Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation - The purpose of this Sources Sought is to obtain information for the purposes of market research, which may inform future requirement and development

Sources Sought Purpose: The purpose of this Sources Sought is to obtain information for the purposes of market research, which may inform future requirements and development of a multiple award Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation IDIQ ordering vehicle.

Background: The Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Office of Research, Data and Innovation (RDI) conducts a variety of research programs for improving transportation safety and efficiency. Frequently, these programs are derived from short term reactive conditions requiring the research to be performed as expeditiously as possible.

This contract is intended as a mechanism for providing timely responses in such instances, as well as to provide an efficient mechanism for the support of programmed research in the areas of Rolling Stock, and Track, Train Control and Communications, and Human Factors. FRA RDI conducts research, development, testing and evaluation to support the Department's stated goals and statutory mandates.

These activities provide a rational and effective basis for safety regulations and standards and/or revisions thereof and promote general safety improvements in the rail industry. Within FRA RDI, the Track Division’s efforts focus on track and structures research and the interaction of rolling stock and track. The Rolling Stock Division’s efforts are directed towards improving the safety of rolling stock equipment, including hazardous material transport.

The Train Control and Communications Division investigates how to avoid collisions, both on the track, and at grade crossings. The Division collaborates with the Human Factor Division on Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention program research, shared with the Human Factors Division. Finally, The Human Factors Division seeks to optimize human performance in railroad operations and to understand the causal factors of human error, including fatigue and distraction.

There are four (4) Functional Areas that will utilize the ID/IQ Contract: Track, Human Factors, Train Control & Communication, Rolling Stock. These areas may result in task orders under this contract.

Rolling Stock: Railroad Vehicles; Non?electric Motive Power and Components; Hazardous Materials Transportation by Railroad; Railroad Operating Practices; Safety Management Systems; Track?Train Interaction; Passenger and Freight Operations; Advanced Rail Systems Technology, including Positive Train Control; TEDS software and associated training for new user requests, and continue maintenance and technical support to the existing TEDS users; and Electric Traction Power systems.

Human Factors: Railroad Technology, Automation, and Systems Design; Railroad Organizational Culture and Safety Performance; Railroad Worker and Operator Performance; Maintenance worker performance and safety; Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Safety, Railroad Trespass, and Suicide Prevention.

Train Control and Communication: Positive Train Control (PTC) system development, enhancement, and testing; Advanced train control and signaling system research; Rail automation systems research; Broken rail detection technologies for moving block train control architectures; High accuracy train positioning system research; Connected grade crossing and highway-rail communication systems research; Grade Crossing technologies; Grade crossing data analysis; Grade Crossing outreach and education; Trespass countermeasures; Pedestrian Treatments at grade crossings.

Track: Track structure & components; Track/Train interaction safety.

Instructions: Vendors are required to provide responses on the excel spreadsheet. Please submit responses no later than 3:00 pm ET, Monday, March 18 to Moyah.Wilson@dot.gov.

Attachment: RTD&E RFI 1 Vendor Questions