Section 2: Mid-Year Projects
Anchor: #i999938Introduction
While a majority of the annual research program is developed by the schedule in the previous section, a method is in place to fund critical needs that arise during the year. A research contingency account is maintained by RTI on behalf of the Research Oversight Committee (ROC). This contingency account is used to fund new projects, or modifications to existing projects, which arise during the year and are considered critical. Examples of critical projects are those that directly impact significant safety issues or have the potential for immediate and major costs savings.
Anchor: #i999948Contingency Account Funding Level
The initial level of funding for the contingency account is established when the ROC approves new Project Agreements for the coming year. Additional contingency funds may become available during the year from cancelled projects, or from projects that relinquish funds due to changes in project scope or schedule.
Anchor: #i999958Procedures
Mid-year research needs should be submitted to RTI as they are identified, along with an explanation of the criticality of the project. Project approval and contingency funding approval authority is described in chapter 2.
All applicable TxDOT policies and procedures, including IT policies and procedures, apply to mid-year projects, just as to projects initiated during the annual cycle.