Research Development Test and Evaluation

The Federal Railroad Administration established this Master IDIQ for research, development, test, and evaluation support for rail transportation programs on June 18, 2018, with a shared ceiling of $15 million. Ordering closed on June 16, 2023; no new task orders may be issued against this vehicle.

The vehicle is inactive for new business. The FRA issued its final delivery order in September 2022, roughly three years ago. Of the 52 total task orders awarded, activity front-loaded sharply: 28 orders in 2018, declining to 3 in 2022. The combined potential value across all task orders is $24.7 million, with $23.8 million obligated (96% of combined potential value). The vehicle has been nearly fully spent against its stated potential.

Task orders executed across the full breadth of rail safety, infrastructure, and operations research. Work included software development and enhancement (Train Energy Dynamic Simulator, CWR-SAFE, rail temperature and buckling prediction tools), track inspection and monitoring technologies (grade crossing LIDAR, automated change detection, track geometry measurement), rolling stock safety research (crashworthiness, tank car fittings and operating spectrum assessment, coupler torsional strength, wheel temperature detection, locomotive LED headlights), vehicle dynamics modeling and simulation, wayside system evaluation, and rulemaking support (LNG, PRIIA 305 electronics and general counsel). Task orders ranged from small technical reports and training videos to multi-year platforms and testing programs; the largest order, for train makeup risk reduction, carried a ceiling of $3.3 million.

Competition concentrated tightly among two firms. Ensco Inc. held 27 orders worth $12.3 million combined potential value, and Sharma & Associates Inc. held 22 orders worth $12.1 million, collectively capturing roughly 98% of awarded work. Kea Technologies Inc. received 3 orders totaling $300 thousand. All 52 task orders carried no set-aside designation. All funding originated from the FRA; no other federal agencies placed orders.

Most orders used cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing; a smaller subset used firm-fixed-price structures for deliverables such as training videos, equipment storage, and fixture testing. Durations typically ranged from one to three years, with several extending into 2024 and 2025 at the time of their most recent modification.

The purpose of this solicitation is to provide technical assistance for a variety of rail programs for improving rail transportation efficiency, safety, rolling stock and track instructures.