Automated Driving Systems -- Fish and Wildlife Service
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), supported by the Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The goal is to explore the suitability of these systems for potential research and pilot projects on FWS National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). Responses are due by February 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET.
Purpose & Scope
This RFI aims to gather information on ADS and ADAS technologies for deployment in remote, varied environments characteristic of NWRs. The FWS seeks to understand system performance in conditions distinct from typical urban/suburban settings, evaluate impacts on wildlife and natural resources, and analyze performance across diverse ecosystems, topographies, road compositions, and weather conditions. The research will inform strategies, policy, and mitigation efforts for public land deployments and explore integration with wildlife conservation and visitor services.
Information Requested
Respondents are asked to provide insights on:
- Potential R&D questions for pilot deployments.
- ADS/ADAS capabilities and vehicle suitability for remote environments, including areas with poor GPS/cellular coverage.
- Required support infrastructure and FWS coordination needs.
- Potential environmental limitations (terrain, weather, coverage).
- Current deployment capacity and potential deployment costs.
- Earliest start dates and minimum deployment lengths for 2026.
- Past deployments in similar environments.
- Data collection plans (what to include/exclude, raw vs. processed data).
- Assurance of legal, insured, and safe operation in pilot environments.
- Potential longer-term use cases (e.g., visitor transport, maintenance, conservation).
- Additional benefits and challenges identified by the offeror.
Submission Instructions
Interested parties should submit a Statement of Capabilities (maximum 10 pages) demonstrating technical capabilities, knowledge, and expertise. Submissions must include socio-economic small business status and be sent via email to Andrew.Josephs@dot.gov by February 13, 2026, 4:00 PM ET. Attachments must be in Adobe PDF format.
Important Notes
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or bids. The U.S. Government will not compensate respondents for any effort or materials expended. Submissions must be disclosable to the public, or a disclosable summary statement must be provided.