U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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51 results found
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Phase I Desired Outcomes specify “a proof-of-concept system design” and “an initial prototype design"
Phase I Desired Outcomes specify “a proof-of-concept system design” and “an initial prototype design”. Does the Phase I evaluation require a functional software prototype with running code producing outputs, or is a detailed system design document with a limited simulation scenario (no live data feeds) acceptable as the Phase I prototype?
5 votes -
Existing Data Partnerships
Is having a private fleet data partner committed at Phase I a competitive prerequisite, or is securing one part of the Phase II commercialization plan?
5 votes -
"Trusted Intermediary" Hosting and Ownership
For the "Secure Collaborative Data Frameworks" and "Trusted Intermediary" systems, does OST expect the proposing small business to serve as and host the trusted intermediary in Phase II and beyond, or should the architecture be designed to be handed off to a government agency or independent third party?
5 votes -
Are autonomous vehicle operations in scope?
The solicitation references SOTIF (ISO 21448) and the proposed SELF DRIVE Act, both of which are specific to automated driving systems. The body text describes general commercial transportation modernization. Could the program clarify whether proposals specifically targeting automated or semi-automated commercial vehicle safety analytics are within scope, or whether the program's primary interest is in non-AV fleet safety modernization?
5 votes -
Real-Time Operator Information
What level of emphasis, if any, is placed on real-time operator or driver identity verification, credentialing, and risk scoring as inputs to the predictive safety analytics engine? Are there specific privacy, security, or audit-trail requirements the solution would need to address when handling personnel identity data within the Trusted Intermediary framework?
4 votes -
Clarification on "Public Safety Records" and Data Integration
The topic description notes that the "Trusted Intermediary" architecture should fuse "voluntary industry data (such as telematics) can be fused with public safety records". Could you clarify which specific federal or state public safety databases (e.g., FMCSA MCMIS, crash records) the OST envisions this system integrating with, and whether there are preferred methods or APIs for this access?
4 votes -
Does the scope of 26-OS1 include compliance-focused predictive analytics tools targeting owner-operators and small commercial carriers?
The topic description references "proactive safety indicators" derived from public safety records and voluntary industry data, with an emphasis on small carrier segments and explainable AI. We are exploring whether a Phase I proof-of-concept that uses FMCSA inspection and violation data to generate predictive compliance risk scores for individual owner-operators as a mechanism for early safety intervention falls within the intended scope of this topic. Alternatively, does DOT envision 26-OS1 as focused primarily on multi-carrier fleet telematics at the corridor or network level?
3 votes -
Data Source Eligibility
Does 26-OS1 permit an asset-light, licensed fleet data model, or does the topic require the proposing small business to own and operate the vehicles generating the data?"
3 votes -
For Focus Area 5 (Comprehensive Health Modeling)
For Focus Area 5 (Comprehensive Health Modeling), does Phase I require a working model trained on real fleet maintenance records, or is a design of how maintenance and environmental data would be integrated into the predictive model acceptable as a Phase I deliverable?
3 votes -
Focus Area 1 describes a “Trusted Intermediary” built on voluntary industry data.
Focus Area 1 describes a “Trusted Intermediary” built on voluntary industry data. In Phase I, does the DOT expect the architecture to include a functional voluntary consent and data-contribution mechanism, or is a design specification of how such a mechanism would work sufficient?
3 votes -
Would a cell phone application to detect driver impairment fit under the 26-OS1 topic?
We are developing a mobile application designed to help assess potential driver impairment (drunk, fatigued, etc.) through a verbal assessment test. The app allows users to securely sign in and answer a series of questions intended to gauge cognitive and verbal indicators of impairment. Based on the user’s responses, the application provides feedback indicating whether the results suggest possible impairment or not.
3 votes -
Phase I Scope Expectation
What is the expected Phase I demonstration scope on $200K over 6 months — a working prototype validated against real fleet data, or a feasibility framework demonstrated on synthetic / public datasets with Phase II reserved for live integration?
4 votes -
Is condition-monitoring data from in-vehicle pre-trip inspections — tire tread depth, brake adjustment indicators, defect detection — consid
Is condition-monitoring data from in-vehicle pre-trip inspections — tire tread depth, brake adjustment indicators, defect detection — considered in-scope as "private industry data" for the Trusted Intermediary framework? Or is the topic specifically targeting retrospective operational data such as HOS logs, ELD telematics, and CSA history?
3 votes -
Does 26-OS1 include commercial vehicle auction transaction data as a qualifying voluntary industry data stream?
Would a system integrating NHTSA VIN-level recall data with auction house vehicle transaction data — flagging open safety recalls at point of commercial transfer before retail re-entry — represent the Trusted Intermediary architecture and proactive safety indicator use case envisioned by this topic?
3 votes -
Would a human-centered safety communication system that generates real-time visual warning signals (based on braking behavior and environmen
The system I am developing focuses on proactive accident prevention by providing immediate, human-visible signals to surrounding drivers and pedestrians.
In addition to visual signaling, the system integrates environmental awareness (e.g., stop sign detection via GPS) to anticipate potential risk situations and provide advance warning.
I would like to understand whether such human-generated and behavior-based signaling systems can be recognized as a valid input or complementary component within predictive safety analytics frameworks.
4 votes -
On-Edge Safety Monitoring One key component for this to succeed is real-time analysis of near-miss instances and unreasonable driving behavi
On-Edge Safety Monitoring
One key component for this to succeed is real-time analysis of near-miss instances and unreasonable driving behaviors that can also be used universally in other applications. Are on-edge, safety anomaly detectors included in the scope of this project, or is it only on AI-driven analytics? Can safety-assured ISO 26262 software also be used in support of ISO 21448 and ISO 8800 efforts?3 votes -
Does 26-OS1 cover intrastate operations under 500 miles, or only interstate long-haul?
OST-R's topic description references "commercial freight." Does this include intrastate operations under 500 miles, or is the focus on long-haul interstate corridors? Our deployment target includes regional distribution networks — clarifying the operational scope will determine whether 26-OS1 or 26-FH1 is the stronger fit.
3 votes -
Can you provide more context on what these predictive safety analytics are?
Is it more intended towards ADAS type systems which provide predictive safety on a hyper-local and time specific basis, or is it predictive safety on a larger spatial and time scale, such as predicting the next rain storm and recommending alternate routes around areas expected to flood?
2 votes -
Does commercial transport, as used in this topic, include public transit agencies?
e.g., bus or rail operators
2 votes -
What specific types of voluntary industry data does the program envision flowing into the Trusted Intermediary framework?
e.g. which kinds of telematics, maintenance records, or ADAS sensor logs are the DOT looking to have shared through the trusted intermediary framework?
2 votes