NIH TRANShare Program – SmartBenefits® Program Transit Benefit Services

The purpose of this amendment is to add the following clarification note:

Clarification: This requirement is not for staffing or management services to administer the program. It is a requirement for the agency to utilize the SmarTrip®/SmartBenefits program (i.e., participate in and access the web-based platform) to distribute commuting benefits to eligible employees.

This is a Sources Sought Notice for market research purposes only. The notice is open to all businesses; however, small businesses are highly encouraged to respond. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to identify potential sources capable of providing web-based program for employers to assign the dollar values of eligible employees' monthly commuting benefits directly to the employees’ SmarTrip® cards (Transhare Subsidy) for the sole purpose of commuting to and from their work location by mass transit. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. No proposal, quote, or bid is being requested or accepted at this time. Responses to this notice will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy and to inform the anticipated contract type, period of performance and evaluation approach.

Background

NIH is involved in a transportation incentive program that requires federal agencies to consider developing policies to promote sustainable commuting and work-related travel practices for Federal employees, including rewarding use of carpooling and public transportation. The SmartBenefits® program is a web-based program for employers to assign the dollar values of eligible employees' monthly commuting benefits directly to the employees' SmarTrip® cards for the sole purpose of commuting to and from their work location by mass transit. 

Purpose and Objectives

The objective is to obtain market information to support acquisition planning, maximize competition, identify qualified business sources, understand available commercial and non-commercial capabilities, identify socioeconomic participation opportunities, assess risks, and inform the contracting approach for the requirement.

Project requirements

The Contractor shall make NIH designated amounts of transit benefits available for each participant to download on his or her SmarTrip® card by the first (1st) calendar day of the month that the benefits are effective.  The Contractor shall be able to enroll NIH for participation in the SmartBenefits® program, which is a Web-based system that will allow NIH to assign specific dollar values of participants’ monthly benefits for commuting to and from work directly to the participants’ SmarTrip® cards. Mass Transit commuting benefits will include the following systems: Metrorail, Metrobus, regional commuter systems operated by local counties (RideOn, TheBus, etc.), vanpools, and passes obtained through CommuterDirect.com (MARC, VRE, MTA Commuter Bus).

Place of Performance

National Capital Region, including NIH Bethesda Campus where qualified federal employees commute using mass transportation and qualified vanpools per EO 13150.

Anticipated period of performance

The Government is determining the best contract approach for this requirement. The Government is considering a single-award IDIQ contract structure, potentially featuring a one-year Base Period and up to four one-year Option periods, which may be unilaterally exercised by the Government at its discretion. This acquisition strategy has not been finalized, and the Government reserves the right to modify the contract type, number of awards, or period of performance structure based on market research and responses received to this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed contract type and structure.

Other important considerations

In accordance with Executive Orders 13150 and 12191, as well as the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) mass-transit use requirements, the issuance of a transit subsidy is a mandatory measure to promote the use of public transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and support environmental sustainability. Executive Order 13150 requires federal agencies to implement transportation fringe benefit programs to encourage employees to utilize mass transit, thereby improving air quality and conserving energy. Similarly, Executive Order 12191 mandates the development of federal ridesharing and public transportation programs to decrease fuel consumption and vehicle miles traveled.

Capability statement/information sought

Capability statements submitted as a result of this notice should demonstrate the offeror’s qualification, expertise and experience, specifically providing evidence as to the capability to immediately perform this requirement. Capability statements should clearly convey information regarding the respondent’s capabilities.

Interested and capable sources are requested to submit a capability statement describing their company’s experience and ability to immediately perform this effort, which includes the following: 

(1) a summary list of similar work previously performed; examples of prior completed similar Government contracts, references, work relevant to the proposed requirement, and other related information to the work to be performed

(2) demonstrated ability to carry out the work the professional qualifications and specific experience of staff who may be assigned to the requirement; corporate experience and management capability to deliver transportation services of this scope and magnitude

Page Limitations

Interested qualified business organizations, including small businesses, should submit a tailored Capability Statement not to exceed 5 pages, excluding resumes and required certifications. Capability Statements must not include marketing brochures, links to internet web site addresses (URLs), or otherwise direct readers to alternate sources of information. Font size must be 10 to 12 points. Spacing must be no more than 15 characters per inch. Within a vertical inch, there must be no more than six lines of text. Print margins must be at least one inch on each edge of the paper. Print setup should be single sided on standard letter size paper (8.5 x 11" in the U.S., A4 in Europe). All proprietary information should be marked as such.

Required Business Information

• UEI.
• Company Name.
• Company Address.
• Company Point of Contact, Phone and Email address
• Current GSA Schedules and/or Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) appropriate to this Sources Sought.
• Do you have a Government approved accounting system? If so, please identify the agency that approved the system.
• Type of Company (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, veteran owned, etc.) as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM) located at https://sam.gov/content/home. This indication should be clearly marked on the first page of your Capability Statement (preferable placed under the eligible small business concern’s name and address).

Number of Copies

Please submit one (1) electric copy of your response as follows:

All Capability Statements sent in response to this Sources Sought notice must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to Kori Best, Contract Specialist, at kori.best@nih.gov in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The e-mail subject line must specify SBSS -75N98026R00156. Facsimile responses will not be accepted.

Common Cut-off Date:

Electronically submitted tailored capability statements are due no later than 5:00 PM EST 9/4/2026. CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE AND TIME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Disclaimer and Important Notes

This notice does not obligate the Government to award an IDIQ contract or Task Order or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published at SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality

Proprietary information must be clearly marked. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”