Sound Transit MATOC Opportunities: Your Strategic Guide to MATOC Success
- Matthew Costabile
- Jun 24
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 25
Updated Q2 2025— Sound Transit is revolutionizing infrastructure procurement in the Pacific Northwest, launching three professional services MATOCs in 2025. These procurements represent the leading edge of Sound Transit's innovative strategy to deliver the $54 billion voter-approved ST3 expansion. For Construction, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and P3 teams looking forward to upcoming Sound Transit MATOC construction procurements in 2026, understanding the current professional services timelines and positioning your firm for success has never been more critical.
Mission Critical brings unique insight to this opportunity. In 2024, we guided multiple teams through Los Angeles World Airports' groundbreaking $5 billion MATOC procurement, achieving four bench positions across Construction and Design-Build procurements, with teams consisting of nationwide powerhouse firms and local small business entities just beginning their MATOC journey.
Now we're leveraging that experience to track Sound Transit's 2025 professional services MATOCs, decoding the patterns that will shape 2026's construction procurements.
This blog delivers what teams need now: a strategic analysis of Sound Transit's current MATOC timeline, proven positioning strategies from our LAWA success, and actionable intelligence that transforms the next 12- to 16-month window into your competitive advantage.
The ST3 program's massive infrastructure investments are coming—this is your guide to winning your place at the table.
What is a MATOC?
Understanding MATOC fundamentals is essential for contractors, Design-Build, and Progressive Design-Build teams new to this procurement model.
A MATOC—Multiple Award Task Order Contract—is a procurement vehicle that facilitates the delivery of various projects ("task orders") under a single umbrella contract. Although often associated with federal agencies, the MATOC delivery method has evolved since the 1980s from military procurement needs into a versatile tool now being adopted by forward-thinking agencies like Sound Transit.
How the MATOC Procurement Works:
The process begins with an agency inviting construction or professional services teams to compete for a spot in an overarching contract. Individual firms or teams submit proposals demonstrating their qualifications and capabilities. At this stage, qualifications, compliance and expertise are everything. A select pool of those scoring the highest in the qualifications-based criteria is awarded a place on the MATOC.
Once firms secure a place on the MATOC, they can compete for individual projects (e.g. "task orders") based on price, scope and technical factors. All task orders are issued under the umbrella contract and can cover a wide range of projects and services, tailored to the agency's specific needs. The process optimizes the matching of pre-qualified, highly capable firms to the needs and demands of each task order while reducing overall procurement costs and timelines for the agency.
Sound Transit's adoption of this model, following the success of agencies like the Department of Defense, GSA, and most recently LAWA, signals a major shift in infrastructure procurement practices.
For a comprehensive overview of LAWA's 2024 $5B MATOC procurement, see our 2024 article: LAWA Moves to MATOC: New Method, Benefits, and Opportunities.
ST3 and the MATOC Strategy: A Transformative Approach
Understanding the relationship between ST3 and Sound Transit's MATOC strategy is crucial for Construction, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and P3 teams positioning for upcoming opportunities.
ST3: The Voter-Approved Vision
In 2016, voters approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3), a $54 billion investment representing one of the largest transit expansion programs in U.S. history.
ST3 encompasses:
116 miles of new light rail extensions
Bus Rapid Transit corridors on I-405, SR 518, and SR 522
Sounder commuter rail improvements
Multiple Operations & Maintenance facilities
System-wide State of Good Repair projects
MATOC: An Optimized Delivery Strategy
To efficiently deliver this massive program, Sound Transit adopted the MATOC procurement model as outlined in the 2024 Sound Transit TAG Implementation Action Plan.
Rather than conducting hundreds of individual procurements, Sound Transit is establishing Multiple Award Task Order Contracts across several professional streams to:
Create multi-year master "bench" contracts with multiple firms
Enable work on ST3 projects without repetitive procurements
Streamline contracting and accelerate project timelines
Enhance value through competitive task order assignments
This strategic decision to use MATOCs for ST3 delivery represents a fundamental shift in how major infrastructure programs will be procured in the Pacific Northwest.
Sound Transit's MATOC Approach: Latest Intel
Sound Transit's MATOC structure introduces innovative elements that construction contractors must understand to position effectively for future opportunities. Based on their November 2024 Q&A document, several key features distinguish their approach to ongoing professional services procurements:
Four-Tier Bench System
Sound Transit has expanded beyond the traditional three-tier model to include:
Micro Business: Firms with 10 or fewer employees OR revenue less than $250k annually
Small Business: Firms certified by Washington State OMWBE (as SBE, DBE, MBE, WBE, MWBE, or SEDBE) or King County's SCS program
Medium Business: Firms with fewer than 250 employees or annual gross receipts between $37M-$250M (averaged over three years)
Large Business: All firms exceeding medium business thresholds
This four-tier system creates more nuanced opportunities for firms of all sizes, particularly benefiting emerging contractors who might otherwise compete against much larger small businesses.
Multiple Awards Per Bench
Unlike single-award contracts, Sound Transit anticipates awarding several contracts per MATOC discipline AND per bench size. This means Construction, Design-Build, and Progressive Design-Build teams will see multiple prime opportunities in each size category when construction MATOCs are released—significantly expanding the competitive landscape.
Flexible Task Order Competition
Sound Transit reserves three options for task order distribution:
Open competition to all bench holders
Limited competition to select firms
Direct award to a single firm
This flexibility allows the agency to match project complexity with firm capabilities while maintaining competitive opportunities across the bench.
Strategic Teaming Opportunities
Although construction-phase MATOC procurement drafts have not been issued yet, the November 2024 Q&A document for Professional Services sheds some light on the potential guidelines for teaming opportunities:
Small firms can pursue as both prime and subconsultant
Medium and large firms must choose: prime OR subconsultant (not both)
Sister companies can pursue prime positions, with conflicts evaluated per task order
Joint ventures between different-sized firms are encouraged
Subconsultants can be added on a task order basis
Sound Transit plans to periodically reopen MATOC qualifications—creating future opportunities for firms that miss the initial procurement or develop capabilities after awards. While frequency hasn't been determined, this approach prevents market lock-out and encourages continuous improvement.
Implications for Construction, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and P3 teams
Understanding these professional services MATOCs is crucial because construction MATOCs will likely follow similar structures. Key takeaways:
The four-tier system will create more prime opportunities than traditional procurements
Early team formation is critical, especially for medium/large firms choosing benches
Small business partnerships offer strategic advantages across all bench sizes
Task order flexibility means firms must maintain readiness even after MATOC award
Sound Transit's approach signals a commitment to both competition and inclusion—themes that will certainly carry forward to construction MATOC procurements anticipated in 2026 and beyond.
Status Check: Sound Transit Professional Services MATOCs
As of June 2025, Sound Transit has identified three professional services MATOCs—only one (Design Services) has been advertised.
Design Services MATOC (MT 0005-25)
Status: In Procurement
Contract Capacity: $1 billion
Award: Anticipated Q3 2025
Environmental Services MATOC
Status: Under Development
Contract Capacity: $500 million
Award: Anticipated Q3 2025
PM/CM Services MATOC (MT 0035-25)
Status: Under Development
Contract Capacity: $1 billion
Award: Anticipated Q3/Q4 2025
These procurements represent Phase 1 of Sound Transit's comprehensive MATOC strategy, focusing on professional services.
Timeline Projections for Construction MATOCs
Sound Transit hasn't announced construction MATOC procurements yet—but smart Construction, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, and P3 teams aren't waiting. Our direct experience with LAWA's $5 billion MATOC rollout reveals the pattern that will likely be seen in Sound Transit's construction timeline.
LAWA's Blueprint Shows the Way
From our experience in LAWA's entire MATOC evolution:
Design, Environmental, and PM/CM MATOCs launched: Q2 2023 through Q3 2024
Construction and Design-Build MATOC Procurements dropped February 2025
The critical gap: 12-15 months
This pattern isn't random—it reflects the time agencies need to establish professional services teams before launching construction procurements.
Sound Transit's Construction MATOC Forecast: Based on current professional services timing and industry patterns, we project:
Initial RFQ Release Window: Q2-Q3 2026
Anticipated Scope Categories:
Horizontal Construction (roads, rail, utilities)
Vertical Construction (stations, facilities)
Design-Build (both horizontal and vertical)
Progressive Design-Build (Sound Transit's growing preference)
Potentially Public-Private Partnerships (P3)
Why This Timeline Matters Now: The 12-18 month window before potential construction RFQ release determines winners and losers. Teams forming today will dominate tomorrow's competitions. Here's what that timeline demands:
Q3 and Q4 of 2025 - Identify partners, assess bench placement, analyze past performance, begin initial gap and SWOT analysis.
Q1-Q2 2026 - Execute teaming agreements, continue to build Sound Transit relationships through event participation, and begin handoff from Business Development to your Proposal Management team.
Q2-Q3 (Pre-procurement) - Proposal Management is in full swing with initial alignment activities, early identification of key individuals, building the schematic response and closure of the gap and SWOT analysis outliers identified in 2025.
The Competitive Reality
Forward-thinking contractors will start positioning now. Every month you wait shrinks your partner options and weakens your competitive position. The firms winning construction MATOCs in 2026 are building their teams right now.
This timeline isn't speculation—it's strategic intelligence based on proven patterns and our unmatched MATOC success. Use it to transform the next 12-18 months into your competitive advantage.
Multiple Delivery Methods: Mission Critical's Wheelhouse
Sound Transit won't just build projects—they'll revolutionize how projects get delivered. Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, GC/CM, P3—the ST3 program will deploy every innovative delivery method available. That's where Mission Critical dominates.
Design-Build Excellence: We don't just understand Design-Build—we've mastered it. Our teams have captured Design-Build wins across every category: horizontal construction, vertical construction, first-time pursuits, established contractors, small businesses, joint ventures. On the 2024 LAWA MATOC alone, we secured two Design-Build bench positions with two different teams.
Progressive Design-Build Leadership: Mission Critical doesn't follow PDB trends—we create them. We led the proposal and interview strategy for Myers-Traylor JV with COWI+TYLin to capture Caltrans' first-ever Progressive Design-Build project.
Think about that: Caltrans had never procured a PDB before. No precedent. No roadmap. Just a $127M Coronado Bay Bridge project that required someone to chart new territory. We didn't just win—we dominated and the Myers + Traylor team will set the precedent for successful California PD-B delivery.
GC/CM and CMGC Mastery: Eleven GC/CM wins with clients new to GC/CM - CMGC. We've guided contractors through every variation of Construction Manager delivery, from straightforward vertical projects to complex horizontal programs. We know what owners want in GC/CM proposals because we've decoded the winning formula across multiple agencies and project types.
Why This Expertise Matters for Sound Transit: Every delivery method demands different strategies, different messaging, different proof points. Teams that excel at Design-Build often stumble on Progressive Design-Build. GC/CM winners frequently fail at Design-Build. But Sound Transit's MATOC program will require fluency in all these methods—and that's exactly what we bring to our clients.
See Our Alternative Delivery Success in Action: Read our 2024 Impact Report: Empowering Growth, Unlocking Potential
Discover how we've transformed contractors from alternative delivery novices to multi-method winners—exactly the transformation Sound Transit MATOC success demands. [End roll-up]
Critical Considerations for Micro and Small Businesses pursuing Sound Transit MATOC Opportunities
Sound Transit's four-tier bench system creates game-changing opportunities for small businesses ready to step up to the prime contractor, Design-Build, and Progressive Design-Build Contractor roles. But here's the reality: opportunity alone won't win you a MATOC position. Success demands strategic preparation that starts now.
The Small Business Advantage:
Sound Transit's structure delivers what small businesses have been waiting for:
Dedicated Benches: You compete against firms your size, not billion-dollar giants.
Prime Contractor Status: Lead your own teams, control your destiny.
Direct Task Orders: Sound Transit can award directly to qualified firms.
Long-Term Growth: Each task order builds capacity for the next.
Micro Business Category: Even 10-person firms can compete as primes.
The Challenges You Must Conquer: MATOC success requires capabilities many small businesses haven't built yet:
Bonding and Insurance: Requirements scale with each task order—secure relationships with surety and insurance providers now.
Systems and Processes: Sound Transit demands sophisticated project controls—invest in systems before you need them.
Strategic Partnerships: Your subconsultant bench determines your competitive range—build relationships with specialized firms today.
Past Performance: You need relevant project examples—pursue strategic work that builds your qualifications.
The J-Squared/AO Architects Breakthrough Formula: Our small business success on LAWA $5B MATOC proves the path forward:
Partner Strategically: J-Squared (Certified SBE) joined forces with AO Architects (nationally recognized design firm)—complementary capabilities beat Small Business limitations.
Pursue Firsts Fearlessly: This was J-Squared's first Design-Build pursuit—they won two bench positions focusing on a limited number of key successes with LAWA, and a diverse, but agile bench of key personnel.
Strong handoff : Months of positioning preceded their win.
Present Authentically: Their interview showcased genuine partnership dynamics.
Your Action Plan Starts Now
Small businesses targeting Sound Transit construction MATOCs in 2026 should start building capacities in 2025:
Q2-Q3 2025
Assess your bench category (Micro vs. Small)
Identify capability gaps honestly
Begin partner conversations with the Professional Services firms you already know and work with. Sound Transit published a list of contacts for the 2025 Design Services MATOC here.
By end of 2025
Formalize one strategic partnership.
Position this year's work and relationships for success—you will need this to show relevant past performance next year.
Gain a Competitive Advantage
Join Mission Critical's Accelerator 2025 program - Accelerator is Mission Critical's no-cost program for civil constructors and teams pursuing their first—or next—MATOC, CM/GC, Progressive Design-Build, JOC, or Federal project. We help you develop the capabilities, knowledge, and competitive positioning needed for consistent success in the alternative project delivery market.
The Bottom Line: Sound Transit's MATOC structure eliminates traditional barriers—but only for small businesses bold enough to seize the opportunity. The construction MATOCs coming in 2026 will transform small businesses into major players in the ST3 program. The question isn't whether you can compete—it's whether you'll be ready when the opportunity arrives.
Conclusion
The Sound Transit MATOC program represents a significant palette of infrastructure procurement opportunities. With professional services procurements already identified and construction MATOCs on the horizon, the time for strategic positioning is now.
Whether you're an established contractor seeking to expand your alternative delivery portfolio or a small business ready to break into major infrastructure projects, success requires starting early, building the right team, and executing a focused strategy.
The window for competitive advantage is open—but it won't remain so indefinitely. As more firms recognize the MATOC opportunity, competition will intensify and partnership options will narrow. The firms that act now, positioning themselves strategically for the construction MATOCs anticipated in 2026, will have a decisive advantage.
About Mission Critical, LLC
Mission Critical, LLC is the leading Proposal Management Consultant Firm specializing in Civil Infrastructure, Alternative Project Delivery, and the Federal Market space. We are the pivotal force behind teams winning their first qualifications-based procurements and strategic partners for Top 400 companies pre-positioning for their next MATOC, CM/GC, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, or Best-Value Federal Pursuit.
Find more information on Mission Critical's Accelerator 2025 program and Peak Preparation interview coaching practice on our website - www.thinkmc.com
Read our 2024 Impact Report entitled Empowering Growth, Unlocking Potential
For strategic guidance on Sound Transit MATOC positioning, or to discuss your next project, visit RoAnn Thone, Managing Partner at Mission Critical on LinkedIn here
Keywords: Sound Transit MATOC, MATOC RFP, MATOC RFQ, Construction MATOC, Sound Transit MATOC, Multiple Award Task Order Contract, MATOC procurement, GC/CM MATOC, CMGC MATOC, Design-Build MATOC, DB MATOC, Progressive Design Build MATOC, PDB MATOC, P3 MATOC
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