SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Post-Course Assessment and Reporting Tool for Trainers and TIM Responders Using the SHRP 2 Interdisciplinary Traffic Incident Management Curriculum
- Notice Date
- 3/20/2012
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- The National Academies, Transportation Research Board, SHRP2, 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20001
- Solicitation Number
- SHRP2_L32-C
- Archive Date
- 5/16/2012
- Point of Contact
- Gummada Murthy, Phone: 202-334-2542, Linda Mason, Phone: 202-334-3241
- E-Mail Address
-
gmurthy@nas.edu, lmason@nas.edu
(gmurthy@nas.edu, lmason@nas.edu)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program SHRP 2 Request for Proposals Focus Area: Reliability Project Number: L32-C Project Title: Post-Course Assessment and Reporting Tool for Trainers and TIM Responders Using the SHRP 2 Interdisciplinary Traffic Incident Management Curriculum Date Posted: March 20, 2012 Proposal Due Date: May 1, 2012 SHRP 2 Background To address the challenges of moving people and goods efficiently and safely on the nation's highways, Congress has created the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2). SHRP 2 is a targeted, short-term research program carried out through competitively awarded contracts to qualified researchers in the academic, private, and public sectors. SHRP 2 addresses four strategic focus areas: the role of human behavior in highway safety (Safety); rapid highway renewal (Renewal); congestion reduction through improved travel time reliability (Reliability); and transportation planning that better integrates community, economic, and environmental considerations into new highway capacity (Capacity). Under current legislative provisions, SHRP 2 has expanded its efforts to include activities such as pilot tests and field demonstrations that help to prepare research results for implementation. More information about the program is available on the website: www.TRB.org/SHRP2. Reliability Focus Area The major objective of SHRP 2 Reliability research is to greatly improve the reliability of highway travel times by reducing the frequency and effects of events that cause travel times to fluctuate unpredictably. The results of the research program should help local, state, and national agencies reduce travel time variability for travelers and shippers. The Reliability research plan addresses both recurring and nonrecurring congestion with an emphasis on nonrecurring congestion. The following seven potential sources of unreliable travel times (i.e., events that cause variable travel times) were identified: traffic incidents, work zones, demand fluctuations, special events, traffic control devices, weather, and inadequate base capacity. The Reliability focus area targets travel time variation-that frustrating characteristic of the transportation system that means you must allow an hour to make a trip that normally takes 30 minutes. Not only is reliability an important component for travelers and shippers, it is also an area of the congestion problem in which transportation agencies can make significant gains even as travel demand grows. The seven sources of unreliability account for approximately half of the total delay. Reducing reliability-related delay will also result in fewer crashes, reduced vehicle emissions and fuel use, and other benefits. These benefits can be realized through a mix of leading-edge research into a better understanding of strategies and their consequences, new technology and practices, and reducing institutional barriers so that our existing knowledge can be more fully exploited. The goals of the Reliability focus area are built around the first five of the seven sources mentioned above. Work on weather-related issues will be coordinated with the Road Weather Management R&D program under way at the Federal Highway Administration. Related research on inadequate base capacity being undertaken in the SHRP 2 Capacity focus area and elsewhere will be closely coordinated by SHRP 2 staff. Project Background The Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Train-the-Trainer program is the product of recently completed SHRP 2 Reliability research project L12. The training program consists of state-of-the-art TIM training and course curriculum materials geared to meet critical training needs of traffic incident responders and managers from many disciplines. Proposals are being solicited for the following three projects based on results from the L12 core research project: •L32-A: Conduct "Train-the-Trainer" Pilot Courses for Incident Responders and Managers The objective is to conduct five pilot workshops of the train-the-trainer course and curriculum material and to further refine the course material based on the lessons learned at the pilot sessions. •L32-B: e-Learning for Training Traffic Incident Responders and Managers This project will develop and implement an e-learning system that is primarily an electronic version of the classroom training and course curriculum material developed in project L12 and further refined in L32-A. •L32-C: Post-Course Assessment and Reporting Tool for Trainers and TIM Responders using the SHRP 2 Interdisciplinary Traffic Incident Management Curriculum The objective is to develop a tool that agencies can use to ensure student achievement of the TIM training learning objectives and to identify what additional resources TIM responders and managers might need to meet agency goals for responders. The L32-C contractor will work closely with the project team consisting of SHRP 2 staff and the L32 Technical Expert Task Group (TETG) along with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and other public sector and industry representatives. It is mandatory that the L32-C project contractor closely coordinates with the other L32 project efforts as those projects are developed and deployed. The details of the SHRP 2 L12 project, including reports and the classroom training material, will be made available to the prospective contractor. Project Objective The objective is to develop a tool that agencies can use to ensure student achievement of the TIM training learning objectives and to identify steps that agencies can take to meet their goals for incident response. The tool will have two components. The first is an assessment tool that trainers can use to assess the effectiveness of the SHRP 2 TIM training materials in helping students achieve the learning objectives of the curriculum. The second component provides opportunity to identify resources or equipment that TIM responders and managers might need to achieve the goals of successful TIM practices as presented in the SHRP 2 TIM training material and curriculum. Project Guidance To achieve the objectives and meet the functional requirements of this project, the contractor will develop and deliver: •A state-of-the-art report on current TIM training program assessment processes that helps project L32-C to define and establish a comprehensive TIM assessment E-tool program, and •A TIM assessment tool that will become the baseline assessment tool by which TIM agencies determine the effectiveness of SHRP 2 TIM training materials. The tool will apply across multiple target groups within incident response agencies and organizations at all organizational levels including: executives, mid-level program managers, field responders, and trainers conducting the subject training. This tool will be multi-faceted, sustainable, and scalable to a variety of applications (e.g. applicable to classes, online and email-based training, 1-hr executive briefings, etc.). It will provide a framework for coordination at the local program level with TIM program and process assessment and will be suitable for integration into FHWA and other national program efforts, including the L32-B self-assessment e-tool. The TIM training assessment tool will include evaluation of the two complementing L32-A and L32-B projects, and identification of the technical equipment and other labor, materials, and resources used by responders in carrying out TIM activities. •The TIM assessment tool will be scalable and will provide means to assess technical and process interoperability and serve individual agencies as an internal TIM assessment tool (similar to the FHWA TIM program self-assessment). •The developed TIM assessment tool will be developed in such a manner that it allows integration with the ongoing TIM efforts at FHWA and AASHTO. •The TIM tool will have the inventory capabilities to support a comprehensive listing of TIM trainers and trainees and TIM training sessions being held or already completed as part of the SHRP 2efforts. This information should be developed in collaboration with work being done in projects L32-A and L32-B. Specifically the inventory shall provide: -Coordinated database of trainees and trainers from projects L12 and L32-A. -Evaluation reports from these TIM training sessions -TIM trainer availability database - process and system for identifying TIM trainers available to provide courses. Please Note: A pre-bid webinar will be held within the next two weeks to discuss the desired outcomes of Projects L32-B and L32-C and to provide opportunity for potential proposers to ask questions. Registration for the free webinar will be available on the SHRP 2 website and announcements will be made as soon as a date is selected. Please check the site beginning March 22 for the registration announcement. Statement of Work This statement of work describes the key tasks to be performed for the SHRP 2 L32-C project. Task descriptions are intended to provide a framework for conducting the research. SHRP 2 is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meet the research objectives. Project Tasks Proposers must use a task structure to describe the research approach and must provide a cost estimate for each task in their proposal. A brief description of each task to be performed for L32-C project is provided in this section of the Statement of Work. The objectives reflected in the following tasks are considered essential, but proposers are invited to suggest different approaches that would accomplish the same objectives more effectively or efficiently. Task 1: Describe the TIM Training Program Assessment Process The contractor will succinctly describe a TIM training program assessment process that includes a full range of assessment dimensions (i.e., what the process and tool to be developed in L32-C will assess) such as: -TIM community knowledge and training needs -effectiveness of training content delivery -training logistics and mechanics -training outcomes and impacts on practice -TIM program self-assessment before-after comparison -national TIM training program assessment reporting - local, state, national (SWOT). Deliverables: Technical memoranda on the following topics will be developed for TETG review and approval: a)TIM training program assessment process needs analysis b)TIM training program assessment process design report Task 2: Literature Review The contractor will perform a pertinent literature review to develop a business model that specifies how best to develop, implement, and sustain the TIM assessment tool, including systems administration, configuration management, and daily application and use of the TIM assessment tool. The contractor will review and summarize the teams' assessment of other relevant national initiatives supporting professional capacity building, knowledge management and transfer, and training development and delivery for transportation operations. The contractor will identify existing business models and organizational entities that could influence or be adapted to support the TIM training program assessment process and tool. Additionally, based on the desired TIM training needs assessment process established in Task 1, the contractor will evaluate current assessment tools. The assessment will cover TIM programmatic, functional, and technical/technological requirements. As necessary, the L32-C contractor may be required to attend and evaluate the TIM pilot sessions being given as part of project L32-A (a minimum attendance at one L32-A pilot session and one additional FHWA and/or other national event is required). The assessment focus shall be on the process rather than the technical content. Finally, the contractor will prepare a list of TIM subject matter experts who can serve as an advisory group to provide guidance and oversight on implementation of the TIM assessment tool. From the provided list of subject matter experts the TETG will make a selection of three professionals to serve as advisors. Deliverables: The contractor will develop a technical memorandum for TETG review and approval. The technical memorandum will consist of: a)a synthesis of best practices identified in the review of TIM assessment tools b)L12/L32-A phase-one course evaluation and recommendations report c)A recommended business model and alternative models for the TIM training program assessment tool d)A preliminary list of TIM Professionals that will provide guidance and oversight on the implementation of the TIM assessment tool for TETG review. Task 3: TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool Implementation Plan Based on the literature review findings, the contractor will develop an implementation and management plan for the TIM training assessment tool. Deliverables: TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool implementation and management plans for TETG review and approval Task 4: Develop Functional Requirements for TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool Based on work performed in Tasks 1-3, the contractor will develop functional requirements for the TIM assessment and reporting tool. The contractor will prepare a report recommending a set of interrelated components and functional requirements for the TIM assessment and reporting tool. The report should also describe the architecture and development process for transforming the L12/L32-A pilot workshop findings into TIM assessment and reporting tool modules. The contractor must provide a clear plan indicating the milestone events and propose a review process to ensure consistent and effective input from the L32-A TETG members on critical tasks performed. Task 5: Develop Test Plan for TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool Develop a plan for testing the proposed TIM assessment and reporting tool, including the use of a TIM Assessment Group. Deliverables: Prepare a technical memorandum for TETG review and approval on a test plan for the TIM Assessment and Reporting tool. Task 6: Design and Build the TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool After TETG approval of the Task 2 reports, the contractor will design and develop the TIM assessment and reporting tool. The project activities under this task shall include: •Develop design and project management specifications with complete details on functional and working procedures. •Build a prototype TIM assessment tool. The functional requirements developed in Task 4 will be demonstrated using a traceability matrix that demonstrates how each functional requirement will meet the objective and functional guidance provided in this document. •The contractor is required to host the L32-C TIM assessment and reporting tool on a contractor-managed IT system and to make this tool available for public use as required by L32 TETG, SHRP 2, FHWA and AASHTO until a permanent arrangement is made to host the L32C TIM assessment tool elsewhere, a period not to extend beyond March 2015. •Demonstrate the TIM assessment tool prototype to the TETG. •Following TETG review, incorporate agreed on changes to the prototype if necessary and develop a fully functional TIM assessment tool. Deliverables: The contractor will prepare a Technical Memorandum for TETG approval consisting of the following reports: a)Detailed architecture of TIM assessment tool b)Design and project management specifications c)Prototype demonstration plans of TIM assessment tool d)Complete report on full working of TIM assessment tool with TETG comments Task 7: Test the TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool Test the TIM assessment and reporting tool using the test plan developed in Task 4. Deliverables: Technical memorandum on the test results and identified refinements for TETG review and approval. Task 8: Pilot the TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool Pilot and demonstrate the tested and approved TIM assessment and reporting tool using the information available from pilots being done by SHRP 2 L12 and L32-A and L32-B. Deliverables: Technical memorandum for TETG review and approval on lessons learned from the demonstration. Task 9: Operate and Administer the TIM Assessment and Reporting Tool During the contract term, the contractor will host the assessment and reporting tool on their IT systems and work with the TETG to make the product available for public domain use/applications. The contractor will supply IT requirements and meet all requirements for system management, administration, and upgrades. Deliverables: Monthly activity progress reports Task 10: Final Report Prepare and submit for review by the ETG a draft final report that includes a concise summary of the project along with technical and system operations information for the e-learning system in sufficient detail to allow seamless transfer of the system from the contractor to another host or hosts. Revise the report in response to comments and submit a revised Final Report. SHRP 2 ends in March 2015. Our goal is to have all final deliverables in hand one year before this termination date to allow for editing and publication. This contract period allows 9 months for carrying out the project and preparing the draft final report. Three additional months are allowed for review of the draft and delivery of the final report. If a specific host agency(ies) has (have) been identified, provide hands-on support for transfer and implementation. Special Notes: •The L12 training material was developed and tested with multidisciplinary classroom audiences (i.e. with representatives of transportation, law enforcement, fire services, and other disciplines in the same audience), allowing interaction during each block of instruction and during "table top" exercises. Further, the L12 audiences frequently included personnel with different levels of experience and from different levels of management, also allowing for face-to-face interaction. The L32-A classroom audiences will be similar. The L32-C proposal should address the implications for the TIM assessment and reporting tool and describe any experiences the proposer has with similar situations. •The L32-C contractor is expected to coordinate with other SHRP 2 L32 contractors relative to the content and delivery of the training material as well as web-based tools such as online registration for training, issuing certificates for completed training, assessment tools, and maintaining and using trainee databases. •The TIM assessment and reporting tool IT elements should be based as much as possible on off-the-shelf software and equipment that is readily available to state and other public sector agencies through existing contracts or standard bidding procedures. In selecting software for the e-learning system the contractor should seek to minimize ongoing licensing and maintenance costs without compromising functionality. •The standard SHRP 2 proposal selection criteria will be used. These include: understanding of the problem, quality of the proposal, experience and qualifications of the research team, a plan for participation by disadvantaged businesses, and adequacy of facilities (if special facilities are needed). In addition, the following criteria will also be applied: oSignificant expertise and experience in developing e-learning systems and tools for adults, especially for the types of users responsible for traffic incident management, including the application of innovative tools and methods (e.g., animation, video, scenarios, and other interactive features) •Contractor proposed project schedule should consider coordination with related initiatives, including but not limited to: oAn integrated L32 (A/B/C) timeline oFHWA- SHRP 2 L32 Implementation Plan (9/1 Deadline) •Efforts should be made to integrate project, process, and tool guidance and advisory functions into existing multidisciplinary national TIM groups such as the NTIMC and the TIM Network. •The final L32-C product must include a beta-tested version of the core component, the L12/32-A course, ready for full-scale implementation. The other components will be developed to the extent agreed to by the contractor and the TETG. (See "Task 3"above). •All of the components must be readily adaptable for changes in the content of the training material and other features such as instructions to users, links to other sources, software updates, and movement to different host systems. •The final product must be suitable for operation and maintenance using software and equipment that is readily available to public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Potential contractors should explain how they will address efficient transition to the ultimate host(s) of the L32-C products. Project Deliverables The L32-C project deliverables include: •Detailed work plan for the project, including a detailed time line with tasks, delivery dates, budgets, and proposed series of opportunities for consultation with and input by the L32 Technical Expert Task Group (TETG). •Task reports as specified Funds Available: Entire Project: $400,000 Contract Time: 12 months Responsible Staff: Gummada Murthy, gmurthy@nas.edu, 202-334-2542 Authorization to Begin Work: September 2012, estimated Proposal Due Date: May 1, 2012 Proposals (20 single-bound copies) are due at the address below by 4:30 p.m. on May 1, 2012. This is a firm deadline and extensions are not granted. To be considered, all 20 copies of the agency's proposal accompanied by the executed, unmodified Liability Statement must be in our offices not later than the deadline shown or they will be rejected. Delivery Address: PROPOSAL-SHRP 2 ATTN: Gummada Murthy Strategic Highway Research Program 2 Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington DC 20001 Phone: 202-334-1340 Liability Statement The signature of an authorized representative of the proposing agency is required on the unaltered statement in order for SHRP 2 to accept the agency's proposal for consideration. Proposals submitted without this executed and unaltered statement by the proposal deadline will be rejected. An executed, unaltered statement indicates the agency's intent and ability to execute a contract that includes the provisions in the statement. Here is a printable version of the Liability Statement (http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/LiabilityStatement.pdf). A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat PDF reader is available at http://www.adobe.com. The Liability Statement is included as Figure 1 in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 (http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/PreparingSHRP2Reports.pdf) referred to in General Note 4. General Notes 1. Proposals will be evaluated by SHRP 2 staff and Expert Task Groups (ETGs) consisting of individuals collectively very knowledgeable in the problem area. Selection of an agency is made by the SHRP 2 Oversight Committee, based on the recommendation from SHRP 2 staff and the ETG. The following factors are considered: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experimental design-the approach to validating the handbook is a key consideration; (3) the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; (4) the proposer's plan for participation by disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs)-small firms owned and controlled by minorities or women; and (5) the adequacy of facilities. TRB and the SHRP 2 Oversight Committee strongly encourage the significant participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in SHRP 2 research contracts. Although no quota is specified nor is DBE participation mandated, the proposer's plan for involvement of DBEs is a factor in selection of the research contractor, and the contractor's adherence to its DBE plan will be monitored during the contract period. The "Research Team Builder" section of the SHRP 2 web site (http://www.trb.org/StrategicHighwayResearchProgram2SHRP2/Pages/Research_Team_Builder_177.aspx) is a resource for proposers interested in participating on research teams. 2. Any clarifications regarding this RFP will be posted on the SHRP 2 Web site (www.TRB.org/SHRP2). Announcements of such clarifications will be posted on the front page and, when possible, will be noted in the TRB e-newsletter. Proposers are advised to check the Web site frequently until April 25, 2012, when no further comments will be posted. 3. According to the provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 21, which relates to nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs, all parties are hereby notified that the contract entered into pursuant to this announcement will be awarded without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. 4. The essential features required in a proposal for research are detailed in the Manual for Conducting Research and Preparing Proposals for SHRP 2 (http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/PreparingSHRP2Reports.pdf).Proposals must be prepared according to this document, and attention is directed specifically to Section IV for mandatory requirements. Proposals that do not conform to these requirements will be rejected. 5. The total funds available are made known in the project statement, and line items of the budget are examined to determine the reasonableness of the allocation of funds to the various tasks. If the proposed total cost exceeds the funds available, the proposal is rejected. 6. All proposals become the property of the Transportation Research Board. Final disposition will be made according to the policies thereof, including the right to reject all proposals. IMPORTANT NOTICE Potential proposers should understand that the research project described herein is tentative. The final content of the program depends on the level of funding made available. Nevertheless, to be prepared to execute research contracts as soon as possible after sponsors' approvals, the second Strategic Highway Research Program is assuming that the tentative program will become official in its entirety and is proceeding with requests for proposals and selections of research agencies.
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