Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts Initiative: Request for Innovation Information

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hereby requests information from all sources regarding innovations that have the potential to transform the way we do business by shortening project delivery, enhancing the safety of our roadways, and protecting the environment. The purpose of this RFI is to hear from our state, local, and industry partners regarding ideas for accelerated deployment of proven processes or technologies that have the potential to provide efficiencies at all levels of the transportation system. This RFI is issued under the FHWA Every Day Counts Innovation Initiative.

NOTE: This is a RFI notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals or applications, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose for this RFI notice is to conduct market research to identify proven innovations. This RFI notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract or grant, nor does the Government intend to directly pay for any information or responses submitted as the result of this RFI notice. Information obtained as a result of this RFI notice may be used by the Government for program planning on a non-attribution basis. Do not include any information that might be considered proprietary or confidential.

2. BACKGROUND

FHWA Administrator Mendez has advocated that deploying innovation to shorten project delivery and accelerating the penetration of innovative technology into the market place need to become part of our everyday business model. The economic circumstances that have posed such difficult challenges to transportation agencies at all levels will remain a challenge for some time to come. To that end, FHWA launched Every Day Counts (EDC) – a broad concept to shorten project delivery and speed the deployment of proven, underutilized technologies. The EDC initiative has had a successful inaugural year and is already beginning to have an impact on the transportation system. What the Administrator initiated and what we all built together must continue.

FHWA believes that a foundation has been laid to make innovation a cornerstone of our business, and we can continue to identify rapidly deployable innovations that achieve the goal of better, faster and smarter project delivery. Our society and our industry face an unprecedented list of challenges. Because of our economy, we need to work more efficiently. The public wants greater accountability in how we spend their money. We need to find ways to make our roads safer, and we have an obligation to help preserve our planet for future generations.

The EDC initiative focuses on two pillars for innovation.

• Accelerating Technology: 21st century technologies and solutions to improve safety, reduce congestion, produce longer-lasting infrastructure, and keep America moving and competitive in the world market.
• Shortening Project Delivery: Innovative practices that increase our ability to deliver timely transportation projects to the public.

When identifying innovations under these pillars, FHWA considers the following:

• Impact: How the innovation will affect the transportation system.
• Readiness: How soon the impact of deploying the innovation can be realized.
• Affordability: Efficient use of resources to implement and maintain.
• Urgency and Scale: Potential to positively impact the environment, safety, congestion, freight movement, construction techniques, contracting methods, project costs, maintenance, preservation or emergency response.

3. REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI NOTICE

FHWA invites all sources to submit a response to this RFI notice. Responses shall clearly identify:

1. Organization name
2. Point(s) of contact, e-mail address, and telephone number
3. Description of a proven process or technology aimed at reducing the time and money required to deliver transportation projects while protecting the environment and enhancing safety and performance.
a. What is the process or technology? (Provide a clear, concise description.)
b. What makes the process or technology transformative and “game changing” in time, money, and quality?
c. What makes this process or technology nationally significant?
d. What evidence demonstrates the process or technology is viable now in a transportation application? Where and how has it has been successfully applied?
e. How does the process or technology affect time and costs in a way that is tangible and quantifiable?
f. What are the quantifiable performance benefits of the process or technology?
g. What supporting specifications, guidelines, and /or procedures are available to support successful national deployment?
h. Who are the champions of this process or technology?

4. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

RFI NOTICE ISSUE DATE: October 24, 2011
DUE DATE FOR RESPONSES: December 1, 2011 by 11:59 pm Eastern
SUBMIT RESPONSES TO: everydaycounts@dot.gov
SUBMIT QUESTIONS TO: everydaycounts@dot.gov

For more information, please go to http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts. Interested parties are advised to monitor the FHWA EDC website for any updates regarding this RFI notice.