04a. SwRI_AirLeaks_AESS_ SoleSourceJust_FAR_12.201-1_DBrabbSign.pdf

Sole Source Justification (SSJ) Commercial Service Acquisition for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Pursuant to FAR 12.201‑1, Including Sole Source Requirements

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition

Threshold Pursuant to FAR 12.201‑1, Including Sole Source Requirements

Date: 4/22/2026 PR Number: FR26RDI20000000033

Pursuant to the requirements under the authority of the test program for commercial items at 41 U.S.C. 1901 or the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1903 Special emergency authority as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.201-101 and consistent with the content requirements of FAR 6.303-2.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “sole source justification.”

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Acquisition Services, intends to award a sole source contract for the requirement described herein.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

FRA intends to award a sole‑source, Firm‑Fixed‑Price (FFP) contract to Southwest Research Institute (SwRI); safety research is called out under 49 USC § 20108 (a), 49 CFR § 1.88 (b), and 49 CFR § 1.89 (f). This work will develop an understanding of how train air leaks affect the automatic engine start stop (AESS) features that locomotive operators/owners use to save compressor and engine component wear, and fuel use of locomotives.

SwRI began development of the air leak detection system in a previous phase funded under a 2023 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA); and because of that it is the only source readily available for finding the effects of air leaks on AESS systems.

3. Description of Supplies/Services. Describe the supplies or services to be acquired.

Provide the estimated total value (including options, if any).

The requirement is to develop an understanding and a possible remedy for the effects of air leaks on AESS systems. The air leak detection system will improve the safety and efficiency in fixing train air leaks. This improvement needs quantification with respect to locomotive component use and fuel savings due to more efficient use of AESS systems.

Estimated Total Value: $500,000.00

4. Identification of the authority.

Commercial Service Acquisition for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Pursuant

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition

Railroad safety research is called out under 49 USC § 20108 (a), 49 CFR § 1.88 (b), and 49 CFR § 1.89 (f). If applicable, emergency authority under 41 U.S.C. 1903 may also apply.

5. Demonstrate that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

This research is to evaluate the effects of air leakage on operations and performance of locomotive automatic engine start/stop (AESS) systems. The main goal is to understand the impact of excessive air leakage on AESS' ability to operate as intended. This project focuses on quantifying the fuel penalty associated with air leaks on the locomotive and simulated air leaks in the break pipe air system. Previous SwRI screening tests identified the fuel penalties associated with the line haul and switcher duty cycles during continuous operation but did NOT identify the penalty associated with the additional time that the Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) system needs to operate the engine to maintain the air pressure in the Main Reservoir

(MR).

This proposed project will add to the existing body of work by identifying the fuel penalty of the AESS system not being able to keep the locomotive shutdown due to air leaks. In other words, the locomotive must keep running due to air leaks. This is in addition to the available information on the fuel consumption penalty associated with the addition of a simulated break pipe air leak of 30 and 60 Standard Cubic Foot per Minute (SCFM).

Previously, under a 2023 BAA, SwRI developed confidence in the air-leak detection approach and can now use this previously developed tool to understand better the amount of air-leak that affects AESS systems. An additional, unique, benefit of having SwRI do this work is that they have locomotives and a laboratory available for use in this research. They have specimen in their labs for other types of testing and have agreements to be able to use those locomotives for this research.

This project directly addresses railroad and public safety due to its relationship with locomotive air components, fuel use, and train braking. Without this kind of research and development, the lack of locomotive AESS use and subsequent braking issues due to such lack of use would continue to impact train operational and public safety.

Commercial Service Acquisition for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Pursuant

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition

Key factors supporting sole source:

• Previously Developed Technology: This effort will utilize and build upon previous SwRI research and development of air leak detection.

• SwRI uniquely has locomotive test specimens and a facility readily available for use in this research.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources

A notice of intent will be posted on SAM.gov in accordance with FAR 5.301 and 6.305(a), inviting any responsible sources to express interest.

7. Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable based on market research, previous acquisition history on similar requirements at DOT, and a price analysis that the Contracting Officer will conduct on the Contractor’s quotation using a combination of the techniques provided under FAR Subpart 15.404-1. The recommended contract type is fixed price, thus eliminating cost risk for FRA. No fee will be offered for this work.

8. Description of market research. (Market Research is required by FAR Part 10 and TAM Part 1210 – Market Research, Appendix A: Market Research Guide). Describe the results of your market research or provide a statement of the reason why market research was not conducted).

The base award was competed through Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that was posted in 2023, on SAM.gov in accordance with FAR Part 10 and FRA guidance. The response period closes on January 16, 2024.

Findings include: After thorough analysis, FRA has determined SwRI as an expert and most qualified vendor for research into the effects of air leaks on the functioning of AESS systems.

9. Any other facts supporting the justification. (You must explain why technical data packages, specifications, statements of work, or purchase descriptions are not suitable for enhancing competition or not available. Discuss why your requirement cannot be modified to increase competition. If you are contending only one source can meet the Government’s minimum need, you must document the reason why and describe the extent to which the

Commercial Service Acquisition for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Pursuant

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition

Government will be harmed if not acquired from that vendor. Address any potential duplication of cost, if applicable.)

• Modifying the requirement to increase competition would result in significant mission delays.

• Procuring an alternate solution would require purchasing development to get to where SwRI already is. Additionally, it would be very burdensome, and possibly impossible, to find an entity that could do this work and already have locomotives and a laboratory available for use in this research.

10. A listing of the sources, if any that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No other sources have expressed an interest, in writing, in the proposed acquisition.

11. A statement of action, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition of supplies or services required. (Include a statement of action taken or will be taken to increase competition for future acquisitions of the same item/service).

FRA will evaluate the outcome of the research into air leads and their effects on AESS and consider future requirements.

Technical/Requirements Personnel Certification.

I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

David C Brabb Technical Representative/COR >$750,000 to >$75M Date

12. Contracting Officer Certification and/or Approval*

Commercial Service Acquisition for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Pursuant

Sole Source Justification for Simplified Acquisitions for Requirements Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition

Akwasi Kankam Contracting Officer >$250,000 to < $750,000 Date

*Note: In accordance with FAR 12.201-101(a)(2)(i), for contracts exceeding $250,000 but not exceeding $750,000, the ordering activity contracting officer’s certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the ordering activity contracting officer’s knowledge and belief will serve as approval, unless a higher approval level is established in accordance with agency procedures.