Transit Innovation Evaluation Program (TIEP)

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice

This RFI/Sources Sought notice is issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to gather market research information from small businesses capable of assisting with the Transit Innovation Evaluation Program (TIEP). The TIEP aims to improve the timeliness, quality, and efficiency of evaluation and rapid-response research within the transit sector, fulfilling a statutory requirement for independent evaluation of demonstration projects and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Vendors are asked to provide a technical capability statement addressing their experience in relation to the attached Statement of Objectives (SOO). The response should detail:

• Past Performance: Relevant experience within the last three years, including contract details, points of contact, and work performed.

• Corporate Experience: Similarity of past work to the scope, complexity, and difficulty of the SOO.

• Labor Categories: Identification of labor categories utilized for similar work.

• Specific Capabilities: Detailed information addressing the firm's capabilities to provide services as described in the SOO.

• Contract Type: Labor Hour

• Period of Performance: Anticipated one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods.

• Place of Performance: Contractor shall furnish necessary facilities.

• Response Format: A typed technical capability statement, no more than 15 pages, in Times New Roman, 12-point font, single or double-spaced.

• Required Information: Company name, POC, address, phone number, business classification, CAGE code, business size, and any recommended NAICS codes.

• Deadline: March 27, 2026, by 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time (EST).

• Submission Method: Electronically to Ms. Tennile Palmer (Tennile.palmer.ctr@dot.gov) with a copy to Ms. Crystal Zorich (Crystal.Zorich@dot.gov).

This notice specifically seeks information from small businesses that believe they are technically capable.

• This is for information and planning purposes only; no award will be made from this RFI/Sources Sought.
• Submission of a standard company brochure is not sufficient.
• The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred in responding.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) outlines the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) need to strengthen its capacity to measure the effectiveness of federally funded transit initiatives, identify best practices, and support evidence-based decision-making across its research and innovation portfolio. The program aims to improve the timeliness, quality, and efficiency of evaluation and rapid-response research within the transit sector.

The contractor(s) will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a program-wide capability to achieve the following high-level objectives:

• Deliver comprehensive evaluations of Demonstration and Deployment Projects.

• Provide rapid-response and ad hoc research.

• Standardize evaluation methods across FTA research programs.

• Strengthen data management and performance measurement as required by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R).

• Support FTA’s Technology Transfer (T2) Program as required by OST-R.

• Timely and credible evaluation products for FTA leadership.

• Improved consistency and quality in evaluation practices.

• Rapid research insights for immediate industry needs.

• Clear, accessible documentation for internal use and public dissemination.

• Strengthened OST-R data requirements and T2 Program deliverables.

Performance will be assessed based on:

• Timely submission of deliverables (95% AQL).
• Quality of deliverables (requiring no more than one revision, 90% AQL).
• Responsiveness to requests (rapid-response tasks completed within 30 days, 100% AQL).
• Stakeholder engagement (meetings and deliverables completed per schedule, 100% AQL).

FTA will provide access to relevant reports, project documents, agency contacts, the Nested Research Evaluation Framework, and data governance guidelines.

Deliverables must be electronic (Google Doc and PDF), comply with DOT Plain Language and Section 508 standards, and adhere to federal confidentiality, cybersecurity, and data-management requirements.

Deliverables may include evaluation plans, final reports, data management plans, quarterly progress reports, rapid-response briefs, annual program impacts summaries, and training materials.

The period of performance is 12 months from the date of award, with four 12-month option periods.