The U.S. DOT's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, administered by Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center, released the second fiscal year 2013 solicitation, inviting small businesses to submit research proposals that address specific research challenges facing the Department's operating administrations.

The solicitation contains a total of six research topic descriptions from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration.

Research topics include:

• the development of innovative welding for high performance bridge steel
• game-based technology and database to train pre-drivers, young drivers, and older drivers to detect traffic hazards and respond appropriately
• affiliation strength/risk model development for motor carrier succession
• pipeline integrity assessment using in-line inspection
• modeling cathodic protection penetration on new construction pipelines incorporating all types of "foam" sack breakers and supports
• the development and demonstration of new non-destructive evaluation methods to quantify remaining strength of line pipe steel and or pipeline fittings.

The solicitation invites small businesses to submit research proposals on these topics no later than September 23, 2013.

The solicitation is available online at
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/work-with-us/small-business-innovation-research/solicitations

Please contact the US DOT SBIR Program Director with any questions.