Research for Years 2025

Location:	Vermont
Posted:	Jan 5, 2026
Due:	Jan 9, 2026
Agency:	State of Vermont - Agency of Transportation
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Contract Administration

Barre City Place

219 North Main Street, Suite 105

Barre, VT 05641

December 3, 2025

State of Vermont

Agency of Transportation

Finance & Administration

[phone] 802-622-1285

[fax] 802-479-5500

http://vtrans.vermont.gov/

Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Research for Years 2025 – 2029

The State of Vermont, Agency of Transportation, through the Research Program of the Policy, Planning and

Intermodal Development Division (PPAID), hereinafter referred to as AOT, is seeking Requests for

Qualifications (RFQ) to provide research and must be able to conform to 508 Standards. Research projects may

be related to planning, design, construction, management, maintenance and operations of highway, public

transportation, and intermodal transportations systems. Recent External Research Projects funded by AOT can

be found here: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/research/projects.

This RFQ represents the first phase of AOT’s External Research Process. In this phase, AOT’s Research

Program will complete scoring of the RFQs received based on the evaluation scoring criteria in this RFQ. Based

on those scores the Research Program will determine a Qualified Researcher List (QRL). The Qualified

Researcher(s) (QR) will be notified, and the list will be uploaded to AOT’s Contract Administration website at

Notice of Funding Opportunities Awards | Agency of Transportation (vermont.gov). The QRL will be active

for four (4) years. After four (4) years there will be another RFQ solicited. To be able to conduct research for

AOT you must be on the QRL which requires resubmittal of your qualifications every four (4) years. The QR

will have an opportunity each Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) to conduct research for AOT through an open and

competitive solicitation process which will result in a legally binding Agreement between the awarded QR and

AOT. This phase and accompanying phases are listed in/described further in Appendix A of this RFQ.

AOT reserves the right to reopen the Request for Qualifications for additional researchers to apply. The

evaluation and selection of Qualified Researchers will be the same as the primary RFQ. The QR will have an

opportunity each Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) to conduct research for AOT through an open and competitive

solicitation process which will result in a legally binding Agreement between the awarded QR and AOT. AOT

will not consider unsolicited requests for addition to the Qualified Researchers List.

All questions related to this RFQ shall be forwarded to Tricia Scribner, AOT Contract Administration

Section, Grants Unit, by e-mail at Tricia.Scribner@vermont.gov. All such questions and requests shall be

received no later than 2:00 p.m. on December 17, 2025. AOT will not be bound by any oral communications.

All questions or requests for clarification received will be documented and answered after this date.

Communication with other AOT personnel regarding this RFQ is prohibited and may result in the rejection

of your submittal.

Multi-Entity Organization(s):

AOT will only accept one proposal for a multi-entity organization. Entities must have separate administration

and financials. Only one (1) submission per unique email domain will be accepted. Potential submitters are

responding with the qualifications of your organization. All qualified personnel at organizations on the

Qualified Researcher List are qualified to work on Research projects.

Research for Years 2025 – 2029

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Addendums(s) / Modifications:

In the event that it becomes necessary to revise, modify, clarify, or otherwise alter this RFQ, including AOT’s

responses to questions and requests for clarification, such addendum(s)/modification(s) shall be posted to the

AOT Contract Administration website.

IT IS THE ORGANIZATION’S RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN ANY RFQ MODIFICATIONS ISSUED.

RFQ Modifications will be posted on the AOT Contract Administration website at: Notice of Funding

Opportunities | Agency of Transportation (vermont.gov).

Reservation of Rights:

All RFQ’s become the property of AOT upon submission. The cost of preparing and submitting an RFQ is the

sole expense of the Organization. Unselected RFQ’s shall be securely disposed of at AOT’s discretion. AOT

reserves the right to reject any and all RFQ’s received as a result of this solicitation, to negotiate with any

qualified source, to waive any formality and any technicalities or to cancel this RFQ in part or in its entirety if it

is in the best interest of AOT. This solicitation of an RFQ in no way obligates AOT to award a contract.

Exceptions to Terms and Conditions:

The Organization must state in the RFQ any exceptions taken to the terms and conditions in this RFQ. For each

exception the Organization shall identify the term or condition, state the reason for the exception, and provide

any other information concerning the exception. Such exceptions, deviations or conditional assumptions may,

however, result in rejection of the RFQ as unresponsive. Failure to note exceptions when responding to the RFQ

will be deemed to be acceptance of the State agreement terms and conditions. If exceptions are not noted in the

response to this RFQ but raised during agreement negotiations, the State reserves the right to cancel the

negotiation if deemed to be in the best interests of the State.

Confidentiality:

All RFQs received will become part of the file and will become a matter of public record, and may be disclosed

to the public in accordance with the Vermont Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq. If the RFQ documents

include material that is considered by the Organization to be proprietary and confidential under 1 V.S.A. § 315

et seq., the Organization shall submit a cover letter that clearly identifies each page or section of the RFQ that

it believes is proprietary and confidential. The Organization shall also provide in their cover letter a written

explanation for each marked section explaining why such material should be considered exempt from public

disclosure in the event of a public records request, pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317(c), including the prospective

harm to the competitive position of the Organization if the identified material were to be released. Additionally,

the Organization must include a redacted copy of its response for portions that are considered

proprietary and confidential. Redactions must be limited so that the reviewer may understand the nature of

the information being withheld. It is typically inappropriate to redact entire pages, or to redact the titles/captions

of tables and figures. Under no circumstances can the entire response be marked confidential, and the State

reserves the right to disqualify responses so marked.

Request for Qualifications Instructions – General:

The quality of RFQs and adherence to solicitation response requirements and/or restrictions are considered reflective

of the manner in which the Organization could be expected to conduct business and will be given due consideration

throughout the evaluation process.

Research for Years 2025 – 2029

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Failure to provide all required information, or indications that the Organization did not conform to all terms as set

forth in the RFQ and attachments may make the offer non-responsive and may result in the elimination of the

Organization from further consideration for being on the QRL.

RFQs or unsolicited revisions submitted after the specified due date and time will not be accepted and will be

securely disposed of.

Required Electronic Submittal Information:

RFQs will be received electronically via email at Tricia.Scribner@vermont.gov. Please submit your request

using the following subject naming convention:

RFQ_OrganizationName_ Research for Years 2025 - 2029

Submit one PDF using the Fillable PDF at the end of this package that includes your Financial Contact signature

and up to five two-page resumes to the Office of Contract Administration, Agency of Transportation, via the

email above, prior to 2:00 P.M., on December 31, 2025.

RFQ Substantive Content:

Using the fillable PDF form at the end of the RFQ, please provide the below elements. Submitters must use the

fillable PDF form provided. Not using the form and submission of alternative document(s) may make the offer

non-responsive and may result in the elimination of the Organization from further consideration for being on the QRL.

• Cover Letter. The organization’s technical coordinator contact will complete the fillable PDF cover letter

and have it signed by the organization’s financial contact.

• Technical Capability/Approach. In this section include a statement of the Organizations interest in

conducting research with AOT. This statement should include research subject areas which the Organization

has experience working in, and how they relate to research AOT conducts. Include up to three new research

ideas the Organization may have. Ideas to be considered for the 2025 External Research Process can be

submitted through the AOT Research Idea submission site at

https://vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/research/research-ideas. The section shall not exceed a maximum of

two (2) pages.

• Organization Structure and Illustrative List of Potential Researchers. Provide a description of the

Organization’s size, background, and structure. A list by name, title of potential researchers should be

included with up to five (5) two-page resumes highlighting the researcher’s skill level and experience

• Past Performance.

• Provide three to six (3-6) projects that detail research-related past performance.

• Organization must use the provided Past Performance and Reference Form.

• The Organization shall not include any quoted or summarized comments or recommendations from any

in-state or out-of-state evaluations, records or reports of any kind.

• AOT reserves the right to discuss the Organization’s past performance with any AOT employee who

has had experience with the submitter.

Research for Years 2025 – 2029

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Evaluation of Request for Qualifications:

AOT will select QRs in the best interest of the State. The selection will be qualifications-based. The selection

panel is comprised of three (3) AOT personnel. The selection panel will evaluate RFQs based upon the following

factors, which are of equal weight.

1. Technical Capability/Approach

The RFQ clearly indicates the Organizations interest in conducting research with AOT. Specifically, the RFQ

demonstrates:

• Subject areas and methodologies which the Organization has experience working in, and how they relate

to research AOT conducts.

2. Organization Structure and Illustrative List of Researchers

• Ability to conform with 508 Standards: https://highways.dot.gov/section-508.

• Describe lines of communication between AOT Research Managers and Project Technical Champions.

• Describe the quality assurance process and how quality deliverables will be provided.

• Provide a list of potential researchers spanning various research topics and experience with research

projects and up to five (5) illustrative resumes.

3. Past Performance

• Examples of past work can include published studies in academic journals, presentations to conferences

or unfunded explorations of new methodology. Text on each project should be limited to one page,

including Project Name, Researchers, Sponsor/Funding Organization as appropriate, rough project dates

and location, the name and email of at least one Reference Contact related to the project, a description

of the project and methodology used, and a list of project outcomes with links as appropriate. This does

not have to be a comprehensive list of projects conducted by all identified researchers but a

representative list of projects that may be related to AOT activities. Showing breadth of topics,

methodologies, and funding sources is preferred.

Evaluation Method:

Ratings will focus on the strengths and weaknesses as demonstrated by the Organization’s RFQ. Assigned

ratings represent the consensus developed by the selection committee. Each criterion described above will be

scored according to the following chart.

The maximum possible evaluation score is 4+4+4=12

Research for Years 2025 – 2029

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Single

Max

Weight

Overall Rating

Description

Exceptional

Very Good

Acceptable

Unacceptable

Indicates a RFQ containing significant strengths with

few to no weaknesses

Indicates a RFQ containing several strengths but also

some weaknesses

Indicates a RFQ containing some strengths but also

some significant weaknesses

Indicates a RFQ that contains significant weaknesses

that outweigh any strengths

The QR upon notification of being selected for the QRL will apply for registration with the Vermont Secretary

of State's Office (SoS) to do business in the State of Vermont, if not already so registered and if applicable. The

registration form may be obtained from the Vermont Secretary of State, 128 State Street, Montpelier VT 05609-

1101. The telephone number is 800-439-8683. Registration can be completed online at: Corporations Division

(vermont.gov). The QR will not be eligible for a legally binding agreement until the Organization is registered

with the Secretary of State’s office.

To be eligible to receive federal funds, the QR must be registered with the System for Award Management

(SAM) at SAM.gov | Home. This is the official U.S. Government system for registering to do business with

the federal government. Registration at SAM.gov is 100% free. If the QR needs assistance in preparing the

proposal or registering with SAM.gov, the QR may contact one of the Vermont APEX Accelerator Procurement

Counselors at: Meet the Team | Agency of Commerce and Community Development (vermont.gov).

It is a condition of proposing under this RFQ that, by submitting a RFQ, the Organization accepts and agrees

unconditionally that if the Organization in any way contacts, or attempts to contact, a member of the Research

Program involved in the selection process for this RFQ, either during or following the RFQ process, with the

aim of communicating about the selection process or outcome, then that Organization will be completely barred

from being on this solicited QRL. The only valid point of contact for questions about the process or outcome

is from Contract Administration and is specifically listed on the first page of the RFQ.

Enclosures:

• Attachment A: Scope of Work

• Appendix A: External Research Process

• Attachment C: Standard State Provisions for Contracts and Grants Revised October 1, 2024

• Attachment D (if applicable): Other Provisions for IT Professional Services Revised January 12, 2024

(Note: Other terms and conditions for IT Professional Services (non-implementation). This is not a “one

size fits all” and provisions may vary depending on the requirement.)

• Attachment D (if applicable): Other Provisions for IT Systems Implementation Revised January 12, 2024

(Note: Other terms and conditions for State hosted as well as vendor hosted systems. This is not a “one size

fits all” and provisions may vary depending on the requirement.)

• Attachment E: Title VI Assurances – DOT Standard Title VI Assurances and Non-

Discrimination Provisions (DOT 1050.2A) – Assurance Appendix A and Assurance Appendix E

• Attachment: Qualified Researchers Form (Fillable PDF)

Research for Years 2025 – 2029

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES (NOFO) REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)	QUESTIONS DUE PRIOR TO 2:00 P.M.	ADDENDUM(S)	PROPOSALS DUE PRIOR TO 2:00 P.M.
Research for Years 2025 – 2029.pdf	12/17/2025	Addendum #1.pdf	01/09/2026 REVISED

Research for Years 2025 – 2029.pdf

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See also