U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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90 results found
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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.
2 votes -
Catch Basin Observation system requirements
Is it required that the catch basin observation sensor-package base station be attached to a human operated vehicle? Are the the crash atenuator and sensor boom strictly necessary, or are other solutions to measuring catch-basin water, sediment, trash levels, and conditions such as clogging and
stormwater ponding- acceptable?1 vote -
Small business submitting more than one Phase I proposal l to the same SBIR topic
"May a single small business submit more than one Phase I proposal to the same SBIR topic, provided each proposes a technically distinct approach?
1 vote0 comments · 26-FH1: Edge AI-V2X Integrated Practical Solutions for Congestion Prevention and Mitigation · Admin → -
1 vote
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26-PH2 mentions " it may consider ceramic-based coatings, polymer composites, or nanoenhanced paints that would integrate temperature-sensi
it may consider ceramic-based coatings, polymer composites, or nanoenhanced paints that would integrate temperature-sensitive pigments... The topic clearly talks about color changing but are changes in surface character such as roughness also in scope for response? Also, is there any degree of "Resolution"? Are 50F increments adequate? Also is peak temperature indication important or is the only interest "Current" temperature?
1 vote -
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.
1 vote -
Does Phase I cover Class 2–8 (cargo vans to semi-trucks), or only Class 7–8 heavy freight?
Regarding vehicle weight class eligibility for Phase I demonstrations — does "commercial vehicle" encompass Class 2–8 (cargo vans through semi-trucks), or is the focus limited to Class 7–8 heavy freight? Our platform currently serves the full spectrum of regulated commercial vehicles, and we'd like to ensure the solicitation accommodates mid-size fleet operators before committing to a Phase I proposal scope.
1 vote0 comments · 26-FH1: Edge AI-V2X Integrated Practical Solutions for Congestion Prevention and Mitigation · Admin → -
For the “Trusted Intermediary” design, must the Phase I architecture address compliance with a specific federal privacy framework
For the “Trusted Intermediary” design, must the Phase I architecture address compliance with a specific federal privacy framework (e.g., NIST Privacy Framework, FISMA, CCPA-equivalent), or may proposers define their own privacy protection approach aligned with the spirit of the topic?
1 vote -
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?
1 vote -
The topic references ISO/PAS 8800 and the proposed SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 in its reference list.
The topic references ISO/PAS 8800 and the proposed SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 in its reference list. Are proposals expected to demonstrate formal compliance with these standards in Phase I, or is an alignment statement showing that the proposed architecture is designed to support these standards sufficient?
1 vote -
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?
1 vote -
Would DOT consider a topic on hardware-level cargo authentication technology for trailers and rail containers?
Would DOT consider a topic on hardware-level cargo authentication technology for trailers and rail containers? Cargo theft is a multi-hundred million dollar problem in the US and the CORCA bill identified a gap in physical security at the asset level. More advanced authentication locks that operate 100% offline have no current representation in the SBIR portfolio.
1 vote -
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?
1 vote -
For the Desired Outcome “Commercial and Implementation Readiness Assessment"
For the Desired Outcome “Commercial and Implementation Readiness Assessment”, what constitutes the minimum acceptable evidence of a commercialisation pathway — a Letter of Interest from a single state DOT or logistics partner, or are commitments from multiple stakeholders expected at Phase I?
1 vote -
For Technical Parameter TP-4 (federated learning)
For Technical Parameter TP-4 (federated learning): does Phase I require a live multi-party FL deployment involving distinct legal entities sharing model updates, or is a simulated federation — two data partitions on the same infrastructure representing separate jurisdictions — sufficient as a Phase I architecture demonstration?
1 vote -
Technical Parameter TP-1 requires deploying “low-power edge AI devices at strategic freight bottlenecks.
Technical Parameter TP-1 requires deploying “low-power edge AI devices at strategic freight bottlenecks.” For Phase I, is a benchtop hardware prototype or hardware-in-the-loop simulation of the edge device sufficient to demonstrate technical feasibility, or does Phase I require actual field deployment at a freight interchange?
1 vote -
For Technical Parameter TP-3 (synthetic data generation), does the DOT expect the generator to produce freight-domain-specific
For Technical Parameter TP-3 (synthetic data generation), does the DOT expect the generator to produce freight-domain-specific synthetic trajectories and delay events, or is general-purpose tabular synthetic data augmentation acceptable as a Phase I implementation of this capability?
1 vote -
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.
1 vote -
1 vote
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For the Freight Corridor Predictive Intelligence topic, is preference given to solutions that provide dual functionality — simultaneously mo
For the Freight Corridor Predictive Intelligence topic, is preference given to solutions that provide dual functionality — simultaneously monitoring both commercial vehicle health and the structural integrity of the weigh station platform itself using the same sensor array?
1 vote
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