TSSC4 Sources Sought -February 2026.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT SOLICITATION NUMBER:

693JJ3-26-SS-0006

NOTICE TYPE:

Sources Sought

TITLE:

Technical Support Services for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO)

MARKET RESEARCH (FAR PART 10):

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is conducting market research to determine if there are interested, capable, and qualified offerors in the marketplace with the knowledge, skills, qualifications, and capability to perform the work described below. FHWA is contemplating making one or more awards for technical support services to support the FHWA ITS-JPO in delivering the ITS Program by providing the following:

ITS Subject Matter Expertise:

● Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

● Cyber Physical Systems, including but not limited to:

o Information Technology (IT) o Operational Technology (OT) o Internet of Things (IoT) o Industrial Control Systems

● Computing Technologies, including but not limited to:

o Edge computing o Cloud o Decentralized computing

● Communications and connectivity, including but not limited to:

o Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technology and applications o Communications standards

● Automation, including but not limited to:

o Automated Driving Systems (ADS) o Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA)

● Security and cybersecurity, including but not limited to:

o Security Credential Management Systems (SCMS) o Zero-trust architecture o Authentication o Certification

● Data, including but not limited to:

o Data Management o Data Governance https://www.its.dot.gov/ o Data Analytics o Data standards and specifications

● Emerging Technologies, including but not limited to:

o Artificial Intelligence (AI) o Digital Twins o Virtual Reality and/or Augmented Reality

● ITS Architecture, including but not limited to:

o Architecture Reference for Cooperative and Intelligent Transportation (ARC-IT) o ITS functional standards o Taxonomy and classification standards o Operational Design Domain (ODD) standards

● System Engineering, including but not limited to:

o V-Model o Agile o Model Based System Engineering (MBSE)

ITS Joint Program Office Activities:

● Demonstrations, including but not limited to:

o Prototypes o Proofs of Concept o Field Operational Tests o Pilot Deployments o Large Demonstrations o Historical examples include V2X Accelerator, ITS4US Demonstrations, CV

Pilots, Safety Pilot, MSAA Grants, and ICM Demonstrations

● ITS Deployment Evaluation, including but not limited to:

o ITS Deployment Tracking o ITS Benefits and Costs o Deployment evaluation tools

● ITS Professional Capacity Building, including but not limited to:

o Technical Assistance o Training o Cohorts o Peer to Peer

● ITS Communications and Outreach

● ITS Deployment resources, including but not limited to:

o Deployment guidance o System Engineering o Reference architecture o Reference implementations o Data and code (ITS DataHub, ITS CodeHub) o Deployment tools (RAD-IT, SET-IT) o Cybersecurity references

Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities in the following broad areas:

● Program and Project Management Support

● Data Management and Support

● Technical Analysis Support

● ITS Systems Engineering Support

● Policy, Institutional, Regulatory and Legal Support

● Business Planning and Financial Services Support

● Technology Transfer and Training (T3) Support

● Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Telecommunications Spectrum Support

● Communications and Outreach Support

● Stakeholder engagement and facilitation

Contextual Experience in the following broad areas:

● International

● US Government Legislative and Executive Branches

● Regional, State and Local Governments

● Innovative Research Identification and Delivery

● Application of ITS for safety, mobility, efficiency, and productivity

● Application of ITS for all USDOT modes and use cases

● Public-Private Partnerships

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has long led efforts to research, develop, and evaluate transportation technologies. The U.S. DOT has strongly supported adopting and using new and innovative technologies—known as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) and modal partners have been a crucial component of this effort by fostering pioneering research and development in technology (RD&T) and evaluating each generation of ITS. These efforts have enhanced the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of surface transportation for almost three decades. This work helps save lives, improve access and mobility, and increase economic productivity.

The ITS JPO collaborates across modal administrations to coordinate and plan the U.S. DOT’s multimodal ITS technology research program, working toward improving transportation safety, mobility, and efficiency and enhancing productivity through the integration of innovative technologies into the nation’s transportation system.

The U.S. DOT also cooperates and collaborates with other federal agencies, public-sector entities, private-sector organizations, and international partners to support the implementation of ITS across the United States and around the world. To accomplish its mission, the ITS JPO coordinates the ITS Program and initiatives among the U.S. DOT modal administrations— Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC).

In addition, the ITS JPO closely collaborates with current industry and academic leaders in technology and innovation. This work supports the targeted identification and evaluation of ITS investments and fosters the coordination of the ITS portfolio across the transportation system.

The ITS Program’s success depends on coordination among all these entities and most notably among the modal administrations within the U.S. DOT. The ITS JPO’s research leverages multimodal technology, applications, and data, delivering crosscutting communications and technology transfer activities that support the U.S. DOT’s ITS portfolio objectives. As research initiatives move from development and testing into technology transfer and implementation support phases, the modal administrations play a critical role in executing long-term deployment, operations, and maintenance support. Modal administrations also conduct independent ITS research on mode-specific issues.

In support of the ITS Program, the Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supervision, and other items and services necessary to provide technical and programmatic support services in support of the mission of the ITS JPO. The Contractor shall analyze technical, programmatic, and administrative issues and provide technical support as required by the ITS JPO, other operating USDOT Administrations, and other stakeholders who partner in the JPO’s mission and vision.

The Contractor shall also be required to conduct special studies on policy, technical research, and evaluations related to and in support of the ITS JPO’s program activities that raise awareness and understanding of ITS technologies and services, including but not limited to:

• development and use of technical tools (e.g.: models and computer aided instruction)

• data analysis and analytical techniques,

• technology transfer and technical assistance (e.g.: development and delivery of training),

• program/project evaluation,

• performance measurement, and

• process improvement.

In addition, the Contractor shall be required to work with ITS JPO partners and stakeholders to support and coordinate programs and activities. However, all decision-making and program management authority shall remain with the Government.

Noblis and Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) are the current contractors performing these services for FHWA under a 5-year, $200 million combined ceiling multiple award, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quality (IDIQ) contract (693JJ321D000021 – Noblis, 693JJ321D000022-

BAH).

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:

At a minimum, the Contractor’s subject matter expertise must span the breadth of ITS to encompass the current needs of the JPO and all of its stakeholders, both inside and outside of the U.S. DOT, while also providing targeted expertise to address the emerging needs of the U.S.

DOT in its research efforts. The Contractor shall provide multi-modal technical assistance and support to the ITS JPO, its Modal Administration partners throughout the Department of Transportation, and its stakeholders in the public, private, and academic sectors. This support encompasses a wide range of technical support for pursuing ITS research and development that contributes towards ITS deployment.

SUBMISSION DETAILS (CAPABILITY STATEMENTS):

Responses must be submitted electronically to the e-mail addresses below:

Daniel.Confer@dot.gov and HCFA-23SRI@dot.gov

SUBJECT LINE:TSSC4 Sources Sought Response (company name)

Respondents should submit their responses no later than Noon Local Time (Washington, DC) February 18, 2026.

Format requirements are:

(1) An Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file formatted to print on 8.5”x11” size paper.

(2) Not more than 15 pages in length.

(3) The total page count of 15 pages includes ALL information provided including the cover letter, table of contents and acronym list.

(4) Size 11 font or larger shall be used with the exception of tables and other graphics.

(5) Responses may include links or web addresses that demonstrate evidence of technical expertise

(final reports, technical journals, peer reviewed papers, etc.)

Proprietary information submitted in response to this Sources Sought Notice will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). All proprietary markings should be clearly delineated. The respondent shall identify where data is restricted by proprietary or other rights and mark it accordingly.

The cover page should contain:

(1) Company/Organization name

(2) Primary Point of Contact

(3) Phone Number and Email Address

(4) UEI Number

(5) NAICS Code(s)

(6) Business Size (small or large in relation to NAICS code(s) listed above).

(7) Socioeconomic Business Status: 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small

Business (SDVOSB), or Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

(8) GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and OASIS+ Contract Number(s), as applicable mailto:Daniel.Confer@dot.gov mailto:HCFA-23SRI@dot.gov

Scope Feedback: If desired, Sources Sought Notice respondents may also provide feedback on the overall intent and scope of this requirement.

Commerciality Feedback: The Government desires to make a determination regarding the commerciality of this requirement. Considering the definition of commercial services below from the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), does your firm consider this requirement to be commercial or non-commercial? Please explain why.

Commercial service means—

(1) Installation services, maintenance services, repair services, training services, and other services if—

(i) Such services are procured for support of a commercial product, as defined in this section regardless of whether such services are provided by the same source or at the same time as the commercial product; and

(ii) The source of such services provides similar services at the same time to the general public under terms and conditions similar to those offered to the Government;

(2) Services, including construction, of a type offered and sold competitively in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace based on established catalog or market prices for specific tasks performed or specific outcomes to be achieved and under standard commercial terms and conditions. For purposes of these services—

(i) Catalog price means a price included in a catalog, price list, schedule, or other form that the manufacturer or vendor regularly maintains, customers can inspect, and states prices at which sales are currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers constituting the general public; and

(ii) Market prices means current prices that are established in the course of ordinary trade between buyers and sellers free to bargain and that can be substantiated through competition or from sources independent of the offerors; or

(3) A service referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition, even though the service is transferred between or among separate divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of a contractor.

Clarification of Sources Sought Notice Responses

To fully comprehend the information contained within a response to this Sources Sought Notice, there may be a need to seek further clarification from respondents. This clarification may be requested in the form of brief verbal communication by telephone; written communication;

electronic communication; or a request for a presentation of the response to a specific FHWA group or groups. FHWA reserves the right to seek additional information from respondents.

DISCLAIMER:

This sources sought is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposals.

It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the government. Responses in any form are not offers and the government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this is strictly voluntary.

DISCLAIMER: