Project Background: The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) will conduct data collection on a variety of distribution scenarios in order to validate its existing data and add additional transport distribution environment data from other regions to its Data Depot.  In an effort to maintain a manageable project scope, it has been decided to focus this project on the various channels of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) distribution.   

Project Purpose and Description:

The Distribution Environment Data Collection Project aims to enhance ISTA’s value proposition by ensuring we continue to offer the industry’s most current testing procedures.  This data will be leveraged by packaging professionals to design optimized packaging solutions for both domestic and global distribution.  

The purpose of this broader project is to undertake a transport environment data collection study, obtaining atmospheric, vibration, storage and handling data that meets established ISTA data collection standard for five prioritized global distribution routes. 

This broader project has been structured in phases, with this project phase being focused on data collection of representative land routes in Brazil and Mexico.  We recognize that the actual route selection will greatly depend on the CPG partners involved in the study.  Therefore, this RFP provides guidance but is not prescriptive on the actual routes chosen.  We encourage you to offer recommendations for representative routes that will capture the hazard variations within Brazil and Mexico routes.  Please provide a justification and rationale as to why these routes are considered representative from your perspective.  The final routes will be subject to ISTA’s approval.  We encourage bidders to contact ISTA with questions. 

For more information, please contact ISTA VP of Research, Brian O'Banion

RFP Timeline:

• August 1, 2025 – Release and distribution of RFP
• August 1 – September 10, 2025 – Questions and answers exchanged
• September 12, 2025 – Deadline for submitting proposals
• October 3, 2025 – Selected vendor notified
• October 24, 2025 – Contract signed