IRD TRS Traffic Counter "Sole Source"

The State of Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is seeking to procure 349,200 dollars' worth of new IRD TRS continuous count traffic counters, cables, and related accessories through a sole source contract with International Road Dynamics (IRD). IDOT maintains an extensive Traffic Monitoring Program that requires these specialized traffic counters to collect data on roadways throughout the state, including in St. Clair County. The IRD TRS counters are the only product that fully integrates with IDOT's existing cabinet wiring, software, and data upload processes, allowing the department to replace aging and failing equipment without disruptive infrastructure changes. IDOT has a long history of purchasing these proprietary IRD counters, which are only available directly from the manufacturer, since the late 1990s. The sole source procurement is justified due to the unique technical specifications and lack of viable alternatives. Interested parties have until October 6, 2023 to submit written comments or request a public hearing on the sole source determination.

The sole source contract will obligate IDOT to purchase any future replacement parts or maintenance services from IRD, as the IRD TRS counters are not compatible with other vendors' products. No set-asides or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond have been identified. The current incumbent vendor is IRD, which has an established relationship with IDOT through previous purchases of the required traffic counters. The total contract value is estimated at $349,200, to be funded through a combination of state and federal sources.