Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS 09WASO 00003
Apply for NPS 09WASO 00003
- The National Park Service in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Truss Analysis of Wood Covered Bridges" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 16, 2009 and posted on Jun 16, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 26, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 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).
- This is a single source award to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activities based on a number of demonstrable factors. JHU Civil Engineering department has special expertise in the study of the engineering aspects of historic wood structures. This expertise in both experimental and computational modeling are relevant to advancing our understanding of historic structures. Due to earlier work with the NPS in performing innovative tests on historic covered bridges, JHU will be able to begin this project at an advanced stage.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Park Service grant opportunity titled "Truss Analysis of Wood Covered Bridges" is a discretionary cooperative agreement intended to improve the technical and structural understanding of historic wooden covered bridges, especially the truss systems that support them. Many of these bridges were built long before modern structural engineering methods were available, meaning their designs often relied on traditional craft knowledge, rules of thumb, and local experience rather than detailed calculations or standardized testing. Even though numerous bridges have survived for decades, and some for more than a century, there is still limited definitive engineering knowledge about how their trusses actually distribute weight, resist forces, and respond to real-world conditions over time. The core purpose of this effort is to replace assumptions and incomplete theories with modern, test-backed evidence about how these structures truly behave.
Under the agreement, Johns Hopkins University will conduct contemporary engineering tests and analyses on covered bridge trusses, using both experimental techniques and computational modeling. The work is specifically aimed at identifying which parts and features of the bridge truss systems carry live loads (such as vehicles, pedestrians, and other temporary loads) and dead loads (the permanent weight of the bridge itself, including its framing, deck, roof, and related components). By pinpointing how loads move through the structure and which members are doing the most work, the project is expected to produce clearer, more authoritative insight into the structural mechanics of these historic bridges. In practical terms, this kind of information can support better preservation decisions, more accurate assessments of safety and capacity, and more effective rehabilitation strategies that respect historic construction while reducing the risk of unintended damage from poorly targeted repairs.
This opportunity was posted on June 16, 2009, with an application closing date of June 26, 2009, and it was later archived on July 26, 2009. The National Park Service anticipated making one award, reflecting the highly specialized and targeted nature of the project. Funding levels were set with an award floor of $26,000 and an award ceiling of $50,000, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The activity category is listed under Humanities (with reference to Cultural Affairs), which aligns with the preservation and interpretation value of covered bridges as historic resources, even though the project itself is rooted in engineering analysis and structural research.
Eligibility was not open competition in the usual sense. The award was explicitly described as a single-source award to Johns Hopkins University. The justification provided is that Johns Hopkins is uniquely qualified, particularly through its civil engineering department, which has specialized expertise in the engineering behavior of historic wood structures. The announcement emphasizes Johns Hopkins' strength in both experimental testing and computational modeling, and it notes that the university had previously worked with the National Park Service on innovative tests involving historic covered bridges. Because of that prior work and established capability, Johns Hopkins was positioned to begin the project at an advanced stage rather than starting from scratch.
Overall, the grant centers on producing "definitive light" on how historic covered bridge trusses work as engineering systems. The expected outcome is not just academic knowledge, but a stronger technical foundation for preservation practice, allowing stakeholders to better understand which structural elements are critical, how forces are shared across the truss, and how to maintain or restore these bridges in ways that are both historically sensitive and structurally sound. For assistance accessing the full announcement at the time, the listed point of contact was Elizabeth Walden, Contracting Officer, at 303-987-6739.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Truss Analysis of Wood Covered Bridges (National Park Service)
What is the title of this National Park Service grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Truss Analysis of Wood Covered Bridges."
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to improve the technical and structural understanding of historic wooden covered bridges, with a strong focus on how their truss systems actually behave under real conditions. The project aims to replace assumptions and incomplete theories with modern, test-backed evidence.
Why is this research needed for historic covered bridges?
Many covered bridges were built before modern structural engineering methods were available. Their designs often relied on traditional craft knowledge, rules of thumb, and local experience rather than detailed calculations or standardized testing. Even though many bridges have lasted for decades (and some for more than a century), there is still limited definitive engineering knowledge about how the trusses distribute weight, resist forces, and respond over time.
Who is conducting the work under this agreement?
Johns Hopkins University is conducting the engineering tests and analyses.
What kinds of methods will be used to study covered bridge trusses?
The work includes contemporary engineering tests and analyses using experimental techniques and computational modeling.
What specific structural questions is the project trying to answer?
The project is aimed at identifying which parts and features of covered bridge truss systems carry live loads (temporary loads such as vehicles and pedestrians) and dead loads (the permanent weight of the bridge itself, including framing, deck, roof, and related components).
What are "live loads" and "dead loads" in the context of this project?
Live loads are temporary loads on the bridge, such as vehicles, pedestrians, and other short-term forces. Dead loads are the permanent weight of the bridge, including structural framing and built components like the deck and roof.
How will the results be useful in practice?
By clarifying how loads move through the structure and which truss members do the most work, the results can support better preservation decisions, more accurate assessments of safety and capacity, and more effective rehabilitation strategies. The intent is to respect historic construction while reducing the risk of unintended damage from poorly targeted repairs.
What does the opportunity mean by producing "definitive light" on truss behavior?
It means producing clearer, more authoritative insight into the structural mechanics of historic covered bridge trusses, grounded in modern testing and analysis rather than relying on assumptions or incomplete theories.
Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?
The National Park Service is the sponsoring agency.
When was this opportunity posted?
It was posted on June 16, 2009.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was June 26, 2009.
When was the opportunity archived?
It was archived on July 26, 2009.
How many awards did the National Park Service anticipate making?
The National Park Service anticipated making one award.
What is the funding range for the award?
The award floor was $26,000 and the award ceiling was $50,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
The activity category is listed under Humanities, with reference to Cultural Affairs.
Why is an engineering-focused project categorized under Humanities/Cultural Affairs?
The listing aligns with the preservation and interpretation value of covered bridges as historic resources, even though the work itself is rooted in engineering analysis and structural research.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was not open competition in the usual sense. The award was explicitly described as a single-source award to Johns Hopkins University.
What does "single-source award" mean in this announcement?
It means the National Park Service intended to make the award to a specific organization rather than conducting a broader competitive process. In this case, the named organization was Johns Hopkins University.
Why was Johns Hopkins University selected as the single-source recipient?
The justification given is that Johns Hopkins is uniquely qualified, particularly through its civil engineering department and its specialized expertise in the engineering behavior of historic wood structures. The announcement also highlights Johns Hopkins' strength in experimental testing and computational modeling, and notes prior work with the National Park Service on innovative tests involving historic covered bridges.
How did prior work factor into the selection?
The announcement indicates Johns Hopkins had previously worked with the National Park Service on innovative tests related to historic covered bridges, positioning the university to begin the project at an advanced stage rather than starting from scratch.
What kinds of bridge components are included when discussing dead load in this opportunity?
The opportunity describes dead load as including the permanent weight of the bridge itself, including its framing, deck, roof, and related components.
Who was the point of contact for assistance accessing the full announcement?
The listed point of contact was Elizabeth Walden, Contracting Officer.
What phone number was provided for the point of contact?
The phone number provided was 303-987-6739.
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