U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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91 results found
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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 -
Does a fixed roadside sensor system that detects a specific vehicle-borne mechanical hazard and triggers a real-time driver alert intended t
Roadside sensor system using edge-deployed AI to detect a vehicle-borne ignition hazard before pavement contact and alert downstream drivers in under one second. Target deployment: a western freight corridor with no parallel route and a documented history of multi-week closures from vehicle-generated ignition events.
3 votes -
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 -
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 -
For the 80% baseline accuracy threshold stated in the Phase I objective
For the 80% baseline accuracy threshold stated in the Phase I objective: is this evaluated against a historical archived dataset, or must the system demonstrate 80% on a live real-time data feed during the Phase I period of performance?
2 votes -
26-FT1, Agency Facing Decision Support
For Topic 26-FT1, is an agency-facing decision-support or scenario-planning component considered responsive if it directly supports improved traveler-facing Complete Trip outcomes?
2 votes -
Access to battery terminals?
Does the proposed solution need to address discharge of batteries where the terminals are damaged, corroded, or otherwise inaccessible, or is the scope limited to batteries with intact and accessible terminal connections?
2 votes1 comment · 26-PH1: Increase End-of-Life Battery Safety and Recovery of Rare Earth Minerals · Admin → -
Commercial Readiness Assessment — are signed LOIs expected from partners?
For the Commercial and Implementation Readiness Assessment, what level of partner engagement are you expecting? Signed LOIs from state DOTs or MPOs, or is earlier-stage interest enough?
2 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?
2 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.
2 votes -
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
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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 -
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 →
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