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

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking research proposals to support its Bridges and Structures Programs. The BAA is open for a period of 60 months, and calls for concept papers are anticipated annually. The FHWA is interested in research that will improve the safety and durability of the nation's bridges and tunnels. Proposals should respond to one of the research topics listed in Appendix C. The FHWA will evaluate proposals based on technical merit, cost/price, and past performance. • The research topics include 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. • The FHWA will consider the degree of potential impact on the advancement of bridge and tunnel engineering technology, the feasibility of approach, and the reasonableness of estimated costs. • The evaluation process will consist of two phases: Phase 1 will evaluate the technical merit of concept papers, and Phase 2 will evaluate the technical merit of proposals. • The FHWA reserves the right to fund all, some, one, or none of the proposals submitted, and to negotiate with offerors to clarify technical and cost/price details.