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Important Information for Contractors

Guidelines for Submission of Unsolicited Proposals | Procedures for Exchanges with Industry |
Metric Measurement Requirements


Guidelines for the Submission of Unsolicited Proposals
to the Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration/Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center)

General Instructions

It is the policy of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to encourage the submission of new and innovative ideas which will support DOT's mission. All prospective contractors are encouraged to follow the more conventional practice of submitting offers in response to official Volpe Center solicitations for supplies, equipment and service. Information on Volpe Center objectives and areas of potential interest, as well as a listing of upcoming Volpe Center competitive solicitations and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) topics, are available on the Internet at http://www.volpe.dot.gov/.

When a prospective contractor's new and innovative ideas do not fall under topic areas publicized under Volpe Center-initiated solicitations or programs, the ideas may be submitted as unsolicited proposals. As stated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.601, an "unsolicited proposal" means a written proposal for a new or innovative idea that is submitted to an agency on the initiative of the offeror for the purpose of obtaining a contract with the Government, and that is not in response to a request for proposals, Broad Agency Announcement, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) topic, Small Business Technology Transfer Research topic, Program Research and Development Announcement, or any other Government-initiated solicitation or program. See FAR 15.601 for other definitions pertaining to unsolicited proposals.

Please note that advertising material, commercial item offers, and contributions are not considered unsolicited proposals. You may direct any inquiries on such matters to Eileen Norcott, Procurement Analyst, at (617) 494-2180. Eileen will direct your inquiry to the appropriate party.

About Unsolicited Proposals

The Government has many of its personnel and contractors working on research and development for improving all types of material and equipment. The substance of a proposal may already be known to them, or be in the public domain. Consequently, unsolicited proposals are accepted by the Volpe Center for consideration and evaluation only on the condition that such acceptance does not imply a promise to pay, recognition of novelty or originality, or a contractual relationship such as would render the Government liable to pay for information to which it would otherwise lawfully be entitled.

Furthermore, receipt of an unsolicited proposal does not, in and of itself, justify the government awarding a contract without providing for full and open competition. A sole source acquisition based on an unsolicited proposal is subject to the same Volpe Center policies, regulations and procedures as any other proposed non-competitive acquisition, and will be processed accordingly.

Proposal Submission Instructions

All unsolicited proposals should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Transportation
RITA/Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
55 Broadway
Cambridge, MA   02142-1093
Attention: Chief, Acquisition Program Compliance Branch, RTV-6D3

This office acts as the Volpe Center’s central point of contact for the receipt and handling of unsolicited proposals. This office will forward unsolicited proposals to the appropriate Volpe Center program areas for evaluation.

Questions regarding these guidelines and the submission of unsolicited proposals to the Volpe Center may be directed to Ms. Eileen Norcott, Procurement Analyst, at (617) 494-2180 or email: Eileen.Norcott@dot.gov.

Proposal Preparation Instructions

The Volpe Center will only evaluate unsolicited proposals from individuals or organizations determined to be responsible, prospective contractors. To qualify as a responsible, prospective contractor you must satisfy the regulatory requirements cited in FAR Subpart 9.1. Also, you need to ensure compliance with organizational conflict of interest requirements contained in FAR Subpart 9.5.

No rigid format is specified for an unsolicited proposal. We do, however, urge care in preparation. While brevity is desired, the proposal should contain sufficient information to permit full and meaningful review.

In order to be evaluated, an unsolicited proposal submitted to the Volpe Center must include all information required by FAR 15.605, and be marked in accordance with FAR 15.609 if the offeror wishes to restrict the data.

Offerors are urged to protect their interests under the patent and copyright laws and to submit their proposals without proprietary restriction. However, information identified as proprietary in accordance with FAR 15.609 will not be disclosed to parties outside the Government without written permission of the offeror.