Research Initiatives in Support of FHWA Next Generation Structural Materials and Systems
FHWA is funding research and development projects on next-generation structural materials and systems for bridges and highway structures, including standards, specifications, and acceptance criteria, under periodic calls within a 5-year open BAA.
⚑ Federal contract/BAA mechanism rather than a grant · White papers and proposals are accepted only during individual calls with topic-specific instructions and cutoff dates · Program is limited to FHWA bridge engineering research priorities; no institutional submission cap stated
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topics: environment, emergency_disaster_resilience; social/behavioral work is none; funds basic research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
Amendment 0001: The purpose of this amendment is to update the Broad Agency Announcement in accordance with agency priorities and the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) (https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-17). The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure Research and Development (HRDI) Bridge Engineering Research Team is announcing its intent to solicit white papers and proposals under this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). This BAA is developed in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.101(b)(3)(ii) and FAR 35.102. This BAA involves the use of a 5-year Open BAA to quickly and efficiently execute research and development to deliver practical solutions to high priority problems. This strategy will provide FHWA an acquisition tool with the flexibility to solicit white papers and proposals and make awards that meet present and compelling needs. White papers and proposals will only be solicited and accepted during individual calls. Calls for white papers and proposals will occur periodically throughout the life of the BAA. Each call will identify: (1) specific topic areas; (2) any changes to the standard evaluation criteria or white paper and/or proposal preparation instructions, and; (3) cutoff dates for submissions. The FHWA HRDI Bridge Engineering Research Team conducts and directs research efforts in support of the development of testing standards, structural design and construction specifications, and acceptance criteria. The FHWA HRDI Bridge Engineering Research Team leads the development and advancement of next generation structural materials and systems, and provides leadership in the development of standards, specifications, and acceptance criteria to enable their deployment. The work conducted generally enables the advancement of state-of-the-art solutions and positions HRDI as a leader in the deployment of such technologies to maintain or improve the safety, integrity, durability, and resilience of the Nation’s bridges and highway structures. The primary purpose of this BAA is to solicit a variety of solutions that will support the FHWA Bridge Engineering Research Team program areas: Structural Steel, Structural Concrete, Geotechnical Structures, and Bridge Hydraulics. Projects shall develop next generation technologies and solutions that address FHWA’s strategic goals. FHWA’s new strategic plan and associated goals for 2026-2030 is expected to be published February 2026 (https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan).
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF / FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION / 693JJ3 ACQUISITION AND GRANTS MGT.
Apply
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Federal (generic)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.