Information for Panel Members
Congratulations on being selected to serve as a panel member on a Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) project. Please see below for information and responses to questions that past panel members have posed.
We at CRP are very appreciative of the time that you are devoting to serve. If you have any questions that are not answered on this site, please contact Joseph Snell at jsnell@nas.edu.
Panel Nomination Information
How do I nominate myself or someone else to serve on a panel?
Those interested in serving on a specific project oversight panel should go to the Available Projects page on MyTRB, select the project, complete the nomination form (including the Background Information and Conflict of Interest Declaration), and upload a current résumé. For more information about conflicts of interest, please refer to CRP's Conflict of Interest resource page.
You may also nominate others to serve on panels for the projects listed on MyTRB; anyone you nominate will receive a notification that they've been nominated and that they need to complete the nomination form (including the Background Information and Conflict of Interest Declaration) and provide a current résumé.
Approved panel members will receive a formal appointment letter before the first meeting.
What occurs during panel meetings?
At the first meeting (usually two days), the panel will craft the Research Problem Statement into a Request for Proposals (RFP). Panel members are given an orientation first and then the rest of the meeting is used to draft the problem statement. After the meeting has ended, staff will edit the problem statement before it is posted on the Requests for Proposals webpage.
At the second meeting (usually one day), the panel reviews the proposals that have been received in response to the RFP and chooses a contractor. After the meeting has concluded, staff will notify the successful proposer and begin working on executing a contract. The identity of the successful proposer is confidential until a contract is signed.
A project will also typically have one interim meeting of the panel and research team; some projects may have more. At this meeting, an interim report developed by the research team will be reviewed and the remaining tasks discussed. The panel can make changes to the research plan if they deem necessary.
Is there any other material that should be reviewed while I am serving on the panel?
During the course of the project, panel members will typically review the amplified research plan, quarterly progress reports, an interim report, draft final deliverables, and the final deliverables. Comments on these materials are facilitated through the Senior Program Officer for the project.
I am a panel member and have located some additional research that I feel would be of great interest to the panel and to the contractor. Am I permitted to send it to them directly?
No. Any such material should be sent to the project's Senior Program Officer who will determine its suitability.
Meeting Logistics
Will meetings be held in person or virtually?
Meetings may be held in person, virtually, or as a hybrid. You will be notified of the meeting details in advance of the meeting.
Are meals provided during the panel meetings?
Please check with the project's Senior Program Officer or Senior Program Assistant.
What is the attire during the panel meetings?
Business casual. Some panel members feel comfortable wearing a light sweater during the summer months since the meeting rooms can be quite chilly.
When does the meeting start?
Meetings in Washington, D.C. typically start at 9:00 a.m.
Travel for Meetings
How do I make my travel and hotel reservations?
When you receive information on a meeting, it will include contact information for a travel agency as well as the unique travel code for that meeting.
I have just received the travel information to attend a panel meeting. I would prefer to make my own reservations and claim reimbursement afterwards. Is that permitted?
Booking your travel arrangements using our travel agents is preferred since we pay for expenses upfront at no cost to you. However, you are permitted to reserve your own airline/train ticket but you must contact your CRP travel coordinator to obtain an electronic constructive cost that will be necessary for your reimbursement. If you are booking your own hotel, the hotel rate must not exceed the per diem rate for the meeting area.
I have just attended a panel meeting and would like to claim my reimbursement. How do I do this?
See below.
Electronic Travel Reimbursement Process
NASEM uses Workday Financials to process Travel Expense Reports (TERs). Reimbursement instructions with login details will be sent after the meeting.
To assist our volunteers in this process, please refer to the following materials:
TRB-CRP Travel FAQ
Entering Out-of-Pocket Travel Expenses
For assistance, please contact CRP Travel Accounting staff via email (CRPTravelAcct@nas.edu) or call (202) 334-2846 to speak with a CRP travel reimbursement specialist.
General Information about our Facility, the Keck Center
Are transit stations nearby? [Washington Metro System Map]
There are two metro stations close to the Keck Building. The Judiciary Square Metro Station is located on the red line; please use the National Building Museum/Police Memorial Exit when disembarking. At the top of the escalator, please turn left and walk to the end of the block. The Keck Center will be directly in front of you across the street. The Gallery Place Chinatown Station is located on the green, red and yellow lines (the yellow line provides access to Ronald Reagan National Airport). When disembarking, please use the 7th Street Arena exit. Turn left and walk two blocks toward, 5th street, then turn right to reach the Keck Center.
Where can I park?
There is very limited free parking at the Keck Center for panel meetings. The entrance to the parking garage is on 6th Street between E and F Streets. When you enter the garage, please show identification to the guard and you will be directed to park on the P1 level. Follow the signs in the garage to reach the visitor elevator to reach the first floor. Please note that there is no overnight parking at the Keck Center.
Updating Contact Information
How do I update my contact information?
Please update your contact information on your MyTRB profile.