NIST Shuttle Services
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 National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) is soliciting proposals for NIST Shuttle Services at its Gaithersburg Campus, Maryland. This is a Firm-Fixed Price, Performance-Based Service Contract under Full and Open Competition. The contractor will provide comprehensive transportation services, including shuttle routes to local transportation hubs and support for specific NIST programs. Proposals are due March 9, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide labor and vehicles for shuttle services to NIST customers, associates, and visitors. This includes: Metro Shuttle, MARC Shuttle, SURF Program transportation, NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Summer School transportation, NIST Cybersecurity Risk Management Conference transportation, and General Transportation Services. General Transportation Services require three days' notice for standard requests and immediate response for emergencies.
Key requirements include providing a minimum of six CDL-licensed drivers with at least three years of experience, a dispatcher with three years of experience, and owning no less than four vehicles (at least two capable of transporting 36-40 passengers). All vehicles must be licensed, inspected, road-worthy, and have functional heating and air conditioning. Contractor personnel will require NIST identification badges for campus access. A Quality Control Plan (QCP), safety plan, and fleet maintenance plan are also required. Bidders must adhere to Wage Determination 2015-4269 for labor costs in Frederick and Montgomery Counties, MD.
Contract Details
- Type: Firm-Fixed Price, Performance-Based Service Contract.
- Period of Performance: A base period from April 5, 2026, through March 31, 2027, with four (4) 1-year option periods. A FAR 52.217-8 extension option is also included.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open Competition (Unrestricted).
- NAICS Code: 485999, "All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation," with a $19 Million size standard.
- PSC Code: V999, Other Transportation Travel And Relocation Services.
- Place of Performance: Gaithersburg, MD.
Evaluation and Submission
- Evaluation: Award will be made on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis. Evaluation will begin with the lowest-priced offers and conclude with the first technically acceptable offer. Past Performance is an evaluation factor. The Government intends to award without discussions.
- Proposal Structure: Proposals must include two volumes: Volume 1 (Price Proposal - SF 1449) and Volume 2 (Technical Proposal - Non-Price Evaluation Factors).
- Past Performance: Bidders must submit a completed Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Exhibit 01), which clients must complete and email directly to the contracting contacts.
- Questions Due: February 26, 2026, by 10 AM EST.
- Proposal Due: March 9, 2026, by 2 PM EST.
- Submission Method: Electronically via email to helen.wesley@nist.gov and tony.schmidt@nist.gov.
- Anticipated Award: On or about April 1, 2026, with services commencing April 5, 2026.
- Site Visit: Not anticipated.
Quality Assurance
Contract performance will be monitored through a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) (Attachment 02). The QASP details surveillance methods and criteria for various service aspects, including transportation orders, passenger satisfaction, safety, personnel, and fleet. Non-compliance can result in payment reductions (e.g., 10% for transportation order failures, 5% for other non-compliance).