How to bid on COTA’s Pedestrian and Collision Avoidance ADAS Pilot

What COTA is buying

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is seeking pedestrian and collision-avoidance systems for a one-year pilot on two GILLIG and two New Flyer buses in Columbus, Ohio. The systems must provide driver alerts and safety-data reporting, with installation, training, calibration, warranty support and ongoing technical assistance.

COTA may expand the program to more than 300 vehicles based on the pilot’s performance, reliability and operational benefits. It may select multiple solutions until funding for 2026 and 2027 is exhausted.

Deadline and what happens next

The response deadline is November 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. Submit your response through OpenGov before that time.

COTA plans to evaluate system effectiveness, operator acceptance, alert accuracy, maintenance needs and overall safety benefits during the one-year pilot.

Who this opportunity suits

This RFP may suit firms that provide advanced driver assistance or vehicle safety systems for transit buses, along with the services needed to install, calibrate and support them.

Relevant capabilities include blind spot detection, forward collision warning, pedestrian and vulnerable road user detection, operator alerts, and secure web-based safety-data reporting.

How to access and respond

Use “View original source” to open the opportunity on OpenGov Procurement. If a “just a moment” security check appears, let it finish so the project page can load.

Sign in or create a free vendor account to download plans, ask questions, join the planholders list and submit your response. OpenGov also sends addenda notices.

Prepare a clear, competitive response

Explain how your system provides the requested alerts and safety-data reporting, and how it works without interfering with vehicle steering or braking. Describe its performance in different weather, lighting and operating conditions, and address applicable safety standards.

Set out a practical approach to installation on the two GILLIG and two New Flyer buses, calibration, operator training, warranty support and technical assistance. Explain how your reporting portal supports event tracking and performance monitoring during the pilot.

Check OpenGov for plans, questions and addenda before submitting. Confirm that your response is complete and submitted before the deadline.