Opportunity Information: Apply for DTFH61 13 RA 00018
Apply for DTFH61 13 RA 00018
- The DOT Federal Highway Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Air Quality and Congestion Mitigation Measure Outcomes Assessment Study" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.200 Highway Research and Development Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 11, 2013 and posted on Jul 11, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 9, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Section 1113 (c)(3) of MAP 21 requires that a grant must be made for the coordination, selection, management and reporting of component studies to an independent scientific research organization with the necessary experience in successfully conducting accountability and other studies on mobile source air pollution and associated health effects. 1. Independent scientific research organizations (ISROs) are eligible to apply for this cooperative agreement. (See below for the meaning of ISRO). Applications will be rejected if they are not received from an ISRO. Applicants must verify in Attachment A that they meet the eligibility requirements and provide any necessary documentation to support their eligibility. Please provide articles of incorporation or other similar documentation that demonstrate that your organization would be considered an Independent Scientific Research Organization. The Government may request further documentation after receipt of the application. Applicants should also demonstrate that they meet the requisite research experience as listed below. The ISRO may enter into a partnership agreement with non profit organizations, other ISROs, institutions of higher education, businesses, or other entities to assist with program activities. The successful applicant will be an ISRO as defined below. Independent Scientific Research Organization (ISRO) means a not for profit research corporation or association organized under the laws of any state for the purpose of carrying out research including scientific experimentation or analysis. 2. Research experience ISROs must possess and demonstrate the necessary experience in successfully conducting accountability and other studies on mobile source air pollutants and associated health effects. (MAP 21 Section 1113 (c))
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Opportunity Summary:
The Air Quality and Congestion Mitigation Measure Outcomes Assessment Study was a discretionary research grant opportunity released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to examine what has actually resulted from projects funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program since the SAFETEA-LU era. The central aim was to move beyond projected benefits and develop a clearer, evidence-based picture of outcomes tied to CMAQ-funded transportation actions, particularly focusing on emissions reduction potential, broader air quality effects, and human health impacts associated with changes in mobile-source pollution.
A major emphasis of the study was accountability and causality. FHWA was looking for work that could strengthen the empirical evidence linking specific transportation measures to real-world outcomes, including both intended results (for example, reductions in criteria pollutants or greenhouse-gas-related co-benefits) and unintended consequences (for example, shifts in travel behavior that could offset gains, changes in congestion patterns that influence emissions differently than expected, or localized exposure impacts that differ from regional averages). In addition to measuring outcomes, the effort was also intended to critique and validate the methods commonly used for these kinds of assessments. That means the project was not only about producing results, but also about evaluating whether existing modeling, monitoring, and evaluation approaches are reliable, where they fall short, and what improvements are needed for future CMAQ performance assessment.
The award mechanism was a cooperative agreement, which typically signals substantial federal involvement during the project. Rather than simply funding a study and stepping back, FHWA would likely coordinate closely with the recipient on study design, component selection, management, and reporting. The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $1,000,000 and an award ceiling of $1,250,000 (no stated minimum award floor). A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the recipient was expected to contribute non-federal resources or otherwise meet matching rules described in the full announcement.
Eligibility was narrowly defined by statute under MAP-21 Section 1113(c)(3). The cooperative agreement had to be made to an Independent Scientific Research Organization (ISRO) with demonstrated experience conducting accountability and related studies on mobile-source air pollutants and associated health effects. The solicitation defined an ISRO as a not-for-profit research corporation or association organized under state law specifically for carrying out research, including scientific experimentation or analysis. Applications that did not come from an ISRO were to be rejected. Applicants were required to document their eligibility (including articles of incorporation or similar proof) and demonstrate the relevant research experience. While only an ISRO could be the prime recipient, the ISRO was allowed to partner with other entities such as nonprofits, other ISROs, universities, and businesses to support the work.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted July 11, 2013, with a closing date of August 9, 2013, and it was later archived September 8, 2013. It was issued under Funding Opportunity Number DTFH61-13-RA-00018, within CFDA 20.200 (Highway Research and Development Program), and categorized under transportation research. For applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement, FHWA listed a point of contact: Robert Miller, Agreement Specialist (202-366-9167, Rob.Miller@dot.gov).
In practical terms, this grant opportunity was designed to produce a rigorous, research-driven assessment of how well CMAQ-funded transportation strategies have performed over time in reducing emissions and improving air quality and public health, while also testing the credibility of the tools and evaluation methods used to claim those benefits. The structure and eligibility requirements make clear that FHWA wanted an independent, scientifically grounded organization to lead a coordinated set of component studies and deliver findings that could inform future CMAQ policy, program design, and performance measurement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Air Quality and Congestion Mitigation Measure Outcomes Assessment Study grant opportunity?
It is a discretionary research grant opportunity released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The study was designed to examine what has actually resulted from projects funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program since the SAFETEA-LU era, with an emphasis on real-world outcomes rather than projected benefits.
What is the main purpose of this study?
The central purpose is to move beyond forecasts and develop an evidence-based understanding of outcomes tied to CMAQ-funded transportation actions, particularly around emissions reduction potential, broader air quality effects, and human health impacts linked to changes in mobile-source pollution.
What topics and outcomes was FHWA most interested in assessing?
FHWA emphasized outcomes related to mobile-source emissions, air quality impacts, and human health impacts. The focus included intended effects (such as reductions in criteria pollutants and possible greenhouse-gas-related co-benefits) as well as unintended effects (such as travel behavior changes that might offset gains, congestion pattern shifts that alter emissions differently than expected, and localized exposure impacts that may differ from regional averages).
What does FHWA mean by accountability and causality in this context?
Accountability and causality refer to strengthening the empirical evidence that links specific transportation measures to real-world outcomes. The study was meant to help determine what outcomes can credibly be attributed to CMAQ-funded measures, instead of relying primarily on modeled or assumed benefits.
Is this grant only about measuring results, or also about evaluating methods?
It is both. In addition to measuring outcomes, the effort was also intended to critique, validate, and improve the methods used for CMAQ-type assessments. This includes evaluating whether current modeling, monitoring, and evaluation approaches are reliable, identifying where they fall short, and recommending improvements for future CMAQ performance assessment.
What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?
The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply about FHWA's role?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial federal involvement. Instead of funding the work and stepping back, FHWA would likely coordinate closely with the recipient on elements such as study design, selection of study components, management, and reporting.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award.
What was the estimated funding amount and the maximum award size?
The estimated total funding amount was $1,000,000, with an award ceiling of $1,250,000. No minimum award floor was stated.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the recipient was expected to contribute non-federal resources or otherwise meet matching rules described in the full announcement.
Who was eligible to apply as the prime recipient?
Eligibility was narrowly defined by statute under MAP-21 Section 1113(c)(3). The prime recipient had to be an Independent Scientific Research Organization (ISRO) with demonstrated experience conducting accountability and related studies on mobile-source air pollutants and associated health effects.
What is an Independent Scientific Research Organization (ISRO) for purposes of this solicitation?
The solicitation defined an ISRO as a not-for-profit research corporation or association organized under state law specifically for carrying out research, including scientific experimentation or analysis.
What happens if an applicant is not an ISRO?
Applications that did not come from an ISRO were to be rejected.
What documentation was required to prove ISRO eligibility?
Applicants were required to document eligibility, such as providing articles of incorporation or similar proof, and to demonstrate relevant research experience in accountability and related studies on mobile-source air pollutants and associated health effects.
Can an ISRO partner with other organizations on the project?
Yes. While only an ISRO could be the prime recipient, the ISRO was allowed to partner with other entities, including nonprofits, other ISROs, universities, and businesses, to support the work.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on July 11, 2013, and the closing date was August 9, 2013.
When was the opportunity archived?
It was archived on September 8, 2013.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DTFH61-13-RA-00018.
What CFDA program was associated with this opportunity?
It was listed under CFDA 20.200, the Highway Research and Development Program.
How was this opportunity categorized?
It was categorized under transportation research.
What time period of CMAQ projects was the study intended to examine?
The study was intended to examine what has resulted from CMAQ-funded projects since the SAFETEA-LU era.
Why did FHWA emphasize real-world outcomes instead of projected benefits?
The opportunity was designed to provide a clearer, evidence-based picture of what actually occurred, recognizing that projected benefits may not fully capture real-world effects, may miss unintended consequences, or may rely on methods that need validation.
What kinds of unintended consequences was FHWA interested in identifying?
Examples described in the opportunity include shifts in travel behavior that could offset gains, changes in congestion patterns that could influence emissions differently than expected, and localized exposure impacts that may differ from regional averages.
Who was the FHWA point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?
FHWA listed Robert Miller, Agreement Specialist, as the point of contact. Phone: 202-366-9167. Email: Rob.Miller@dot.gov.
What was the intended practical value of the study for the CMAQ Program?
The study was designed to deliver rigorous findings that could inform future CMAQ policy, program design, and performance measurement, while also testing and improving the credibility of the tools and approaches used to claim CMAQ benefits.
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