The Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has a continuing requirement for technical assistance, research, development, testing and evaluation services.

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.

• 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