U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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85 results found
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App requirements
- Is the app expected to be a mobile app, a web app, a voice assistant, or it is up to the proposer?
- Is there an expectation of the app working in offline mode?
- Should it include step-by-step navigation support?
- Can we assume that the users will have access to a smart phone? Should it work with non-smartphones and from web?
- Is there any requirements for multilingual support?
1 vote -
Does FTA have research material about top issues users are facing in complete trips?
Has FTA researched what the top challenges faced by users are for a complete trip? Are there a prioritized list that FTA wants to address for the maximum benefit of the users?
1 vote -
26-FH1: How is 'edge' defined: RSU-class hardware, TMC server, or proposer-defined?
Does edge computing refer to RSU-class roadside hardware, a local server co-located at or near a Transportation Management Center, or is the proposer expected to define and justify their own edge-cloud boundary as part of the system architecture?
1 vote1 comment · 26-FH1: Edge AI-V2X Integrated Practical Solutions for Congestion Prevention and Mitigation · Admin → -
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 → -
Does V2X include legacy vehicles alongside ELD-equipped fleets, or is V2X-native required?
The solicitation references V2X integration for traffic management. Does "X" include non-connected legacy vehicles operating alongside modern ELD-equipped fleets? Our core innovation is dispatch optimization for mixed human/AV environments — understanding whether FHWA expects a fully V2X-native solution or a hybrid approach will determine our technical approach.
1 vote1 comment · 26-FH1: Edge AI-V2X Integrated Practical Solutions for Congestion Prevention and Mitigation · Admin → -
Does the FTA have a preferred geographic focus or an existing ITS4US program city where Phase I demonstration data should originate
Does the FTA have a preferred geographic focus or an existing ITS4US program city where Phase I demonstration data should originate, or may proposers freely select the metropolitan area for the feasibility demonstration?
1 vote -
For the Phase II MVP software package: does the FTA expect a cloud-hosted SaaS platform accessible via API
For the Phase II MVP software package: does the FTA expect a cloud-hosted SaaS platform accessible via API (allowing transit agencies and third-party app developers to integrate CLU’s trip orchestration), or a standalone installable application for transit agency self-deployment?
1 vote -
The topic states the system “necessitates the creation of” new data standards beyond existing ones.
The topic states the system “necessitates the creation of” new data standards beyond existing ones. For Phase I, does the DOT expect a new data standard to be developed and published, or is identifying the gaps where new standards are needed and proposing their design sufficient as a Phase I contribution?
1 vote -
For the accessibility requirement, does Phase I require formal WCAG 2.1 AA compliance testing with users with disabilities
For the accessibility requirement, does Phase I require formal WCAG 2.1 AA compliance testing with users with disabilities, or is an accessibility-first architecture design document with user research (interviews with 5+ disabled riders) sufficient for the Phase I PoC report?
1 vote -
The Complete Trip includes “plan for and pay for a trip”.
The Complete Trip includes “plan for and pay for a trip.” Does Phase I require a functional payment integration (e.g., transit fare payment via API), or is a payment feasibility assessment and architecture design for Phase II implementation sufficient?
2 votes -
Phase I Desired Outcomes specify “a proof-of-concept report describing a prototype AI-powered traveler support system”
Phase I Desired Outcomes specify “a proof-of-concept report describing a prototype AI-powered traveler support system.” Does the Phase I evaluation require a functional software prototype with running code, or is an architecture design with a limited demonstration using archived GTFS data sufficient to constitute the “prototype” described in the report?
1 vote -
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 -
Temporary work-zone congestion
Does topic 26-FH1 consider temporary work-zone congestion caused by roadway maintenance or robotic maintenance operations to be an acceptable Phase I use case for demonstrating Edge-AI/V2X congestion prediction and mitigation?
1 vote1 comment · 26-FH1: Edge AI-V2X Integrated Practical Solutions for Congestion Prevention and Mitigation · Admin → -
mobile autonomous aerial sensing platform
Would a mobile autonomous aerial sensing platform be considered an acceptable emerging data source if the proposed system’s main deliverable is an Edge-AI/V2X congestion advisory architecture that detects work-zone or incident-related congestion and delivers location-specific advisories to affected road users and traffic management operators?
1 vote1 comment · 26-FH1: Edge AI-V2X Integrated Practical Solutions for Congestion Prevention and Mitigation · Admin → -
Autonomous vehicle-deployed aerial robotic inspection
Would an autonomous vehicle-deployed aerial robotic inspection module be considered responsive if it performs multi-sensor catch-basin inspection without grate removal and produces AI-based condition assessments, or is the solution required to use a fixed vehicle-mounted boom?
2 votes
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