U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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36 results found
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Integration of Micro-Transit Services
Micro-transit services – such as on-demand, publicly-funded van services operating within defined geographic boundaries – differ significantly from fixed-route transit in terms of data standards and real-time availability, and several states have already funded pilots that operate entirely outside GTFS standards. Does FTA expect Phase I proposals to demonstrate awareness of these existing programs and include a concrete plan for incorporating them into a complete trip planning framework?
1 vote -
Preference Learning Requirements in Phase I
The solicitation emphasizes that the system should learn a person's preferences and travel needs over time – including preferences users may not be able to articulate explicitly. For Phase I, is it sufficient to propose an architecture and methodology for preference learning (covering both implicit behavioral signals and stated preferences), or does FTA expect even a limited working demonstration of adaptive personalization logic?
Are there existing personalization frameworks in transit or adjacent domains FTA would point to as a reference model, or is the expectation that proposers develop their own approach?
1 vote -
Clarification on Complete Trip Supplemental AI Support Systems
For Topic 26 FT1, would AI systems that help people overcome barriers to transportation participation, improve transportation readiness, and coordinate transportation planning and scheduling be considered within scope if they support Complete Trip objectives as a supplemental tool?
1 vote -
1 vote
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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 -
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 -
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 -
26-FT1, Complete Trip Scope
For Topic 26-FT1, should the Complete Trip scope include pedestrian network segments before, between, and after transit use, including sidewalks, crossings, curb ramps, station access, stop access, and transfer paths?
1 vote -
1 vote
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1 vote
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Data Privacy Requirements
A system that learns traveler preferences over time necessarily involves collecting and storing behavioral data. Does FTA have expectations around data privacy frameworks or consent mechanisms that should be addressed during Phase I work?
1 vote -
Topic 26-FT1 identifies rural and frontier areas as a key challenge for Complete Trip planning. Is a Phase I proof-of-concept scoped to a sm
Topic 26-FT1 identifies rural and frontier areas as a key challenge for Complete Trip planning. Is a Phase I proof-of-concept scoped to a small urban or rural transit network considered equally responsive as one focused on a large metropolitan system, provided the technical approach is designed to scale?
1 vote