SAM #693JJ626R000001

FRA FY26/27 Broad Agency Announcement for Applied Railroad Research Projects

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is soliciting applied research projects to advance rail safety and efficiency for FY 2026 and FY 2027. - Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks concept papers in three main research areas: - Track - Rolling Stock and Equipment - Train Control and Communications - Focus areas include safety improvements, defect detection, automated inspections, and advanced train control technologies - Awards are firm-fixed-price contracts, typically ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 - Eligible offerors include universities, industry, and subject matter experts (excluding federal government-owned businesses) - No specific OEMs, products, or part numbers are listed; proposals should address research topics detailed in the appendix - Concept papers are accepted on a rolling basis until September 30, 2027 - Successful concept papers may lead to full proposals and contract awards - Deliverables and annual reporting required for multi-year projects - Place of performance and oral presentations are at FRA offices in Washington, DC

Description

The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) FY 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicits a variety of applied research projects that will support Department of Transportation and FRA strategic objectives.  The research needs are in the three FRA research areas: Track, Rolling Stock and Equipment, and Train Control and Communications. The BAA consists of several research topics for potential contractors to submit concept papers for FRA’s review. We recommend full and open competition for the FY 2026 BAA. 

Concept papers are approved if they meet the objectives of FRA research topics in the BAA. Contractors with approved concept papers will have the opportunity to submit a proposal for possible contract award. This effort extends for a period of 15 months, therefore the response date is anytime within the 15 month period.  No concept papers will be reviewed after the ultimate deadline of 9/30/2027.  However, this announcement is subject to periodic Amendments updating the status of available research topics.  Once a research topic becomes unavailable, the research topic will be removed from the announcement allowing the available research topics to gain more visibility.

The FRA is committed to excellence and welcomes top innovators, creators, professors, rail enthusiasts, and rail subject matter experts to take on this BAA opportunity.

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