U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
- To create a new account or to sign in with an existing account please click on “sign in” located at the top right of the page
- A new pop-up window will open to make a selection, you can use an existing Google or Facebook account to access the site or you might select to create a new account.
- If you choose to access UserVoice with an existing Google or Microsoft account, you will be required to enter your login credentials for Google or Microsoft and agree to terms of service
- If you need to create a new account, click "Create an Account" underneath the password box
- In the next screen, type in the e-mail and click "Verify E-mail".
- Navigate to your inbox and click the link within the e-mail to verify. The link will be generated by noreply@trymagic.com
- That link will be live for 20 minutes. Once that time elapses, you will have to request another one
- Navigate back to UserVoice, and you will need to provide your name, a password, and agree to terms of service and storage permissions. Click "Create Account".
- Select the research topic your question is related to from the drop-down menu that appears when you begin typing.
- You may add more detail in the Description box (optional). Do NOT attach any files. The U.S. DOT shall not consider any submitted materials other than questions.
- Enter your e-mail address and password.
- When finished, select “Post idea.” If you registered, you will be able to track responses to your post. Please include only one question or comment per post to help us keep the forum organized.
91 results found
-
Does topic 26-OS1 contemplate hardware-based safety solutions
Does topic 26-OS1 contemplate hardware-based safety solutions that directly address CMV roof ice-shedding compliance, or is the scope limited to data analytics and software platforms?
1 vote -
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
-
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 -
Fixed sensors for catch basin inspection?
Would a miniature sensor mounted to catch basin grates and networked via cell and/or satellite be considered or is the solution required to use a vehicle mounted sensing system?
3 votes -
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
- Don't see your idea?