementation Plan--Overall approach for the implementation
of ICM including the quality of the implementation schedule; i.e., the
realism of the project schedule, and the relative size of the risks
associated with the system implementation and clear ability to mitigate
the risk factors.
Post-Submission Process
Applicants may be contacted for additional information or
clarification. The application should include a primary point of
contact and provide complete contact information for this individual.
The Department may pursue partial funding of applications.
If selected for funding, a formal agreement will be prepared
between the Department and the lead agency applicant. The agreement
will include information in addition to what has already been provided
in the applications, such as a refined and more detailed scope of work.
Issued on: October 21, 2013.
Victor M. Mendez,
FHWA Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-26057 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
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