Expected accomplishments are the demonstration of a thermal imaging inspection system (TIIS) that leverages state-of-the-art thermal imagery technology, integrated with signature recognition software, providing the capability to identify, in real time, faults and failures in tires, brakes and bearings mounted on commercial motor vehicles.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds under this project shall be used to employ a TIIS in a field environment, along the Interstate, to further assess the system's ability to identify faults in tires, brakes, and bearings mounted on commercial motor vehicles; to establish, through statistical analysis, the probability of failure for each component; and to develop and integrate a predictive tool into the TIIS, which identifies an impending tire, brake, or bearing failure and provides the use a time frame in which this failure may occur.

This project shall be conducted at multiple sites including the FMCSA's Roadside Test Lab located at an operational weigh station on Interstate 81 in Eastern Tennessee.

The project shall involve the participation of the Tennessee Department of Safety.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The following entities are eligible to apply for funding under this project: Public nonprofit institution/organizations, Federal agencies and laboratories, Profit organizations, Private nonprofit institutions/organizations, and Other private institutions/organizations.

Institutions of higher education are eligible may include public, private, or State colleges and universities.

State and local governments are not eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State, Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization, Other Public Institution/organization, Profit Organization, Private Organization, Quasi-Public Nonprofit Organization, Other Private Institution/organization, Education Professional, Student/Trainee, Graduate Student, Scientists/Researcher, Engineer/Architect, Builder/Contractor/Developer, Industrialist/Business Person.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

The Secretary may enter a cooperative agreement with a public or private organization including institutions of higher education that has the most responsive proposal to the objectives of this project.

The applicant must submit an application form (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B) and proposal no later than June 30, 2006 to the FMCSA Office of Research and Analysis, Technology Division.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Applicants must submit an application form (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B) via www.grants.gov no later than 30 days after the Federal Register Notice for this project is published. The estimated publishing date for the Federal Register notice is by the end of June, 2006. Applicants must register with www.grants.gov in order to submit grant applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register well before the application deadline since this one-time registration process can take several days to complete.

Award Procedures

A grant agreement will be awarded to the most responsive proposal within 60 days after the Federal Register notice for this project is published. The estimated publishing date for the Federal Register notice is by the end of June, 2006.

Deadlines

Proposals are due 30 days after the Federal Register notice for this project is published. The estimated publishing date for the Federal Register notice is by the end of June, 2006. Applicants must register with www.grants.gov in order to submit grant applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register well before the application deadline since this one-time registration process can take several days to complete.

Authorization

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Act of 2005, Title V, Subtitle E, Section 5513(a), Public Law 109-59.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

None.

Appeals

None .

Renewals

None .

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

As required by SAFETEA-LU, Section 5513(m), the Federal share of the total cost of activities carried out in accordance with Section 5513(a) shall be 80 percent. The 20 percent match may be in the form of dedicated funding, equipment, or in-kind services for this project.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The funding for this project shall be made available to the recipient on a cost reimbursable basis. The funding for this project, once awarded, is available until fully expended. The period of performance for this project is 24 months from the date of award.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The recipient shall be required to submit monthly reports documenting project accomplishments, expenditures, performance problems encountered, and planned activities in the next reporting period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year.

Records

The entity that receives funding under this program shall follow the Records requirements of OMB Circular A-110.

Financial Information

Account Identification

69-8048-0-7-401.

Obigations

FY 07 est not reported; FY 08 est not available; FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

A single award of $1,412,044 will be made for this project. This is a new project with no prior history. This is a discretionary grant program. FMCSA anticipates making one award to one recipient. Total available funding is $1,412,044. Incremental payments will be made at intervals corresponding with performance milestones to be agreed upon by the parties.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

49 CFR Parts 18 and 19 OMB Circulars: A-102, A-110, A-87, A-21, A-133.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None .

Headquarters Office

Jeff Loftus, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Office of Research and Analysis, Technology Division (MC-RRT), Telephone: (202) 385-2363, Fax: (202) 385-2422, jeff.loftus@dot.gov, 400 Virginia Avenue, S.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Office hours are from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Upon receipt, the proposals will be evaluated by FMCSA for potential funding. Selection of a successful applicant will be made based upon the evaluation criteria of: Past Performance, Technical and Management Approach, and Price. Price proposals will be analyzed for reasonableness and completeness to include the period of performance and tasks. This evaluation may include a comparison of the applicant's proposed prices (including the required additional price information) to those of other applicants and to prices paid under the same or similar contracts. A price proposal found to be unrealistically low may reflect a lack of understanding of requirements. The Government may use the price realism analysis as part of its evaluation of technical and management approach and/or its responsibility determination.