Contracting with the Department of Transportation

Signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) aims to address the country’s aging infrastructure by investing in our built environment. The Department of Transportation received a significant portion of BIL funding to improve roads, bridges, and public transit among other critical transportation infrastructure. 

The Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will seek to allocate at least 10% of their more than $370 billion in contract authority to small, disadvantaged businesses. Small businesses will play a critical role in rebuilding roads and bridges, eliminating the nation’s lead service lines and pipes, deploying broadband, and installing thousands of miles of new and resilient transmission lines.

Nearly $600 billion is being invested in every corner of the country’s transportation infrastructure.

If your small business provides services related to our transportation infrastructure, your firm may be eligible. Needs vary by contract. 

Federal contracts

Several major categories of infrastructure investment make contracts available directly from the DOT. To access these opportunities:

1. Visit DOT’s Procurement Forecast to search for upcoming BIL-related contract opportunities. 
2. You can narrow down your Search by 
   • Operating Administration, 
   • Competition Type, or 
   • Procurement Category

Select “yes” in the “BIL opportunity” dropdown menu. Or, simply select the “BIL opportunity” box to search for all BIL-related contracts.

3. Select any specific opportunities that might be a good fit for your business.
4. Reach out to the Point of Contact listed in the contract opportunity to find out additional information. Engage with the government official about next steps, when applicable.

You can also visit SAM.gov and search for contract opportunities. Apply the “Department of Transportation” filter. Note that there is no “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” filter on SAM.gov. 

State contracts

Most categories of infrastructure investment grant money to states, which are awarding contracts. To access these opportunities: 

1. Reach out to the Small Business Transportation Resource Center serving your state to help you identify state opportunities. Alternatively, visit the state DOT or other relevant website and look for the contract opportunities page. This will vary from state to state, as there is no central repository for state DOT contract opportunities. 
2. Select any specific opportunities that might be a good fit for your business.
3. Reach out to the Point of Contact listed in the contract opportunity to find out additional information and engage with the government official about next steps, when applicable.