Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) continuation and Air Leak Fuel Penalty Study
Closed Special Notice Posted
A later notice was posted: the Limited / Sole Source Justification from .
- Solicitation number
- FR26RDI20000000033
- Agency
-
Federal Railroad Administration
Department of Transportation
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- PSC
- AJ12 General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Applied Research
- Place of performance
- San Antonio, Texas 78238, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published a Notice of Intent to award a sole-source contract to Southwest Research Institute for continued research on the Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) system and air leak fuel penalty study. This is not a competitive solicitation but rather notification of the agency's intention to proceed with a non-competitive award. The contract opportunity, identified as FR26RDI20000000033, was posted on April 23, 2026, and falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences category. The FRA is exercising its authority under FAR 6.302(c), which permits sole-source contracting when only one responsible source is available. This continuation contract builds upon previous work performed by Southwest Research Institute under an existing FRA contract.
The primary objective of this contract is to identify and quantify the fuel and emissions penalties associated with the AESS system's inability to maintain locomotive shutdown when air leaks occur in the brake system. Specifically, the study will analyze the impact of simulated brake pipe air leaks of 30 and 60 Standard Cubic Feet per Minute on fuel consumption and emissions, focusing on the additional engine operating time required to maintain Main Reservoir air pressure. The performance period runs from June 30, 2026, through June 29, 2028. Although this is a sole-source award, interested parties may submit a capability statement by May 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time to demonstrate their ability to perform the work without disruption or cost duplication. Submissions must be written only; oral communications will not be accepted. The work represents a follow-on to previous contract efforts, emphasizing the importance of continuity in ongoing research initiatives.
Notice text
FR26RDI20000000033 - NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT
THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intends to award a sole-source contract to Southwest Research Institute to identify the fuel and emissions penalty of the Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) system not being able to keep the locomotive shutdown due to air leaks. This is in addition to the available information on the fuel consumption and emissions penalty associated with the addition of a simulated break pipe air leak of 30 and 60 Standard Cubic Foot per Minute (SCFM) as a follow-on requirement to continue work previously performed by Southwest Research Institute under Contract No. (693JJ623C000028) during the base performance period.
The previous contract only 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 Locomotive Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) system needs to operate the engine to maintain the air pressure in the Main Reservoir (MR).
AUTHORITY
This sole source action is conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302‑1, implemented by 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(1), Only One Responsible Source.” No solicitation or request for quote is available.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
June 30, 2026 - June 29, 2028
RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS
This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, interested parties may submit a capability statement that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) continuation and Air Leak Fuel Penalty Study without disruption, duplication of cost, or loss of program continuity. Capability statements must be received no later than 15 calendar days from the date of posting, by 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Oral communication will not be accepted.
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) continuation and Air Leak Fuel Penalty Study | Limited / Sole Source Justification | |
| This notice | Special Notice |
Similar open opportunities
| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 26 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) - Federal Railroad Administration | Federal Railroad Administration | No set-aside |
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