RFP - Variable Message Signs

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) issued Request for Proposals (RFP) S-73000-00007718 seeking a qualified supplier to establish a 10-year price agreement for full color, full matrix, high resolution variable message signs (VMS) on an as-needed basis. The procurement covers multiple jurisdictions, including Marion County and the City of Salem, with the primary objective of supplying new VMS and replacing existing ODOT-owned signs for highway operations and traveler information. Proposers must meet minimum qualifications related to manufacturing experience, production capacity, and technical capabilities, with signs ranging in size from 48x144 to 96x400 or larger. Evaluation criteria include experience, production capacity, product testing, standards involvement, quality assurance, and warranty, with additional points awarded for desirable sign features. The RFP was posted on August 14, 2023, with proposals due by August 29, 2023, and requires contractors to complete deliveries within 120 days of an authorized purchase order. The procurement is funded through Federal Highway Administration funding and is subject to Buy America requirements.

No specific set-aside designations were identified in the procurement documents, and ODOT did not establish a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for this opportunity. Three proposers were evaluated: Daktronics, SWARCO, and Skyline, with Daktronics ultimately receiving the highest overall score and intent to award. The price agreement will allow for procurement of various VMS sizes and configurations, with pricing to be negotiated and scored as part of the evaluation process. Replacement parts pricing and staff training will be negotiated with the successful proposer but were not part of the initial proposal submission. The contract includes provisions for federal requirements such as Buy America, Build America Buy America Act, and Cargo Preference Act. While specific budget ranges were not explicitly detailed, the 10-year contract with extension options suggests a potentially significant procurement value for variable message sign supply and related services across Oregon's transportation infrastructure.