Description
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is issuing a Research Announcement (RA) that solicits proposals for one or more of 16 research topics related to pipeline safety, including advanced nondestructive‑evaluation, leak detection, LNG safety, repair and rehabilitation, and threat‑prevention technologies. Proposals are funded through Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) on a fixed‑price basis, must include a Technical Advisory Panel of pipeline operators and academic experts, and require a minimum cost‑share of 50 % for technology‑development topics (or 20 % for knowledge‑development topics). Funding is awarded on a quarterly‑milestone basis; only completed items are paid. The work must be completed within a 12‑month performance period, with a submission deadline of 2 Nov 2026.
• 16 technical topics covering NDE, AI‑based leak detection, composite‑lined pipelines, LNG siting, automation for construction, and more.
• Fixed‑price OTA; cost‑share required (≥ 50 % for tech‑dev, ≥ 20 % for knowledge‑dev).
• Must submit via PHMSA’s R&D Management Information System (MIS) by 5 p.m. EST, 2 Nov 2026; Q&A deadline 9 Oct 2026.
• Deliverables include quarterly reports, a final technical report, a research brief, and conference/publication deliverables.
• No equipment purchases are funded; consultant/sub‑contractor costs funded with Federal dollars limited to 50 % of the Federal contribution.