1. SPR-B Research Coordination Webinar
Date: November 7, 2018 (1:30 – 2:30 EST)
2018 SPR-B Policy Guidance
LINK TO JOIN THE WEB CONFERENCE:
FHWA Internal:
External:

2. Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
History
Overview of changes
Q&A

3. Purpose
To assist the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) staff and State Departments of Transportation (DOT):
Implement a program of RD&T activities for planning, design, construction, and maintenance of highways and public and intermodal transportation systems
Develop, establish, and implement a management process that identifies and implements RD&T activities
Document a management process in compliance with 23 CFR Part 420 Subpart B
Conduct periodic peer exchanges of an RD&T program
Generally referred to as SPR Work Program Part II
Generally referred to as the State’s Research Manual
Documentation is the approved work program, quarterly reports, financial reports, End of year reports
Peer exchanges are legally required to validate required practices has been expanded to be have subject specific focus.

4. History The 2018 SPR-B guidance was released October 16, 2018
Previous SP&R Guidance, 1994
Map 21, the Fast Act, and 2 CFR 200
Two Webinars to introduce the changes and answer any questions.
The first webinar, October 24th was FHWA only.
The second is today, November 7th for State DOT Research Directors and FHWA
Passage of MAP-21, the FAST Act and adoption of new regulations such as 2 CFR 200, required an update of the Guidelines for Implementing 23 CFR Part 420, Subpart B dated November 3, 1994 to address changes in the law and provide revised and additional information relative to 23 USC Chapter 5 and 23 CFR 240. The guidance:

5. History
The 2018 SPR-B guidance retains all of the previous guidance Including:
Citation of the governing authorities
Minimum funding requirements (25% of the SPR 2% set aside
The requirement of a documented Research Program Management Process (the Research Manual)
The requirement of a Research Work Program (SPR II)
Passage of MAP-21, the FAST Act and adoption of new regulations such as 2 CFR 200, required an update of the Guidelines for Implementing 23 CFR Part 420, Subpart B dated November 3, 1994 to address changes in the law and provide revised and additional information relative to 23 USC Chapter 5 and 23 CFR 240. The guidance:

6. Overview of Changes
Brings SPR Subpart B Guidance current with existing Law (MAP 21 and the FAST Act).
Expands eligibility to include Innovation Life Cycle defined in 23 USC Section 502:
(A) the identification of a need;
(B) the establishment of the scope of research to address that need;
(C) setting an agenda;
(D) carrying out research, development, deployment, and testing of the resulting technology or innovation; and
(E) carrying out an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the resulting technology or innovation.

7. Overview Continued Authorizes the use of SPR Subpart B funds to:
develop, administer, communicate, and promote the use of products of research, development, and technology transfer programs under 23 USC Section 505.

8. Overview Continued
Includes adoption of requirements of 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance).
Requires Performance measurements
Requires Effective Internal Control
Defines requirement for Period of performance including end date.
Reinforces Pass-through agency responsibility for sub-recipient compliance
Clarifies Closeout requirements
Defines Cost Principles
Defines Indirect Costs, responsibilities and approval authority including definitions of specific relationships.
Standard contracting rules. Same as for consulting or construction contracts. Your finance and contracting staff should be able to help.

9. Overview Continued
Includes 23 USC 505 (a) (1-7) list of all eligible SPR activities which includes both Subparts A & B.
Engineering and economic surveys and investigations.
The planning of future highway programs and local public transportation systems and the planning of the financing of such programs and systems, including metropolitan and statewide planning under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135.
Development and implementation of management systems, plans, and processes under 23 U.S.C. 119, 148, 149, and 167.
Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of surface transportation systems and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation of such systems.

10. Overview Continued
Research, development, and technology transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.
Study, research, and training on the engineering standards and construction materials for transportation systems described in paragraph (5), including the evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing and the regulation and taxation of their use.
The conduct of activities relating to the planning of real-time monitoring elements.
Only items 5 and 6 are eligible under Subpart B.

11. Overview Continued
Includes 23 CFR definitions for RDT&I applicable to SPR Subpart B (25% set aside) which may limit eligibility of SPR activities.
”RD&T activity means a basic or applied research project or study, development and technology transfer activity.”
“Research means a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. Research can be basic or applied.”
“Applied research means the study of phenomena to gain knowledge or understanding necessary for determining the means by which a recognized need may be met; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to answer a question or solve a problem.”

12. Overview Continued Eligibility definitions continued:
“Basic research means the study of phenomena, and of observable facts, without specific applications towards processes or products in mind; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to increase knowledge.”
“Development means the systematic use of the knowledge or understanding gained from research, directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems or methods, including design and development of prototypes and processes.”

13. Overview Continued Eligibility definitions continued:
“Technology transfer means those activities that lead to the adoption of a new technique or product by users and involves dissemination, demonstration, training, and other activities that lead to eventual innovation.”
Note: RD&T activities cease to be eligible for SPR Subpart B funds upon completion of testing, evaluation, and dissemination under Technology Transfer as appropriate, and/or if they no longer meet the definitions listed above.

14. Questions?
1. Are you familiar with the definition of the Innovation Life Cycle, defined in 23 USC 501 (3)? It is a concise tool that can be used to define eligibility for SPR-B.
2. In the list of eligible SPR activities in 23 USC 505 (a) (1-7), why are only 5. and 6. eligible for SPR-B? When is a study not research?
3. When was your States Research manual last updated?
4. Does it (the research manual) identify the research process and set out how to document that process?
5. There are three categories of reporting required for SPR-B: Management process, projects and 20 CFR 200 financial. How does your State meet those requirements?
6. Do your periodic and end of year (or biennial) reports identify research program activities (tasks and projects) along with their respective costs?
7. Are these reports consistent (ie, reconcilable) with the SPR-B (Part II) Work program?
8. Are the research projects done by universities in your states funded as contracts or grants? Who determines the indirect cost ratio?

15. Information and Support
Sid Stecker State Research Partnership Program Manager Phone: