Procurement Topic Guide

This topic guide provides resources on compliance with federal procurement regulations, training and templates on procurement topics and access to the National RTAP ProcurementPRO 2.0 technology tool. Also see the procurement sections in our Transit Manager's Toolkit.

FTA Resources

Best Practices Procurement and Lessons Learned Manual, 2016

Buy America Web Page
Circular 4220.1F, Third Party Contracting Guidance, 2013
Comprehensive Review Contractor's Manual, Procurement section, 2023
Contract Files Frequently Asked Questions
Guide for Procurement System Reviews, 2013
Joint Procurement Clearinghouse 
Master Agreement, 2022
Piggybacking Frequently Asked Questions
Procurement Online Tools and Resources

Procurement Web Page

Procuring and Maintaining Battery Electric Buses and Charging Systems – Best Practices, 2023

Procurement System Self-Assessment Guide, 2020
Third Party Procurement FAQs

Webinars and Training (includes recorded training and eLearning courses), 2024

National RTAP Resources

Cost Allocation Calculator
Cost Analysis Worksheet, 2013
Creating a State Portal within National RTAP's ProcurementPRO webinar (National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP), 2020

Federal Procurement Best Practices and Regulatory Overview Training, 2022
Financial Management and Indirect Cost Rates webinar (National RTAP, CALACT and RIBTC), 2021

Independent Cost Estimate Worksheet, 2012
Price Analysis Worksheet, 2013
ProcurementPRO 2.0 Technology Tool

ProcurementPRO Demo webinar, 2019
Transit Manager's Toolkit Procurement 101 page, 2024, and Procurement - Beyond 101 page, 2024
Vehicle Specifications webinar (National RTAP, MTAP, and FDOT), 2020

Additional Resources

APTA's Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines and The Process of Transit Procurement

FHWA's Cybersecurity Language for the Procurement of Intelligent Transportation System Equipment, 2024

Government Fleet's Overcoming the Hurdles of Fleet Procurement, 2019 and 4 Ways to Reduce Procurement Costs, 2020

Ohio LTAP's Transit Procurement Training - Part 1 and Part 2, 2022
OMB's Super Circular 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, 2013
TRB's Snap Search on Procurement, 2024

Training Courses

NTI's Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems Course

NTI's Procurement Series I - Orientation to Transit Procurement Course

NTI's Procurement Series II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis Course

NTI's Procurement Series III - RFPs and Competitive Contract Negotiations Course

(National Transit Institute also may offer additional procurement courses) 

Templates and Outlines

Note that these reflect state-specific requirements.
Kentucky DOT's Professional Services Procurement Evaluation Template

Minnesota DOT's Procurement Guidance

Ohio DOT's Procurement Policy Template, 2024

Tennessee DOT's Procurement Policy Template, 2023
Texas DOT's Transit Vehicle Procurement page
Wisconsin DOT's Invitation for Bid (IFB) Procurement Toolkit, 2021

Wisconsin DOT's Procurement and Contract Administration Manual for the Acquisition of Goods and Services Under Federal Transit Administration Grant Programs, 2023
Wisconsin DOT's Request for Proposals (RFP) Procurement Toolkit, 2021

Thank you to SJSU Graduate Student Ben Terhune for additions to this year's update of this topic guide.

DISCLAIMER: The resources provided in each topic guide are not an exhaustive survey of every available resource on each topic. If you would like to add a resource to a Topic Guide, please email info@nationalrtap.org. This document was prepared by National RTAP with the financial assistance of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The contents do not necessarily represent the opinions or policy of any agency of the U.S. Government, and the U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. It does not have the force and effect of law and is not meant to bind the public in any way.

Updated August 12, 2024