Transportation Services

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research through this Sources Sought Notice to identify Small Business concerns capable of providing comprehensive transportation services at its Gaithersburg, Maryland campus and the Washington Metropolitan Area. The procurement seeks a contractor to supply all labor and vehicles for shuttle and ground transportation services to NIST customers, associates, and visitors under a firm fixed-price contract utilizing commercial item procedures under FAR Part 12. Key requirements include maintaining a minimum of six CDL-licensed drivers with at least three years' experience and no traffic violations within 12 months, an experienced dispatcher, and direct ownership of at least four vehicles including two or more capable of transporting 36-40 passengers or larger. The evaluation will assess contractor capabilities through submitted documentation including examples of similar projects completed within the past five years with contract values, quality control implementation narratives, company profiles, small business certification evidence, and statements of intent to propose if set-aside. Interested Small Businesses must submit a brief capabilities package by 10:00 AM ET on February 18, 2026, to helen.wesley@nist.gov with a copy to tony.schmidt@nist.gov, and the Government anticipates contract award in or about April 2026.

This procurement includes no set-aside designation at present, though NIST is specifically evaluating whether to set aside the requirement for SDVOSBs, WOSBs, HUBZone certified firms, or 8(a) participants based on market research findings. No incumbent contractor is identified in this notice. The contract will run for a base period from April 5, 2026, through March 31, 2027, with four optional one-year extension periods potentially extending through March 31, 2031, plus a possible six-month extension. Services required include regular METRO and MARC shuttle operations during Monday through Friday business hours (6:30 AM to 6:30 PM ET), specialized transportation for the SURF summer program and NCNR Summer School using 55-passenger coaches, Cybersecurity Risk Management Conference transportation for 700 attendees using six 55-passenger buses, and general ad hoc transportation services. The specific contract value is not disclosed in this sources sought notice, as the document is intended for market research purposes only with no guarantee that a formal solicitation will follow.