[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24665-24668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11388]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Discretionary Cooperative Agreement To Accelerate the
Development, Evaluation, and Deployment of Collision Avoidance Systems
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
ACTION: Announcement of Discretionary Cooperative Agreement to
Accelerate the Development, Evaluation, and Deployment of Collision
Avoidance Systems.
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SUMMARY: NHTSA announces this discretionary cooperative agreement
program to support collision avoidance system research studies and
solicits applications for projects under this program.
[[Page 24666]] DATES: Applications must be received on or before July
7, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Contracts and Procurement
(NAD-30), ATTN: Richard Bellamy, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5301,
Washington, DC 20590. All applications submitted must include a
reference to NHTSA Cooperative Agreement Program No. DTNH22-95-R-07301
and identify the program area for which the application is submitted.
Interested applicants are advised that no separate application package
exists beyond the contents of this announcement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Bellamy, Office of Contracts and Procurement, at (202) 366-8902
for general administrative questions. Programmatic questions relating
to this cooperative agreement program should be directed to John J.
Ference, Office of Crash Avoidance Research (NRD-51), National Highway
Traffic Safety Administrative, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 6220,
Washington, DC 20590; phone: (202) 366-0168.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Objectives
The NHTSA has the responsibility to devise strategies to reduce the
number of motor vehicle collisions and to save lives and reduce
injuries and property damage through the prevention and reduction in
severity of motor vehicle collisions. The NHTSA Office of Crash
Avoidance Research conducts and manages research intended to analyze
driver-vehicle interaction, identify specific vehicle designs,
components, or parameters associated with driver performance errors and
resulting collisions, and develop and evaluate vehicle-based collision
avoidance countermeasure concepts and devices.
The importance of NHTSA's role in the field of Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS) was noted in a September 12, 1991 report
of the Senate Committee on Appropriations accompanying the Department
of Transportation appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 1992 (102-148;
page 120):
The Committee believes that assessing the capabilities of the
technology being developed to improve safety and to assist in its
development and application should be a priority for NHTSA research.
The early implementation of collision avoidance systems including
such technology as radar warning/braking, blind spot monitoring,
driver performance monitoring, infrared imaging for night vision
enhancement, and adaptive cruise control will yield a major payoff
in the long term because of the cumulative effect that accrues as
more vehicles are equipped. It is also important for NHTSA to work
in partnership with technology developers and States to develop
innovative demonstrations of safety systems.
In accordance with NHTSA research priorities and the program
direction outlined above, the purpose of this cooperative agreement
program is to accelerate the development, evaluation, and development
of collision avoidance enabling technologies, products, and systems and
to expand the knowledge base of collision avoidance as a result of the
studies conducted.
Applicants should identify the program area(s) which their proposed
research projects would address. Program areas of current interest
include:
(a) Development and validation of procedures, methodologies and
techniques for measuring and evaluating collision avoidance/warning
system performance and determining which collision avoidance/warning
functions and operating characteristics should be industry standards,
and
(b) Application of advanced technologies, including integration of
information available from other collision avoidance systems, to
improve driver vision during nighttime and inclement weather.
These program areas have been identified as the focus for this
solicitation. However, proposals in other program areas which
applicants believe will accelerate the development and deployment of
effective collision avoidance systems will also be consider.
NHTSA Involvement
The NHTSA Office of Crash Avoidance Research will be involved in
all activities undertaken as part of this cooperative agreement program
and will:
1. Provide, on an as-available basis, one professional staff
person, to be designated as the Contracting Officer's Technical
Representative (COTR), to participate in the planning and management of
the cooperative agreement, and to coordinate activities between the
organization and NHTSA;
2. Make available information and technical assistance from
government sources, within available resources and as determined
appropriate by the COTR. This shall include collision data from state
and national accident databases, and human factors data that may be of
use in supporting research efforts;
3. Provide liaison with other government agencies and organizations
as appropriate; and
4. Help expand the knowledge base of collision avoidance systems
and enabling technologies by publishing nonproprietary information
developed at Government expense in the scientific literature, thus
making it available to all organizations involved in research and
product development in this area.
Period of Support
The research and development effort described in this notice may be
supported through the award of a cooperative agreement. NHTSA reserves
the right to make multiple cooperative agreement awards for the effort
described in this notice depending on the merits of the applications
received and the amount of Federal funding available.
Contingent on the availability of funds and satisfactory
performance, cooperative agreement(s) will be awarded to eligible
organization(s) for project periods of up to 3 years. It is currently
intended that no cooperative agreement awarded as a result of this
notice shall exceed $500,000 per year.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in this cooperative agreement
program, an applicant must be a commercial organization (small or
large), a non-profit organization or an educational institution.
Regardless of the type of organization applying for Federal funding
assistance, no fee or profit will be allowed.
Application Procedure
Each application must submit one original and two copies of its
application package to: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Office of Contracts and Procurement (NAD-30), ATTN: Richard Bellamy,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5301, Washington, DC 20590. Only complete
application packages received on or before July 7, 1995 shall be
considered. Submission of three additional copies will expedite
processing, but is not required. The applicant shall specifically
identify any information in the application for which confidentiality
is asserted, in accordance with the procedures of 49 CFR part 512,
Confidential Business Information.
Application Contents
The application package must be submitted with OMB Standard Form
424 (Rev. 4-88), including 424A and 424B), with the required
information filled in and the certified assurances included. While the
Form 424-A deals with budget information, and Section B identifies
budget categories, the available space does not permit a level of
detail which is sufficient for a [[Page 24667]] meaningful evaluation
of proposed costs. A supplemental sheet should be provided which
presents a detailed breakdown of all proposed costs, as well as the
costs which the applicant proposes to contribute in support of this
effort, or any additional financial commitment made by other sources.
Applicants shall include a program narrative statement which
addresses the following:
1. A description of the research to be pursued which addresses:
a. the objectives, goals, anticipated outcomes, and development
efforts that will be undertaken as part of the proposed research
effort;
b. the impact the proposed research effort will have on fostering
the competitiveness of the United States ITS industry in national and
international markets;
c. the potential of the proposed research effort accomplishments to
make a significant contribution to the deployment of collision
avoidance systems and the potential for improving the rate of
deployment of proven collision avoidance technology;
d. the major tasks and sub tasks to be undertaken as part of the
proposed research effort identified and described in the form of a
statement of work. The program narrative and statement of work should
be described in sufficient detail to demonstrate proficiency in
technical areas relevant to the proposed project and an understanding
of the purpose and unique problems represented by the research
objectives of this cooperative agreement program.
2. The proposed program director and other key personnel identified
for participation in the proposed research effort, including a
description of their qualifications and their respective organizational
responsibilities.
3. A description of the test facilities and equipment currently
available or to be obtained for use in the conduct of the proposed
research effort.
4. A description of the applicant's previous experience or on-going
research program that is related to this proposed research effort.
5. Detailed narrative descriptions which include:
a. A detailed task schedule, Gantt, or PERT chart showing the
duration, relationship and sequencing of proposed tasks, sub tasks,
project milestones, project deliverables and all planned oral
presentations.
b. A management plan that demonstrates the ability to direct and
coordinate the project tasks and manage administrative activities.
c. A budget for the proposed research effort, including the cost-
sharing contribution proposed by the applicant, as well as any
additional financial commitments made by other sources. The budget
detail shall include all cost components of the project, including
applicable overhead rates. Labor categories, hourly labor rates, and
projected labor hours for each labor category by major task and sub
task should be included, as well as all materials, computer time, test
facility fees, etc.
d. A detailed description of deliverables that will be provided to
NHTSA during the project and upon completion of the research effort.
All written reports delivered to NHTSA should be suitable for public
release.
6. A detailed statement of any technical assistance which the
applicant may require of NHTSA in order to successfully complete the
proposed research effort.
Application Review Process and Criteria
Initially, all applications will be reviewed to confirm that the
applicant is an eligible recipient and to ensure that the application
contains all the information required by the Application Contents
section of this notice.
Each complete application from an eligible recipient will then be
evaluated by a Technical Evaluation Committee. The applications will be
evaluated using the following criteria:
1. The applicant's understanding of the purpose and unique problems
represented by the research objectives of this cooperative agreement
program as evidenced in the description of their proposed project. The
impact the proposed research effort will have on fostering the
competitiveness of the United States ITS industry in national and
international markets will also be evaluated. Specific attention shall
be placed upon the applicant's stated proposed research effort as
described in its program narrative and statement of work.
2. The potential of the proposed research effort accomplishments to
make a significant contribution to the deployment of collision
avoidance systems and the potential for improving the rate of
deployment of proven collision avoidance technology will be a primary
consideration.
3. The technical and financial merit of the proposed research
effort, including the feasibility of approach, practicality, planned
methodology, and anticipated results. Financial merit will be estimated
by the cost of the cooperative agreement to be borne by NHTSA compared
to the resources that would be contributed by the applicant and other
sources relative to the potential of the proposed research effort
accomplishments to make a significant contribution to the deployment of
collision avoidance systems and the potential for improving the rate of
deployment of proven collision avoidance technology.
4. The adequacy and availability of relevant test facilities and
equipment identified to accomplish the proposed research effort.
5. The adequacy of the organizational plan for accomplishing the
proposed research effort, including the qualifications and experience
of the research team, the various disciplines represented, and the
relative level of effort proposed for professional, technical, and
support staff.
Terms and Conditions of the Award
1. If applicable, the protection of the rights and welfare of human
subjects in NHTSA-sponsored experiments is established in NHTSA Orders
700-1 and 700-3. Any recipient must satisfy the requirements and
guidelines of the NHTSA Orders 700 series prior to award of the
cooperative agreement. It is not anticipated that non-human subjects
will be used in any testing performed under this cooperative agreement.
A copy of the NHTSA Orders 700 series may be obtained from the
administrative information contact designated in this notice.
2. Prior to award, the recipient must comply with the certification
requirements of 49 CFR Part 20--Department of Transportation New
Restrictions on Lobbying and 49 CFR Part 29--Department of
Transportation Government-wide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace (Grants).
3. Cooperative agreement(s) will be negotiated to include
provisions appropriate to organizational conflicts of interest and
rights in data (e.g., patent rights, copyright). At the time of
negotiation, applicants may be required to disclose all actual or
apparent conflicts of interest.
4. During the effective period of the cooperative agreement(s)
awarded as a result of this notice, the agreement(s) shall be subject
to NHTSA's General Provisions for Assistance Agreements, the cost
principles of OMB Circular A-21, A-122, or FAR 31.2, as applicable to
the recipient, and the requirements of 49 CFR Part 20 and Part 29. The
agreement(s) shall also be subject to the general administrative
requirements of 49 CFR Part 19--Department of Transportation Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and [[Page 24668]] Agreements
with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit
Organizations.
5. Reporting Requirements:
a. Written Research Reports: The recipient shall submit bimonthly
research reports due 15 days after each reporting period. The recipient
shall also submit an annual report for each year of performance due 30
days after each reporting year, and a final research report due 30 days
following completion of the research effort. An unbound original and
five copies of all written research reports shall be submitted to the
COTR.
b. Oral Briefings: The recipient shall conduct a kickoff briefing
within 30 days after award and two semiannual oral presentations of
research results during each year of performance. For planning
purposes, assume that all presentations will be held in the Nassif
Building at U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, DC. An unbound original and ten copies of all
briefing materials shall be submitted to the COTR five working days
prior to each oral presentation.
Issued on: May 4, 1995.
William A. Leasure, Jr.,
Acting Associate Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 95-11388 Filed 5-8-95; 8:45 am]
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