Massachusetts Department of Transportation: Problem Statement/Research Process 1 April 21, 2017
Table of Contents 2017 Problem Statement/Research Lessons Learned 2018 Problem Statement/Research Flow of Problem Statements Programs Research Process Key Points 2
Acronyms Project Champion (PC): MassDOT/MBTA Employee Principal Investigator (PI) Project Manager/Administrator (PM) Scope of Work (SOW) Interdepartmental Service Agreement (ISA) 3
2017 Problem Statements (PS)/Research Projects Problem Statements Research Projects Highway MBTA Planning Rail & Transit Aeronautics 10 5 3 2 4 4 2 3 1 3 Highway MBTA Planning Rail & Transit Aeronautics Short-Term 2 1 3 1 2 Medium-Term 1 1 0 0 0 Long Term 1 0 0 0 1 *Short Term: < 9 months *Medium Term: 9 18 months *Long Term: > 18 months 4
2017 Lessons Learned Selection of projects based on Rank, Funding and applicability to Capital Investment Plan. Interest statements (from PI) is part of the selection process for the PCs. Evidence to show your knowledge of the subject and how you would address the PS (3 5 Sentences) FHWA shall be a part of the selection of research. 5
Problem Statement Solicitation Process 6
Problem Statement (PS) Project Champion (MassDOT/MBTA) Review/ Ranking Division Administrator Highway/MBTA (5) Other (3 per Division) Selection Process Initiate Research Research Section FHWA Research Section/ Project Champion 7
Synthesis One Center Access to State Universities Short Term Research One Center Access to State Universities Pooled Fund: NETC TPF Other: (NCHRP, TCRP, ACRP, etc.) Long/Medium Term Research State Universities Private Consultants Private Universities 8
2018 Problem Statement Schedule Task Start Completion PS Solicitation April 24, 2017 June 23, 2017 MassDOT Admin. Review June 26, 2017 July 21, 2017 Selection Process July 24, 2017 August 25, 2017 Literature Review* - - Notification of Research August 28, 2017 September 1, 2017 *Literature Review would be conducted upon request and/or to confirm whether research has already been conducted. (Note: Any MassDOT/MBTA employee can request a Literature Review at any time.) *Goal: To start research projects (NTP) by January 2018 or August 2018. 9
Selected Problem Statements: PI Selection Process (ISA) MassDOT (w/ One Center) will notify University representatives of selected Problem Statements. Important to have a designated contact (MassDOT to confirm) Universities will be asked for the following: Interested PIs, University, Title, Interest Statement. Project Champion (PC) will select the their top three PIs (based on the interest statements). One Center will request/send CVs for the top three PIs. PC (w/ Research Section) will choose the preferred PI. 10
Selected Problem Statements: Public Procurement MassDOT will develop SOW. Selection of the preferred PI will follow MassDOT s public procurement process. Consultants, Private Universities and Public Universities may bid on the Research Project. 11
Research Process (ISA) Problem Statement Selection Selection of PI Development of the SOW Facilitation of ISA Notice to Proceed Research Project Closeout 12
Research Process (Public Procurement) Problem Statement Selection Development of the SOW Selection of the PI Facilitation of Contract Notice to Proceed Research Project Closeout 13
Research Section: Key Points PSs will only be accepted from PCs. Emphasis on projects that can lead to implementation (or Pilot Programs) The Research Section will only review and track the ranked PSs from the Division Administrators. 14
Questions??? 15
Research Section Name Title E-mail Curtis T. Bradley Manager Curtis.Bradley@state.ma.us Gabriel Sherman Planner Gabriel.Sherman@dot.state.ma.us If you have any questions or concerns about the Problem Statement Solicitation process, please contact a representative from the Research Section. Please Note: The Research Section will not participate in connecting PIs with PCs. 16