Intersection Safety Systems (ISS) Prototyping

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) seeks proposals for Intersection Safety Systems (ISS) Prototyping. It aims to build on the success of the USDOT Intersection Safety Challenge by advancing end-to-end ISS prototyping. The effort will focus on demonstrating physical ISS capabilities, addressing research questions on real-time conflict prediction and mitigation at intersections, and considering the cost-benefit of broader ISS deployment.

• Prototype Development and Testing (Phase 1 - Base Period): Development and testing of ISS prototypes in an access-controlled roadway intersection testbed. Up to three contracts are anticipated.

• Prototype Refinement and Assessment (Phase 2 - Option Period): Further development and refinement of Phase 1 prototypes, including deployment in multiple real-world intersections for observation, data collection, and conflict prediction. Real-time mitigation may be introduced if evidence supports it.

• Teaming Requirement: Proposals must include a lead ISS developer, a public sector partner, and an access-controlled roadway intersection testbed provider.

• Section 508 Compliance: All Information and Communication Technology (ICT) deliverables must meet Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.

• Data Sharing: System control, performance, and evaluation data (stripped of PII/SPII) must be posted on the USDOT ITS DataHub.

• Code Sharing: Software developed using Federal funding is intended to be shared as open-source resources in the USDOT ITS CodeHub.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts are anticipated.

• Period of Performance: Total estimated duration of 30-42 months (12-18 months for Phase 1, 18-24 months for Phase 2).

• Estimated Total Value: Not to exceed $17 million across all awards and phases.

• Proposal Submission: Proposals are to be organized into two volumes: Technical Proposal (Volume I) and Business, Cost and Pricing Data (Volume II).

• Key Deadlines:

  • Solicitation Posted: June 5, 2026
  • Questions Due: June 19, 2026
  • Proposals Due: July 20, 2026
  • Award/s Made By: September 30, 2026

• Evaluation Factors: Proposals will be evaluated based on Technical Merit and Importance to Agency Programs (Factor 1), Availability of Funds (Factor 2), and Cost Realism/Reasonableness (Factor 3). Factors 1 and 2 are of equal importance.

• This is an unrestricted BAA, open to responsible sources including State/local governments, universities, non-profits, private individuals, and commercial organizations.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• All correspondence should be directed to Jessica Prutz (Jessica.Prutz@dot.gov).

• Questions must be submitted using Attachment 4 - Q&A Template.

• Offerors must identify any limitations on intellectual property and patents.

• Proposals must comply with Section 889 and Executive Order 14398.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The primary objective is to acquire Intersection Safety System (ISS) prototypes to assess their potential benefit and feasibility for broader deployment.

This PWS outlines a two-phase effort:

• Phase 1: Prototype Development and Testing (Base Period)

  • Develop and test initial ISS prototypes in a controlled, closed testbed environment.
  • Prototypes must address high-priority intersection safety issues identified by a public sector partner.
  • Requires a contractor team including a lead development entity, a closed testbed provider, and a public sector partner.
  • Key activities include use case development, test plan creation, iterative prototype development and testing, demonstration, and operational readiness assessment.
  • Prototypes should be capable of predicting and mitigating individual conflicts in real-time, characterizing and adapting to unsafe conditions, and implementing practical mitigation strategies.
  • Deliverables include a Project Management Plan, Concept of Operations (ConOps), Test Plan, Checkpoint Summary Reports, Demonstration Summary, and Operational Readiness Summary.
  • Mandatory code and data sharing plan and delivery.

• Phase 2: Prototype Refinement and Assessment (Optional Task)

  • Refine ISS prototypes by deploying tailored systems in real-world intersections for observation.
  • Selected conflict scenarios will be approximated in a closed testbed to assess real-time mitigation strategies.
  • If feasible and safe, real-time mitigation may be introduced in operational settings.
  • Focus on rapid installation, calibration, issuing warnings, mitigating unsafe conditions, and demonstrating potential for scaled deployment.
  • Deliverables include updated project management documents, Site Engagement and Deployment Plans, Closed Testbed Scenario Approximation Reports, Mitigation Response Evaluation Reports, Deployment Readiness Summaries, and updated code/data sharing documentation.

Performance objectives are summarized in Technical Exhibit 1, focusing on project management, ConOps delivery, prototype demonstration, and data/code sharing for Phase 1, and similar areas for Phase 2, with zero deviation from standards as the threshold.

• Phase 1: Minimum 12-month, maximum 18-month duration.

• Phase 2: Minimum 18-month, maximum 24-month duration.

• Testing primarily occurs in a closed testbed, with Phase 2 involving real-world intersection deployments.

• Contractors must include a public sector partner committed to providing data and supporting prototype deployment.

• Emphasis on data and code sharing, with specific plans and deliverables required.

• Compliance with ITS standards and architectures is encouraged.

• Human Use Approval (HUA)/Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is required for experiments involving human subjects.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document appears to be a template for submitting questions and answers related to Solicitation Number 693JJ3-26-BAA-0004 for the Intersection Safety Systems (ISS) Prototyping project. It is intended for use by contractors to ask questions and for the government to provide answers.

This document is a template and does not contain specific questions or answers at this time. It outlines the expected format for Q&A submissions, including columns for:

• Reference: Paragraph/Sentence
• Question
• Answer
• Date
• Firm
• Email Address

This template will be used to facilitate communication and clarification regarding the solicitation. Bidders should use this format when submitting any questions they may have about the ISS Prototyping opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel template for a Milestone Payment Schedule. It provides a structured format for outlining payment milestones tied to specific deliverables or tasks within a project, applicable to both Phase 1 (base) and Phase 2 (optional).

• CLIN: Contract Line Item Number.
• TASK: Specific task or sub-task within a CLIN.
• MILESTONE DESCRIPTION: A description of the deliverable or achievement, often based on acceptance of final deliverables.
• 508 Compliance Requirement: Indicates if the deliverable must meet Section 508 accessibility standards.
• QUANTITY, PRICE PER UNIT, TOTAL PRICE: Fields for financial details associated with each milestone.
• Phase 1 & Phase 2 Breakdown: Separates milestones for the base contract and an optional second phase.
• Deliverables: Lists specific items such as Kickoff Meetings, Project Management Plans, various reports, plans (ConOps, Test Plan, Deployment Plan), summaries, and code/data documentation.

Bidders should use this template to propose their payment schedule. It details the specific deliverables and milestones that will trigger payments, including any 508 compliance requirements. Understanding these milestones is crucial for financial planning and for accurately pricing the proposal. The template also highlights which deliverables are subject to 508 compliance, which may impact development effort and cost.