Addressing Construction Needs for Ultra-High Performance (UHPC) Structural Elements

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is Call 003 under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 693JJ3-24-BAA-0003, "Research Initiatives in Support of FHWA Next Generation Structural Materials and Systems." Specifically, it addresses construction needs for Ultra-High Performance (UHPC) Structural Elements. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) aims to accelerate the adoption of UHPC in highway structural elements by addressing key construction challenges and promoting effective practices through collaboration with industry stakeholders.

The research should focus on the following areas to support the successful implementation of UHPC in construction:

• Facilitate Broader Adoption: Develop special procedures, casting methods, curing techniques, fresh property testing, and other construction-related processes to streamline the construction of high-quality UHPC elements.
• Overcome Industry Hurdles: Identify and develop corrective actions for construction risks associated with UHPC, such as its higher cost and tighter tolerances.
• Ensure Design Integrity: Examine the link between construction techniques and assumed design properties to ensure finished components meet performance requirements.
• Standardize Construction Guidance: Develop special provisions for contract documents to ensure consistency and quality in UHPC integration.

Proposals should focus on bridge superstructure and/or substructure components and align with the AASHTO Guide Specification for Structural Design with Ultra-High Performance Concrete.

• Anticipated Ceiling: $900,000 total.

• Period of Performance: Anticipated to be no longer than 30 months.

• Award Type: See BAA Section 4.3.6 for details on recommended pricing arrangements.

• White Paper Due Date: February 5, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET.

• Proposal Due Date: To be determined (TBD) and will be specified in an amendment after white paper notifications.

• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated according to BAA Section 6 - Evaluation and Award Process.

Not specified in this document. Refer to the main BAA for details.

• Opening Date: December 2, 2025.
• Questions Due Date: December 17, 2025.
• Anticipated Advisory Notifications: February 26, 2026.
• Number of Awards: Anticipated two or three awards, but not guaranteed.
• Questions must be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist by the specified due date and time.
• Attachments are listed but not detailed in this document.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) solicits research and development initiatives for next-generation structural materials and systems for bridges and highway structures. The goal is to develop technologies that enhance safety, integrity, durability, and resilience. The BAA is designed for technologies in Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 through 8, but other levels may be considered. Research topics are aligned with FHWA's strategic goals, with a new strategic plan expected in February 2026.

• Research topics include Structural Steel, Structural Concrete, Geotechnical Structures, and Bridge Hydraulics.

• Deliverables include technical reports, data, source code, test data, and potentially software, analysis tools, and documentation.

• All Information and Communication Technology (ICT) deliverables must meet Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and ICT Final Standards and Guidelines.

• The BAA has a 5-year open period.

• Awards are anticipated to range between $50,000 and $250,000, though this is not a limit.

• Contract types may include Firm Fixed Price, Cost Reimbursement, or Time and Materials.

• Cost sharing is not mandatory.

• The process is two-phased: Project White Papers followed by Project Proposals.

• White papers are required first and will be evaluated for technical merit and relevance.

• Offerors with Category I white papers will be invited to submit full proposals.

• Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, importance to FHWA programs, and funding availability.

• Key deadlines will be specified in each BAA Call.

• This is an unrestricted BAA; any responsible source may submit a proposal.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• The BAA is an expression of interest and does not commit the Government to pay proposal costs.

• Offerors must describe any limitations on intellectual property.

• Section 889 compliance regarding telecommunications and video surveillance equipment is required.