R--Technical Supprot for the Marine Highways program consisting of Development of MH Project Application Guide

Technicak Support for Development of MH Project Application Guide BACKGROUND The Office of Marine Highways & Passenger Services has been established to develop and manage programs to increase marine ransportation usage as part of the surface transportation system of the United States. The office analyzes public policy and drafts new Department and Federal policies. It assists in the implementation of those policies through programs of direct assistance to marine businesses, asociations and institutions, working with other federal, state and local government agencies having an interest in, or responsibilities for waterways, navigation and marine transportation. SERVICES REQUIRED The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 established the Short Sea Transportation Initiative, which is the basis for deignating projects in the Marine Highways program within the designated corridors. As part of the interim rules for the Marine Highways program, project sponsors will be required to submit an application package to the Maritime Administration for designation of the proposal as a recognized Marine Highways project. This designation will allow direct support to be provided to the project sponsors in coordination of governmental requirements and also the development of markets to be served by the proposed services. The work required of the contractor is as follows: 1. Develop and publish a guide to applications for Marine Highways projects to include the market identification, potential service offering current cost of existing service, and expected benefits of the project.2. Construct templates to be completed as part of the application for the project.3. Develop and document a training guide for Maritime Administration personnel to use in a workshop environment for providing instruction to potential project applicants on methods that can be used to identify potential Marine Highways projects.4. Assist in the development of metrics to be used for evaluting the potential benefits of a proposed Marine Highways project.5. Assist in the design of an application review process and project tracking system for proposed projects. DELIVERABLES 1. Maritime Administration Application Guide for Marine Highways Projects2. Marine Highways Project Identification Guide3. Maritime Administration Marine Highways Project Designation Policy PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is six (6) months from start date. SELECTION CRITERIA The contractor and assigned personnel should have comprehensive knowledge of the domestic freight markets for truck and rail transportation. The contractor ahd assigned personnel must have general knowledge of marine and port operations, including services provided by various entities in the supply chain. The contractor and assigned pesonnel must have experience developing and designing processes and procedures for public applications for grant funding. The contractor and assigned personnel must have experience developing training materials for use by public agencies in providing grant appliction instruction.