--MARKET RESEARCH FOR EEO COMPLIANCE CONSULTING FIRMS

The contract pertains to the transition of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation into two separate entities: the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), following the enactment of the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act signed in November 2004. As part of this reorganization, the contracting responsibilities formerly handled by RSPA's two offices—one at its Washington Headquarters and one at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts—are being realigned. The Volpe contracting office will primarily support RITA, while the former RSPA Headquarters contracting office will handle contracts for PHMSA. Additionally, although the Bureau of Transportation Statistics now falls under RITA, its procurement is managed separately by the contracting office in the Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary. The specific contract calling for market research for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance consulting firms is associated with the Department of Transportation’s System Center based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This solicitation, posted in September 2002, focuses on identifying suitable firms to assist in ensuring compliance with EEO guidelines, although further details such as set-aside status or NAICS codes are not specified. The contract highlights the ongoing administrative and operational adjustments required to support the evolving organizational structure within the Department of Transportation while maintaining procurement processes for essential support services.