The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice to identify potential qualified Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a) Certified SDB, HUBZone SB, SDVOSB, or WOSB concerns that may be interested in and capable of performing the work described herein to review current research and practices related to the enforcement of laws against illegal passing of school buses and determining whether a model law would be beneficial for uniform enforcement across States.

NHTSA welcomes all qualified Small Business concerns, with the appropriate NAICS Code and past experience to submit their Corporate Capability Statements that demonstrate their ability to successfully accomplish the goals of the project as listed below.  NHTSA does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice or otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.  Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made; no formal evaluation of the information received will be conducted by NHTSA.  NHTSA may; however later on issue a Request for Proposals (RFP).  However, should such a requirement fail to materialize, no basis for claims against NHTSA shall arise as a result of a response to this notice.

Based on the estimated data provided by NASDPTS sample survey completed each year for instances of illegal passing of school buses, it is estimated over 40 million U.S drivers of all ages, illegally pass a school bus during a given year on their daily commute. Data supports that one of the most dangerous aspects of riding a yellow school bus is in fact the period a child is a pedestrian walking to and from their bus stop. One of the biggest dangers during this act, is a motorist failing to stop for a school bus which is illegal in all 50 States. While this is illegal in all States, reports show that enforcement and prosecution of these violations are not consistent. 

Background:

After the completion of the State Laws digest on illegal passing, a more in-depth review or state of knowledge report is needed to determine if a model law for illegal passing would help with the consistency of enforcement of these driving violations. More clarity if needed on how currently laws are enforced to help better inform States to improve enforcement of these laws. The state laws digest informed that laws vary in content, organization, consistency, and clarity. Also, that what may constitute illegal behavior in one jurisdiction may not be prohibited in a neighboring one. States also vary in their methods to review, document and report violations including permissibility of stop-arm cameras. This report is needed to give clarity on how States can best improve enforcement of these law.

To address this need, this project will review the current research and practice of enforcement of the law against illegal passing of school buses. This study will provide if a model law would be necessary for continuity among enforcement within the U.S States and provide best example of a model law.
 

Objective(s):

The objectives of this project include reviewing current research and practices related to the enforcement of laws against illegal passing of school buses and determining whether a model law would be beneficial for uniform enforcement across States. The study will also provide best examples of a potential model law. Key tasks will involve conducting a comprehensive literature review on existing laws and enforcement practices, analyzing findings from the State Laws digest, and gathering data on how States document and report violations, including the use of stop-arm cameras. Additionally, the project will consult with law enforcement, pupil transportation professionals, educational stakeholders, and any other stakeholder group that is deemed relevant to gather insights.

Details of key tasks:

• Comprehensive Literature Review: Conduct a thorough review of existing enforcement practices of laws against illegal passing in a various number of States across the U.S., 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A key document in this review to reference is the NHTSA State Laws Report.
• Identify Gaps: Identify and document the key differences in state laws, and if these areas may cause confusion within the States law between traffic law statues.
• Final Report on Findings: Create a detailed report on the findings of the review, with key takeaways and improvements recommended to determine if a model law would be beneficial.
• Develop Example Model Law Language: Based on research conducted and working with pupil transportation stakeholders and law enforcement and judicia