SunTrax Test Facility Operator

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) DOT-ITN-25-8031-SM for a SunTrax Test Facility Operator contract, targeting the operation and management of a specialized transportation testing facility. The procurement is specifically focused on Leon County and seeks a comprehensive operator to manage the SunTrax facility, with an initial contract term of five years starting November 3, 2025, and potential renewals for an additional five years. Proposers must acknowledge receipt of Addendum No. 4 by September 26, 2025, and are required to participate in negotiation meetings that can be conducted either in-person at Florida's Turnpike Headquarters in Ocoee or the FDOT Burns Building in Tallahassee, or remotely. The solicitation involves a complex selection process that includes detailed negotiation procedures, with the Negotiation Team maintaining flexibility in scheduling and location. Bidders must carefully follow the prescribed protest procedures outlined in Section 120.57(3) of Florida Statutes, which require written notice of protest within 72 hours and a formal written protest within 10 days if adversely affected by the addendum.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation, the procurement appears to be open to qualified operators with demonstrable expertise in transportation testing facility management. The contract involves operating the SunTrax Test Facility, which suggests a sophisticated technological infrastructure requiring specialized operational capabilities. Though exact budget ranges are not specified in the addendum, the complexity of the facility and the five-year contract term indicate a potentially significant financial commitment from FDOT. The procurement process emphasizes thorough vetting of proposers through negotiation meetings and a structured evaluation process. Interested parties must demonstrate comprehensive understanding of transportation testing facility operations, technological integration capabilities, and compliance with FDOT's operational standards. The solicitation implies that the successful vendor will play a critical role in supporting advanced transportation research and testing infrastructure for the state of Florida.