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ERFO MSAR

Updates and Changes May 2021
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Disasters have Challenges

Multiple units & areas need assistance

Information is variable, unreliable, and piecemeal

Poor field conditions hamper assessment

Staff are cutoff from power, internet, offices, & equipment

Access and compatibility of other’s data is limited

Decisions must be made and documented
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MSAR has Solutions

• Collect site damage information faster

• Consolidated data to make disaster related decisions

• Power and internet issues don’t affect response

• The office knows what the field crews know

• Data is standardized and easily accessed

• Everybody working off the same data

• Dates, information, and approvals are tracked

• Clarity of information leads to faster recovery
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MSAR - Overview

The Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief (ER) and Federal Lands Highways 

Emergency Relief for Federal Owned Roads (ERFO) programs are using the Mobile Solution 

for Assessment and Reporting (MSAR) software to streamline the data capture, approvals, 

and reporting of damages to transportation infrastructure. 

The MSAR was developed by the FHWA to provide the following benefits:

 Reduce disaster management response time

 Improve situational awareness and oversight

 Increase data integrity and transparency

 Increase efficiencies and reduce costs
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Why Do You need MSAR? • Disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, landslides, 

tornados, and fires cause damage to 

transportation infrastructure

• Owner and a maintenance agencies must respond • Must assess: What, where, how much damage? • Apply for state & federal emergency funding & 

disaster declarations

• Document conditions before repairs • Document emergency repairs for reimbursement • Plan and estimate permanent repairs needed

MSAR gives you the tools and data 

to respond to disaster effectively!
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MSAR - What it is

• 2 part software system– Mobile App & Web portal

• Supports variety of users including BIA, Tribes, OTT, 

State, and County

• Free to ERFO users

• Mobile App 

• Free App, secure login 

• Collects the damage data in the field using 

smartphones or tablets

• Works online or offline

• Data includes asset, damage, GIS, photos, 

repair scope, and costs 

• Uploads data to Web portal 
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MSAR - What it is

• Web Portal 

• Provides overall disaster event tracking 

and data management

• View and Edit field reports 

• Submit and track for approvals

• Real-time monitoring and reporting of 

the disaster

• Customized dashboards, views, and 

lists
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MSAR Technology

Utilizes commonly available hardware – smartphones & tablets

Android and IOS mobile device software platforms

Incorporates GIS/mapping into app

Includes high quality in-app photos

Uses modern screen interaction methods (digital keyboards, drop 

downs, touch scrolling, voice to text)

Allows a variety of file attachments

Provides data fields for linkages to other systems

Highly secure for all users, PIV compatible for FHWA

Cloud based, redundant storage

Seamless upgrades and maintenance

Allows remote setup & support

Flexible workflow and roles for partners

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FAQs

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• What equipment do I need? 

• Most phones or tablets that are IOS or Android work 

with MSAR. GIS enabled tablets and phones are 

preferred but not required.

• What If I do not have a Tablet or Smartphone? 

• Talk with your ERFO coordinator about possible data 

collection options. Data can also be collected on 

paper and input into the web portal from a desktop 

computer.

• How do I get a user account and get started with 

MSAR?

• Contact your ERFO Coordinator with who needs 

MSAR access and they will get the user account set 

up.

• I have never used MSAR, will someone help me 

learn it?

• Yes! FHWA offers training webinars, user guides, 

and in person OTJ training. Many users are able to use the app without a specific training session.

• How much does MSAR cost to use? 

• MSAR App is free to download. The access to the 

software for ERFO events is free. 

Cahuilla Band Of Indians CA2019-1-BIA
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ERFO Process Using MSAR 

Disaster Event Occurs:

Tribe notifies BIA of possible disaster

BIA notifies FHWA of possible disaster 

FHWA creates the event data in MSAR web portal 

BIA/ TRIBE/ OTT complete damage assessment with MSAR 

App and upload draft site damage reports

If Positive Finding: Users finish damage Reports (DDIRs) in 

MSAR Portal

DDIR Review/Approval in MSAR

 Tribe / BIA field staff submits 

 BIA ERFO Coordinator reviews and approve 

 FHWA ERFO Coordinator reviews and approve 

BIA/FHWA outputs Program of Projects from MSAR Portal

Users generate reports and utilize dashboards to support 

Event and site decisions

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Santa Clara Pueblo NM2013-1-BIA
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MSAR – Work Flow

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Site data, GPS 

data, and Pictures 

are uploaded to the 

Web portal on 

Salesforce.com 

Draft reports and data immediately accessible 

from any internet-connected computer or 

device for Partner & FHWA use

(BIA /Tribe)
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Current Tribe related MSAR Use

• Gradual Implementation started in 2016

• Used by BIA, Tribes, OTT, and A&Es

• Use ranges from minimal interaction with MSAR to 

detailed interaction, full system use

• 32 ERFO BIA events in MSAR

• 20 events since 2016 

• Historical events still being added

• 9 BIA Regions in MSAR

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Oglala Sioux Tribe SD2019-1-BIA
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MSAR Mandatory Use for ERFO

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What:

• Effective October 1, 2021

• MSAR use required 

• ERFO System of Record 

• All events, sites, approvals, and funding

• Repository for official correspondence

• Includes all events 2016 to Present, & future

How:

• Existing data and users moved forward

• Info Presentations

• FHWA OTT Webinar May 19

• Targeted Training

• FAQs, guides, topic sheets

• Increased Licenses

• Input of Historical items

• Custom list views and pre-made reports

• Adding users as identified

• Financial Module in development
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MSAR Software Update

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 Technology has advanced

 Program/ use evolved

 Demand increased

 Feature requests

 Looking forward

MSAR Software Update May 2021

• Updated system platform and interface

• New data fields

• Program Mgmt.

• Reporting

• Added GIS features

• Multiple points per site

• Improved Cost Tools

• Import estimates

• Improved copying/ moving/ editing

• Expanded licenses for more users

• Program standardization
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MSAR – Mobile App 
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MSAR – Web Portal 
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MSAR – Web Portal Reports and Dashboards 
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MSAR – New Feature Highlights

Add multiple locations to a DDIR

• Set a secondary GPS location

• Take a picture 

• Caption it!
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MSAR – New Feature Highlights

Cost Estimate Items

• Pay item code field

• Import cost estimates tool

• Easier adding & editing
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MSAR Benefits

Cost and time savings to FLMA/ TRIBE and FHWA 

Improved efficiency in ERFO project delivery (timelier submission of 

assessment and approvals)

Electronic file management and approval process Transparency for the 

event to HQ, Division, BIA, Tribe, and OTT 

Consistency in reporting eligible projects 

Ease of monitoring and managing multiple ERFO events

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MSAR Benefits

• Combined data for multiple programs and jurisdictions

• Easy access, availability, and transparency for Audits

• Use one device with one software for all sites 

• Assists in workload management with document 

statusing and customized routing of approvals

• Automatic notifications and real time data updates

• Data is easily queried and exported for other use by 

other systems
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MSAR - More than just disasters

FHWA Order 5182.1 – Emergency Relief Program Responsibilities

 Strengthens administration and oversight 

 Addresses external and internal concerns (lack of control, tardiness, inconsistency, 

eligibility determination, etc.)

EDC-3, e-Construction Initiative

 Creates a paperless, more efficient process for the ER Program for both the State DOT, 

Federal Partners, and FHWA

Executive Order 13653 - Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate 

Change (Resiliency)

 Identify sites damage of previous disasters to be considered as related to climate change 

and extreme weather events for risk, preparedness, and resilience

FHWA Order 5520 - Transportation System Preparedness and Resilience to 

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events

Provides data and documents consideration and adaptation of repairs in the ER program to 

accommodate preparedness and resilience 

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WY2017-1-BIA Disaster Highlight

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Wind River Reservation

• Unusual Natural Event – June 2017 Storm 

and Flooding

• NOI, August 30, 2017

• Assessment & DSR writing – Sept 2017

• Positive Finding, 10/13/2017

• MSAR Accounts set up for BIA users

• DSRs written on paper by BIA/tribe, entered 

by BIA into web portal

• MSAR used for approval process & DSR 

updates

• POP of $1.9 million

• Work Delivered by Tribe
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AK2021-3-BIA Disaster Highlight

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Chilkoot Tribal Association

• Rain on Snow Event – Flooding Dec. 2-8, 2020

• NOI, January 15, 2021

• Positive Finding, March 17, 2021

• MSAR Accounts set up for BIA & Tribe users

• MSAR DDIR training for App & Portal

• DDIR Field Collection - May 24-27, 2021

• Initial estimates of $9.5 million
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Chilkoot Tribal Association

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AK2019-1-BIA Disaster Highlight

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Organized Village of Kasaan Landslide

• Catastrophic Event – Landslide, Jan. 1, 2019

• NOI, January 10, 2019

• Disaster Assmnt. & DDIR field trip, Jan. 16, 2019

• Positive Finding, February 5, 2019

• Quick Release - $400,000, February 11, 2019

• MSAR Accounts set up for BIA users

• MSAR DDIR developed by WFLHD.

• Initial estimate of $2.2 million

• DDIR $794,000
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Organized Village of Kasaan - Landslide

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MSAR Key Takeaways

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• MSAR is a FHWA software used successfully for 5 years on ERFO 

disasters 

• MSAR use has proven benefits

• FHWA is requiring mandatory use of MSAR starting Oct 1, 2021

• MSAR recently had a major upgrade with new features

• MSAR is being used by a variety of Tribes and BIA offices
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Questions?

ERFO Resources

https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs/erfo

Sergio Mayorga

ERFO National Program Manager

Office of Federal Lands Highway

Location: Washington, DC,

Ashburn, VA

Cell: (202) 853-0810

Office: (703) 404-6247

Email: sergio.mayorga@dot.gov

J. "Eric" Wright

ERFO Coordinator

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFL)

Location: Ashburn, Virginia

Phone: (571) 434-1547

Email: john.wright@dot.gov

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Lorell Duteil

ERFO Coordinator

Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFL)

Location: Lakewood, Colorado

Phone: (720) 963-3425

Email: lorell.duteil@dot.gov

Steve Hinz

ERFO Coordinator

Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFL)

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Phone: (360) 619-7532

Email: steven.hinz@dot.gov
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Thank You!