Conduent Challenged New Jersey Turnpike E-ZPass Contract
The company filed an appeal following the loss of a major contract to its competitor, TransCore.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Unions
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Conduent has launched an appellate court challenge against the New Jersey Turnpike Authority after losing a $1.73 billion contract to operate the state's E-ZPass system. The company alleges that TransCore, the winning bidder, failed to disclose significant foreign ownership ties.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on allegations that the Turnpike Authority bypassed standard procurement practices regarding national security and foreign interests. Conduent contends these oversight failures should invalidate the contract award to its competitor.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority awarded an 11-year E-ZPass contract valued at $1.73 billion to TransCore. TransCore plans to hire 450 operations staff members for two customer service centers within New Jersey.
The players
Conduent
A business process services company that previously held the contract and sought to outsource software development to India and Guatemala.
New Jersey Turnpike Authority
The state agency responsible for the oversight and maintenance of major toll roads and the administration of the E-ZPass tolling program.
TransCore
A transportation technology provider selected to manage the E-ZPass system that faces scrutiny over its foreign ownership structure.
Jeff Van Drew
A U.S. Representative who received correspondence from TransCore regarding the contested contract award.
The details
Conduent alleges that TransCore is ultimately owned by the Government of Singapore and maintains shareholder ties to the Communist Party of China. In contrast, the Authority states that price was not the sole factor in the decision, noting that TransCore achieved higher technical evaluation scores while Conduent proposed outsourcing work to India and Guatemala.
Timeline
September 2024: The Turnpike Authority awarded the contract to TransCore.
October 2024: Conduent filed a protest against the contract decision.
February 11, 2025: TransCore sent a letter to U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew.
April 2025: The Turnpike Authority officially upheld its original contract award.
Political Context
Critics of the award argue that the Turnpike Authority failed to follow the strict transparency requirements mandated by New Jersey state procurement and competitive bidding statutes. Supporters of the agency's decision maintain that technical capability and domestic job creation provided a sufficient basis for selecting a vendor over the lowest bidder.
The transition to a new contractor may change how the state manages local tolling services and the number of domestic jobs available at regional service centers. Residents should monitor for updates on service center operations as the legal battle progresses through the court system.
The takeaway
Large state infrastructure projects often face intense scrutiny when international ownership interests conflict with domestic labor expectations. Transparency in the bidding process remains the primary mechanism for the public to ensure that taxpayer-funded contracts are awarded fairly.
Further reading
For more information on labor and state contracts, visit the New Jersey Unions section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJ.
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