22.a.Synopsis-SAM-Attachment_Sole Source-JandA-redacted.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

For Requirements > $10,000

Page 1 of 3 Tracker # JA-24-0009

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity

Federal Railroad Administration Headquarters, Office of Research, Data, Innovation (RDI-21) and Office of Acquisition Management, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590.

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

This action is a Justification and Approval to use other than full and open competition to award a contract to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech) to conduct the Roller Rig improvement redesign, fabrication, final commissioning, and validity assessment.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value)

FRA requires research services to augment the experimental capabilities of the VA Tech -FRA Roller Rig to enable single axle testing by incorporating a second rail-roller and wheel into the existing rig, extending the testing capabilities to emulate axle dynamics (two wheels on a rigid axle). The anticipated outcome is a redesigned system capable of independently measuring forces, moments, and creepages of an axle in a curve. Specifically, the new design aims to measure the curving dynamics of the low- and high-rail wheels to better evaluate derailment conditions in a curve in various field-emulated conditions.

The upgraded Roller Rig is expected to significantly aid in improving railroad safety, providing a science-based assessment of curving dynamics that can be used for rulemaking, and improving the operational efficiency of the U.S. rail industry. The resulting upgrade will align with FRA’s research needs to increase understanding of wheel-rail contact mechanics to help prevent catastrophic derailments and to support rulemaking activities on wheel-rail defects and rolling contact fatigue.

The estimated value to complete the upgrade efforts is between $500,000 to $600,000.

4. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition

The statutory authority for this non-competitive action is derived from 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

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

VA Tech researchers originally developed the Roller Rig machine and software and possess unique expertise in its design, operation, and maintenance. As the creators of the equipment and technology, they have in-depth understanding of its intricacies and are the only entity suited to perform the necessary upgrade FRA is requiring. Their intimate knowledge of the Roller Rig's original design and functionality ensures that the upgrade maximizes the value of existing infrastructure and resources, and that they can seamlessly integrate the new design components, ensuring compatibility and accurate simulation results.

In addition, the award to VA Tech would minimize disruptions to FRA ongoing research and testing activities involving the Roller Rig. To bring another entity’s researchers up to speed on the current Roller Rig intricacies and design and to entrust them with the new design modification requirement

Page 2 of 3 Tracker # JA-24-0009 would be an undertaking with considerable risk and substantial additional time and cost that would cause delays and duplication of funding. For another entity to acquire the necessary Roller Rig testbed that VA Tech already specially designed and produced for FRA’s research needs would take an inordinate investment of additional time and money. Such delays and poor use of limited funding resources would impact the progress of current efforts to understand wheel-rail contact mechanics to support FRA rulemaking activities on wheel-rail defects and rolling contact fatigue.

Based on the specialized expertise, knowledge, and experience that the VA Tech researchers acquired while developing the existing Roller Rig facility, full and open competition is not appropriate for this requirement. No other entity has the unique qualifications and the baseline existing Roller Rig testbed to produce this improved capability.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies.

The FRA SMEs conducted intensive efforts to identify potential sources capable of seamlessly performing the necessary Roller Rig redesign and upgrade, but these efforts yielded no satisfying entities that could ably complete the task. A notice was published in August 2024 for 15 days on www.SAM.gov under posting number 693JJ6RDI24RFI0009.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable

The FRA will ensure that prices associated with the contract are fair and reasonable. Pricing data for similar engineering services and other contracts with VA Tech will support the FRA’s analysis of the Offeror’s price proposal and substantiate the determination.

8. Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted

The market research was conducted through a comprehensive dialogue with Federal Railroad

Administration (FRA) SMEs, including leveraging SMEs with over-two decades past vehicle-track interaction (VTI) experience as a principal research engineer with commercial rail research firm.

Additionally, the FRA conducted research online to identify potential entities with the necessary capabilities and skillset to perform the required Roller Rig upgrade that meets the agency’s needs. The FRA findings confirmed that no other sources in North America were identified whose skillset, expertise, and experience align with FRA’s objectives of ensuring the seamless Roller Rig upgrade. The FRA program office also conducted thorough online research using various search engines to identify any publications related to Roller Rig-like testing machines. Unfortunately, the search yielded no results for similar testing machines within the United States. Most commonly available online were previous FRA publications from previous research with the VA Tech Roller Rig.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition

N/A http://www.sam.gov/

Page 3 of 3 Tracker # JA-24-0009

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

A notice of intent to single source was posted for 15 days on www.SAM.gov (Posting ID:

693JJ6RDI24RFI0009) in August 2024. No response was received. Responses from three respondents were received and evaluated by the program office: BHPE, LLC, Legny Ramirez, and T Fox. None of the respondents demonstrated that they had the unique qualifications necessary to meet this requirement.

11. Statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

In the event future research efforts are required, the agency will continue to conduct market research and explore vendor capabilities to promote competition whenever possible. The agency will take contractual steps to assure the availability of the Roller Rig for future FRA research.

12. Certification/Approval Signatures

I certify that the information provided in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Abe Meddah, General Engineer, USDOT/FRA Date

Based upon the preceding information, I approve this Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition to award a contract to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Lisa Bucci Date Contracting Officer, USDOT/FRA

Abe Meddah signature obtained Aug 6, 2024 lisa.bucci Highlight lisa.bucci Highlight lisa.bucci Highlight