RA T2 Notice

PIPELINE SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)

RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT

#693JK326RA002

Solicitation Announcement Number:
693JK326RA002 (Attachment #7)
Program Title:
Core Research Program Technology Transfer & Commercialization Advancement Questions Submission Deadline:
Friday, October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Submissions Portal Opens:
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline:
Monday, November 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Cost Share Requirement:
Mandatory minimum 50% non-Federal cost share (Cash/Direct Cash-Equivalent) Project Performance Period:
Maximum 12 Months

1. OVERVIEW, RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Research and Development (R&D) Core Research Program announces this competitive solicitation for proposals focused strictly on Technology Transfer (T2) and Commercialization Advancement. The core objective of this Research Announcement is to accelerate the transition of high-impact pipeline safety innovations from advanced laboratory and operational prototypes to full-scale commercial deployment and operational field implementation across the Nation's energy transportation infrastructure. This solicitation specifically targets mature technologies at high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 7–9) to bridge the critical 'implementation gap' by resolving final technical, regulatory, operational, credentialing, and market hurdles. Funding will only be awarded for projects that demonstrate a clear, definitive path to producing deployable technology, commercial products, or integrated service system ready for immediate market availability and pipeline operator adoption upon project completion. 1.1 Standard Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Requirements Standard Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are incorporated into this solicitation to establish rigorous, universally accepted entry and exit criteria for all submitted proposals: Low TRLs (1–3) [EXCLUDED]: Foundational research phase consisting of basic scientific principles, mathematical formulations, and early conceptual testing. Proposals at these early stages are explicitly excluded from this solicitation. Mid TRLs (4–6) [EXCLUDED]: Proof-of-concept, laboratory validation, and early engineering-scale component testing. Proposals at these intermediate stages are explicitly excluded from this solicitation. High TRL 7 [MANDATORY ENTRY LEVEL]: The technology must have cleared primary scientific hurdles and demonstrated a full-scale, functional prototype validated under actual field operational conditions or high-fidelity simulated pipeline environments prior to proposal submission.