RFP-Traffic Incident Management System Contract (TIMS)

The Illinois Tollway is soliciting proposals for a Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) contract through RFP 24-0082, with proposals due September 24, 2026 (originally August 27, 2026 per pre-conference slides, with final bid opening date published in BidBuy). Electronic submissions through BidBuy are mandatory; paper responses will not be accepted. A mandatory Business Enterprise Program (BEP) utilization goal of 25% and Veterans Business Program (VBP) goal of 1% apply, with vendors required to submit utilization plans and meet or document good-faith efforts to waive these goals.

The Tollway operates approximately 294 miles of toll facilities and seeks a qualified Third-Party Administrator to provide, implement, and maintain a comprehensive TIMS supporting approximately 1,500 cameras and display systems across the network. The solution must integrate legacy hardware (Optelecom c-40/c-60 encoders, Axis cameras, LedStar and Daktronics DMS units, ISS echo/SX300 and Houston Radar MVDS, Sensys BlueToad detection systems) and field systems; support 24/7 video connectivity to the current video wall, mobile traffic management website, media outlets, and remote locations; include CAD system integration with multi-factor authentication and SAML/SSO via Okta; provide queue detection automation with flasher activation; deliver a TIMS2GO mobile application; and enable real-time video management with pan-tilt-zoom functionality and comprehensive reporting. Vendors may propose on-premises or cloud-based solutions. Cloud solutions must include vendor-provided hosting costs in Azure on a Tollway-owned tenant; on-premises solutions will use Tollway-provided virtual machines. The Tollway retains full ownership of all custom-developed software and source code; vendors may retain proprietary commercial off-the-shelf components. Security requirements include Security Architecture Review for on-premises solutions and SOC 2 Type 2 certification (or equivalent ISO 27001/27017) for cloud-hosted solutions. Response times: 10-minute vendor acknowledgment and troubleshooting response, and two-hour on-site response for Priority 1 failures. A six-month mandatory transition period requires core operational functionality fully implemented and operational before go-live.

The initial contract term is five years from the last dated signature, with an option to renew for an additional five years. Estimated recurring subscription costs are approximately $500,000 annually, which vendors must include in pricing. The current TIMS contractor, Parsons Transportation Group, is eligible to compete. The incumbent must provide transition assistance during the implementation period.

Scoring comprises 525 technical points, 214 commitment-to-diversity points (evaluated separately from a scored rubric measuring BEP compliance, WMDB subcontracting history, DEI spend as percentage of gross revenue, DEI promotion hours, written DEI policies, and diversity in staffing across board, executive, management, supervisory, and staff positions), 545 oral-presentation points, and 257 pricing points, totaling 1,541 points. Vendors must achieve a minimum of 591 points in combined technical and diversity scoring to advance to oral presentations. Oral presentations must be conducted primarily by the proposed Project Manager and include live demonstrations via Microsoft Teams covering roles and privileges, admin functions and login access, events/CAD bridge, interfaces (the highest-weighted demonstration component at 200 points), queue detection and flasher activation, video functionality, TIMS2GO mobile application, reporting, and technical support. Vendors must submit three references from established firms or government agencies (three points maximum per reference, 15 points total); each reference entity submits a questionnaire directly to the Tollway.

Required attachments include vendor disclosure (Form A or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure Form B), technical proposal, Offer to the State of Illinois (IT Standard Terms and Conditions apply; vendors taking exceptions must submit redlined terms), Commitment to Diversity answer sheet with supporting documentation, reference questionnaires, pricing exhibit, and BEP and VBP utilization plans. All subcontracts with annual value $100,000 or more must be disclosed with subcontractor names, addresses, and work descriptions. All services must be performed in the United States unless otherwise disclosed. The offer must remain firm for 180 days from bid opening. A mandatory $15 fee applies to any awarded contract valued at $1,000 or more, deducted from the first vendor payment. The contract may be partially or wholly funded with federal funds; amounts will be disclosed upon notice of intent to award. Questions deadline: July 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time to BChillmon@getipass.com. Pre-proposal conference was held July 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams (attendee list and recording posted to BidBuy). Addendum 3 provided 62 vendor Q&A responses and clarified system requirements, legacy integrations, and transition expectations. Addendum 4 clarified support metrics vendors must track and report. Estimated project start is Q1 or Q2 2027 with contract award anticipated Q4 2026/Q1 2027.