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STEP |
SAFETEA-LU authorized $16.875 million per year for FY2006-FY2009 to implement this new program. However, due to obligation limitations, rescissions and the over-designation of Title V Research in SAFETEA-LU, approximately $12 million of the $16.875 million authorized is expected to be available each year.
Funds are used to identify, address and reassess national research priorities for planning, environment and realty related to the implementation of the Federal Aid Highway Program under Chapter 1 of Title 23 United States Code. These research efforts also help achieve national objectives for streamlining, congestion reduction, safety and security.
STEP funds can be awarded to the same entities that are eligible for other Federal Aid funds including:
Yes, for grants and cooperative agreements. Congress mandated that there be a 50 percent non-Federal match for research funded under Title V of SAFETEA-LU, including STEP. This "non-Federal match" requirement does not apply to funds that are awarded via contracts or Federal Interagency Agreements.
No. SAFETEA-LU does not allow University Transportation Center or State Planning and Research funds to be used as the non-Federal match for STEP.
Projects are selected using a rolling, yearly process. Each fiscal year, an announcement is published in the Federal Register requesting suggested lines of research. Stakeholders submit feedback regarding research. This feedback is used by the contact persons identified for each research emphasis area to coordinate and develop the annual STEP Plan. The FHWA Associate Administrator for the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty makes final funding decisions and approves the annual STEP Plan. The annual STEP Plan can be found on the website at www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm.
Emphasis area contacts lead implementation of STEP research within an emphasis area. They work with staff and other partners to develop and implement specific projects and initiatives.
Stakeholders are involved in a variety of ways.
A variety of procurement mechanisms are used to award STEP funds including indefinite quantities contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, small purchase contracts, interagency agreements, etc. Broad Agency Announcements are also used to obtain broad and diverse perspectives and options for advancing particular research initiatives. Information regarding requests for proposals is posted on the STEP website as it becomes available.
Information regarding the STEP is available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm. Contact persons for each research emphasis areas are also listed on the STEP website. These contact persons are the best source of information regarding the status of research in a particular area.
Winter |
Implement current fiscal year STEP plan via appropriate procurement methods, agreements and partnerships. (May shift depending on appropriations) STEP emphasis area contacts lead implementation of STEP research within their emphasis area. They work with staff and other partners to implement the research projects and ensure coordination between projects funded in previous fiscal years. |
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Spring |
Refine STEP Implementation Strategy/Goals/Emphasis Areas. FHWA solicits feedback on next fiscal year through a Federal Register Notice and updated website information. Conduct outreach for next fiscal year by emphasis area, review research needs and identify gaps. |
Spring/Fall |
Analyze feedback and develop priorities for and fund critical research. Develop next draft fiscal year STEP Plan that reflects results of the outreach and stakeholder feedback. |
Fall/Winter |
The Associate Administrator for the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty approves the annual STEP Plan. Post current fiscal year plan on STEP website. (May shift depending on appropriations) |
To provide Feedback, Suggestions or Comments for this page contact Phil Roke at phil.roke@dot.gov.
