How to bid on Standards Enforcement Program for FMVSS No. 116, "Brake Fluids" with DOT

What the Department of Transportation is buying

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the Department of Transportation, is seeking services to support its Standards Enforcement Program for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 116, which covers motor vehicle brake fluids.

NHTSA needs a contractor to provide testing, inspection, reporting, storage, and disposal services for brake fluids. This work helps ensure that brake fluids comply with safety standards, reducing failures in hydraulic braking systems. The contractor must supply qualified personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials, and provide detailed test information including data, photos, videos, and observations.

This is a single-award, indefinite-delivery contract with both fixed-price and cost-reimbursement elements.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on July 31, 2026. All questions about the solicitation must be submitted electronically by 12:00 PM Eastern Time on August 6, 2026.

The final deadline for proposal submissions is August 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Submissions received after this time will not be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for professional services firms with expertise in automotive testing, chemical analysis, or product compliance verification. Vendors should have the technical personnel, facilities, and equipment necessary to perform detailed testing and inspection of motor vehicle brake fluids according to FMVSS No. 116 and its specified test procedures.

Firms with experience in government contracting, particularly with agencies focused on safety and compliance, will find this a relevant opportunity. The contract involves both firm fixed-price and cost-reimbursement elements, so experience managing such contract types is beneficial.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the solicitation, click “View original source” on the platform where you found this opportunity. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid.

You may need to create a free account on the government portal to view all solicitation documents. Some bids allow document viewing without an account, but many require registration to download files and submit proposals.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review FMVSS No. 116 and the associated test procedures (TP-116-04) to ensure your proposed approach directly addresses all requirements. Highlight your firm's specific experience with similar testing standards and compliance verification.

Clearly detail your proposed personnel's qualifications, including any certifications relevant to brake fluid testing or automotive safety. Provide a comprehensive list of your facilities, equipment, and materials, demonstrating your capability to handle procurement, receipt, inventory, inspection, testing, reporting, storage, and disposal of test items.

Since detailed information like test data, photos, and videos are required, describe your methodology for capturing and reporting this information accurately and efficiently. For the cost-reimbursement elements, ensure your proposed costs are well-justified and clearly explained.