U.S. grant helps Brazilian intermodal firm

   The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a $450,000 grant to EcoRodovias, a privately held Brazilian intermodal logistics and highway concessionaire company.
   The grant will fund a technical assistance program to help EcoRodovias modernize and expand its use of intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies on its road network in Brazil.
   USTDA said in an effort to improve Brazil’s mobility, maintenance and the pace of expansion, certain highway arteries have been awarded to private companies such as EcoRodovias.
   EcoRodovias will use the USTDA-funded technical assistance to develop a detailed implementation plan for the acquisition, deployment, and integration of new ITS technologies into its transportation infrastructure. At the same time, the project presents significant export opportunities for U.S. firms in such areas as variable traffic message signs, highway monitoring systems and emergency communication system technologies, among others, according to USTDA.
   EcoRodovias will select a U.S. contractor to complete the technical assistance. The opportunity to conduct the USTDA-funded technical assistance activity will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) Website. A link to the FBO announcement will be posted to USTDA’s Website. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions in the FBO announcement.