DOT - National Transit Database (NTD) Program Support - MRAS

The Department of Transportation (DOT), through the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to support the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Transit Database (NTD) Program. The NTD serves as the primary repository for public transportation data in the United States, collecting vital information such as financial data, operating statistics, safety events, and asset conditions from transit systems across the nation. This data is crucial for apportioning funding to urbanized and rural areas, informing decision-makers at various government levels, and supporting research purposes.

The FTA seeks a contractor to continue its existing NTD Program Support services. These services are organized by Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) and include assisting transit agencies with data collection and input into the NTD reporting tool. This tool uses Appian cloud computing software as its interface, facilitating data entry via a structured system of accounts as outlined in the NTD Policy Manual. The contractor will provide training and support to transit agency staff throughout this process.

Once transit agencies submit their data through the Appian web interface, it undergoes a rigorous validation process managed by the contractor. Data submissions are organized into 'report packages' containing all required information for each reporting module. These packages must pass through various validation stages before reaching 'closeout.' During this process, any flagged issues require resolution either through data revision or sufficient explanation provided by the submitting agency.

The NTD Program Support encompasses three main functions: Data Collection, Validation, and Data Products. The contractor will ensure consistent data collection despite frequent changes in agency personnel responsible for reporting. They will also perform thorough validation checks to maintain high-quality standards essential for reliable decision-making at all government levels. This ensures that federal funding distribution based on NTD data remains accurate and effective.