[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21741]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 2, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Cooperative Agreement Announcement; Discretionary Cooperative
Agreement To Foster the Development, Evaluation, and Deployment of a
Heavy Vehicle Intelligent Commercial Vehicle Communication and Powering
Enhancement System(s)
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: NHTSA announces this discretionary cooperative agreement
program to foster the development, evaluation, and deployment of a
heavy vehicle intelligent communication and powering enhancement
system(s) and solicits applications for projects under this program.
DATES: Applications must be received on or before October 15, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Contracts and Procurement
(NAD-30), ATTN: Henrietta Mosley, 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-07001.
Interested applicants are advised that no separate application package
exists beyond the contents of this announcement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Henrietta Mosley, Office of Contracts and Procurement, at (202) 366-
9570, for general administrative questions; and C.J. Britell, Office of
Crash Avoidance Research (NRD-53), (202) 366-5678 for programmatic
questions; at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400
Seventh Street SW., room 6220, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
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. NHTSA's 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.
There are approximately 1.6 million truck tractors and 3.6 million
trailers in use in the motor carrier industry today. IVHS technology
offers a significant potential to improve the productivity of the
industry and help reduce the approximately 200,000 crashes in which
these vehicles are involved each year. To date, the application of
these technologies to commercial vehicles has been limited to single
unit trucks and truck tractors because of constraints inherent in the
present combination-unit truck trailer electrical powering and
signalling communication system.
Traditionally, the U.S. trucking industry equipment needs have been
supplied by the truck/tractor manufacturer (supplying the towing unit)
and the trailer manufacturer (supplying the cargo space to move goods).
The two units are married at the fifth wheel of the power unit and the
king-pin of the trailer. Communication and powering between the tractor
and trailer consists of little more than supplying power and control
from the tractor to the running lights of the trailer through the
standard seven pin electrical connector (seven circuits). One of the
primary reasons for lack of technology change in the standard seven
circuit connection between the tractor and trailer is that any change
may result in lack of compatibility between tractors and trailers
operating in the U.S. However, the defense, aerospace, and computer
industries have begun to focus on commercial vehicle applications as a
potential new market for their innovative ideas and advanced
technologies to improve safety, efficiency and productivity. In order
for these advances to happen, they must comply with the needs and
objectives of the users.
Vehicle/unit locators, vehicle/driver trip loggers, on-board weight
measurement and recording systems, vehicle maintenance status monitor/
recorder/transmitters, administrative credentials transponders, etc.,
are envisioned, and in some cases, beginning to be installed on trucks
and tractors, resulting in significant operational efficiency benefits.
Likewise, sideward-looking, reward-looking, and forward-looking
collision avoidance systems, driver performance monitors, antilock and
electronic braking systems, brake maintenance status monitors, etc.,
are envisioned, and in some cases, beginning to be installed on trucks
and tractors to enhance their operational safety performance.
To date, the application of these developing technologies to
commercial vehicles has been limited predominately to the power unit.
There is clearly a need to overcome the inherent constraints presently
found in the communicating and powering system between tractors and
trailers. These constraints are exacerbated in the case of multi-unit
combination tractor/trailers, the vehicle type which will likely have
an increased future role in improving the productivity of the motor
carrier industry. The ability to install advanced technology IVHS
productivity and safety enhancing equipment on this type of vehicle may
be a key element in making their expanded future use practical and
acceptable.
A number of possibilities have been suggested this issue, including
but not limited to: radio/telemetry communication linkages among units
in the combination, communications signal multiplexing, voltage
enhancements, wiring system upgrades, additional electrical circuits
and/or wiring connector systems, etc. The successful introduction of
any or all of these approaches will hinge on whether they can be
integrated, and be compatible with existing equipment in the current
commercial motor carrier fleet. A comparative evaluation of these
approaches, and fleet demonstrations of the most promising among these,
will help foster the implementation of IVHS technology in this
application.
Objective
To assess the functional capabilities and limitations, as well as
the reliability and practicality, of alternative means of providing
power to and sending/receiving communication signals to/from multiple
numbers and different types of advanced technology safety and
productivity enhancing systems on multi-unit combination heavy
commercial tractor/trailers. Assessments will be made with a view to
fostering the ability of system suppliers and truck users to
commercially deploy these type systems.
Research Approach
NHTSA believes that a teaming approach may be necessary to conduct
this research. One or more cooperative agreements are envisioned in
which a consortium of organizations with experience in truck/tractor
manufacturing, trailer manufacturing, electronic system and component
development, wiring and connectors, vehicle test and evaluation, and
motor carrier operation (in the case of an in-service demonstration
project) appear ideally suited to pursue this program.
Because of the potential for cost sharing, the performing
organization may retain the rights to any proprietary product or
technology developed under the agreement, subject to a government use
license. The organization would be free to pursue commercial
development and marketing for the products. NHTSA will require
deliverables, however, which could include reports suitable for
publishing in the public domain to document such items as the research
methods and system evaluation results. Certain proprietary information,
such as algorithms, need not be released in the public domain.
It is anticipated that one or more cooperative agreements may be
awarded under this program. Projects will be funded incrementally, with
up to a three-year support period. The maximum funding level that is
anticipated for the total project is $575,000, excluding cost sharing
provided by the performing organization(s). The maximum incremental
funding available in any one year is anticipated to be $300,000.
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 data from state and
national accident databases, human factors data, or any other resources
within the government 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.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in this cooperative agreement
program, an applicant must be a for-profit business 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. While the proposed
research effort may require extensive collaboration among several
organizations, it is envisioned that during the pre-application
process, these various organizations will designate one organization to
prepare and submit the formal application.
Application Procedure
Each applicant 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: Henrietta Mosley,
400 Seventh Street SW., room 5301, Washington, DC 20590. Only complete
application packages received on or before October 15, 1994 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 requested, in accordance with the procedures of 49 CFR Part 512,
Confidential Business Information.
Application Contents
1. 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 meaningful evaluation of proposed costs. A
supplemental sheet should be provided which presents a detailed
breakdown of the 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. The budget
detail shall include all cost components of the project. Labor
categories, hourly labor rates, and projected labor hours for each
category should be included, as well as all materials, computer time,
test facility fees, etc. For planning purposes, the required briefings,
during the agreement performance period, will be conducted at NHTSA in
Washington, DC.
2. Applicants shall include a program narrative statement which
includes the following:
a. A statement of work describing the development of the prototype
heavy vehicle communication and powering enhancement system(s). All
phases of the system(s) development should be described in sufficient
detail to demonstrate technical and administrative proficiency in each
area of the project (e.g., vehicle communication and powering
enhancement devices, assessing system performance, obtaining test
vehicles, assembling the system hardware, etc.). Specific details on
product development should be included; for example, a system requiring
sensors should include information on whether those sensors are off-
the-shelf or are to be developed as part of the research effort.
b. The proposed program director and other key personnel identified
for participation in the proposed research effort, including a
description of the project team and individual qualifications and their
respective organizational responsibilities.
c. A description of the test facilities and equipment currently
available or to be obtained for use in conducting the proposed research
effort.
d. A description of the applicant's previous experience or on-going
research programs that are related to this proposed research effort.
e. A detailed schedule, and management plan for the proposed
research effort, to include:
1. A detailed task schedule, Gantt, or PERT chart to show the
duration, relationship and sequencing of proposed tasks, sub tasks,
project milestones, and project deliverables.
2. A management plan that reflects the capability to direct and
coordinate the project tasks and administrative activities among the
team member organizations.
f. A description of deliverables that will be provided to NHTSA
during the project and upon completion of the research effort. This
could include written reports, video tapes of computer simulations and/
or full-scale vehicle tests, test data, etc. Each deliverable should be
identified as to whether it will be proprietary information or suitable
for release in the public domain.
g. 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 technical merit of the proposal, including 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 development of commercially
viable communication and powering enhancement systems for heavy
vehicles will be evaluated. The technical merit of the proposed
research effort, including the feasibility of approach, practicality,
planned methodology, and anticipated results, will have the most weight
of all evaluation factors. The proposal will be evaluated for
demonstrated proficiency in each technical subject included in the
proposal.
2. The adequacy and availability of relevant test facilities and
equipment identified to accomplish the proposed research effort.
3. The applicant's previous and current organizational experience
and personnel qualifications as related to this effort.
4. The completeness and clarity of the applicant's plan for
accomplishing the proposed research will be evaluated. This includes
the task schedule and proposed management plan needed to direct and
coordinate identified project tasks.
Terms and Conditions of the Award
1. Procedures for the protection of the rights and welfare of human
subjects in NHTSA-sponsored experiments are set forth in NHTSA Orders
700-1 and 700-3. Any recipient proposing the use of human subjects 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. Each cooperative agreement will be negotiated to include
provisions appropriate to organizational conflicts of interest, patent
rights, rights in data, and copyright retention by the applicant. 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 Agreements with Institutions
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations as
applicable to those organizations.
5. Reporting Requirements:
a. Research Progress Reports: The recipient shall provide bimonthly
research progress reports which shall be due 15 days after the
reporting period, and a final research report within 45 days after the
completion of the research effort. An original and two copies of each
of these research reports shall be submitted to the COTR.
b. Oral Briefings: There shall be a start-up briefing held at the
NHTSA Office of Crash Avoidance Research, Washington, DC within 15 days
of initiation of the cooperative agreement. The recipient shall conduct
semiannual oral presentations of research results for the COTR and
other interested NHTSA personnel. An original and at least two copies
of briefing materials shall be submitted to the COTR at the time of
each briefing.
George L. Parker,
Associate Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 94-21741 Filed 9-1-94; 8:45 am]
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