CDL Third Party Skills Testers

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is requesting proposals for Commercial Driver Licensing Third Party Skills Testing Program contractors to administer CDL skills tests on behalf of ODOT throughout Oregon, with proposals due August 4, 2026. ODOT seeks to contract with up to three private, for-profit businesses; the RFP does not mandate a set-aside or preference, but includes a non-binding 12 percent aspirational target for Certified Small Business participation. A COBID Outreach Plan is required as a submission attachment, though responses are excluded from scored evaluation.

The scope requires administering CDL skills tests equivalent to those conducted by the Oregon DMV, following the Oregon CDL Examiner's Manual and federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Title 49 CFR 383–384). Proposers must meet all minimum qualifications under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Oregon Administrative Rules 735, Division 60, maintain a $10,000 surety bond, designate qualified Representatives and Examiners, conduct background checks on all personnel, and maintain Commercial General Liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability insurance ($2,000,000 combined single limit), and Workers' Compensation insurance ($500,000 per accident minimum). Contractors must enter test results into the Commercial Skills Test Information Management System (CSTIMS) within specified timeframes and submit to periodic ODOT, Secretary of State, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspections and audits.

The contract term is five years with an option to extend for an additional five years (maximum ten-year cumulative term). ODOT provides no direct compensation; contractors are authorized to set and collect fees directly from CDL test applicants. The RFP targets high-need areas including Portland Metro, mid-Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and the Oregon Coast; approximately 6,979 CDL skills tests were administered statewide in 2024.

Evaluation is scored on 950 total points across Program Accommodations (450 points), Program Management Plan (300 points), Employment Criteria (100 points), and Experience on Similar Programs (100 points). Proposals are limited to 10 pages plus required attachments, submitted electronically via OregonBuys in PDF format. Questions are due 10 calendar days prior to bid opening. Award notification is expected approximately four weeks following bid opening.