Request for Sole Source Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation Tool(TBEST)

The Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD), also known as Cherriots, is pursuing a sole source service contract renewal with Service Edge Solutions Inc. for TBEST (Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation Tool) software support and technical services. The procurement encompasses TBEST technical support services, data configuration support, on-call technical assistance, and specialized projects including updating base parcel data in 2027 and APC (Automatic Passenger Counter) data integration from July 2026 through July 2029. The contract term extends through June 30, 2026, with a proposed three-year ongoing contract to follow. Key objectives include enabling SAMTD's Planning and Development Department to analyze existing transit routes, identify transit deserts, and conduct strategic planning using data-driven ridership prediction capabilities. SAMTD has utilized TBEST since 2017 as a cost-effective decision support tool that allows planners to effectively communicate complex transportation issues to agency executives, governing bodies, and state/federal officials. The public notice was posted on Oregon Buys on May 13, 2026, with a deadline of May 20, 2026, for any vendors offering solutions with equivalent features to TBEST to notify SAMTD of their capability to serve as alternative providers. Protests to the sole source designation must be submitted in writing to the SAMTD Contracts/Procurement Department at 555 Court Street NE, Suite 5230, Salem, Oregon 97301-3980 by the specified deadline.

Service Edge Solutions is identified as the sole provider and developer of TBEST software, which was originally developed by the Florida Department of Transportation over more than twenty years, establishing a monopoly on this specialized technology. The justification for sole source procurement is based on Service Edge Solutions' exclusive role as the developer and provider of the software, combined with the established relationship and specialized knowledge required to configure and maintain the system. No set-aside designations or restrictions on bidder types are indicated in the available procurement documentation. The contract involves integration with existing SAMTD infrastructure and systems, particularly APC data streams and parcel databases that require configuration and ongoing maintenance. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the public notice materials provided.