6913G624Q300038 Sole Source Justification_Redacted.pdf

V220T.12 (01/19)

Procurement Request No. V333-2098

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

VOLPE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER (VOLPE CENTER)

STRUCTURES & DYNAMICS DIVISION, V333

SOLE SOURCE OR BRAND NAME SAP JUSTIFICATION

A. Description of Supplies/Services. Since the 1970’s, the Volpe Center has provided technical support to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Track Safety Research Program. Track safety research is of high importance to the railroad industry as it focuses on the prevention of train derailments which can result in catastrophic consequences including service interruptions, traffic rerouting, environmental damage, and human injury or loss of life.

The major objectives of track safety research are to establish guidelines on inspection frequency and mitigation procedures. Internal rail cracks, which cannot be visually seen, form under the repeated action of wheel loads from passing trains. Rail inspection frequencies are based on the concept of a “safe crack-growth life” using a risk based model considering a safe amount of tonnage that can pass over a crack after it is detected. Additionally, thermal stresses can develop in continuous welded rail (CWR) if the rail temperature is not close to the rail neutral temperature (i.e., rail temperature when it is longitudinally stress free). If the rail temperature is too high, then it can cause the track to buckle;

conversely, if the rail temperature is too low, then it can cause the rail to break. While the temperature of the rail cannot be feasibly controlled in service, the rail neutral temperature can be managed to minimize the risk of track failure due to ambient temperature conditions by following careful maintenance strategies. The establishment of these inspection and maintenance safety guidelines and the fundamental research enabling their development has been the focus of much of the Volpe Center’s research efforts.

Dr. David Jeong is a retired, former employee of the Volpe Center who made significant contributions to the Track Safety Research Program on rail integrity, track buckling, and other areas. Dr. David Jeong’s original research was the foundation for other technical research that was used to develop current FRA guidelines on:

1. track inspection frequency for crack detection using an analytical risk-based method termed safe crack-growth life

2. rail neutral temperature management to prevent track buckling in summer and rail breaks in winter months

3. rail wear limits aimed at preventing crack growth which can lead to broken rail derailments

The FRA is continuing to fund research on these topics that builds upon the seminal work of Dr. David Jeong, and engineering consulting services from Dr. David Jeong would be of high value to the Government in (1) transferring technical knowledge on track safety to current federal service employees, (2) reviewing recent high-profile rail break incidents, new technologies, and research related to track safety, (3) recommending research and new technologies to improve track safety, and (4) most importantly, provide technical information to advance current models on fatigue crack-growth and rail neutral temperature management that were based on his original research.

The engineering consulting services of the original researcher, Dr. David Jeong, who analyzed the in-service data, formulated the simplifying assumptions, and developed the analytical equations are instrumental in the success of the program.

B. Market Research. The desired engineering consulting services are highly specialized and require deep historical knowledge and technical expertise in track safety research. Dr. Shaun Eshraghi conducted a general internet search and GSA Schedule research in March 2024 to identify potential GSA Schedule firms with experience in track safety engineering consulting. The search identified Thornton Tomasetti, ENSCO, R.A. Mayville & Associates, and Kandrew Consulting as possible sources; however, it was concluded that none of the identified sources had detailed knowledge of the original derivations and engineering assumptions in the models developed at Volpe.

The market research concluded that no other organization or individual has the historical knowledge or engineering expertise necessary to provide the engineering consulting support to the Government as Dr. David Jeong was the original researcher who analyzed the field data, made the simplifying engineering assumptions, and developed the analytical models for safe crack-growth life, rail neutral temperature management, and rail wear limits. Dr. Jeong possesses the necessary qualifications to perform the requirements as indicated in the Statement of Work, he is a recognized expert and