SAM #FR26RDI20000000033

Sole Source Research Study: Locomotive AESS Fuel and Emissions Penalty Analysis

This notice announces the Federal Railroad Administration's intent to award a sole-source contract for a specialized research study. - Agency: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation - Sole-source vendor: Southwest Research Institute - Purpose: Study the fuel and emissions penalty of the Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) system in locomotives when air leaks prevent engine shutdown - Includes analysis of simulated break pipe air leaks at 30 and 60 SCFM - Addresses gaps in prior research, specifically the extra engine run time required to maintain air pressure - Follows previous contract 693JJ623C000028 with the same vendor - Procurement authority: FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source - No competitive solicitation; capability statements accepted if requirements can be met without disruption or duplication - Period of performance: June 30, 2026 to June 29, 2028 (2 years) - Place of performance: San Antonio, TX (Southwest Research Institute) - Contracting office: 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20590 - Requirement is for a research service, not a commercial product

Description

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.

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