Section 1203 of the MAP-21 stipulates USDOT to promulgate performance measures in the areas of the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and the National Freight Movement (Freight) within 18 months after the date of enactment of the MAP-21. State DOTs are tasked with developing performance measures plans, which include asset management plans. The focus of this pooled fund project will be in the area of the NHPP.

1. Provide communication and information sharing among member states. Discuss research needs and provide research ideas to be developed through TRB (and other research opportunities). 2. Provide a technology and knowledge exchange forum to enhance the practical knowledge of member states concerning asset management implementation. 3. Enhance the working knowledge of the asset management community.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) will serve as lead state for the execution of this Pooled Fund project. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) will facilitate administrative duties associated with the project and will invoice the Iowa DOT for reimbursement up to the amount available in the Pooled Fund. The principle tasks are: 1. Learning Session/TAC meeting – Coordinate a workshop Technical Advisory Committee meeting for member states to learn and review issues associated with implementation of asset management. Since member states may be at different stages of implementation, this is an opportunity to share best practices and strategies for overcoming certain challenges. This meeting will be held in conjunction with the biennial conference activities. 2. Survey of State DOT Asset Management Practices – Coordinate an annual survey of state DOT asset management practices. This survey will be conducted in conjunction with the TRB Standing Committee on Asset Management (AJE30) and the AASHTO Subcommittee on Asset Management (CPBM-AM). The results of the survey will help states evaluate their asset management status and will provide valuable information to support development of content for the conference and training activities. 3. Biennial Asset Management Conferences – Provide a venue for the member states to exchange information on the challenges to asset management implementation. The pooled fund will help support conference and expert state and local speaker travel and expenses. The pooled fund will not support private industry personnel travel or expenses. Because the pooled fund will be a primary funding source for the conference and associated workshops and speakers, the number of partner states will directly influence the number of expert speakers and related conference sessions and workshops. One member from up to eight partner states will be invited to serve on each of the conference planning committees (selected from the states making commitments for each conference). Active conference planning participation will enable member states to work with experts in the field, shape the conference program, evaluate their agency’s current capacity in all areas of asset management, and help determine priorities for their agencies. While each member may not have to serve on the conference planning committee, each member will be required to serve as a session moderator, speaker, poster presenter, technical representatives-only workshop session planner or technical representatives-only technology transfer webinar planner in order to satisfy Iowa's pooled fund requirements. These efforts will be coordinated with the planning committee to ensure maximum value is obtain from each member's involvement in this effort. 4. Training – Post wrap-up “Implementation Strategies” webinar for partner states. Additional webinar training from conference highlights may be provided as funds allow. Deliverables: The primary deliverables will be the 2023 and 2025 National Conference on Transportation Asset Management. Past conference events have regularly drawn over 500 asset management professionals to a two-day conference (closer to a week with associated workshops, peer exchanges, and AASHTO & TRB committee meetings -- the conference serves as a "hub" for many related activities).

The minimum commitment needed per partner, per conference is $12,000, for a total commitment of $24,000. This commitment includes conference registration, travel and room & board for two attendees to attend project meetings at the conference event site. One of these attendees should be designated as the partner’s technical representative. A partner may choose to participate in one or both conference events, as long as a commitment of $12,000 is committed for each conference cycle. For example, a partner may choose to split their $12,000 commitment between years 2021, 2022 and/or 2023 for the July 2023 conference or may commit $12,000 in 2021, 2022 or 2023 for the July 2023 conference. This process cycle is repeated for the July 2025 conference using total commitments in 2024 and 2025. The 2023 and 2025 efforts are being combined into a single pooled fund to streamline these related activities. The minimum commitment needed for the solicitation reflects only the 2023 conference. An equal minimum commitment would also be required for the 2025 conference but cannot be correctly reflected in the solicitation entry field. The location of each conference has not been determined at the time of this posting. Locations will be added below once known. This pooled fund is always accepting new member states. Please inquire with the Lead Agency Contact noted above to join this effort. Will pursue 100% SPR Part II waiver.