Rhode Island Turnpike And Bridge Authority

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, a state government entity operating as a transit authority, holds a highly specialized federal footprint centered on electronic toll collection services for Navy personnel and infrastructure grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration as a prime recipient. RITBA competes without set-aside designations across both contract and grant modalities.

RITBA's contract work is narrow and transactional. The authority operates EZPass electronic toll collection accounts and replenishment services supporting Navy personnel conducting official travel across Rhode Island's toll infrastructure. Recent contract awards include a $12,500 firm fixed-price purchase order from Naval Sea Systems Command (awarded January 6, 2026, completion May 30, 2031) for EZPass replenishment, a $12,745 purchase order from Naval Education and Training Command (awarded September 13, 2024, completion September 12, 2029) for EZPass base-year services, and a $38,000 purchase order from U.S. Fleet Forces Command (Atlantic Fleet) (awarded September 23, 2022, completion September 29, 2026) for EZPass base period and option period services. Individual contract ceilings range from $1,200 to $38,000. The Navy customer base dominates contract volume and dollars — Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Education and Training Command, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and the Chief of Naval Personnel collectively account for the majority of awards. These are routine, low-dollar purchase orders with extended performance periods, reflecting operational replenishment cycles rather than large capital procurements.

RITBA's higher-value activity flows through Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grants. The authority is a prime recipient of a $17.0 million FHWA Highway Planning and Construction grant (CFDA 20.205) awarded September 17, 2025, focused on improving climate resilience of the Mount Hope Bridge through cable and anchorage dehumidification systems, with completion targeted December 31, 2028. RITBA also received a Newport Pell Bridge Rehabilitation Project grant under the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program (awarded January 25, 2024, completion June 30, 2030). Additionally, RITBA acts as a sub-recipient on a Rhode Island Department of Transportation-led Mount Hope Bridge Cable and Anchorage De-humidification and Deck Rehabilitation grant project (sub-grant awarded November 12, 2024). These FHWA grants constitute the substantive federal relationship and account for the preponderance of obligated dollars ($164.8 million) against the modest contract potential-value base ($79 thousand). Contract activity has remained flat — one or two awards per year across 2022 through 2026 — with four awards reaching completion inside the next twenty-four months. RITBA has no parent contract vehicles, no subcontractor primes, and no significant vendor teaming footprint; its federal profile is limited to direct relationships with Navy commands for toll services and FHWA for state transportation infrastructure modernization.