The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a new five-year open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for its Accelerating Market Readiness (AMR) program. The AMR program provides funding to advance and apply emerging transportation innovations that have the potential to enhance roadway safety, increase efficiency, or improve performance. The BAA, which opened on October 29, 2024, intends to advance the objectives of the AMR program by soliciting a variety of white papers and proposals that could help deliver innovative projects and practical solutions.

Acceptable research topics for the BAA include:

• Safety
• Shortening Project Delivery
• Infrastructure Performance
• Climate and Sustainability
• Equity
• Digital Twins and Advanced Simulation Techniques.

Awards from the BAA may be of any dollar value, but it is anticipated that most individual awards will range between $300,000 and $600,000.

To be considered for an award, offerors must submit a project white paper, which must be no more than six pages in length and comprise of a cover page and a technical approach. FHWA will work to return white paper evaluations within 60 days of receipt.

The proposed solicitation number will be 693JJ325BAA0001. The open period of the BAA is anticipated to be October 29, 2024, through October 28, 2029. The FHWA held a Virtual Industry Day on November 20, 2024 to explain the FHWA’s overall vision, to provide details regarding the AMR BAA requirements, and give interested parties the opportunity to ask questions.

For more details on the BAA, consult the BAA summary provided by the FHWA.

If you believe you have an innovation or technology that is eligible for funding under the AMR Program that New Jersey should pursue, please email Bureau.Research@dot.nj.gov.