ITS Peer to Peer
Program Guidelines
Background
The Peer-to-Peer Program provides short-term technical assistance to agencies facing ITS planning, procurement, deployment, and operational challenges. The program is an important tool for transferring ITS knowledge, resources, and experiences among public agencies involved in the transportation system. The Peer-to-Peer Program is a collaboration between the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program, U.S Department of Transportation and ITS America
Who is Eligible to Apply for
Peer-to-Peer Assistance?
List of
allowable applicants (see
Definitions) to the Peer-to-Peer Program:
If your
agency type does not appear in the above list, call the Peer-to-Peer Program to
determine if your agency is eligible.
How is Peer-to-Peer Technical
Assistance Delivered?
The most
frequently form of peer support involves one of the following:
§
A
peer expert (see Definitions) delivers
technical assistance by phone.
§
A
peer expert visits your agency to engage in face-to-face problem solving.
§
A
peer expert travels to a site (for example, a conference) and presents on an
ITS topic.
§
A
peer expert identifies your ITS challenge as a critical issue faced by many
agencies and delivers a webinar on the topic (transferring knowledge to a wide audience).
§
You
travel to an agency to observe and learn from an agency peer (see Definitions) who has developed solutions to the
challenges you face.
What are the Deliverables for
Accepting Peer-to-Peer Funds?
As the
recipient of this peer expertise, you are required to submit a Event Evaluation that provides us with details on the
quality and effectiveness of the peer exchange. Additionally, you are required, if requested
by the Peer-to-Peer Program, to participate in a
Talking Technology and Transportation
(T3) webinar, where lessons learned
can be shared with the larger ITS community.
View
more information about what your participation in a T3 Webinar will entail.
Definitions Related to
Peer-to-Peer Activities:
DEFINITIONS
I.
APPLICANT
is an individual, organization, or other entity seeking ITS support or technical
knowledge from a PEER in the ITS Peer to Peer Program.
II.
AGENCY
PEER is an individual who provides technical assistance to the APPLICANT based
on his or her agency’s experiences implementing an ITS solution for which the
APPLICANT is seeking help.
III.
PEER
EXPERT is an individual selected based on his/her stated expertise in a
particular area concerning ITS and the deployment process who provides
expertise to a APPLICANT.
IV.
PROPRIETARY
INFORMATION means any data or information containing business, commercial or
financial information or that embodies trade secrets developed at private
expense that is provided by a Host under this Agreement. Proprietary information includes, but is not
limited to, any information disclosed and identified (in written format) as confidential
information by the Host, its employees, agents, representatives and consultants
to the Peer, such as: the Host’s business, including processes and services;
capabilities of the business; marketing and planning programs; product
specifications, plans, and drawings; financial, operational, and technical
data; and any other information that could be subject to intellectual property
rights.
V.
OPERATING
AGENT refers to the U.S. DOT’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
(the Volpe Center), which operates the ITS Peer to Peer Program and facilitates
the approval of Peer requests; travel approvals, logistics, funding, and
reimbursements; selects ITS peers in cooperation with the ITS Joint Program
Office Professional Capacity Building Program, ITS America and other
associations and agencies, as necessary; and manages reporting processes and
requirements related to peer exchanges.
PROGRAM TRAVEL FUNDING SUPPORT
Travel
funding is provided by the ITS Peer to Peer Program through the
HOST RESPONSIBILITIES
When you
participate in the Program as a HOST, you agree to provide the Program with a
Event Evaluation upon completion of the peer exchange. The Event Evaluation and other materials
generated by the peer exchange may be used as a basis for future Talking
Technology and Transportation webinars, lessons learned, FAQ documents, or
other learning materials, unless previously negotiated by the HOST and the ITS
Peer to Peer Program.
PEERS
provide expert advice, experience-based knowledge, and lessons learned to
broaden understanding of the issues involved in your particular
challenges. In accepting the PEER input,
you and your agency agree assume responsibility for ensuring the reasonableness
and soundness of the advice received by the PEER thus not holding either the
U.S. DOT, the Volpe Center, any IDENTIFYING AGENCIES such as ITS America or the
PEER responsible for outcomes following you and your agency’s decision to act
upon the advice given.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A.)
Assignment. Participation in the Program is not subject
to any assignment. Any attempted or
actual assignment shall be void.
B.)
Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any prior understanding, written agreement, or oral agreement
relative to said matter.
C.)
Policy Against Discrimination. All activities
pursuant to this Agreement shall comply with all laws and regulations
prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, national
origin, handicap, religion, gender, and marital status in providing for
facilities and service to the public.
D.)
Relationship of Parties. PEER is not an employee,
office, agent, or independent contractor of the Federal Government, and has no
authority to act on behalf of the Federal Government. Peer is liable for his/her conduct at all
times, and shall hold the Federal Government harmless for any negligent or
willful acts or omissions of the HOST, his or her employees, officers, agents,
directors, invitees, contractors, or consultants that may cause harm to the
PEER, HOST, other PEERS, or to the Program.
E.)
Security and Safety. While on the
premises of the HOST, the PEER shall comply with all safety and security
requirements at the HOST’s facility.
Further, the HOST shall take all reasonable steps and precautions to
prevent any accident and to preserve the life and well being of the PEER, the
HOST’s personnel, and the general public.
F.)
Prohibition Against Marketing of Peer Services.
All of our peers are required to abide by a set of rules when engaging
with you. During a peer exchange, peers
are bound by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Conflict of Interest
Policy. Under these regulations, a peer
is not allowed to market services to you beyond the technical expertise he or
she delivers in the peer exchange.