Bid guide
How to bid on the CAD/AVL System Replacement for City of Alexandria
What the City of Alexandria is buying
The City of Alexandria is seeking proposals for a new Computer-Aided Dispatch and Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system for DASH, its public transit service. This system is crucial for managing bus operations, tracking bus locations in real-time, and providing accurate arrival information to customers. The new system needs to be a complete, turnkey solution.
The required capabilities include real-time bus tracking, support for real-time wayside displays, monitoring of headway and schedule adherence, map and grid views, performance indicators, customizable reporting, incident management, historical playback, event-based alerts, and broadcast messaging. The work location for this system will be at DASH headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This solicitation was published on July 09, 2026. The deadline for submitting proposals is August 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. All proposals must be submitted by this time.
It is important to submit your proposal before the deadline. Late submissions are typically not accepted.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for licensed and qualified technology firms specializing in public transit solutions, particularly those with expertise in computer-aided dispatch and automatic vehicle location systems. Firms should have experience providing comprehensive, next-generation, and turnkey systems.
The ideal vendor will be capable of delivering a system that supports real-time tracking, operational management, and customer communication features for a public transportation agency.
How to respond
To view the full solicitation documents and submit your proposal, you must go to the City of Alexandria's Bonfire portal. The solicitation documents are not available on the eVA system.
First, access the City's sourcing and contracting tool. You can view the solicitation documents publicly without an account. To respond and submit your proposal, you will need to sign in with a free eVA vendor account before the August 18, 2026, deadline.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
When preparing your proposal, focus on clearly demonstrating your firm's experience with similar CAD/AVL system implementations for public transit. Highlight how your proposed solution meets each of the specific requirements outlined, such as real-time tracking, wayside displays, and incident management.
Ensure your proposal emphasizes the turnkey nature of your solution, showing that it will be a complete and ready-to-use system for DASH. Provide clear examples of how your system will help DASH staff effectively manage operations and communicate with customers. Pay close attention to all instructions for submission on the Bonfire portal to ensure your proposal is compliant.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from City of Alexandria; the original posting controls.