Research Initiatives in Support of FHWA Next Generation Structural Materials and Systems

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is soliciting research initiatives to support the development of next generation structural materials and systems. The goal of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is to solicit a variety of solutions that will support the strategic objectives of the FHWA Bridge Engineering Research Team. Research topics shall develop technologies that address FHWA's current strategic goals and objectives, including safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, climate and sustainability, transformation, and organizational excellence. The BAA will utilize a two-phased approach for the evaluation of project white papers and proposals. The evaluation will consider factors such as technical merit, importance to agency programs, and funding availability. Some key points to consider: • The BAA is a 5-year Open BAA, and calls for white papers and proposals will occur periodically throughout its life. • The FHWA is interested in research that may maintain or improve the safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, climate and sustainability, transformation, and organizational excellence of the Nation's bridges and highway structures. • Awards are subject to the availability of funds, and the Government reserves the right to fund all, some, one, or none of the proposals submitted. • The BAA selection process is structured as a two-step process, with the first step being the submission and evaluation of project white papers, and the second step being the submission and evaluation of full proposals.