Amended RFP sent to Enhanced Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance program bidders

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is seeking the use of federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement funds, provided by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, to pay for a portion of the I/M program. NJDOT has also been working closely and cooperatively with the Federal Highway Administration to modify the RFP in order to accommodate all additional federal requirements.

The amended RFP includes a third option on which bidders may submit proposals. This third option would allow the bidder to operate up to 24 inspection facilities out of the total number of facilities to be proposed by each bidder, with the remainder to be operated by the state. Currently, there are 35 inspection stations throughout the state. The other two options include designing and building an enhanced inspection network that would be completely operated by the state; and designing, building, operating and maintaining the system through a private vendor.

On or before November 15, 1997, NJDOT will have several lanes equipped to conduct enhanced testing for customers on a voluntary basis, with full implementation of the program scheduled for February, 1998.

The I/M program is just one of the strategies New Jersey is undertaking to help clean its air. Other initiatives include a heavy-duty diesel truck inspection program; an electric station car project (which was kicked off in Morris County on May 19); the use of catalytic converters on state vehicles; high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOVs); an alternative fuel program for NJ Transit buses; various transportation management strategies to improve the flow of traffic; continued investment in public transit; and tougher controls on industrial emissions.