Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) Continued Research
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 Department of Transportation (DOT), specifically the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY and VOLPE NATL. TRANS. SYS CNTR, has issued an Award Notice for the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) Continued Research. This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis to the Mitre Corporation, an FFRDC, for its unique and critical role in the PARTS program. The award date is March 23, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
The PARTS program is a collaborative data trust involving the USDOT, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and a trusted third-party. Its primary focus is analyzing vehicle safety performance using non-federal vehicle-level information and federal crash data. Mitre (CAASD) will continue to serve as the independent third-party for this research.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Award Notice (Sole Source)
- Product/Service Code: R425 (Engineering And Technical Services)
- Place of Performance: Mc Lean, VA 22102, United States
- Period of Performance: Estimated to extend from award through February 28, 2027.
- Estimated Value: [Redacted] (as per the attached Justification & Approval document).
Key Rationale for Sole Source
The sole-source justification highlights several critical factors for awarding to Mitre:
- Unique Expertise: Mitre (CAASD) is identified as the only Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) with the necessary experience and established relationships with OEMs and NHTSA to act as the independent third-party for PARTS.
- Continuity & Trust: Mitre has been the trusted third-party since the program's inception in 2017, building essential trust and working relationships.
- Independence: As an FFRDC, Mitre ensures impartiality and protects proprietary data, which is crucial for the program's integrity.
- Cost & Time Prohibitions: Educating another contractor to Mitre's current level would require prohibitive funding (multi-millions of dollars) and time (over 24 months).
- Program Risk: Selecting an alternative contractor would likely lead to the failure and non-reconstitution of the PARTS program.
Market Research Summary
Market research was conducted periodically from September 2020 through October 2025, including discussions with NHTSA, Volpe Center staff, Mitre, and OEM representatives. A Sources Sought Notice posted on SAM.gov on February 5, 2026, yielded no eligible FFRDC responses. OEM representatives explicitly stated that the PARTS partnership would fail without Mitre.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact: Andrew J. Josephs (andrew.josephs@dot.gov)
- Secondary Contact: Matthew Phelps (matthew.phelps@dot.gov)