ABSTRACT:
THIS CASE IS ONE OF A SERIES OF CASE STUDIES THAT EXAMINE PROCUREMENT APPROACHES USED TO DELIVER INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (ITS) PROJECTS. ITS PROJECTS ARE OFTEN COMPLEX AND LEVERAGE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTERS, SOFTWARE, SENSING, AND ELECTRONICS. ITS TECHNOLOGIES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AS STAND-ALONE PROJECTS, EXPANSIONS OF LEGACY SYSTEMS, OR INCORPORATED AS PART OF TRADITIONAL ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. PROCUREMENT OF ITS PROJECTS WITH FEDERAL AID FUNDS CAN PRESENT CHALLENGES. AGENCIES MUST OPTIMIZE PROJECT QUALITY AND COST WHILE MEETING APPLICABLE PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS. IN MANY CASES, THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS PROJECTS CANNOT BE EASILY SPECIFIED AT THE BEGINNING OF A PROJECT. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH REALISTIC LOW BIDS AND ENSURE PRODUCT QUALITY.