Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Acquisition Management, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC, 20590

U -- 1999 NATIONAL SUMMER TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE (STI) PROGRAM; NOTICE OF INTENT AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SOL DTFH61-99-R-00001 DUE 100798 POC Rick Murray, Contract Specialist, Phone (202) 366-4250, Fax (202) 366-3705, Email rick.murray@fhwa.dot.gov WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://159.142.150.114/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ActionCode=R&;ProjectID=D TFH61-99-R-00001&LocationID=30. E-MAIL: Rick Murray, rick.murray@fhwa.dot.gov. SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is soliciting comments on the National Summer Transportation Institute's (STI) current statement of work, expressions of interest to participate as the National STI Resource Center (RC), and expressions of interest from Colleges/Universities to host a STI. Responses are due by October 7, 1998 addressed to Rick Murray at: Office of Acquisition Management, HAM-40, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 4410, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: STI Program Contact -- Hattie Brown, Office of Civil Rights at 202-366-1591 or email at: hattie.brown@fhwa.dot.gov; HAM-40 Contact -- Rick Murray at 202-366-4250 or email at: rick.murray@fhwa.dot.gov. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the National STI is to: 1) create awareness in middle and high school students to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that exist in the transportation industry, 2) attract a broad and diverse selection of bright minds, and acquaint and stimulate them with the variousaspects of the transportation industry, and 3) increase the number of students who choose a career in the transportation industry. This will be accomplished by enabling selected Colleges/Universities to implement/continue this successful program, and to expand this proven concept to other Colleges/Universities. One College/University will be selected as the National STI RC to administer the National STI, provide technical assistance and convene a forum for discussing all aspects of the National STI. The National STI RC will also establish formal agreements with selected Colleges/Universities, and encourage public and private support. BACKGROUND: In 1992, the FHWA established an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Task Force (TF) to identify options to enhance the involvement of HBCUs in a wider spectrum of FHWA programs and projects and to determine the most effective means to utilize HBCUs as recruiting resources. One of the TF recommendations was a Partnership Initiative with HBCUs and other Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHE) which includes Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). As a result, the STI Pilot Program began in 1993 at the South Carolina State University (SCSU) as the result of the partnership formed between FHWA, the South Carolina DOT and SCSU. The first institute at SCSU had an enrollment of 20 students. To date, the program has grown nationally with more than 1,000 students, encompassing 17 additional MIHEs including: Alabama A&M University, Albany State University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Benedict College, Clark Atlanta University, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Howard University, Kentucky State University, Morgan State University, City College of New York (CCNY), North Carolina A&T State University, Southern University and A&M College, Tennessee State University, and Virginia State University. In addition, FHWA sponsored a 2-week STI at Arizona State University. The National STI complements the goals of another U. S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) national education initiative, the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program established in 1997. The Program is designed to 1) improve student's math, science, and technology skills; 2) strengthen the links between the transportation sector and community and junior colleges, and technical schools; 3) expand transportation programs at undergraduate and graduate institutions; and 4) promote continuing education programs for transportation professionals. In addition, the National STI supports the President's Executive Order (EO) 12876 directing Federal Agencies to make a substantial effort to increase the amount of funds awarded to HBCUs; EO 12900 mandating Federal agencies to develop a program to promote recruitment of Hispanic students for Federal employment opportunities; and EO 13021 charging all Federal agencies to ensure that TCUs aremore fully recognized as accredited institutions with access to the opportunities afforded other institutions. PURPOSE: USDOT recognizes the need for individuals with technical competencies in the transportation field. The demand for individuals with engineering or technical backgrounds vastly exceeds the supply, and enrollment of students in these programs across the Nation remains far below the number needed by the industry. The purpose of the National STI is to create awareness and stimulate interest in diverse middle and high school students to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that exist in the transportation industry. SUPPORT: FHWA will continue to provide strong support for the National STI in terms of both financial support and actual involvement of FHWA personnel in partnership with State DOTs and the participating Colleges/Universities. However, it is desirable to have the National STI RC assist in obtaining additional funding and resources from national, regional and other local sponsorsfor resources, professional expertise and staffing to ensure the success of the National STI. CURRENT STATEMENT OF WORK: Task A: Oversight. The National STI RC will establish a plan in coordination with the FHWA to implement and administer the National STI. In addition, FHWA will provide assistance in the selection process for participating Colleges/Universities. Task B: Student Selection. Students enrolled in public and private secondary schools in the State of consideration of the participating College or University, will be eligible on a competitive basis to participate in that College or University's STI. Applications will be mailed to guidance counselors in February and must be returned in March. The Selection Committee, consisting of the participating College or University STI director, academic program director and academic faculty (as applicable), along with a FHWA and State DOT representative, will use the following criteria to select participants. Students must: 1) be in grades eight through elevenand currently enrolled in a middle or high school in the State where applying, 2) have completed, or qualified for enrollment in, pre-algebra for the coming school term, 3) have a minimum of a 2.5/4.0 cumulative grade point average, 4) have an expressed interest in engineering, science, transportation, technology, or highway construction, and 5) have three letters of recommendation. Upon completion of the selection process, each College or University's STI director will notify the successful applicants by April and provide them with detailed STI information. Task C: Administrative Cost. Federal funds as well as other public and private assistance will be used to support administrative and student costs (including labor, fringe, tuition, instructional materials, laboratory usage, field trips and other necessary elements). In Fiscal Year 1999, FHWA will allocate approximately $1.5M to the National STI for approximately 35 participating Colleges/Universities. Task D: Academic/Practical Program. Each STI will focus on conscientious, critical and systematic educational endeavors to explore all aspects of the transportation industry and its role in our society, and create awareness and stimulate interest in secondary school students to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that exist in the transportation industry. The goals of the STI are to: 1) expose secondary school students to and allow them to participate in a series of academic and practical experiences designed to motivate them toward professions in the transportation industry, and 2) provide secondary school students with mathematics, science and technological enrichment to enable them to pursue a transportation career. Behavioral Goals. 1) become aware of the occupations and career opportunities in the transportation industry, 2) become aware of the significance of the past, the importance of the present and the future direction of transportation, 3) be introduced to the social, economic and environmental impact of transportation and the possibilities for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating those impacts, 4) explore the importance of construction skills and technology as they relate to the transportation industry, 5) identify methods of moving people and cargo, 6) be able to identify users and providers of transportation systems, 7) be introduced to the many devices and methods used to manage transportation systems, 8) be introduced to local, state and federal regulations as they relate to the transportation industry, 9) explore the many areas of transportation safety, 10) become aware of the linkage of one transportation system to another, and 11) identify current research, technology and its application in the transportation industry. Program Evaluation. Educational components of the STI will be evaluated by all student participants and faculty. Students will evaluate classroom sessions, field trips, and presenters each week of the STI. Faculty and the STI director will meet each week to evaluate course content, student projects, laboratory experiences and unit objectives. Evaluation for indications of success will be reported using the following criteria: 1) evaluation related to each academic module will be conducted on a weekly basis, and 2) final program evaluation by faculty and students. In addition, each STI director will conduct a follow-up survey of the STI participants during their senior year in high school for the purpose of measuring the effectiveness of this program. This survey should focus on the career decisions made by these students necessitated by their upcoming graduation from high school, and provide preliminary information on how many students are actually considering transportation-related careers. Task E: National Expansion. The STI director for the National STI RC will provide the following services: 1) develop, publish and distribute curriculum, instructional and resource materials, 2) conduct workshops to train staff from Colleges/Universities that implement STIs, 3) provide on-going technical support to all STIs, 4) develop STI program guidelines, and 5) receive a final report from each participating College or University, and submit a comprehensive National STI final report to FHWA. To ensure continuity and a quality STI at all participating Colleges/Universities, the National STI director and staff will provide assistance to all STIs. Task F: Summer Transportation Institutes. Approximately 35 Colleges/Universities will be selected as sites to implement a STI on their campus and will be required to: 1) enter into a partnership agreement with the respective State DOT and the FHWA Division Office, 2) enter into a sub-agreement with the National STI RC, 3) establish an intermodal advisory board, 4) conduct a STI, and 5) submit to the National STI director, a comprehensive final report summarizing the development, administration, implementation and accomplishments of their STI. EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS: This is not a request for proposals (RFP) or request for applications (RFA) of federal assistance. Interested Colleges/Universities areinvited to comment on the National STI and the current statement of work; and submit their expressions of interest for participating in the role of National STI RC, and/or as a host of a STI. The expression of interest must include College or University's: 1) name, address, phone and facsimile numbers, point(s) of contact with name, title, phone number and email address, 2) a brief description and profile including its capabilities to perform in the role of National STI RC, and/or as a host of a STI and 3) any innovative ideas to consider in the future development of the National STI. TIME LINE: It is anticipated that a RFA will be issued no later than October 30, 1998 for both the National STI RC and for Colleges/Universities to host a STI. Posted 09/23/98 (D-SN253347). (0266)

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