Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) continuation and Air Leak Fuel Penalty Study
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- FR26RDI20000000033
- Agency
-
Federal Railroad Administration
Department of Transportation
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- 693JJ626C000015
- 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 has awarded a sole-source contract to Southwest Research Institute for $500,000 to develop an understanding of how train air leaks affect automatic engine start-stop features used by locomotive operators to reduce compressor and engine component wear and fuel consumption.
The justification rests on SwRI's unique qualifications and prior experience. SwRI developed an air leak detection system under a 2023 Broad Agency Announcement and possesses locomotive test specimens and laboratory facilities required for this specialized research. FRA conducted market research through that BAA, determined SwRI as the most qualified vendor, and found no other sources expressed written interest in the acquisition. The work will quantify fuel penalties associated with air leaks on locomotives and simulated air leaks in the brake pipe air system, with emphasis on identifying fuel penalties when the AESS system cannot keep the locomotive shutdown due to air leaks. The contract is firm-fixed-price with no fee, eliminating cost risk for FRA. Authorization is cited under 49 USC 20108(a), 49 CFR 1.88(b), and 49 CFR 1.89(f). The Contracting Officer determined the anticipated cost fair and reasonable based on market research, previous DOT acquisition history, and price analysis using FAR Subpart 15.404-1 techniques. Place of performance information is not specified.
Notice text
Awarded contract 693JJ626C000015 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-06-30.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 04a. SwRI_AirLeaks_AESS_ SoleSourceJust_FAR_12.201-1_DBrabbSign.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Limited / Sole Source Justification | |
| Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) continuation and Air Leak Fuel Penalty Study | Special Notice |
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