APTA, AASHTO, CTAA Letter Seeks to Facilitate Use of State Procurement Contracts

APTA, AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and CTAA (Community Transportation Association of America) wrote to FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool Aug. 5 asking FTA to clarify and restate that purchasing schedules are an allowable procurement method for FTA subrecipients under federal regulations and to outline the conditions under which their use is permitted—both within a state and from another state if available.

Although official FTA guidance outlines the permissibility of state purchasing schedules (subject to all applicable federal statutes), this procurement method is unfamiliar to many procurement officials and staff, particularly for new technology and software products. 

The letter is a follow-up to a similar letter sent by state DOTs from California, Michigan, Connecticut, and North Carolina. It reflects input and discussion of APTA’s State Affairs Committee and reflects strong sentiments that state contracts are a useful tool for facilitating procurement and that there should be a broad awareness of opportunities.