[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 223 (Monday, November 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28599]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 

Participation in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) 
Field Operational Test Program

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; request for participation.

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SUMMARY: The DOT seeks offers from the public and private sectors to 
form partnerships to conduct operational tests in support of the 
national Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program. This notice 
solicits offers to participate in operational tests that concentrate on 
evaluating the benefits of the following ITS user service areas: (1) 
International Border Electronic Clearance; (2) Automated Collision 
Notification; and (3) Intelligent Cruise Control.
    The intent of this notice is to assess, using the selection 
criteria set forth below, a proposed operational test's potential for 
contributing to the advancement of the national ITS program, the 
proposed technical and management approaches for the test, and the 
appropriateness of the proposed Federal role in the project. The 
selection criteria set forth in today's notice supersede the criteria 
presented in previous operational test notices. This notice has been 
developed by the FHWA in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA), and the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA).

DATES: Operational test offers must be received on or before February 
19, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Offers to participate in the ITS operational test program 
should be submitted directly to the Federal Highway Administration, 
Office of Traffic Management and ITS Applications, Operational Test 
Division, (HTV-20), 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For FHWA: Mr. George Schoene, Office 
of Traffic Management and ITS Applications, Operational Test Division, 
HTV-20, (202) 366-6726; Mr. Steve Crane, Intelligent Transportation 
System/Commercial Vehicle Operations Team, HMT-10, (202) 366-0950; or 
Ms. Julie Dingle, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-32, (202) 366-
0780. For NHTSA: Mr. August Burgett, NHTSA Office of Crash Avoidance 
Research, NRD-50, (202) 366-5672. For FTA: Mr. Denis Symes, FTA Office 
of Technical Assistance and Safety, TTS-30, (202) 366-0232. All of the 
agencies are located at 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. 
Office hours for the FHWA are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., for 
the NHTSA are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., for the FTA are from 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ITS program involves a range of advanced 
technologies and system concepts that, when used in combination, can 
improve mobility and transportation productivity, enhance safety, 
maximize the use of existing transportation facilities, conserve energy 
resources, and reduce adverse environmental effects. These goals 
contribute significantly to the DOT's broader goal of developing a 
national intermodal transportation system for moving people and goods 
in a safe and energy-efficient manner. The ``Department of 
Transportation's Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems (IVHS) Strategic 
Plan'' (DOT Publication No. FHWA-SA-93-009) describes DOT's goals, 
objectives, and program delivery plans for research and development, 
operational testing, deployment, and long-term ITS development under 
the Automated Highway System program.
    Operational tests serve as the transition between research and 
development (R&D) and full scale deployment of IS technologies. An 
operational test integrates existing technology, R&D products, 
institutional, and perhaps regulatory arrangements to test one, and 
usually more, new technological, institutional, or financial elements 
in a real world test. The tests permit an evaluation of how well newly 
developed ITS technologies work under real operating conditions and 
assess the benefits and public support for the product or system. 
Operational tests are conducted in a ``real world'' operational highway 
environment under actual transportation conditions. This distinguishes 
operational tests from research projects or other kinds of testing, for 
example simulation testing, test tracks, or tests on facilities that 
are temporarily closed to the public.
    ITS operational tests are conducted as cooperative ventures between 
the DOT and a variety of public and private partners, including State 
and local governments, private companies, and universities. The 
``Department of Transportation's IVHS Strategic Plan'' summarizes the 
roles of each participant in the National ITS Program and operational 
tests. The general Federal role is to act as a leader and a catalyst, 
and to ensure adequate emphasis on public benefits. The DOT also guides 
the design and conduct of the project evaluation to ensure that the 
project is independently evaluated on a national program scale. The 
participating DOT administrations, the FHWA, the NHTSA, the FTA, and 
the RSPA are involved in ITS and their specific ITS program needs will 
tailor the particular arrangements of the operational tests.
    The DOT is also developing a National ITS Program Plan which will 
build on and expand the ``Department of Transportation's IVHS Strategic 
Plan,'' providing the detailed ``road map'' required to both plan and 
track progress toward deploying systems and technologies that support 
user services of the ITS program.
    The Program Plan is being developed based on the following set of 
ITS User Services:

1.0  Travel and Traffic Management
    1.1  Pre-Trip Travel Information
    1.2  En-route Driver Information
    1.3  Route Guidance
    1.4  Ride Matching and Reservation
    1.5  Traveler Services Information
    1.6  Traffic Control
    1.7  Incident Management
    1.8  Travel Demand Management
2.0  Public Transportation Management
    2.1  Public Transportation Management
    2.2  En-route Transit Information
    2.3  Personalized Public Transit
    2.4  Public Travel Security
3.0  Electronic Payment
    3.1 Electronic Payment Services
4.0  Commercial Vehicle Operations
    4.1  Commercial Vehicle Electronic Clearance
    4.2  Automated Roadside Safety Inspections
    4.3   On-Board Safety Monitoring
    4.4  Commercial Vehicle Administrative Processes
    4.5  Hazardous Material Incident Response
    4.6  Commercial Fleet Management
5.0  Emergency Management
    5.1  Emergency Notification and Personal Security
    5.2  Emergency Vehicle Management
6.0  Advanced Vehicle Safety Systems
    6.1  Longitudinal Collision Avoidance
    6.2  Lateral Collision Avoidance
    6.3  Intersection Collision Avoidance
    6.4  Vision Enhancement for Crash Avoidance
    6.5  Safety Readiness
    6.6  Pre-crash Restraint Deployment
    6.7  Automated Vehicle Operation

    The Program Plan will include estimated milestones for each user 
service which will form the basis for selecting an area for operational 
tests. Several notices may be issued during the year to solicit 
specific operational tests based on milestones established for each 
user service, as will be outlined in the National ITS Program Plan, 
when completed.
    To obtain a copy of the latest draft of the ITS National Program 
Plan, please provide a self-addressed label to: Federal Highway 
Administration, HTV-10, 400 Seventh Street SW., room 3400, Washington, 
DC. 20590. Additionally, a brief synopsis of existing operational tests 
is provided in a publication titled ``Intelligent Vehicle Highway 
Systems (IVHS) Projects, March 1994'' (DOT Publication No. HTV-10/4-
94(7M)QE). To obtain a copy, please provide a self-addressed label to: 
Federal Highway Administration, HTV-20, 400 Seventh Street SW., room 
3400, Washington, DC. 20590.

Proposed Operational Tests

    The information below further describes the operational tests 
needed in the identified focus areas. It is the DOT's intention to fund 
offers in these areas. These are listed in order of the user service 
numbering sequence identified in the program plan.

1. International Border Electronic Clearance (Commercial Vehicle 
Electronic Clearance--User Service 4.1)

    An operational test is needed to evaluate strategies to facilitate 
the movement of commercial traffic at highway crossings along the 
United States-Mexico border. This test would involve the development of 
electronic credentials and records that could be used to automatically 
verify the identity of the shipper, and the nature of the cargo, check 
carrier safety and credential records. The purpose of this test is to 
extend the electronic clearance concept for State border crossings to 
the Mexican border and support the North American Free Trade Agreement 
(NAFTA). By working with Mexico, a more efficient traffic flow could be 
provided at border crossings and the deployment of technologies in this 
country could ultimately prevent overweight, unsafe, or improperly 
registered vehicles from entering the United States.
    The development of this test, while based on advanced technologies, 
will be dependent on the resolution of a number of legal, technical, 
and institutional issues. The test will also have to address 
specialized enforcement and cargo issues associated with crossing 
national borders. Automating the international border crossing process 
will require the involvement and cooperation of the immigration and 
customs organizations of the countries as well as shippers, carriers, 
local officials from the border States and provinces, and other 
relevant parties. While the general framework for this concept might be 
the same for crossings along the border, specific system designs will 
have to accommodate the variations in border crossing, laws, and 
language.
    The DOT is committed to accelerating testing activities in the area 
of International Border Electronic Clearance to provide early 
deployment successes in support of the NAFTA and other related ITS 
activities. Proposals submitted should reflect this commitment with 
realistic, aggressive time schedules and completion dates.

2. Automated Collision Notification (Emergency Notification and 
Personal Security--User Service 5.1)

    An operational test is needed to evaluate the improvements in 
safety and efficiency of emergency services offered by systems that 
provide automatic notification of automobile collisions. In automobile 
crashes involving life-threatening injuries, time is the most critical 
factor in saving lives, therefore, rapid notification and response by 
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel is a necessity.
    The primary goal of automatic collision notification is to reduce 
these times for medical assistance in those incidents involving serious 
injury, where the occupants of the vehicle are incapacitated and unable 
to notify authorities on their own.
    The operational test will include an in-vehicle collision 
notification system which would determine that a serious collision has 
occurred, and then automatically transmit information about the 
occurrence of the collision to the proper authorities. This system 
should have the capability to accurately sense vehicle location, to 
sense that the vehicle has been in a collision, and ideally to provide 
additional information with regard to the severity of the collision 
and/or likely injuries. A report by The Johns Hopkins University 
Applied Physics Laboratory (``Technology Alternatives for an Automated 
Collision Notification System,'' January 1994, publication no. FS-94-
008, available from Mr. Ray Yuan at (301) 953-6356) provides background 
on alternative technologies for crash sensing, communicating the crash 
occurrence, and fixing the position of a crash.
    The NHTSA will contract with an independent party who is not a 
member of the partnership to conduct the independent evaluation of this 
operational test. The offeror, however, should address those selection 
criteria (listed below) involving scheduling, funding, and 
responsibilities of members of the partnership in the conduct of the 
evaluation. The proposal should also discuss how the partners will 
address the protection of the rights and welfare of participants as 
spelled out in NHTSA Order 700-1. Persons wishing to obtain a copy of 
NHTSA Order 700-1 are directed to the NHTSA individual named above 
under the heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

3. Intelligent Cruise Control (Longitudinal Collision Avoidance--User 
Service 6.1)

    An operational test is needed to evaluate improvements in safety 
offered by Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) systems. The operational 
test should include appropriate number of vehicles with an in-vehicle 
ICC system which would control vehicle speed and headway and should not 
require active communications from other vehicles or roadside 
equipment. This system should, at a minimum, have the capability to 
sense distance and relative velocity of other vehicles, accurately 
control vehicle speed and headway, and to disregard vehicles in 
adjacent lanes.
    The primary purpose of ICC systems is a higher level of convenience 
than is normally offered with standard cruise control, however these 
systems have the potential for decreasing the number and severity of 
rear end collisions. The evaluation will address both aspects of ICC. 
The proposal should discuss how the partners will address the 
protection of the rights and welfare of participants as spelled out in 
NHTSA Order 700-1. Persons wishing to obtain a copy of NHTSA Order 700-
1 are directed to the NHTSA individual named above under the heading, 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Proposed Nontechnical Activity Areas

    The operational test program provides an ideal opportunity to 
assess major institutional and legal challenges inherent in 
implementing ITS. The DOT is interested in working with several of the 
selected partnerships to evaluate new approaches that: (1) Speed up the 
process for executing an ITS partnership agreement; (2) provide for 
innovative procurement methods; or (3) provide for innovative financing 
strategies. Specifically, the DOT's support may include:
     Administrative assistance to facilitate initial 
cooperation and communication among the project participants during the 
preagreement process. The intent is to involve all project 
participants, including contractors and subgrantees, as well as 
contract, technical, and legal staff of the project partners.
     Funding assistance to State and local governments to 
conduct innovative procurements and expedite the procurement process, 
particularly for complex, highly technical systems, in connection with 
the test. This assistance may include development of an acquisition 
plan, preparing statements of work and other contract documents.
     Funding assistance for the legal and consulting services 
and other costs necessary to implement new funding approaches, such as 
user fees, franchise fees, or use of venture capital to leverage 
private investment in ITS.
    Interested offerors are requested to indicate their willingness to 
participate in any of these initiatives and provide additional 
information to support the decision for selection.

Evaluation

    Evaluation is an integral part of each operational test and 
critical to the success of the National ITS Program. The DOT 
Operational Test Evaluation Guidelines, dated November, 1993, provides 
information on established guidelines and methodology for the 
evaluation of operational tests. Persons wishing to obtain a copy of 
the DOT Operational Tests Evaluation Guidelines are directed to the 
first FHWA individual named above under the heading, FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
    The evaluation guidelines, that shall apply to all operational 
tests funded in whole or part with Federal ITS funds, are as follows:
    1. Individual operational tests will be structured within and have 
objectives which are consistent with the DOT's Program Plan for ITS. 
This will guide the development of the evaluation goals of each 
operational test.
    2. The DOT will perform the role of evaluation coordinator for all 
operational tests. As evaluation coordinator, the DOT or its agent will 
work with the other partners in establishing individual test 
objectives, including the national, as well as local, goals and 
objectives that must be addressed during the evaluation; in developing 
the overall evaluation plan and the detailed experimental design; and 
in conducting the actual evaluation.
    3. The DOT will conduct the evaluation or require that it be 
conducted by an independent party who is not a member of the 
partnership responsible for the operational test. The DOT reserves the 
right to conduct any additional evaluation deemed necessary to satisfy 
the national objectives of the ITS Program. Where the evaluation is 
conducted by a party retained by the non-Federal partners, the DOT 
shall retain approval authority to ensure the evaluation is acceptable 
and unbiased.
    4. The ITS Partnership Agreement or other documents used to 
establish the operational test and funding arrangements between the DOT 
and the other partners will include language to require that an 
evaluation plan be prepared in the early phases of the operational 
test. There will also be language in all the agreements that 
incorporates the provisions of these guidelines.
    5. The operational test funding plan shall separately account for 
the evaluation phase. Funds identified for the test evaluation shall 
not be spent for other portions of the operational tests. The DOT shall 
negotiate with the other partners during the initial operational test 
definition to ensure an adequate estimate of the funding necessary to 
meet the national evaluation objectives.
    6. Funding to proceed with detailed systems design and 
implementation for the operational test shall not normally be provided 
until an evaluation plan has been approved by the DOT. Subsequent 
approval stages will be specified in the ITS Partnership Agreement to 
ensure adequate development of the test and its evaluation. Funding for 
each test may be provided incrementally to allow for the adequate 
completion of each of the defined milestones.
    7. Nothing in these guidelines shall preclude the non-Federal 
partners from conducting additional evaluations for their specific 
needs. The non-Federal partners are expected to be involved in specific 
phases of the evaluation. At a minimum, the non-Federal partners are 
expected to be part of the process to develop the goals and objectives 
of the test and the overall evaluation plan. These partners will also 
be involved in much of the technical, legal, and institutional data 
collection, archiving, and reporting.
    8. The DOT reserves the right to require that additional data be 
collected and made available to allow the DOT to make comparative 
analyses with similar functions or features associated with other 
national operational tests.
    In all tests, an independent and comprehensive test evaluation must 
be undertaken. The offer should indicate how the independent evaluation 
will be accomplished and include an estimate of the evaluation cost. 
Once the operational test project is underway, the independent 
evaluator should be brought into the process just before or, at the 
latest, during the development of the detailed evaluation work plan.

Partnership

    An ITS operational test will typically involve a carefully crafted 
partnership that is negotiated among Federal, State, local, private, 
and other institutions. A partner is an entity that participates 
directly in the preparation of the operational test offer and plays a 
substantial role in defining the scope of the operational test, 
technologies included, and financial participation. Management of the 
operational tests, including funding, technical and administrative 
responsibilities, is shared among the partners in the operational test. 
Although an independent evaluator is not considered a formal member of 
the partnership, the offer can identify a proposed independent 
evaluator.
    Potential private sector partners in ITS operational tests are 
encouraged, when appropriate, to work with appropriate State and local 
transportation agencies or other public sector organizations in the 
preparation of proposed cooperative ventures. Partners are also 
strongly encouraged to seek participation from certified Minority 
Business Enterprise firms, Women Business Enterprise firms, 
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms, Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other minority 
colleges. Offerors are also encouraged to seek opportunities that 
provide for the use of existing defense and space technologies for ITS 
applications.

Funding

    In accordance with Sec. 6058 of the Intermodal Surface 
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, 
2194, the maximum share of an operational test funded from Federal 
funds, including ITS funds, cannot exceed 80 percent. The remaining 20 
percent must be from non-federally derived funding sources and must 
consist of either cash, substantial equipment contributions which are 
wholly utilized as an integral part of the project, or personnel 
services dedicated full-time to operational test purposes for a 
substantial period, as long as these staff are not otherwise supported 
with Federal funds. The non-federally derived funding may come from 
State, local government, or private sector partners. In an ITS 
partnership, as with other DOT cost-share contracts, it is 
inappropriate for a fee or profit to be included in the proposed 
budget. This prohibition on the inclusion of a fee or profit applies to 
all partners to the proposed operational test. This does not prohibit 
appropriate fee or profit payments to vendors or others which may 
provide goods or services to the partnership. For example, equipment 
vendors, software providers, and entities retained for comprehensive 
operational test evaluation purposes would not be subject to this 
prohibition.
    The DOT, the Comptroller General of the U.S., and, if appropriate, 
the States have the right to access all documents pertaining to the use 
of Federal ITS funds and non-Federal contributions. Non-Federal 
partners must submit sufficient documentation during final negotiations 
and on a regular basis during the life of the operational test to 
substantiate these costs. This includes items such as direct labor, 
fringe benefits, material costs, consultant costs, subcontractor costs, 
and travel costs.
    In order to maximize available Federal ITS dollars and be 
consistent with agency policy, prospective partners are encouraged to 
increase their cost share to 50 percent. Additional funds provided over 
the required 20 percent minimum may come from a variety of funding 
sources and may include the value of federally-supported projects 
directly associated with the ITS operational test.
    Funding levels vary significantly between operational tests and are 
primarily based on size, complexity, and funding commitment by each of 
the partners. Federal ITS funding for the operational tests selected 
from the open solicitation in FY 1993 and FY 1994 ranged from $200,000 
to $5.5 million, with most of the tests falling in the $1 to $2 million 
range.

Operational Test Offer Preparation

    An offer to participate in the operational test program should 
contain sufficient information to enable an evaluation of the offer 
based on the selection criteria set forth below.
    The offer shall not exceed 50 pages in length including title, 
index, tables, maps, appendices, abstracts, and other supporting 
materials. A page is defined as one side of an 8\1/2\ by 11 inch paper, 
with a type font no smaller than 12 point. Offers greater than 50 pages 
will not be accepted. Ten copies plus an unbound reproducible copy of 
the offer shall be submitted. The cover sheet or front page of the 
offer should include the name, address, and phone number of an 
individual to whom correspondence and questions about the offer may be 
directed.
    The offer should contain details regarding the operational test 
schedule and budget. The schedule should show major milestone events 
including evaluation phases. The budget should show the requested 
Federal ITS funding and proposed partnership match funding (for FY 1995 
and future years) by the activities shown on the table below. The 
matching funds should be further divided into public and private 
contribution amounts on the table as well as the source and type of 
contribution described in the proposal.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         FY 1995 amount             Total amount             Description of     
                                   ----------------------------------------------------       contribution      
            Activities              Federal ITS    Matching   Federal ITS    Matching  -------------------------
                                       funds        funds        funds        funds        Public      Private  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Design                                                                                                          
Development                                                                                                     
Implementation                                                                                                  
Operation/Maintenance                                                                                           
Evaluation                                                                                                      
Project Management                                                                                              
      Total                                                                                                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the budget should include the following:
    1. Detailed costs for the major operational test components such as 
operational test management, hardware and software design, technical 
development and integration of project elements, installation and start 
up, operation and maintenance for the duration of the evaluation, data 
collection, analysis and evaluation, and reporting.
    2. Summarized costs which show the value of the resources needed 
for fiscal year (FY) 1995 as well as future years under the following 
three categories: Federal ITS funds, other public funds, and private 
funds.

Review Process

    A formal review process has been established to evaluate responses 
to this notice soliciting participation in the ITS operational test 
program. The Office of Traffic Management and ITS Applications, ITS 
Operational Test Division, of the FHWA is responsible for coordinating 
the formal review and selection with representatives from the FHWA, 
FTA, NHTSA, RSPA, and the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. 
Representatives from the DOT modal administrations with expertise in 
key technological or program areas will serve on a technical review 
team(s). The technical review team(s) will perform a detailed review of 
the offer based on requirements of this solicitation and the following 
selection criteria.

Selection Criteria

    The selection criteria set forth below supersede the criteria 
presented in the previous operational test notices dated May 8, 1992 
(57 FR 19959), July 20, 1992 (57 FR 32047), and September 8, 1993 (58 
FR 47310).

1. Relationship to National Program

    The Operational Test offer of participation shall:
    (a) Directly support the national goals and milestones of the user 
service areas described in this solicitation;
    (b) Advance the development and eventual implementation of the 
proposed technology or system. Demonstrate that there is an acceptable 
basis for believing that the technologies being tested will ultimately 
be successfully deployed or implemented;
    (c) Have meaningful, distinguishable features involving technical, 
institutional, market, or other important characteristics which have 
not been addressed in operational tests to date. Operational tests 
should not replicate past or current tests unless such replication 
provides a significant contribution to advancing the ITS program;
    (d) Fit within a logical evolution of the ITS program and 
supporting technology; and
    (e) Provide an approach that is technically feasible and responsive 
to the requirements of the user service area.

2. Evaluation

    In concert with the evaluation guidelines stated earlier, the 
Operational Test offer of participation shall:
    (a) Identify initial evaluation goals and objectives at the 
national and local level. These goals and objectives should reflect 
those activities required to move toward the national goals and 
milestones outlined in the ``Department of Transportation's IVHS 
Strategic Plan''. The evaluation goals and objectives should address, 
as a minimum, institutional issues, user acceptance, system benefits, 
costs, performance of the system, and impacts on the transportation 
system, including air quality;
    (b) Provide a general evaluation work plan that outlines the scope 
and method of evaluation of each goal and objective and an assessment 
of the opportunity to collect the necessary data that can answer 
questions of both local and national significance;
    (c) Provide for selection of an independent evaluator to ensure an 
unbiased evaluation of the operational test. The evaluator's 
responsibilities should be identified in the offer; and
    (d) Provide estimated overall costs for conducting the evaluation. 
The costs of data collection and evaluation should be identified as 
separate items.

3. Project Management and Proposed Partnership

    The Operational Test offer of participation shall:
    (a) Provide an overall level of confidence that the test will be 
successfully completed by:
    (1) Demonstrating an acceptable level of commitment, management 
capability, and business reliability of the partners.
    (2) Demonstrating that there is a commitment by all partners to a 
national technology sharing effort and a willingness to dedicate the 
time and effort required to share the technical and institutional 
results of the test with others.
    (3) Clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the 
principal partners and staff and demonstrating that they have the 
ability to perform their assigned responsibilities. For large or 
complex tests, an experienced systems manager to support the project is 
desirable.
    (b) Provide sufficient background to validate the accuracy of the 
cost and schedule estimates for the operational test;
    (c) Minimize any potential negative effects of the test and 
demonstrate an awareness of and approach for dealing with complicating 
technical or institutional factors which might adversely affect the 
test. Innovative or technically challenging ways for dealing with these 
factors will be of particular interest;
    (d) Identify the proposed agreements for sharing of technology 
developed under this operational test; and
    (e) Identify long range plans for full scale deployment of the 
technologies when the operational test has been successfully completed.

4. Suitability of the Test Site, Vehicle Fleet, and Infrastructure

    The Operational Test offer of participation shall:
    (a) Demonstrate that the operational test is part of a continuing, 
ongoing transportation management program or that there is a good 
opportunity for components of the operational test to evolve into 
operational systems after the testing is completed;
    (b) Demonstrate that the size and characteristics of the test and 
site are adequate for meaningful evaluation of the proposed system or 
technology and that the test and site have the operational or 
environmental characteristics to challenge the performance, 
reliability, and durability of the product or prototype being 
evaluated;
    (c) Ensure that local public transportation services are in place 
to provide a valid market test of the operational test technology and 
that the local public transportation providers are interested in the 
adoption of new technologies;
    (d) Provide the opportunity to evaluate the safety and air quality 
benefits of systems or operations where such issues are important 
considerations; and
    (e) Ensure adequate records to support the project evaluation with 
regard to operation, reliability, costs, institutional issues, and 
maintenance of the device or system being tested.

5. Non-Federal Partners' Role

    The Operational Test offer of participation shall:
    (a) Clearly state who will be the principal staff dedicated to the 
operational test by partner(s) and indicate the amount of time each 
staff member is expected to devote to the test; and
    (b) Ensure non-Federal contributions shown are allowable costs 
according to the cost principles in OMB circulars A-21, A-87 or A-122 
or 48 CFR Part 31, as applicable to the organization incurring the 
costs. Cost share arrangements should show enough detail to determine 
whether the resources being committed to the potential project are 
sufficient to ensure successful completion. Letters from all 
participants committing themselves to the project and specifically 
stating their financial commitment should be included with the offer.

6. Federal Role

    The Operational Test offer of participation shall:
    (a) Demonstrate that the Federal government role in the operational 
test is consistent with the Department's statutory role and 
responsibilities;
    (b) Provide for Federal participation in the design and conduct of 
the project evaluation to ensure that the project is independently 
evaluated on a national program scale;
    (c) Show that the proposed Federal ITS contribution to the 
operational test is consistent with the agency's ITS operational test 
funding policy and appropriate to the type and scope of the test;
    (d) Demonstrate that Federal ITS funds are not being used when 
regular Federal-aid, State, or private funds can and should be used or 
where the primary benefit of the operational test is in areas of 
private sector responsibility; and
    (e) Demonstrate that Federal participation in the proposed test is 
an appropriate use of the Federal Government's resources.

Negotiation and Approval Process

    Final approval and announcement of the selected offers are expected 
to take several months from the date the offers are received. For those 
offers selected, the lead DOT agency will begin negotiations with the 
project partners to reach mutually agreeable terms for an ITS 
operational test, including financial and technical issues. The 
negotiations will result in a funding agreement that documents project 
tasks, roles of partners, a budget, and a schedule for project 
execution and evaluation. The funding agreement between the DOT and the 
partnership is arranged through one non-federal partner, typically a 
State agency, who then serves as the lead for all funding agreements 
among the partners. Other non-federal partners, including local 
governments, universities, and the private sector, could also serve as 
lead.
    Only upon successful completion of these negotiations would a 
partnership be formed. The funding agreement considers the partners of 
an operational test to be independent contracting parties, and not 
business partners for the purposes of sharing profits and losses.

(Secs. 6051 through 6059, Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, 2189-
2195; 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48)

    Issued on: November 14, 1994.
Rodney E. Slater,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-28599 Filed 11-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P