RFQ #6000003188 - Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) TAPP Fare Gate Replacement Project.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is issuing Request for Qualifications #6000003188 for the PATH TAPP Fare Gate Replacement Project, a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) procurement seeking qualified firms to design, manufacture, deliver, and maintain next-generation secure, accessible, and modern fare gates to replace PATH's legacy system across 13 stations. The procurement encompasses replacement of 341 active turnstile fare gates (318 regular gates and 23 ADA-accessible gates) with systems that integrate with the Total Access PATH Payment (TAPP) fare system while minimizing fare evasion and improving customer experience. Respondents must demonstrate technical competence through at least three references from other transit agencies currently using their fare gates, along with evidence of manufacturing capacity, financial robustness, and capability to integrate with PATH-provided Cubic validators. The fare gates must meet specific technical specifications including physical dimensions (62 inches L x 7 inches W x 40 inches H maximum), throughput of at least 35 passengers per minute on entry and 50 PPM on exit, compliance with ADA standards, NFPA 130, and PCI-DSS 4.0, and compatibility with cloud-hosted back-office solutions using industry hyperscalers (AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud). SOQ evaluation is conducted on a pass-fail basis addressing minimum technical requirements, project understanding, approach to fare evasion prevention, transit experience, validator integration capability, manufacturing capacity, financial robustness, testing plans, and proposed timelines. Statements of Qualifications must be submitted electronically through the Bonfire platform by March 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time; qualified respondents will be shortlisted between April and May 2026 to advance to the RFP phase, with the RFP issued in Q2 2026, proposals due in Q3 2026, selection in Q3-Q4 2026, and anticipated Notice to Proceed in Q4 2026, with design and construction scheduled for 2027-2028 and testing and installation from 2028-2029.

The Port Authority has committed to affirmatively ensuring that all businesses, including disadvantaged business enterprises, minority business enterprises, and woman-owned business enterprises, will have full and fair opportunity to submit qualifications without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, or disability. No incumbent vendors or specific budget ranges are identified in the solicitation documents; however, respondents must provide rough order of magnitude pricing for implementation and annual operations and maintenance, though this information is for informational purposes only and will not be used for SOQ evaluation. All submissions must be submitted electronically through the Bonfire platform at https://panynj.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities, and prospective respondents must register and create a free Bonfire account to access the full RFQ documents and associated information. Any addenda to the RFQ will be posted on the Bonfire website, and interested parties are advised to monitor the solicitation regularly for updates and changes. Prospective respondents experiencing technical difficulties accessing documents online should contact the Port Authority at bids@panynj.gov or (212) 435-4600, providing their RFQ number, firm name, email address, contact person, mailing address, and phone number.