Kevin Gray and Western Federal Lands Team Honored with Innovation & Development Excellence Award

Grand Teton National Park pavement project.

The National Park Service (NPS) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are pleased to recognize Kevin Gray, Steve Bailor, and the Western Federal Lands Project Delivery Team, as well as the NPS team including Jessica Brown (Landscape Architect, Grand Teton National Park), Sena Wiley (Transportation Program Coordinator, Intermountain Region) and Michael Kulbacki (Civil Engineer, Intermountain Region), with the Innovation & Development Excellence Award (IDEA) for their outstanding leadership in transportation project delivery and program innovation.

The team’s approach was both structured and adaptive to demonstrate a strategic, results-driven approach to managing a wide-ranging and complex portfolio, particularly demonstrated within delivery of projects within Grand Teton National Park and the NPS Pavement Preservation Program. Within both of these contexts, they worked closely with park partners to ensure each project was thoroughly scoped, addressed natural and cultural resource concerns, and met partner expectations. Their emphasis on context-sensitive solutions ensured infrastructure improvements were compatible with the unique settings of national parks while maximizing long-term benefit. The team has taken lessons learned from each individual project and adapted the construction and delivery approach for the successive project – leading to program improvements, new innovations, and increased efficiency.

One of the team’s most impactful contributions has been the development and implementation of a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) approach for pavement preservation. This strategy has increased efficiency, enhanced quality, and enabled specialty contractors to deliver site-specific treatments more effectively. As a result, more than 90% of all program funds are directly invested in construction - significantly boosting return on investment and project delivery speed.

The Pavement Preservation Program has become a national model, extending the life of NPS roadways while minimizing disruptions to park operations and visitor experiences. The team’s ability to balance innovation, policy compliance, and operational needs has earned recognition across both the NPS and FHWA communities. Their hands-on approach to project delivery allows for changes on the fly. For example, the team was able to quickly and seamlessly modify a recent project construction approach after a damaging forest fire occurred. The team worked with the park and contractor, met on site to inspect the damage, and then modified the project to the work based on the new conditions.