LUS RFI Final 4.8.2026.pdf

Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4160, Boston, MA 02116 Tel: 857-368-4636, TTY: 857-368-0655 mass.gov/MassDOT

MassDOT Request for Information for Changeable Message Signs with Lane Use Control Capabilities

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to vendors to gather information related to the current state of Changeable Message Signs (CMS) with Lane Use Control capabilities as described below.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Respondents to this RFI are invited to provide feedback on any or all the items in this document. Responses to this RFI shall serve solely to assist MassDOT in understanding the current state of the market with regards to CMS with Lane Use Control functionality. This information may inform the development of a possible future solicitation for a low-bid construction project to install CMS with Lane Use Control functionality on MassDOT owned roads. This RFI does not in any way obligate MassDOT to issue or amend a solicitation or to include any of the RFI provisions or responses in any solicitation. Responding to this RFI is entirely voluntary and will in no way affect MassDOT’s consideration of any proposal submitted in response to any subsequent solicitation, nor will it serve as an advantage or disadvantage to the respondent during any low-bid construction project or any other solicitation that may subsequently be issued by MassDOT in the future.

RFI Timeline

Background The project consists of six gantry locations to support proposed CMS with lane use control functionality in both directions at strategic points along Route 1 to the north and south of Gillette Stadium that can assist with bi-directional lane use and motorist

Action Date

RFI Release Date 4/8/2026

Deadline for submission of written questions through COMMBUYS “Bid Q&A”

5/11/2026

Official answers for Bid Q&A published

(Estimated)

5/12/2026

Deadline for Responses (“Bid Opening

Date/Time” in COMMBUYS) 5/14/2026 3:00pm

2 | P a g e information during stadium events. The project limits include Route 1 between I-495 and I-95 within the Towns of Foxborough, Walpole and Wrentham, all within MassDOT’s District 5. The locations, four to the south of the stadium and two to the north of the stadium, are under design. The signs will be used to indicate which lanes are available for use at various times of day during major events and/or during contraflow operations along Route 1.

The sites are planned for new overhead full span structures across Route 1 (two travel lanes and breakdown lane in each direction) with two back-to-back CMS with Lane Control functionality displaying messages and lane use symbols for both directions of travel. The signs will span the entire roadway and be approximately 70 feet in width.

There will be six locations and 12 signs in total. Due to the location of this project, there is limited right of way available and additional constraints due to the utility lines along the corridor.

Technology MassDOT is looking into dual purpose full matrix, full color Changeable Message Signs with Lane Use Control functionality that are available on the market today.

Information Requested Vendors are invited to submit a written response of no more than ten (10) pages (single-sided in 12-point font) detailing their methodology for addressing the points below.

Some vendors may be invited to provide a capability briefing or demonstration of their signs.

MassDOT may request additional information from respondents, including further explanation or clarifications during the review process.

Respondents shall address the following information and requirements in their submissions:

• Describe your experience with comparable size signs – signs must be capable of displaying three lines of 18” characters as well as a combination of text, graphics and lane use control symbols over each lane and shoulders in both directions for a total width of approximately 70 feet. The pixel pitch shall be between 12 and 20 mm.

• Describe your experience in supplying signs of comparable size in the United States and locations outside of the United States. Please elaborate as to whether signs of this size are part of your standard product offering or would they be custom designed and built?

• Provide references or work experience in the US for similar sign types, sizes, and functionality.

• Describe your experience with contraflow lane use control sign functionality.

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• Describe your experience and methodology for how your signs monitor lane use control symbol conflicts locally and/or centrally.

• Provide information on the number of controllers required for two co-located signs (back-to-back signs) and the IP addressing for the signs.

• Describe your experience with integration into MassDOT’s central system at the Highway Operations Center - Parsons iNet Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) software or other similar third party ATMS software.

• Describe your access options for sign maintenance (Rear, Front, Walk In).

Describe both the pros and cons of the different access types available with your product offerings.

• Describe your experience with visual verification of sign messages and lane use control symbology using externally mounted CCTV on the CMS structure, including details related to cone of vision, frequency modulation, and LED angles.

Roadway constraints do not allow the installation of upstream verification cameras therefore MassDOT is investigating verification cameras mounted on a mast arm in front of the CMS.

• Describe your experience with integrating CMS in Massachusetts, including adherence to MassDOT IT Security and privacy requirements.

• There is a need to understand the power and communications requirements for the signs.

• There is a need to understand the sign operational and maintenance requirements.

• The signs installed need to operate in all weather conditions, from -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The signs need to adhere to relevant national traffic standards and communication protocols.

• Please provide information on how your products comply with the latest update to the Buy America (23.CFR § 635.410) and Build America, Buy America Act and specifically state if your products meet the requirements. Please identify any areas where your product does not meet the requirements or any qualifiers to meeting the current requirements.

Respondents may include the following information:

Respondent Name

Headquarters Location

URL of Respondent Web Site

Contact Name

Contact Title

Contact Email Address

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Contact Phone Number

Number of Years of Experience in this Service Offering

Primary Type of Service(s) Provided

Quote Submission Method Online Quote Submission via COMMBUYS is required. All Interested Vendors and Offerors must submit Quotes online using tools available only to Sellers registered in COMMBUYS.

COMMBUYS provides Seller registration functionality at no charge. To register, go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page. All Interested Vendors and Offerors who are awarded a contract resulting from this Notice, if any, will be required to maintain an active account during the duration of the Contract, by reviewing their registration information regularly and maintaining its accuracy.

COMMBUYS Quote Submission Training and Instructions The following resources are provided to assist Interested Vendors and Offerors in submitting Quotes:

• An online job aid on How to Create a Quote;

• Webcast video on How to Find Bids (Solicitations) and Submit Quotes

(Responses) through COMMBUYS;

• Instructor-led trainings (ILT) and live webinar sessions on “How to Locate and Respond to Bids” may also be available. Check the OSD Training

Courses schedule for Sellers/Business Entities for available locations, dates and times. Note that space is limited and pre-registration for trainings is required to attend. Follow instructions on the course schedule to register.

• Respondents may only make inquiries and request clarification concerning this RFI by submitting questions via the COMMBUYS Q&A button under this RFI bid number. Responses to inquiries and clarification questions will be provided electronically to all interested parties via a posting on

COMMBUYS. Respondents may not communicate directly or indirectly with any employee of MassDOT regarding this RFI, except as specified in this RFI.

COMMBUYS Support Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

• Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys and select the COMMBUYS

Resource Center link offered under Key Resources.

• Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at

COMMBUYS@state.ma.us http://www.commbuys.com/ http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/procurement-info-and-res/conduct-a-procurement/commbuys/job-aids-for-sellers.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUTNokbhfY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUTNokbhfY http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/procurement-info-and-res/osd-training-events-and-outreach/osd-training-and-outreach.html http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/procurement-info-and-res/osd-training-events-and-outreach/osd-training-and-outreach.html http://www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys mailto:COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

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• Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-

627-8283). The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Posting Respondents are responsible for entering content suitable for public viewing, as all the responses and questions are accessible to the public. Respondents must not include any information that could be considered personal, security sensitive, inflammatory, incorrect, collusive, or otherwise objectionable, including information about the respondent’s company or other companies.

Review Right, Public Records and Cost Responses to this RFI may be reviewed and evaluated by any person(s) at the discretion of MassDOT, including independent consultants retained by MassDOT now or in the future.

All responses to this RFI will be a public record under the Commonwealth’s Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66 Section 10, regardless of confidentiality notices set forth on such writings to the contrary.

All responses and other documents submitted in response to the RFI become the property of MassDOT. MassDOT is under no obligation to return any document submitted by a respondent.

By submitting a response, respondents agree that any cost incurred in responding to this RFI, or in support of activities associated with this RFI, shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent. MassDOT shall not be held responsible for any costs incurred by respondents in preparing their respective responses to this RFI.