Notice of intent to award a sole source contract, “unsaturated characteristics of fouled ballast"

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intends to award a sole source contract to

Kansas State University for “Unsaturated Characteristics of Fouled Ballast

to Support In Situ Identification of Fouling using Ground Penetrating Radar”

This research and development effort is a continuation of work begun under 693JJ618C000016. Kansas State University has completed Phase 1 of this research providing unique understanding of the unsaturated behavior of fouled ballast. Kansas State University has established contacts in the Industry to obtain samples of fouled ballast for testing both the soil-water characteristic curve and the influence of the unsaturated behavior on the load-deformation behavior of fouled ballast. Having completed phase 1, Kansas State is the only contractor that has an established test plan, lab and equipment suitable for ballast testing, and Industry contacts for materials. Kansas State University’s unique understanding of the project requirements, expert understanding of the required analyses, and access to test samples and equipment make them uniquely capable of completing a second phase of this project. To re-develop past efforts through a new research project with a different supplier would be cost prohibitive.

The proposed contract action, for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, is under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1).   

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Interested parties with the capability of meeting the proposed requirements are requested to provide an email to the FRA point of contact, Devona Jackson at devona.jackson@dot.gov no later than 1:00 p.m. ET, Friday, August 13, 2020, expressing interest and outlining their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort.  Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.