The Department of Transportation is preparing SWES 2.0 (Software Engineering Services), a $548 million small business set-aside vehicle to provide application software engineering support across DOT’s Office of the Secretary and all Operating Administrations (excluding FAA). The final RFP is expected in June 2026, with awards anticipated in October 2026.
SWES 2.0 will be structured as multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) awarded through GSA eBuy under GSA Schedule 70, with up to 95 BPAs potentially available. Current incumbents have been extended through September 2026, to bridge the new vehicle.
As DOT’s mandatory-use vehicle for software engineering, SWES 2.0 provides small businesses with dedicated access to application development and maintenance work across all DOT operating administrations.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: SWES 2.0 (Software Engineering Services)
- Agency: Department of Transportation
- Value: $548M
- Expected RFP: Q3 2026
- Expected Award: Q4 2026
- Contract Type: Multiple BPAs under GSA Schedule 70
- Duration: 8 years
- Competition: Full small business set-aside
- NAICS: 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services ($34M size standard)
- Required GSA SINs: 132 34 (Maintenance of Software as a Service), 132 51 (IT Professional Services)
WHY SWES 2.0 MATTERS
SWES 2.0 is DOT’s department-wide mandatory-use vehicle for software engineering support services. It is designed to be broad and flexible in scope, providing DOT components with responsive access to application development, maintenance, and support services across multiple platforms.
With up to 95 BPAs available and no single contract ceiling, SWES 2.0 provides qualifying small businesses with structured access to DOT software development work across the Office of the Secretary and all Operating Administrations.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER SWES 2.0
SWES 2.0 is designed for small businesses providing custom software development, application maintenance, and IT professional services. Firms with experience in the following areas should evaluate whether their capabilities align with DOT’s requirements:
- Application software development and engineering
- Software maintenance and sustainment
- Application modernization and migration
- Software integration and testing
- DevOps and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD)
- Agile software development methodologies
- Cloud-native application development
- Database design and management
- User interface/user experience (UI/UX) design
- Technical documentation and training
Firms must hold an active GSA Schedule 70 contract with the required SINs to compete. Companies already supporting federal software development programs—or those looking to expand into DOT mission areas—will find SWES 2.0 provides structured, long-term access to software engineering opportunities across multiple DOT operating administrations.
HOW OST CAN HELP
For firms evaluating SWES 2.0 or needing GSA Schedule support, OST provides:
- GSA Schedule readiness: Review current Schedule coverage and SIN alignment, or support new Schedule acquisition for firms not yet on GSA.
- Capability alignment: Assess which software development areas and technical platforms match your past performance and capabilities
- Past performance strategy: Document relevant software engineering experience from federal, state, or commercial sectors
- Teaming strategy: Connect with complementary firms to expand technical coverage or strengthen competitive position
- Proposal development: Technical approach, past performance narratives, and compliance for BPA submissions through GSA eBuy
- Pricing strategy: Develop competitive labor rates aligned with GSA Schedule pricing and DOT market conditions
If you need support getting on GSA Schedule, expanding your SINs, or developing a competitive BPA proposal, we’re happy to help. If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
