Clackamas County seeks QBS team for regional ATC controller work and signal optimization (DBE set-aside)

Executive takeaway

Clackamas County is running a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) A&E solicitation (with FHWA funding) for a regional ATC controller & signal optimization effort. It is advertised as a DBE set-aside. The County indicates proposals must be submitted through BidLocker, and there is no pre-proposal conference. The due date/time stated in the RFP snippet is March 5, 2026 by 2:00 PM PST.

What the buyer is trying to do

The County is seeking an A&E (and related services) team to support a regional traffic signal ATC controller initiative coupled with signal optimization. Given the QBS structure and FHWA funding note, expect the buyer to prioritize demonstrated qualifications, relevant past performance, and an approach aligned with federal-aid expectations over a low-price competition.

What work is implied

• Regional ATC controller related professional services (verify exact controller scope, corridors, and deliverables in the full RFP/attachments).
• Signal optimization services (verify whether this includes timing plans, performance monitoring, retiming cycles, field validation, and documentation in attachments).
• QBS submittal preparation consistent with A&E/QBS expectations for federally funded transportation work.
• System compliance actions for OregonBuys registration and electronic submission via BidLocker (per the RFP sections referenced in the snippet).

Who should bid / who should pass

• Bid if: you are a certified/eligible DBE firm (or otherwise meet the set-aside eligibility) with strong traffic signal/ATC qualifications and can lead or prime the effort under an A&E QBS process.
• Bid if: you have recent, defensible experience delivering federally funded transportation professional services and can demonstrate quality procedures and documentation discipline appropriate for FHWA-funded work.
• Pass if: you cannot meet the DBE set-aside eligibility as required by the solicitation.
• Pass if: your team is not set up to submit through BidLocker by the deadline or you lack internal controls for a QBS-style A&E response.

Response package checklist

• Confirm proposal due date/time: March 5, 2026, 2:00 PM PST (verify in attachments and OregonBuys posting).
• Complete OregonBuys vendor registration steps (verify in attachments / RFP section 0.1).
• Plan for submission through BidLocker (verify file format/size rules in attachments / RFP section 0.3 and section 2.4).
• QBS-specific content: qualifications, relevant project experience, key staff, and approach (exact requirements: verify in attachments).
• DBE eligibility/representation documentation (exact forms: verify in attachments).
• Calendar the questions/requests/protests cutoff: due via email 7 calendar days prior to the proposal due date (confirm exact timestamp in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes

Because the County states this is QBS, your competitive advantage is likely to come from a crisp, evidence-backed qualifications narrative rather than an aggressive fee position (fee may be negotiated later depending on the process—verify in the RFP).

• Review the RFP to confirm the evaluation criteria, shortlisting steps, and whether interviews are part of selection (verify in attachments).
• Build a pricing research baseline anyway: pull recent local/regional signal optimization and ATC-related awards in Oregon (or similar jurisdictions) and compare expected level of effort to the scope described in the full RFP (do not guess numbers; use documented comparables).
• Position around risk management for FHWA-funded work: show how your QA/QC and documentation practices reduce change, rework, and compliance friction (only to the extent supported/asked for in the solicitation).

Subcontracting / teaming ideas

• If you are a DBE prime, consider teaming with specialized signal/ATC technical support firms to strengthen bench depth while keeping prime eligibility intact (confirm allowed roles and limits in the RFP).
• If you are not able to prime, explore joining a DBE prime as a subconsultant for discrete technical tasks tied to ATC controller work and optimization deliverables (verify subcontracting rules in attachments).
• Align teaming commitments early so your response can present a cohesive, ready-to-execute team rather than tentative relationships.

Risks & watch-outs

• Eligibility risk: This is advertised as a DBE set-aside; confirm eligibility requirements and documentation to avoid an administrative rejection.
• Submission risk: Proposals must be submitted via BidLocker. Late or improperly uploaded files are a common failure mode—confirm upload steps well before the deadline.
• Calendar risk: Questions/requests/protests are due 7 calendar days before proposals are due; missing that window can lock in unfavorable interpretations.
• Scope clarity risk: The snippet does not include the detailed statement of work. Treat all assumptions (corridors, number of intersections, controller standards, deliverables) as unknown until confirmed in attachments.
• No pre-proposal conference: With no live forum, written questions become your primary tool for clarifying scope ambiguities.

Related opportunities

• RFP 2026-06 Clackamas County Regional ATC Controller & Signal Optimization

How to act on this

1. Open the solicitation in OregonBuys and download the full RFP package; identify the mandatory formats and the exact submission instructions for BidLocker.
2. Confirm DBE set-aside eligibility and assemble any required documentation/forms (per attachments).
3. Draft a QBS-first outline: qualifications, comparable work, key staff, and a concise approach tailored to the ATC controller and optimization intent.
4. Submit clarifying questions no later than 7 calendar days before the due date, focusing on scope details that drive staffing and schedule.

If you want an objective go/no-go and a compliant response outline built from the solicitation package, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC to support your capture planning and proposal development.