Federal Railroad Admin Seeks High Accuracy LOcation (HALO)

8/8/2019 Federal Railroad Admin Seeks High Accuracy LOcation (HALO)

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[SkytelNotes:ReHighAccuracyLocation,andassociatedwireless.Seepp.1112.]

BROADAGENCYANNOUNCEMENT

BAA20101

ResearchandDemonstrationProjectsSupporting

theDevelopmentofHighSpeedandIntercity

PassengerRailService

July28,2010

OfficeofRailroadPolicyandDevelopment

OfficeofResearchandDevelopment


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Contents

1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background...................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Objective ......................................................................................................................................1

1.3 Schedule .......................................................................................................................................2

1.4 CommunicationsProtocolandDataSources ...............................................................................2

1.4.1 CommunicationsProtocol ....................................................................................................2

1.4.2 DataSources.........................................................................................................................2

2 ProgramGuidelines ..............................................................................................................................3

2.1 ParticipantEligibility.....................................................................................................................3

2.2 ProjectQualificationRequirements .............................................................................................3

2.3 ProjectFunding ............................................................................................................................5

2.3.1 ProgramandProjectFundingLimits ....................................................................................5

2.3.2 CostSharing..........................................................................................................................5

2.4 ProjectSelectionProcess .............................................................................................................6

2.4.1 ProjectConceptPapers ........................................................................................................6

2.4.2 ProjectProposals..................................................................................................................6

2.4.3 OralPresentations ................................................................................................................6

2.5 AwardTypes .................................................................................................................................7

2.5.1 Contracts ..............................................................................................................................7

2.5.2 CooperativeAgreements......................................................................................................7

2.5.3 Grants ...................................................................................................................................8

2.6 IntellectualPropertyRights..........................................................................................................8

2.6.1 ProprietaryDataRestrictions ...............................................................................................8

3 TechnologyResearchAreas..................................................................................................................9

3.1 TrackandStructures.....................................................................................................................9

3.1.1 InspectionTechnologies .......................................................................................................9

3.1.2 MaterialsandTechniques ..................................................................................................10

3.1.3 InnovativeTrackSystemDesigns........................................................................................10

3.1.4 VehicleTrackInteraction....................................................................................................10


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3.2 TrainControl...............................................................................................................................11

3.2.1 GradeCrossingHazardMitigationSystems........................................................................11

3.2.2 SignalCommunicationsandTrainControlSystems ...........................................................12

3.2.3 WirelessCommunicationSystems .....................................................................................12

3.2.4 TrainTrackingSystems .......................................................................................................13

3.2.5 RiskAssessmentandHazardAnalysis ................................................................................13

3.2.6 PTC/CommunicationEnablingProjects..............................................................................13

3.3 Equipment ..................................................................................................................................14

3.3.1 HighSpeedNonElectricLocomotivesandEquipment ......................................................14

3.3.2 RailVehicleWeightReduction ...........................................................................................14

3.3.3 TrainOccupantProtection .................................................................................................14

3.3.4 EmergencyPreparednessandResponse............................................................................14

3.3.5 FireSafety...........................................................................................................................15

3.3.6 RiskAssessments ................................................................................................................15

3.3.7 HighSpeedTruckDesigns...................................................................................................16

3.4 HumanFactors ...........................................................................................................................16

3.4.1 HumanFactorsEngineeringResearch ................................................................................16

3.4.2 EngineeringSystemsResearch ...........................................................................................17

3.4.3 AdvancedandFutureTechnologyResearch ......................................................................17

4 ProposalSubmittalRequirements......................................................................................................18

4.1 ProjectConceptPapers ..............................................................................................................18

4.1.1 Coverpage..........................................................................................................................18

4.1.2 TechnicalApproach ............................................................................................................18

4.1.2.1 Background.....................................................................................................................18

4.1.2.2 ScopeofWork ................................................................................................................19

4.1.2.3 Expectedoutcomes ........................................................................................................19

4.1.2.4 QUADChart ....................................................................................................................19

4.1.3 Qualifications......................................................................................................................19

4.1.3.1 ProjectTeam...................................................................................................................19

4.1.3.2 PastExperience ..............................................................................................................19

4.1.3.3 UniqueCapabilities.........................................................................................................20

4.1.4 ScheduleandCostEstimates..............................................................................................20


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1 Introduction1.1 BackgroundTheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA)hasalong,successfulhistoryofsupportingthedevelopment

ofadvancedrailtechnologiestomeetthetransportationneedsofthecountry.Overthelastfew

decades,theFRAhasprovidedfundingandtechnicalsupporttofacilitateresearchandtostimulate

developmentofnewequipment,infrastructure,andtestingtechnologiestoenhancethenationsrail

transportationcapabilities.Today,theUnitedStatesgovernmentiscommittedtodevelopingaworld

class,highspeedrailsystemthatmeetsthegrowingtransportationneedsofthecountry.Supporting

thiseffort,theFRAistaskedwithfacilitatingthedevelopmentofacapable,safe,efficient,and

integratednetworkofintercitypassengerrailservice,includinghighspeedrailservice,asdescribedin

theVisionforHighSpeedRailinAmerica,announcedbyPresidentObamaonApril16,2009.TheFRAs

OfficeofResearchandDevelopmentwillleadtheefforttodeveloptheadvancedtechnologiesthatwill

bringthisvisiontoreality.

1.2 ObjectiveTheFRAsOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentisleadingthedevelopmentofnewtechnologiesthatwill

formthefoundationofthenationshighspeedrailsystem.TheobjectiveofthisBroadAgency

Announcement(BAA)istosolicitavarietyofbasicandappliedtechnologyresearchprojectstoadvance

thestateoftheartinthehighspeedrailandintercitypassengerservicearea.Projectsshallbefocused

towardsfacilitatingthedevelopmentoftechnologiesthatcanbeusedtoachievesafe,efficient,and

effectivedeploymentofintegratedpassengerrailsystemsintheNorthAmericanrailenvironment.Such

technologieswill:

Reducetheoperationalandprogramdeploymentrisksassociatedwithmixeduseraillines;

Improvesafetybyreducinghumanandtechnologyfailures;

Bringaboutcapitalcostreductionsandeconomyinproducingequipmentandfacilities;

Reduceoperatingcostsofrailservicebyprovidingmoreefficientoperations;

Improvethereliabilityofequipmentandinfrastructurecomponentsbyreducingfailuresand/or

reducingfalsefailuredetections;

Enhancetherevenuegeneratingcapabilityofhighspeedoperationsbyattractinggreater

ridershipbyreducingtriptimes,upgradingcustomerservicequality,increasingreliability,or

improvingontimeperformance;

Enhancethesocialbenefitsand/orenvironmentalaspectsofhighspeedrail;and

Facilitatethedevelopmentofdomesticmanufactureofrailequipmentandinfrastructure

components.

NOTICE:ThisBAA20101supersedesBAA20091whichhasbeenclosed.FRAwillno

longeracceptnewproposalssubmittedinresponsetoBAA20091.


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1.3 ScheduleTheFRAwillacceptproposalconceptpaperssubmittedinresponsetothisBroadAgencyAnnouncement

No.BAA20101throughSeptember30,2012(See4.1fordetails).Duetofundinglimitations,andthe

urgentneedforhighspeedrailenablingtechnologies,interestedpartiesareencouragedtorespond

promptly.

FRAreviewofproposalconceptpapersandproposalswillbeconductedonacontinuousbasis.TheFRA

willformallyrespondtoconceptpapersandproposals.

1.4 Communications Protocol and Data Sources1.4.1 Communications ProtocolThosepartiesinterestedinrespondingtothisBAAarestronglyencouragedtofirstcontacttheFRA

OfficeofResearchandDevelopmentviaphoneoremail(seebelow)todiscusstheprospectiveproject,

itspotentialresponsivenesstotheBAAandpotentialforFRAinterestbeforedevotingresources

towardscompletingtheprojectconceptpaper.Allnontechnicalinquiriesshouldbedirectedtothe

ContractingOfficer.

Anyexchangesofinformationmustbeconsistentwithprocurementintegrityrequirementsofsection27

oftheOfficeofFederalProcurementPolicyAct(41U.S.C.423,asamended)(seeFederalAcquisition

Regulation(FAR)3.104).CommunicationbetweenparticipantsandFRAisencouragedpriortoand

throughouttheprojectconceptpaperphase.Aftersubmissionofprojectproposals,allinformation

exchanges(bothtechnicalandnontechnical)willbeconductedthroughtheFRAContractingOfficerin

accordancewithFAR15.306.Thereshallbenodiscussionofproposalssubmittedbyotherparticipants

norwillevaluationinformationbediscussed.

Participantsareadvisedthatanyindicationofinterest,intheaffirmative,isnotmeanttoimplynorin

anywayimpartanobligationonthepartoftheGovernmentthatanawardwillbeforthcomingforthe

offeredworkorproject.

Allsubmittalsshallbedeliveredinelectronicformat(WORDorAdobePDF)totheemailaddresslisted

below.

1.4.2 Data SourcesBAAOfficialDocuments www.fbo.gov

www.fra.dot.gov

www.grants.govBAAtechnicalinformationexchangeemail

[email protected]

BAAProgramManager,CameronStuart TEL:2024936384

[email protected]

BAAContractSpecialist,IsaacRosier TEL:2024936149

[email protected]

CentralContractorRegistration www.bpn.gov/ccr


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2 Program GuidelinesThisBAA,duetoitsbroadresearchfocus,doesnotlenditselftotheuseofacommonworkstatement.

Assuch,nosingleNorthAmericanIndustryClassificationSystem(NAICS)code(formerlyStandard

IndustrialClassification(SIC)codes),willbeissuedfortheBAA.NAICScodeswillbespecifictoeach

individualcontractaward,asdeterminedbythetypeofactivityinwhichtheparticipantwillbeengaged.

TheGovernmentreservestherighttoselectforawardany,all,part,ornoneoftheproposalsreceivedin

responsetothisannouncement.ThisBAAisanexpressionofinterestonlyanddoesnotcommitthe

Governmenttopayanyconceptpaperorproposalpreparationcosts.

OnlyGovernmentevaluatorswillmakeselectionsunderthisBAA.

Thisannouncementconstitutesthepublicannouncement,ascontemplatedbyFAR6.102(d)(2),andno

formalRequestforProposalsorothersolicitationregardingthisannouncementwillbeissued.Requests

forsamewillbedisregarded.

2.1 Participant EligibilityThisisanunrestrictedsolicitation.Anyresponsiblesourcemaysubmitaproposalconceptpaperfor

consideration,including,butnotlimitedto,statesorlocalgovernments,ororganizationsofstateor

localgovernments,universitiesorinstitutionsofhighereducation,hospitals,nonprofitorganizations,

privateindividuals,corporations,andbusinessesorcommercialorganizations,exceptthatanybusiness

ownedinwholeorinpartbytheFederalGovernmentisnoteligible.Althoughbusinessesownedin

wholeorinpartbytheFederalGovernmentarenoteligibleforfundingundertheProgram,theymay

contractwitheligibleparticipants.Cooperativearrangements(e.g.,jointventures,limitedpartnerships,

teamingarrangements,orcollaborationandconsortiumarrangements)arepermittedandencouraged.

AllparticipantsmustberegisteredontheFederalGovernmentsCentralContractRegistration(CCR)and

theOnlineRepresentationandCertificationsApplication(ORCA)systemspriortoprojectaward

(www.bpn.gov/ccr).

Small,SmallDisadvantaged(SD),andServiceDisabledVeteranOwnedBusinessConcerns,and

VeteranOwned(VO)andWomanOwned(WO),andHistoricallyUnderutilizedBusinessZone(HUBZone)

SmallBusinessConcerns,andHistoricallyBlackCollegesandUniversities(HBCU)andMinority

Institutions(MIs)areencouragedtosubmitproposalconceptpapersontheirownand/orin

collaborationwithothers.However,noportionofthisBAAwillbesetasideorreservedexclusivelyfor

Small,SD,orServiceDisabledVeteranOwnedBusinessConcerns,orforVO,WO,orHUBZoneSmall

BusinessConcerns,orforHBCUandMIs.

2.2 Project Qualification RequirementsTheFRAisseekingprojectsthathavethepotentialtopositivelyimpactitsmissiontofostertherapid

developmentofasafe,efficient,andintegratedintercitypassengerrailsystemintheUnitedStates.

ProjectsshallbetargetedtooneormoreoftheprimarydisciplinesTrackandStructures,Signalsand

CommunicationsSystemsincludingPositiveTrainControl,HumanFactors,OperatingPracticesand


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RollingStock.Themostdesirableprojectsarethosethatadvancethestateoftheartinthese

disciplines,buildonexistingresearchanddevelopmentandaredirectlyapplicabletohighspeedrail

systemdeployment.Projectsshallbedesignedtocompletebasicandappliedtechnologyactivities,to

increasethescientificknowledgebaseoftherailindustry,toexploitthepotentialofexisting

technologiesforuseinhighspeedandintercitypassengerrailactivities,andtoaddressissuesthat

impactthepracticalapplicationofimprovedintercitypassengerservice,includinghighspeedrail,inthe

UnitedStates.Projectsdesignedtodevelopmagneticlevitation(Maglev)technologieswillnotbe

consideredunderthisBAA.ThisBAAwillnotbeusedtosponsorprojectsthatdevelopspecificproducts

orsystemsforsale.Inthecontextofthetechnologyreadinesslevelsdefinedbelow,thisBAAis

designedonlyforprojectsinLevels1through7,withpreferencegiventothoseprojectsthatarealready

advancedtotheproofofconcepttestingstage(Level3).Detailedprojectsolicitationsareprovidedin

Section3ofthisAnnouncement.

TechnologyReadinessLevels Description

1. Basicprinciplesobservedand

reported.

Lowestleveloftechnologyreadiness.Scientificresearchbeginstobe

translatedintoappliedresearchanddevelopment.Examplesmight

includepaperstudiesofatechnologysbasicproperties.

2. Technologyconceptand/or

applicationformulated.

Inventionbegins.Oncebasicprinciplesareobserved,practical

applicationscanbeinvented.Theapplicationisspeculativeand

thereisnoproofordetailedanalysistosupporttheassumption.

Examplesarestilllimitedtopaperstudies.

3. Analyticalandexperimentalcritical

functionand/orcharacteristicproof

ofconcept.

Activeresearchanddevelopmentisinitiated.Thisincludesanalytical

studiesandlaboratorystudiestophysicallyvalidateanalytical

predictionsofseparateelementsofthetechnology.Examples

includecomponentsthatarenotyetintegratedorrepresentative.

4. Componentand/orbreadboard

validationinlaboratory

environment.

Basictechnologicalcomponentsareintegratedtoestablishthatthe

pieceswillworktogether.Thisisrelativelylowfidelitycomparedto

theeventualsystem.Examplesincludeintegrationofadhoc

hardwareinalaboratory.5. Componentand/orbreadboard

validationinrelevantenvironment.

Fidelityofbreadboardtechnologyincreasessignificantly.Thebasic

technologicalcomponentsareintegratedwithreasonablyrealistic

supportingelementssothatthetechnologycanbetestedina

simulatedenvironment.Examplesincludehighfidelitylaboratory

integrationofcomponents.

6. System/subsystemmodelor

prototypedemonstrationina

relevantenvironment.

Representativemodelorprototypesystem,whichiswellbeyondthe

breadboardtestedforTRL5,istestedinarelevantenvironment.

Representsamajorstepupinatechnologysdemonstrated

readiness.Examplesincludetestingaprototypeinahighfidelity

laboratoryenvironmentorinsimulatedoperationalenvironment.

7. Systemprototypedemonstrationin

anoperationalenvironment.

Prototypenearoratplannedoperationalsystem.Representsa

majorstepupfromTRL6,requiringthedemonstrationofanactualsystemprototypeinanoperationalenvironment,suchasinarail

vehicleoronanactualtracksystem.

8. Actualsystemcompletedand

qualifiedthroughtestand

demonstration.

Technologyhasbeenproventoworkinitsfinalformandunder

expectedconditions.Inalmostallcases,thisTRLrepresentstheend

oftruesystemdevelopment.Examplesincludedevelopmentaltest

andevaluationofacomponentofsubsysteminitsintendedsystem

todetermineifitmeetsdesignspecifications.

9. Actualsystemproventhrough Actualapplicationofthetechnologyinitsfinalformandunder


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successfuldeployment. operationalconditions,suchasthoseencounteredinoperational

testandevaluation.Inalmostallcases,thisistheendofthelast

bugfixingaspectsoftruesystemdevelopment.

Source:GAO/NSIAD99162

2.3 Project Funding2.3.1 Program and Project Funding LimitsFundsforthisprogramareappropriatedintheFederalbudgetforresearchanddevelopment.FRAwill

makeavailableupto$25.0millionunderthisBAAthroughtheopenperiodofBAA20101,forprojects

evaluatedbyFRAandfoundtobeconsistentwiththeobjectivesofthisBAA,areofinteresttothe

Government,andforwhichadequatefundingexists.Nofundingprovisionorcommitmentcanbemade

atthetimeofawardforphasedorexpandedworkorprojectsbeyondtheinitialorbasephasefundedat

timeofaward.Intheeventfutureappropriatedfundsareauthorized,FRAmay,atitsdiscretion,

provideadditionalfundingforphasedorexpendedeffortunderexistingawards.

Awardsmaybeofanydollarvalue(solongasthoseamountsdonotexceedthetotalamountavailable

undertheBAA),butitisanticipatedthatmost,ifnotall,individualawards(orthatpartofthe

Governmentsportioninacostsharingarrangement)willhavedollarvaluesrangingbetween$25,000

and$500,000each.Participantsareadvisedthatcontractawardsgreaterthan$500,000willgenerally

requiretheawardees(exceptasmallbusinessconcern)toalreadyhaveinplaceorprepare,atorbefore

thetimeofaward,anacceptableplantomaximizetheparticipationofsmallbusinessenterprisesto

includeseparategoalsforusingsmallandSDbusinesses,andWO,VO,andHUBZonesmallbusinessesas

subcontractors.

2.3.2 Cost SharingForthepurposesofthisBAA,costsharingisagenerictermdenotinganysituationwherethe

Governmentdoesnotfullyreimbursetheparticipantforallallowablecostsnecessarytoaccomplishthe

projectunderthecontractorotherawardinstrument.Thetermencompassescostmatching,

participationinkind,orotherinvestmentofresourcesasameansofventuresharinginlieuofaformal

costsharingarrangement,thirdpartyinkindcontributions,costlimitations(directorindirect)and

similarconcepts.Generally,manyformsofcostparticipation,bytheirverynatureanddefinition,

minimizeornegatetheopportunityforprofitorfee.

CostsharingbyawardeesisnotmandatoryunderthisBAA,butbecauseofthepotentialforlongterm

benefitstothosefirmsorinstitutionsinvolvedintheseresearch,developmentanddemonstration

activities,itisFRAspolicytoobtaincostparticipation,wheneverpossible.ThisispreferredwhenFRA

supportseffortswheretheprincipalpurposeisultimatecommercializationandutilizationofthe

technologiesbytheprivatesector,andwhentherearereasonableexpectationsthattheparticipantwill

receivepresentorfutureeconomicbenefitsbeyondtheinstantcontract/agreementasaresultofthe

effort.ItisimportantthatresearchconductedunderthisBAAbeapplicabletothedevelopment

objectivesoftheprogram,andthattheresultsoftheseresearchactivitiesarepracticalfordeployment


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withintherailroadindustry.Projectsthatincludepartnershipswithandcostsharingfromrailroad

operatorswillfacilitatefutureindustryadoptionofdevelopedtechnologies.Suchprojectsare

preferred.

2.4 Project Selection ProcessThisBAAisstructuredasanopenended,twostepprocess.Projectevaluations,discussions,andawards

willbemanagedthroughouttheopenperiodoftheBAA(Section1.3),onacontinuousbasis,asfunding

andGovernmentneedsdictate.

2.4.1 Project Concept PapersThefirststepoftheprocessisthesubmissionandevaluationofprojectconceptpapers.Asdetailedin

Section4.1,theconceptpaperprovidesabriefoverviewoftheresearcheffort,includingthecurrent

stateofdevelopment,thenextstepsinthedevelopmentplanandroughordermagnitudecostand

scheduledata.ConceptpaperswillbeusedtogaugeapplicabilityofandtheGovernmentsinterestin

thetechnologyresearcharea.Allparticipantsmustsubmitaprojectconceptpaperinordertobe

consideredforanaward.

DiscussionsbetweentheparticipantandFRAarerequiredatthispointintheprocessinorderto

developorrefineprojectconceptsandtoavoidunnecessaryworkefforts,byeitherparty,onproject

conceptsthattheGovernmentdoesnotvalueorcannotfund.

Conceptpapersshallbesubmittedinelectronicformviaemail.FRAwillworktocompleteconcept

paperevaluationswithin60daysofreceiptandwillnotifytheparticipantoffinaldispositioninwriting.

2.4.2 Project ProposalsFollowingconceptpaperevaluationanddiscussion,FRAmayrequestthattheparticipantsubmitadetailedtechnicalandcostproposalforawardevaluation.Proposalsshallbepreparedinaccordance

withtherequirementsofSection4.2.Submissionsthatareincomplete,materiallylacking,ornot

responsivetothetechnicalrequirementsofthisBAA,maybereturnedunevaluated,orevaluatedasis,

withoutfurtheropportunityforrevision,atthediscretionoftheFRAsevaluationcommittee.

PerthecommunicationprotocoldescribedinSection1.4.1,communicationbetweenFRAandthe

participantconcerningtheparticipantsproposalisrestricted.Clarificationquestionsfromeitherparty,

bothtechnicalandnontechnical,shallbecommunicatedthroughtheContractingOfficer.FRAshallnot

providefeedbackontheparticipantsproposal,eitherpositiveornegative,duringtheproposal

evaluationprocess.

Projectproposalsshallbesubmittedinelectronicformviaemail.

2.4.3 Oral PresentationsFRAmayrequestthatparticipantsconductanoralpresentationoftheproposalfollowinganinitial,

evaluationofaformalproposal.Oralpresentationsmaybeconductedinpersonorviatelephoneor

computerconferenceatthediscretionofFRA.Oralpresentationsshallbepreparedinatechnical


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briefingformatfollowingtherequirementsofSection4.3.FRAmayasktechnicalquestionsfor

clarificationduringtheoralpresentation.

2.5 Award TypesProjectawardsmaybecontracts,cooperativeagreements,orgrants.Inconsultationwiththetechnical

evaluators,theContractingOfficerwillmakethedeterminationregardingawardtype.Applicantsmay

includeanopiniononthetypeofawardinstrumenttheyconsiderwouldbethemostsuitableor

appropriatevenuefortheirproposedtechnologyadvancementsordemonstrationsintheirsubmissions.

Thiswillnormallyalsobereflectedinthestructureofthecost/priceportionoftheapplicantsproposals.

Allawardswillbesubjecttotheavailabilityoffunds.Participantsareadvisedthatonlythe

Grants/ContractingOfficercanlegallycommittheGovernmenttotheexpenditureofpublicfundsunder

thisBAA.

2.5.1 ContractsFRAanticipatesthatcontracts(purchaseorders)willbefirmfixedpricewithpaymentmadeupon

completionandacceptanceoffinaldeliverables,orintermediatemilestones,asnegotiated.

Costreimbursementcontractsaresuitableforuseonlywhenuncertaintiesincontractperformancedo

notpermitcoststobeestimatedwithsufficientaccuracytouseanytypeoffixedpricecontract.Other

contracttypes,asdescribedinFARPart16,mayalsobeused.

2.5.2 Cooperative AgreementsStateorlocalgovernmententitiesareonlyeligibleforfundingthroughacooperativeagreement.

IncompliancewiththeEGovernmentinitiativeofthePresidentsManagementAgenda,theFederal

RailroadAdministrationwillonlyacceptapplicationsforacooperativeagreementthataresubmitted

electronicallyviathewebsiteat www.grants.gov.Thetermgrantonthiswebsiteincludes

cooperativeagreements.Paperapplicationsforacooperativeagreementwillnotbeaccepted.All

organizationswhomaybeinterestedinapplyingforacooperativeagreementresultingfromthisBAA

opportunitymustregisteronthewebsiteandshouldbecomefamiliarwithitsfunction.Thewebsite

providesclearguidancefortheregistrationprocess.Thesepreliminarystepsarerequiredbefore

registeringwithandusingthesite:

1. AprospectivegranteemusthaveaDunandBradstreetnumber(DUNS).Ifyourorganization

doesnothaveaDUNSnumber,onecanbeobtainedtelephonicallyat(866)7055711orby

visitinghttps://eupdate.dnb.com .

2. TheorganizationmustberegisteredintheFederalgovernmentsCentralContractorRegistry

(CCR)foundatwww.crr.gov.Pleasenote,CCRregistrationcannotbecompletedwithouta

DUNSnumber.

3. Toviewgrantapplicationinstructionsandcompleteanapplication,youwillalsoneedto

downloadandinstallAdobeReaderavailableat:http://get.adobe.com/reader .Thissmall,free


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programwillallowyoutoaccess,complete,andsubmitelectronicapplicationsthroughthe

securewebsite.

2.5.3 GrantsWhenawardingfederalfinancialassistancethroughagrantoracooperativeagreement,themost

appreciabledifferenceinchoosingbetweenthetwoformswillbethelevelofinvolvementbetweenthe

FRAandtherecipientwhencarryingouttheactivitycontemplatedintheagreement.SubstantialFRA

involvementispermittedincooperativeagreements.

ParticipantspursuingFederalfinancialassistance(e.g.,grantsorcooperativeagreements),must

completetheappropriateapplicationformsasdescribedaboveforcooperativeagreements.

2.6 Intellectual Property RightsAwardswillgenerallycontaindetailedprovisionsconcerningpatentrights,rightsintechnicaldataand

computersoftware,datareportingrequirements,andothertermsandconditionswhichmaybe

negotiatedaspartoftheawardprocess.

2.6.1 Proprietary Data RestrictionsParticipantsareadvisedthattheproposalconceptpapersand/orproposalsmaycontaindatathe

participantdoesnotwantdisclosedtothepublicforanypurpose,orusedbytheGovernmentexceptfor

evaluationpurposes.Iftheparticipantwishestorestrictsuchdata,thecoverpageofanyandall

submittaldocumentsmustbemarkedwiththefollowinglegend,andrelevantsheetsmarkedas

instructed.

This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be

duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than to evaluate thisproposal. However, if a contract is awarded to this participant as a result of or in connection

with the submission of these data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or

disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit

the Governments right to use information contained in these data if they are obtained from

another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in Sheets

[insert numbers or other identification of sheets].

Eachrestricteddatasheetshallbemarkedasfollows:

Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of

this document.

Totheextentthatsuchrestrictionsonproprietarydataorinformationwouldnotinterferewiththe

intentoftheGovernmenttomaketheresultsoftheworkandprojectsawardedundertheBAAavailable

toallinterestedparties,andifinconformancewiththeFreedomofInformationAct(5U.S.C.552,as

amended),theGovernmentwillhonorthosedesires.


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3 Technology Research AreasTheobjectiveofthisBAAistosolicitawiderangeofinterestforthedevelopmentofbasicandapplied

researchresultsthatcanleadtopractical,safe,andefficientimplementationofhighspeedrailsystemin

theUnitedStates.Anytechnologyformingthebasisforaresearchproposalmusthaveapplicationin

therailenvironmenttoimprovetheabilitytooperateserviceathigherspeeds,toenhancesafety,toincreasecapacityorboosttheefficiencyofrailoperations.AsdetailedinSection2.2,thisBAAis

designedtofacilitatetherapiddevelopmentofnewandemergingtechnologies,notforthe

developmentofspecificproductsforsale.

Thetechnologypresentedmustpossessthepotentialforperformanceimprovementinoneormore

qualities,suchasperformance,costeffectiveness,reliability,safety,availability,ormaintainability.This

mayincludeadaptation,implementation,testingordemonstrationofcandidatetechnologies,which

havebeensuccessfullyappliedinotherindustries,suchasdefenseindustries,and/orarenearreadyfor

directapplicationintherailroadindustry.FRAalsoinvitesproposalsfortheintegrationandsubsequent

evaluationofmultipleindependent(commercialornoncommercial)technologies,wheretheintegratedproductmayoffersubstantialadvantagebeyondthatofferedbythecomponents.

Tominimizetimetodeploymentandtomaximizetheopportunitiesforindustryparticipationandcost

sharing,FRApreferenceisforprojectsatoraboveLevel3inthetechnologyreadinesslevelchart.

However,FRAwillconsiderlessmature,buthighlypromisingoruniquetechnologiesorinnovations.In

general,researchstudiesoranalyseswhichresultonlyinresearchreportsareoflessinteresttoFRA

thanthoseprojectsthatinvolveactualtestinganddemonstrationoftechnology.Newmethodologiesor

analysesthataidadeveloperindesignorvalidationandverificationprocessesshouldbeappliedtoa

realsystemthathasbeendeployedortobedeployed.

3.1 Track and Structures3.1.1 Inspection TechnologiesFRAseekstoadvancethestateoftheartintrackandstructureinspectionsystems.Improvementsin

measurementspeed,accuracy,andcosteffectivenessofsystemsaresought.Also,enabling

technologiesthatprovideforautonomousmeasuringsystemsareespeciallyimportantastracktimefor

inspectionisreduced.FRAisinterestedinimprovementsinalltypesoftrackinspectiontechnologies,

including:

Innovativesolutionsandtechniquestoassess/monitorbridgeintegrity,includingnew

techniquesinthedesignandmaintenanceofbridgetransitionstoincreaseservicelifeandimproveridequality

Automatedswitchandotherspecialtrackworkandgradecrossinginspectiontechnologies

Highspeedinternalrailflawdetectionusingnontraditionalapproachesandtechnologies

Internaltieconditionassessmenttechnologiesforwood,concrete,andcompositeties


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Trackballastandsubgradestabilityassessmenttechnologiesthatenablepredictivefailure

analyses,thatdetermineinspectionfrequencies,andthatcanquantifystructuresensitivitiesto

environmentalandconstructionvariables

Systemstoperformthreedimensionalimagingofinternalrailflaws,includingnondestructive

testingsystemstoquantifyinternalrailstresseswithoutaneutralreferencepoint

Virtualandvisionbasedinspectionsystemsfortrackandequipment.Advancedprocessing

algorithmsfortheanalysisofvision/LIDARdata

Noncontact,highaccuracytachometerandrailgagesystemsemployinga3inchminimum

offsetfromrail

Independentvehicleorwaysidebasedpowergenerationsystemdesigntoprovidepowerto

autonomousinspectionsystems

3.1.2 Materials and TechniquesFRAseekstechnologiesthatimprovethequalityandlongtermreliabilityofrailtrackmaterialsand

structures,including:

Improvedfieldweldingmaterialsandtechniquesthatcanreducethetimeandexpense

associatedwithweldingandalsoimprovethequalityofthefinishedwelds

Fullscale,acceleratedlifecycletestingsystemsfortrackcomponentdevelopment

Vehicle/trackinteractiontestingapparatusorrigformeasuringwheel/railcontactparameters

foruseforvalidationofanalyticalmodels

Railsteelimprovements,includingnewmaterials,treatments,ordesignsthatcanimprovethe

performanceofrailsteel,suchasreducingtheoccurrenceofinternalrailflaws

Researchtodetermineidealoroptimizedcrosstiedesignsforloadcarryingcapacity,longevity,

andresourcesustainability

3.1.3 Innovative Track System DesignsFRAseeksinnovativeapproachestotrackelementdesignsthatwillimprovehighspeedridequalityand

reducevehicle/trackinteractionforces.ManyhighspeedrailtrackstructuresintheUSmust

simultaneouslysupportpassengerandfreighttrainloaddynamics.Trackmustbedurable,stable,and

abletowithstandrepetitivedynamicloadingwithoutexcessivedeformationorridequalitydegradation.

Thedesignrequirementsforcurvesandspecialtrackworkareofspecialinterest.Ballastretention

underhighwindforces,optimumcurvedesigns,kinematicswitchdesigns,andtrackpanelshiftcontrol

areamongtheresearchtopicsproposed.Researchinterestsalsoincludealternativeconstruction

techniquessuchasslabtrack,ballastlesstrackandotherdesignsthatmayreducecapitaland/or

maintenancecostsorthatbettermanagemixedusetrackdemands.

3.1.4 Vehicle Track InteractionTheVehicleTrackinteractionresearchfocusesonallaspectsofvehicle/trackinteractionsafety .A

numberoftrainderailmentsoraccidentscannotbeattributedtodefectsineithertrackortrainalone.

Rather,theyresultfromtheadversedynamicinteractionbetweenthetwoortheexistenceofunsafe

conditionsatthewheeltorailinterface,suchasimproperlubricationorcontactgeometry.Such


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interactionincludestheinstantaneoustransferofdynamicforcesfromvehicletotrackandextendsto

covercumulativeeffectsontrackdegradation,suchaswheel/railwear,surfacefatigueoftherailhead,

anddeteriorationoftrackgeometry.Safetyimprovementresearchneedsinclude:

Improvedunderstandingoftheimpactofhighspeedpassengerserviceonexistingtracks

Influenceofcombinedtrackgeometryanomaliesonvehiclesafety Improvementstomeasurementtechnologytomeasuretrackgeometry,vehicletrack

interactions,andwheel/railcontactconditions,andwheel/railforcesatspeedsupto220mph

Thedesignrequirementsforcurves,spiralandspecialtrackworkforhighspeedoperation

Influenceofsuspensionparametersandothertruckcomponentsonvehiclecurvingandstability

performance,especiallyforhighspeedoperation

Thedevelopmentofguidelinesforoptimuminspectionandmaintenancepracticestoenhance

systemsafetyanddurability

Analyticalandexperimentalmethodstostudyormeasurewheel/railcontactconditionand

forces

Researchtoestablishrecommendationsforrailheadwearandwheelprofilelimitsandtodevelopsafetyguidelinesforwheel/railprofilesandcontactconditions.

Thedevelopmentofoptimumwheel/railprofilemaintenanceandmonitoringmethods

Improvedanalyticalandexperimentalmethodsforassessingderailmentriskduetoanomalous

interactionsoftrackgeometryandrailcarsuspensionsystems

Developmentandenhancementofsimulationtoolsformodelingvehicle/trackdynamics

3.2 Train Control3.2.1 Grade Crossing Hazard Mitigation SystemsHighwayrailgradecrossingsareamajorsafetyandinvestmentissueinachievingincreasedtrainspeeds.OneofFRAsspecificobjectivesistoreducethenumberofinjuriesanddeathsresultingfromcrashesat

highwayrailcrossings.Thisbecomesespeciallyimportantasmoremodernpassengertrainconsists

allowspeedregimestoincreasetowardandabove110mph.FRAisinterestedinallfeasible

technologiesthatwilladvancegradecrossingsafety,providingnearlythesamesecurityasgrade

separationsbutatmuchlowercost.Projectsshallincludeassessmentandconsiderationofthehuman

factorsassociatedwithincreasedand/orvariablespeedsatexistinggradecrossings.

Newtechnologiesareneededwhichwillprotectboththerailandhighwayuserswithoutincurringthe

disruptionofgradecrossingclosureorthecostofgradeseparationbybridgeortunnel.Specificissues

includethedesignofhighwaywarningandprotectiondevices,traindetectionandcommunication,and

gradecrossingobstructiondetectionsensingandcommunication.Candidatetechnologies,someof

whicharealreadyinplaceinothercountries,include:inductiveloops,ultrasonic,microwaveorlaser

beams,andvideosurveillance.Numeroussensorandcommandandcontroltechnologiesthathave

beendevelopedforotherusagescouldfindreadyapplicationinthegradecrossingprotectionarea.

Manycrossingsonpotentialhighspeedcorridorsareequippedonlywithpassivecrossbuckwarning

devices.Trafficdensityonmanyofthesecrossingsmaynotwarrantevenconventionalgatesandlights,

andalternativesystemsthatcanreliablywarnhighwayuserswhileprotectingtrainoperationsare


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sought.Otherareasofparticularinterestaretraindetection,intrusionalerts,constantwarningtime

logic,traincontrolinterface,driverwarning,andcrossingmalfunctionresponsefacilitation.Proposals

areexpectedtodepictmeanstocommunicateandinterfacewithlocomotiveonboardPTCsystemfor

furtherreinforcingtheprotectionthroughwarningsorenforcements.

3.2.2 Signal Communications and Train Control SystemsPositiveTrainControl(PTC)systemsareimplementationsofanadvancedtraincontrolconceptusing

microprocessorbasedtechnologytoimprovesafetyinthethreeareas:

Traintotraincollisions

Overspeedderailments

Roadwayworkerprotection

Besidessafety,FRAhasbeenpromotingandsponsoringPTCdevelopmentanddemonstrationwiththe

followingadditionalobjectives:

Fulfillregulatoryrequirementtoallowhighspeedpassengerserviceabove79mphinfreight

territories

Improvesignalingandtraincontrolinfrastructure

Promoteenabledtechnologies,suchastrainpacingandmovingblockoperationtoimprovethe

operationefficiencyandassetutilization

AllU.S.Class1railroadshavedeployedorbeendevelopingtheirversionsofPTCsystems.Inviewof

theseactivitiesalreadyunderway,itisnotanticipatedthatthescopeofprojectsunderthisBAAwill

permitdevelopmentordemonstrationofcompletlynewPTCsystems.However,FRAremains

interestedinadditionalnewconcepts,componentsandinnovationsthatcanreducethecostof

implementingthesesystems.

3.2.3 Wireless Communication SystemsWirelesscommunication,especiallyfortransmittingdigitalpackets,isbecomingaveryimportant

technologyintherailroadoperation.Withtheadventofmicroprocessors,digitalcommunicationisa

naturalapplicationforcommunicationofinformationanddataamongvarioussegmentsofthe

operation.Itsapplicationextendstoendoftraindevices,remotecontrolledlocomotives,andcomplex

systemssuchasPTC.

ItisthedesireofFRA,tohaveinteroperableradiocommunication,especiallyinthetraincontrol

functions.Thiswillprovidemoreseamlessoperationintherunthroughtrainoperationatinterchangepoints,whenPTCismorewidespread.Someadvancementincommunicationmanagementunit(CMU),

whichactsasaswitchfortheonboardsystemtocommunicationfromonenetworktoanother,has

beenachieved.Softwaredefinedradiosarealsodesignedtobeusedtoallowinterfacingwithmulti

networksofcommunication.However,moreresearchanddevelopmentisnecessaryinordertoachieve

fullinteroperabilityinradiocommunication.


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3.2.4 Train Tracking SystemsTrainlocationdataiscriticaltoPTCsystemfunctionality.PTCsystemsmustenforcespeedlimits,signal

andformauthorities,workzoneentries,trainspacinginmovingblockimplementation,switchlocations,

andtrackdiscriminationalgorithms.Ascertainingthetrackatrainoccupiesinvolvescomplicated

algorithm,butisacriticalfunctioninanyvitalPTCsystem.FRAisinterestedindevelopingtechnologies

thatimprovetheaccuracyoftrainlocationandthatmonitorthestateofthetrackingaccuracyand

declareafailurewhenthisaccuracyisoutsidethesafetylimits.

3.2.5 Risk Assessment and Hazard AnalysisThenewPTCrule(49CFRpart236,subpartH),adoptedbyFRAinMarch2005,isaperformancebased

rule,andassuch,applicantsarerequiredtoperformhazardanalysesandriskassessmentsasapartof

thevalidationandverificationprocess.Thehazardanalysesinvolvesapreliminaryhazardanalysis,

continuedmaintenanceofahazardlog,detailedhazardanalysis(includingidentifyinghazardsrelating

tooperationandsupport),andahazardmitigationanalysis.Riskassessmentandthesafetyanalysis

requiredbythisrulemustestablishwithahighdegreeofconfidencethatintroductionoftheproductwillnotresultinriskthatexceedsthepreviouscondition.Insomecases,anabbreviatedriskassessment

isallowedinlieuofthefullriskassessment.Fortheseabbreviatedanalyses,theapplicantsonlyneedto

showthatMTTHE(MeanTimeToHazardousEvent)fortheproposedproductisgreaterorthe

probabilityoffailureforeachhazardisacceptablebyAREMAManualPart17.3.5.Acceptablehere

meansmorefavorablethanundesirable,asdefinedintheAREMAManual.Inmostcases,however,

fullriskassessmentisrequiredinstead.Asafinalresult,thefullriskassessmenthastorevealthatthe

proposedsystemisequaltoorbetterthanthebasesystems,intermsofdamageandcasualtycostper

trainmileorperpassengermile,withahighdegreeofconfidence.Themethodologyforthefullrisk

assessmenthasnotbeenstandardized,butanymethodusedhastobeapprovedbyFRAsOfficeof

RailroadSafety.

FRAdesiresacomprehensivetrainmovementmodelthatincorporatesprobabilitiesofincidentsand

failures,aswellasrandomeventstopredictthepotentialrisksandconsequences.

3.2.6 PTC/Communication Enabling ProjectsEffective,efficientandreliablePTCsystemdevelopmentrequirescontrolovertechnicalandoperational

information.ForPTCtoreachitsfullpotentials,additionaldevelopmentsmaybeneededtoexpandthe

versatilityandfunctionality.Someexamplesareinterfacingwithdispatchingsystemtoprovidetrain

pacing,interactingwithsmarttraintechnologytoconstantmonitorandbroadcastthehealthof

locomotivesandtrains,betterintegrationwithotherelectronicstoolsusedbythecrewandworkersfor

enhancedsafetyandproductivity.

FRAisinterestedindevelopingtechnologiesthatenhancecriticalPTCcommunicationchannels.


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3.3 Equipment3.3.1 High Speed Non-Electric Locomotives and EquipmentMostoftheproposedhighspeedrailcorridorsarenotelectrified.Therefore,thereisaneedtodevelop

dieselorotherpropulsiontechnologytoenableupto125mphoperationsonnonelectrifiedtrack.

Topicstobeaddressedinclude:definitionoftractiveeffortdemands(propulsionandbraking)for

particulartypesofservice,thepotentialfordistributedpoweroptions,andanassessmentofthe

impactsforuseofTierIVcompliantenginedesignsonhighspeedperformance.

FRAisinterestedinprojectsthatassesstheimpactofhighspeedserviceonequipmentdesign

requirements,includingtrucks,propulsion,andbrakingsystems.Analyticalmodelsthatcanprovide

quantitativedataonsystemlevelandtrainleveldesignandperformancearedesired.

3.3.2 Rail Vehicle Weight ReductionEquipmentweightandunsprungmassareimportantfactorsinfluencingtheefficiencyofhighspeedrail

operations.Loweringoverallvehicleweightreducesoperatingcostsfortheequipmentandreducingunspringmassimprovesvehicleridequalityandlessensthedynamicforceimpartedtothetrack

structure.

Inadditiontodevelopinglowermasslocomotivesforhighspeedrailoperations,researchisneededto

exploreoptionsforreducingunspringmass.Oneareaofresearchiscarbodymountedtractionmotors

foroperationovertrackgeometrytypicallyseenintheUS.Thepresenceoflargertrackgeometry

variationsseenonUSsharedusetracks(ascomparedtotypicalEuropeandedicatedtracks)increases

thesuspensiontravelandtheamountofarticulationrequiredinthetransmissionandgearassemblies.

Thereforeresearchsupportissoughttodeveloptransmissionandgearassembliesthatwillpermit

carbodymountedtractionmotorsforoperationathighspeedonUStracks.Otherresearchideasinthisareaareencouraged,includinggearlessdirectdrivetractionsystems.

3.3.3 Train Occupant ProtectionWorkconductedunderthisprogramareawillhelpinsurethedevelopmentofresearch

strategies/analyticalfoundationsand/orprototypetestingtoenableproductionofcosteffective,safe

highspeedpassengerequipmentfor150mph+service.Topicareastobeaddressedinclude:

determinationofappropriatelevelsofvehiclestructuralcrashworthiness;adequatedesignand

implementationofrefinedinterioroccupantprotectionsubassembliessuchasenergyabsorbingseats

orworkstationtables;advancedcurvingperformanceresultingfromeitherpassiveoractivetiltsystems;

improvedridequalityacrossmultipleclassesoftrackforsharedusesystemsatTierIspeeds;developmentofwheel/railinteractionoptimizationformixedusetracksegments;anddevelopmentof

enhancedlocomotivecabdisplays.

3.3.4 Emergency Preparedness and ResponseFRArequeststechnicalresearchtoaddressthesafe,timely,andeffectiveemergencyevacuationofhigh

speedintercityandcommuterrailpassengersduringvariousemergencyscenarios.Akeyobjectiveof


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theresearchistoreducecasualtiesthatmayoccurbyrequiringthathighspeedpassengerrailsystem

operatorsfollowestablishedprocedures.Furtherrefinementofemergencypreparednessprotocolsand

responsecapabilitiesthroughdevelopmentofemergencyplansandprocedures,crewtrainingand

passengerawarenessprograms,theinstallationofcertainpassengerrailcaremergencyequipment

systemfeaturesfortheuseofpassengersandcrew,andrespondersinemergencysituationsisdesired.

Theresearchconductedshouldprovideimprovestrategiesovercurrentpassengerrailequipment

regulationsrelatedtoemergencypreparedness.

3.3.5 Fire SafetyThisprogramareainvolvesprovidingtechnicalsupporttoFRAeffortsdirectedatdevelopingrailfire

safetyregulationsthatreflectadvancesinfiresafetyengineeringforhighspeedrailoperations.

Specificareasrequiringadditionalresearchincludedevelopmentofheatreleaseratecriteria,better

understandingthepotentialriskposedbywiringandcablingonflameignition,spread,andsmoke

toxicity,aswellasdevelopmentofrefinedstandardforfloorburnthroughtestsonsmallerscale

samples.

3.3.6 Risk AssessmentsFRAwishestodevelopriskassessmentmodelsfortheintroductionofneworalternativepassengerrail

equipmentonexistingrailline,asapplicabletonewstartoperatingauthorities.

TheintroductionofequipmentdesignedtostandardsotherthanthosespecifiedintheCodeofFederal

Regulationsposesachallengenotonlytothecarbuilder,operatingauthorityanditsconsultants,but

alsotoFRAsOfficeofRailroadSafety.ExistingguidanceisavailableundertheFRA/FTAJoint

StatementofAgencyPolicyConcerningSharedUseoftheTracksoftheGeneralRailroadSystemby

ConventionalRailroadsandLightRailTransitSystems,FRAsHighSpeedRailSafetyStrategy,and

FRAsStatementofAgencyPolicyConcerningJurisdictionOvertheSafetyofRailroadPassengerOperationsandWaiversrelatedtoSharedUseoftheTracksoftheGeneralRailroadSystembyLightRail

andConventionalEquipment.Despitetheguidanceprovidedinthesedocuments,industryparties

haveaskedFRAforadditionalclarificationoftheprocesstobefollowedwhenintroducingnew

equipment.Specifically,theindustryrequestsacleardefinitionofequivalentsafety.Therefore,this

programareawillreviewthecurrentinternationalinteroperabilitycrashworthinessstandards,in

relationtotherequirementssetforthin49CRFParts238,toassesspotentialcompatibilitiesofsuch

designs,aswellasareaswhereadditionaldesignworkmayberequiredonnewequipmentorthe

applicationofothersystemconstraintstoassureequivalentlevelsofperformanceintheeventoftypical

collisionorderailmentscenarios.Toaccomplishthisgoal,genericsystemsafetyplansandhazard

analysisprogramsshouldbedevelopedtoserveastemplatesforemerginghighspeedoperating

authorities.

Thesecondriskrelatedstudyistargetedforthedevelopmentofasetofguidelineswhichcanbeused

bystartupoperatingauthoritiesabouthowtorunasaferailroad.Industryrepresentativesand

standardsbodieshaverequestedassistanceofFRAsOfficeofRailroadSafetyandOfficeofResearchand

Developmenttodevelopsuchguidelinestoensurethataholisticreviewoftheproposedserviceis


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conductedpriortorevenueservicetoensuresafeoperations.Reviewofcurrentoperating,

infrastructureandequipmentmaintenancepractices,aswellasequipmentspecifications,willserveas

inputintoagenericsystemsafetyplan,andahazardanalysisprogramwillbedevelopedtoserveasa

templateforhowtoapproachthisissue.

3.3.7 High Speed Truck DesignsIncreasingpassengertrainspeedstoimprovetriptimesusuallyinvolvesincreasingspeedsthrough

curves.Tiltbodyandotherrailcarelementsaredesignedtominimizelateralforcesonpassengerswhile

negotiatingcurvesathigherunbalancespeeds.Increasingunbalancespeedsincreasesthelateralforce

exertedonthetrack,reducingsafetymarginsandincreasingtrackmaintenancerequirements.These

issues,aswellaspassengerridequalityperformance,canbeaddressedwithimprovedtruckdesigns.

Theobjectiveofthisprogramareaistodevelopdetaileddesignrequirementsforahighspeed

passengertruck,baseduponperformancecriteriaappropriateforUSrailwaystandardsusedinmixed

freight/passengerterritories.

Inaddition,FRAisinterestedinimprovingfreighttrucktechnologytofacilitatethesafeoperationoffreighttrainsatelevatedspeeds,upto125mph.Projectsdesignedtoadvancethestateoftheartof

freighttruckdesignswillbeconsideredaspartofthisBAA.

3.4 Human FactorsFRAseekshumanfactorsresearchprojectsthatsupporttheagencysmissiontousethescientific

method,thecanonofhumanfactorsandhumansystemsintegrationresearch,programevaluation

standards,andtechnologytransfertosystematicallyimprovesafetyandefficiencyintheUSrailroad

industry.FRAsCabTechnologyIntegrationLab(CTIL)isavailabletosupporttheseresearchprojects.

CTILallowsresearch,development,testandevaluationofadvancedtechnologiesthatenhanceand

supporthumanperformanceinthelocomotivecab.CTIListhefoundationforbroad,focusedapplied

researchforincorporationofadvancedtechnologyintolocomotivecabs.

HumanfactorscanhaveagreatinfluenceonthesuccessofhighspeedraildevelopmentintheUnited

States.ThefollowingbroadresearchtopicareasareprovidedasinsightintosomeoftheareasofFRA

researchinterest.Thisisnotintendedtobeanallinclusivelist.Participantsareencouragedtocontact

theFRAwithadditionalresearchtopicsfordiscussionandconsiderationunderthisprogram.

3.4.1 Human Factors Engineering ResearchFRAseekstoimprovesystemdesignsandintegrationofadvancedtechnologyequipmentinlocomotive

cabsbyincludinghumancapabilitiesandlimitationsinthedesignspacefornewsolutions.Thegoalistoreduceriskofhumanerrorwithintroductionofnewcontrolanddisplaytechnologiesinthelocomotive

cab.Researchinterestsinclude:

Theeffectofdistractions,e.g.mobilephonesandotherpersonalelectronicdevices,onthesafe

operationalperformance,andthestudyofmethods,devices,andtechnologiesthatcanreduce

incabdistractions


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Increasingtechnologicalcomplexityandsystemautomationandtheneedforimproved

operationalprocedurestoensuresafeandefficienthumanperformance

Locomotivestaffingrequirementsandtheknowledge,skills,andworkloadrequiredtobalance

humancapabilitieswithoperationalrequirements

Trainingandselectionoftraincrewpersonnelskillsetandaptitudedeterminationstudies

Systems,processes,andtoolstoimprovedecisionmaking

Fatigueeffectsonperformanceandsafety,andmethodstomonitorfatigue

Defininghumaninformationrequirements,communicationsmethodologiesandsystemsto

ensureeffectivecommunicationwithinthetrainandbetweenthetrainandexternalinterfaces,

e.g.dispatchingcenters

3.4.2 Engineering Systems ResearchThisareaofinterestassessessystemsdesignimplicationsandfocusesontheimpactsofthecapabilities

andlimitationsofusersonthedesignofsystems,includingboundaryconditionsforrequirements

specifyingthedesignandacquisitionofindividualpiecesofnewequipment,aswellastheconstraintsto

integratingnewandexistingequipmentsets.Researchinterestsinclude:

Integrationandinteroperabilityofcabequipmentandtheeffectofsuchsystemdesignson

humanperformance,operationalefficiencyandsystemsafety

Assessmentoftheeffectsofoperatingcabautomation,displayintegration,andinformation

flowsonhumanperformance

Riskassessmentandpredictionoftheunintendedconsequencesofadvancedtechnologiesand

automatedtechnologiesonhumantraincontrol

3.4.3 Advanced and Future Technology ResearchAdvancedtechnologiescontinuetoemergethatmayimpactthesafetyandefficiencyoflocomotivecaboperations.FRAseekstoinvestigatetheseemergingtechnologiestoidentifytheirpotentialeffectsof

automationandothertechnologiesonhumanperformance.Researchinterestsinclude:

PositiveTrainControl(PTC)technologiesandtheireffectonincabhumanfactors,including

automatedtraincontrolinformationrequirements,displaydesigns,realtime(andlatent)and

informationflows,andtheeffectofoperatorexperienceonperformance

Applicabilityofintegrated,multifunction,synthetic,movingmap,andheadsupdisplaystothe

locomotivecabandtheeffectofthesesystemsonhumanperformance,includingthe

identificationofcriticalsystemdesignrequirements

Identifyingthekeyinformationitemsandhierarchicalcriticalityofinformationaccessformultifunctiondisplays

Operationalpolicyandproceduresresearchforfullyautomatictraincontrolsystems,including

unmannedtrainoperation


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4 Proposal Submittal Requirements4.1 Project Concept PapersParticipantsmustsubmitaprojectconceptpaperforprojectsproposedunderthisBAA.Inthecaseof

multipleprojectproposalsfromasingleparticipant,aseparateconceptpaperisrequiredforeach

project.Noprojectwillbeconsideredforanawardwithoutanapprovedprojectconceptpaper.

Projectconceptpapersshallbepreparedsimplyandeconomically,andshallprovideaconcise

descriptionoftheproposedresearchproject,organizedasdefinedinthefollowingsections.Concept

papersshallbenomorethan10pagesinlength,10pointtype,singlespaced,singlesidedlettersize

pages.Projectconceptpapersubmissionsshouldnotincludepromotionalbrochures,advertisements,

tapedrecordings,orotherextraneousmaterial.

4.1.1 Cover pageProjectconceptpapersshallincludeacoverpagecontainingthefollowinginformation:

Workingtitleoftheproposedproject

BAAtitleandreferencenumber

Names,phonenumbers,andemailaddressesfortheprincipaltechnicalandcontractualpoints

ofcontact

Primaryandsecondary,ifany,participantorganizationaddresses

Dateofsubmittal

Proprietarydatarestrictions,ifany(SeeSection2.6.1)

4.1.2 Technical Approach4.1.2.1BackgroundInthissection,theparticipantshalldescribethefollowing:

MissionStatementBrieflydescribethetechnologyproposedforresearch.Provideastatement(s)that

conveystheparticipantsvisionofthefullydevelopedtechnologyanditsimpactonthesafeand

efficientdevelopmentofhighspeedrail.

DescriptionofNeedDescribethespecificissueintendedtobesolvedorimprovedbythetechnology

proposedforresearchanddevelopment.Discusstheproposedapplicationtohighspeedrail

developmentintheUnitedStates.Estimatetheprobabilityoftherailindustryadoptingthistechnology,

andprovidearationaleforthisestimate.

TechnologyAssessmentQuantifythematurityofthetechnologyinthecontextofthetechnology

readinesslevelsdetailedinSection2.2.Provideanalyticandempiricevidencetosupportthe

assessment.Describehowtheproposedresearchortechnologyistechnicallyorscientificallyinnovative

withrespecttohighspeedraildevelopmentneeds.


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DevelopmentFrameworkDescribethedevelopmenthistoryofthetechnology,bothwithinthe

participantsorganizationandfromothersources,asapplicable.Discussthetechnical,financial,

programmatic,orothersignificantfactorsthathaveimpactedthedevelopmentofthistechnologyto

date,bothpositivelyandnegatively.Provideatechnologicalriskassessmentforfuturedevelopmentof

thistechnology.

4.1.2.2Scope of WorkTheparticipantshalldescribethegeneralscopeofworkplannedforthisresearchactivity.Thissection

shalldescribethemajorresearch,testing,andanalysisactivitiesinsufficientdetailtocommunicatethe

breadthofactivitiesproposed.Adetailedworkbreakdownstructureisnotrequired.Theparticipant

shallindicatemajorprogressmilestonesandassociateddeliverablesaspartofthissection.

Thescopeofworkshallidentifyallparticipantsinthemajoractivitiesoftheproject,andshallindicate

theestimatedworkeffortrequiredfromeachparticipant,expressedasapercentageofthetotaleffort

foreachactivity.Inaddition,theparticipantshallidentifyanythirdpartyresourceneedsthatare

requiredduringtheproject.TheseresourcesmayincludeGovernmentfurnishedequipment.

4.1.2.3Expected outcomesIdentifythesignificantoutcomesplannedfortheproject.Describetheseoutcomesinthecontextofthe

technologyreadinesslevels,andintermsoftheirimpactoftheoutcomesonthedevelopmentofhigh

speedrailsystems.

4.1.2.4QUAD ChartIncludeaQuadchartsummarizingtheprojectconcept,aspertheexampleandinstructionsprovidedin

AppendixB.

4.1.3 Qualifications4.1.3.1Project TeamListallkeyparticipantsproposedfortheproject,includingparticipantsfromoutsidetheprime

participantsorganization.Organizetheteambyorganizationnameandbrieflydescribeeachpersons

rolesandresponsibilitiesontheproject.Provideashortsynopsisofeachkeypersonseducation,

experience,andotherqualificationsapplicabletotheproposedproject.Provideinformationonthe

businesstype(small,large,ordisadvantaged)foreachparticipantorganization.

4.1.3.2Past ExperienceDescribetherelevantpastexperienceofeachorganizationparticipatingintheproject.Identifyany

publiclyavailableandaccessibleresourcesthatmayprovidemoredetailsregardingthisexperience,e.g.

publicwebsitelinkstopastorcurrentprojectdocuments.


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4.1.3.3Unique CapabilitiesBrieflydescribeanyuniquecapabilitiesthattheparticipantteampossessesthatmayreduceprojectrisk,

mayreduceprojectduration,ormayimproveprojectfinancialperformance.Describethesecapabilities

withinthecontextoftheobjectivesoftheBAAandtheproposedprojectsscopeofwork.

4.1.4 Schedule and Cost EstimatesProvidemilestonesfortheproposedprojectthatincludesstart,finish,andmajoractivitycompletion

times.Expressmilestonesdatesasthenumberofweeksfromprojectstart.

Providearoughordermagnitudeestimate.Provideabreakdownofthesecosts(percentage)foreach

organizationintheprojectteam.

Provideafundingplanfortheproject.Identifyeachfundingsourceandtheircontributiontothewhole,

expressedasapercentage.Includeallanticipatedsources,includingparticipantinternalsources,

Governmentfunds,andotherparticipantorganizations.

4.2 Project ProposalsFollowingreviewanddiscussionoftheconceptpaper,theFRAmayrequestthattheparticipantsubmit

aformalproposalfortheproject.Theprojectproposalbuildsuponthecontentsoftheconceptpaper,

asmodifiedthroughdiscussionsbetweentheparticipantandFRA.Additionalcontentandmore

detailedinformationisrequiredintheproposaldocument,asdescribedinthesectionsthatfollow.

Proposaldocumentsareproducedtothesameformattingrequirementsastheconceptpapers,except

fora20pagelimit.This20pagelimitisexclusiveofresumeandpastperformancedata.Submissions

thatareincomplete,materiallylacking,ornotresponsivetothetechnicalrequirementsofthisBAA,may

bereturnedunevaluated,orevaluatedasis,withoutfurtheropportunityforrevision,atthediscretion

oftheFRAsevaluationcommittee.

ParticipantsareadvisedthattheFRAevaluationofaprojectforpossibleawardisbasedsolelyonthe

contentsoftheparticipantsprojectproposaldocument,oralpresentationdocuments(seeSection4.3),

andtheparticipantsanswerstoanytechnicalclarificationquestions,astransmittedthroughthe

ContractingOfficer.Furthermore,followingproposalsubmittal,anycommunicationtoorfromFRAshall

bethroughtheContractingOfficer.

ItisthepolicyofFRAtotreatallproposalsascompetitiveinformationandtodisclosethecontentsonly

forthepurposesofevaluation.

Projectproposalsshallincludethefollowing.

4.2.1 Cover PageProvidethesamedataasrequiredfortheconceptpapersubmittal,seeSection4.1.1.Includethewords

ProjectProposaldirectlybelowtheprojecttitle.


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4.2.2 Technical Approach4.2.2.1BackgroundProposaldocumentsshalladdressthesamerequirementswiththeconceptpapers,seeSection4.1.2.1.

AddressExpectedOutcomes(asdescribedinSection4.1.2.1)inthissectionoftheproposal.

Participantsshallexplain,specifically,howtheproposedtechnologyormethodenhancestheabilityto

implementhigherspeedpassengeroperations;howitcouldbeincorporatedintoexistingrailroad

equipment,infrastructure,oroperations(toincludehowmajorbarriers,impedimentsorobstaclescould

beovercomeormitigated);andtheinterfacemodificationsrequiredtoaccomplishademonstration.

Alsoexplainhowitsapplicationwillbringaboutanimprovementtocapitalequipmentorinfrastructure,

oroperatingmethods,safetyand/orperformanceimprovements.Correlativebenefitstogeneral

railroadoperations,ifany,shouldalsobecited,sincetheycanalsoenhancethefeasibilityofpassenger

serviceaddedtofreightroutes.Quantitativesupportshouldbeprovidedforassertionsmade.

Proposalsmayincludeadiscussionofoptional,futurephaseorphasesofwork.Suchdiscussionshallbe

clearlylabeledasoptionalfuturephaseorphasesofwork.Theoriginalphaseorworkshallinnoway

dependonworkdescribedunderfuturephasesinordertomeettheprogramcriteria.Ifafuturephase

orphasesareincluded,aroughordermagnitudecostestimateshallbeprovidedasaseparatelylabeled

sectioninthecostsandpricingsectionoftheproposal.

Proposalsshallincludereferencestopastrelevantresearchdescribingcapabilities,work,andsignificant

accomplishmentsinareasdirectlyassociatedwithproposedresearchareaorincloselyrelatedareas.A

bibliographyofrelevanttechnicalpapersandresearchnotesthatsupportthetechnicalconceptsand

innovativeideasdescribedinthisproposalshallbeincludedfortechnicalreference.

4.2.2.2Statement of WorkAstatementofworkdocumentshallbepreparedasaseparatedocumentcontainedwithintheproposal

submittal.Thereshallbenocompanysensitiveorproprietarydataincludedinthisdocument.

Thisstatementofworkshallbeorganizedasfollows:

1.0 Scope

Describetheworktobeaccomplishedaspartoftheresearchproject.Includethe

technologyunderdevelopment,theobjectivesandgoalsoftheeffort,major

milestones,andtheexpectedoutcomeforhighspeedraildevelopment.

2.0 Requirements

Definethework.Separatetheworkeffortintomajortasksandsubtasksasnumbered

paragraphs.Identifyallprojectreviews,test,demonstrations,andalldeliverables

resultingfromtheexecutionoftheproject.


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4.2.2.3Technical ApproachParticipantsshallprovideanarrativedescriptionofworktobeperformed,organizedasitisexpectedto

beperformed.Thetechnicalapproachshallincludeactivitiesdesignedtointegraterailindustryinthe

developmenteffort,eitherthroughactiveparticipationinthetechnologydevelopmentorthrough

demonstrationand/ortestingsupport.Describethesteps,tasks,andactivitiesnecessarytoachievethe

desiredprojectresults.Identifyanddescribealldeliverables,presentations,demonstrations,test,and

periodicreports.Describethequalityrequirementsfortheprojectandidentifytheprocessesand/or

proceduresthatwillbeemployedtoensuretheserequirementsaresatisfied.

Thetechnicalapproachshallincludeariskassessment.Technical,programmatic,marketandotherrisk

elementsshallbeanalyzedfortheirimpactontheproject.Ascoringorrankingschemeshallbe

developedtoquantifypotentialimpacts.Datashallbepresentedinaprobability/impactchartorother

suitableformat.

4.2.2.4Project Management PlanTheproposalshallcontainadetailedmanagementplanfortheprojectbaseduponthefollowing

minimumrequirements.

WorkBreakdownStructure(WBS)Dividetheprojectrequirementsintotasksandworkpackages.

Hierarchicallyorganizetheprojectworkdowntotheworkpackagelevel.

ProjectScheduleSequencetheprojectactivities,identifyandestimateresourcerequirementsand

activitydurations.Identifythecriticalpath.Presenttheprojectscheduleasabar,orGanttstylechart,

includingactivityrelationships(dependencies).Provideamilestonechartfortheprojectillustratingkey

activitiesandtheirexpectedcompletiontime(weeksfromprojectstart).Includeintermediateprogress

reviews,demonstrationsortests,andperiodicreportingactivitiesintheschedule.

MobilizationPlanInthecontextoftheprojectschedule,describetheplantoacquireanddeploy

resourcesneededfortheproject,includingpersonnel,facilities,equipment,andotherresources,

includingGovernmentFurnishedEquipment(GFE),deemednecessaryforprojectexecution.

OrganizationChartDeliveranorganizationchartfortheprojectillustratingresourcerolesand

reportingrelationships.Includeallparticipantorganizations.Clearlyhighlightorganizationsthatare

participatingincostsharingactivities.Identifythetypeofbusiness(large,small,disadvantaged,or

educational)foreachparticipantorganization.Provideresumes(2pagemaximum)forallkeypersonnel

ontheproject.Resumesshallbeorganizedinanappendixtotheproposal.Resumesdonotcount

towardthe20pagelimitfortheproposal.

Subcontracts/Teaming/CostSharingManagementPlanIdentifyanddescribetheparticipantsplansfor

subcontracting,teaming,andcostsharing.Clearlyidentifytherolesandresponsibilitiesofall

organizationsworkingwithintheprojectteam,includingtechnicalandfinancialelements.

TestingPlanDescribethetestingrequirements,environmentsandmethodsneededtoassessor

demonstratethesuitabilityofthetechnologyintherailroadenvironmentandtodemonstratethe


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successoftheproposedproject. Citerailroadcompaniesorotherrailrelatedorganizations,suchas

railroadindustrysuppliers,thathaveexpressedtheirwillingnesstopermitand/orsupportsuchtesting

ordemonstrations.Lettersorstatementsattestingtoanoutsideorganizationsinterestorcommitment

topermitand/orsupporttestingordemonstrationsshouldbefurnishedwiththeproposalasan

attachment.Suchlettersorstatementswillnotcounttowardstheproposals20pagelimit.

4.2.3 Capabilities and ExperienceIdentifyanddescribethecapabilitiesandexperienceofkeypersonnelandorganizationswithinthe

projectteamastheseelementsrelatetotheproposedprojectspecificallyandthehighspeedrail

industryasawhole.Describeanyrelevanttechnologicalandscientific,railroadorotherindustrialor

defensecapabilities,experience,andresources(orthoseofitsteammembers)thatwillserveto

demonstrateitsabilitytosuccessfullyconducttheproposedresearchortechnologyadvancement

project.Describetheteammembers(ororganizations)familiaritywithorpositionintherailroad

communityandaccesstocriticalresourcesfortheproject.

Describeanyuniquecapabilitiesthattheparticipantteampossessesthatmayreduceprojectrisk,mayreduceprojectduration,and/ormayimproveprojectfinancialperformance.Describethesecapabilities

withinthecontextoftheobjectivesoftheBAAandtheproposedprojectsscopeofwork.

4.2.4 Intellectual PropertyParticipantsshallsubmitinformationdescribingtheintellectualpropertythatwillbeusedinthe

performanceofthecontract,andanyproposedrestrictionsontheGovernmentsuseoftheintellectual

property.

Participantsmustprovideagoodfaithrepresentation,inwriting,thatiteitherownsorpossesses

appropriatelicensingrightstotheintellectualpropertythatwillbeutilizedunderproposalsforthisprogram.Ifparticipantsareunabletomakesucharepresentationconcerningtheintellectualproperty,

providealistingoftheintellectualpropertyneeded,andexplainhowandwhentheparticipantplansto

obtaintheserights.

Forissuedpatentsorpublishedpatentapplications,providethepatentnumberorpatentapplication

publicationnumber,asummaryofthepatentorinventiontitle,andindicatewhethertheparticipantis

thepatentorinventionowner.Ifapatentorinventionisinlicensedbytheparticipant,identifythe

licensor.Ifapatentapplicationhasbeenfiledforaninventionthathasnotbeenmadepubliclyavailable

andcontainsproprietaryinformation,providethepatentapplicationserialnumber,patentapplication

filingdate,asummaryoftheinventiontitle,andindicatewhethertheparticipantistheinvention

owner.Iftheinventionisinlicensedbytheparticipant,identifythelicensor.

4.2.5 Cost and Pricing DataIdentifyeachfundingsourceandtheircontributiontothewhole,expressedasapercentage.Includeall

anticipatedsources,includingparticipantinternalsources,Governmentfunds,andotherparticipant

organizations.


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Thecostorpricingportionoftheprojectproposalshouldcontainacostestimatefortheproposedeffort

toallowformeaningfulevaluationanddeterminationofpricereasonablenessandcostrealism.The

costestimatemaybepreparedusingtheapplicantsownformatorasindicatedinTable152ofFAR

15.408.Thecostestimateshallaccountfortheentirecostoftheproject,inclusiveofthatportionof

costtheapplicantorotherparticipantswouldbearinanyproposedcostsharingarrangementorother

investmentofresources,asameansofventuresharing,inlieuofaformalcostsharingarrangement.

Thecostestimateshallbebrokendownforeachyearoftheproposedwork,andbyallyearscombined.

Ataminimum,thecostestimateshallincludethefollowinginformation:

LaborAbreakdownofdirectlabor,byWBSindexnumber,identifyingthelaborcategoriesor

individualsandprojectedhours,andtheirassociatedsubtotals.

Overheadand/orfringeLaboroverheadand/orfringerate(s)andbase(s),andcumulativeeffecton

laborcosts.

Materials,supplies,andequipmentDescriptionandcostofmaterials,supplies,andequipment,to

includethebasisofthecostestimate(e.g.,historicaldata,competitivemarketquotes,andinhouse

transfers).Specificmentionshouldbemadeofanyhighlyspecializedorcostlytestequipmentor

suppliesneededtoaccomplishtheproject.

TravelandtransportationBreakdownoftravelandtransportationcosts.

SubcontractsBreakdownofindividualsubcontracts.Statetheamountsoftimeof

subcontractor/consultingservicestobedevotedtotheproject,includingthecosttobechargedtothe

proposedcontract/agreement.

ODCBreakdownofotherdirectcosts(reproduction,computertime,andconsultants).

Misc.Identificationofanyotherdirectorindirectcostelementsnotidentifiedelsewhere.Foreach

indirectrate(identifiedhereorelsewhere),indicateiftheproposedindirectrateandallocationbase

havebeenapprovedbyaGovernmentauditorcognizantagencyforuseinproposalsandwhenthe

rate(s)wasapprovedandthenameofandtelephonenumberofthecognizantauditororapproving

official.

GeneralandAdministrativeG&Arateandbase,andcostoutcome.

ProfitorfeeGenerally,theFRAdoesnotanticipateprovidingprofitorfeeundercontractsawarded

undertheBAA,becauseofthepotentialforlongtermbenefitstothosefirmsorinstitutionsinvolvedin

thesedemonstrationactivities.However,profitorfeemaybeproposed,andifproposed,issubjectto

finalnegotiations.

CostSharing/CostParticipationIdentifyextentofcostsharing/costparticipation,ifany(exclusiveofthe

participantspriorinvestment),toincludetheactualdollarsorthepercentageofthecostshareofthe

proposedresearchortechnologyproject,tobeprovidedbytheapplicant,orthirdpartycontributorsor

otherFederalfundingsources,ifallowable;thetypeandextentofcostlimitations(directorindirect);or


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thespecificsforandextentofsimilarconceptsindicativeofcostparticipation.(Note:Theapplicantmay

berequiredtocertifythatithassecuredtheappropriatecostsharefundinglevels,andidentifythe

sourceoffunding.

Thevalueofanyproposedcostparticipationintheformofparticipationinkindorotherinvestmentof

resourcesasameansofventuresharing,inlieuofaformalcostsharingarrangement,orthirdpartyinkindcontributions,mustbeassessedbytheGovernment.(Note:Theselatterformsofcost

participationarebestsuitedforandmayonlybeapplicableastheparticipantscostshare/matchina

grantorcooperativeagreementaward.)

4.2.6 Past PerformanceAsaseparatelyboundpartofitsprojectproposalsubmission,theparticipant(exceptingstatesorlocal

governmentsororganizationsofstateorlocalgovernments,oruniversitiesorinstitutionsofhigher

education)shallprovidepastperformanceinformationintheformofacontractreferencelistand

preliminarysurveydataforprojectsvaluedat$250,000ormore.Thispastperformanceinformationwill

notcountaspartofthe20pageproposallimit.

Technicallyacceptableproposalsthatareconsideredrealisticandreasonable,intermsofproposedcost,

andfee,ifapplicable,willbesubjecttoareviewofpastperformanceinformationprovidedbythe

participantorobtainedfromsourcesotherthanthoseidentifiedbytheparticipant,andusedin

assessingperformancerisk,makingaresponsibilitydetermination,andmakingabestvaluedecision.

Referencesprovidedbytheparticipantorsourcesotherthanthoseidentifiedbytheparticipantmaybe

contactedatthisstageandadvisedofaspecificdatethatcompletedsurveysshouldbesubmittedto

FRA.Referenceswillgenerallybeallowedaminimumof3workingdaystorespondbyfacsimileoremail

(withoriginaltobeprovideduponrequest).Participantsareadvisedthattimeisoftheessence,and

thatifsurveysarenotreceivedbythetimespecifiedorreferencesotherwisedonotavailthemselvesforaninterview,theparticipantmaybeassessedasanunknownperformanceriskandassignedaneutral

performancerating.

Participantsareremindedthatapastperformanceratingisnotaprecisemechanicalprocessandwill

usuallyincludesomesubjectivejudgment.Itisacomparativeevaluativeprocessthatseekstoidentify

thelevelofriskassociatedwithcontractingwitheachparticipant.Theresultingevaluationisa

reflectionofthedegreeofconfidencetheGovernmenthasintheparticipantslikelihoodofsuccess.

Uponrequest,pastperformanceinformationmaybemadeavailabletootherFederalprocurement

activities.However,pastperformanceinformationaboutaparticipantshallnotbeprovided,without

theparticipant'sconsent,toanyprivateparty,exceptwheretheagencydeterminessuchinformation

mustbereleasedpursuanttotheFreedomofInformationAct.

Ontherareoccasionthatthereisnoinformationonpastcontractperformance,ornorelevantpast

performanceinformation,theparticipantslackofpastperformancewillbetreatedasanunknown

performancerisk.Insuchcases,pastperformancewillbetreatedasneutral,thatistosaythe

participantwillnotbeevaluatedfavorablyorunfavorablyonthefactorofpastcontractperformance.


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Thiswillbeaccomplishedbyassigningtheparticipant(s)withouta[relevant]performancerecord,the

midrangescoreavailableforanynumericalorquantitativeratingused,oranequivalentvalueinany

adjectivalorqualitativeratingused.

4.2.6.1Contract Reference ListThepastperformanceinformationcontractreferencelistshallincludetheidentificationofthree(3)

governmental(Federal,stateorlocal)orcommercialcontracts/orders(eachhavinganaggregatevalue

ofatleast$25,000)thattheparticipant1hasperformedandassertsarerelevanttothesubjectproposal

concept,andisdemonstrativeofitscapabilitiestosuccessfullyperformsubstantiallysimilarwork.The

greaterthesimilarityinscopeandcomplexityandtechnicalnatureofthereferencedcontracts/orders

totheresearchproject,technologyadvancementand/ordemonstrationbeingproposedunderthe

subjectBAA,thegreatertheperceivedrelevancy.Theburdenofprovingacceptabilityofpast

performanceistheresponsibilityoftheparticipant.

Contracts/ordersadvancedbytheparticipantshouldbeeither

(a) ongoingcontracts/ordersawardedwithinthelast3yearsandinwhichtheparticipant

hasperformedforatleastsixmonths,or

(b) contracts/ordersthatendedwithinthelast3years,butinwhichsomepartorallofthe

performanceoccurredwithinthelast3yearsfromthedateofproposalsubmission.

Thecontractreferencelistshouldrecap,foreachreference,thenameoftheawardingagency/firm,

contract/ordertitle,contractnumber,pointofcontactandtelephonenumber,andemailaddress,if

available.Theparticipantmustensurethatpointsofcontactandtelephonenumbersforitslisted

contract/orderreferencesarecurrent,completeandaccurate.Significantproblemsencounteredin

checkingreferencesprovidedbytheparticipantwillgenerallybeconsideredalackofduediligenceonthepartoftheparticipantandmaybeconsideredintheselectionprocess.

Iftheparticipanthasreceivedfewerthan3contractawardswithinthelast3yearshavinganaggregate

valueofaleast$25,000,theparticipantshouldprovideinformationonthenumberofcontractawards

availableforreferencing.Iftheparticipanthasnotreceivedanycontractawardswithinthelast3years

havinganaggregatevalueofaleast$25,000,theparticipantshouldstatethatfact.

1For the purposes of this contracting action, relevant past performance under these contracts/orders may be that

of the participant itself (as a prime contractor or a subcontractor under the referenced action) and its key

personnel, or that of a subcontractor, consultant or party to a cooperative arrangement who will be directly

involved under the proposed research project, technology advancement and/or demonstration, provided that (1)

the entity or individual will be performing the substantially same type of effort/requirement and in the substantially

same capacity as that upon which the relevant past performance assertion is made, and (2) the entity or individual

will be performing 50% or more of the effort involved, in terms of the estimated total contract cost.


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4.2.6.2Preliminary Survey DataForeachcontractreference,theparticipantshallcompleteandsubmitPartIAdministration,andPart

IIRelevancy/PerspectiveoftheContractorPastPerformanceSurvey,seeAppendixA.ForPartIofthe

survey,theparticipantwillcompletetheidentifyingandadministrativeinformationsoughtforthe

specificcontractinquestion.ForPartII,theparticipantwillcompleteandinsertasinglepagethat

addressesthefollowingthreeareasofinquiry(asdescribedinthesurvey):DescriptionofPriorContract

Services,Relevancy,andProblemResolutionandQualityHonors.Thetextoftheparticipantsresponses

forallthreeinquiriescombinedshallnotexceedonepage.

Asearlyaspossibleintheproposalpreparationphase,participantsshouldsendeachoftheirreferences

acopyoftheContractorPastPerformanceSurvey(oradvisethemofitslocationonFRAwebsites)anda

letterthat,ineffect,authorizesitsprivatesectorreferencetoprovidepastperformanceinformation,

whenandifrequestedbyFRA,andalertsitsgovernmentreferencesthatinformationmayberequested

fromanothergovernmentagency.Participantsshouldadvisereferencesthatinadditiontocompleting

PartIIIofthesurvey(whenandifrequested),theymaybecontacted,attheGovernmentsdiscretion,

andaskedtoconsenttoatelephoneinterview,usingthesurveyasthestartingorfocalpointofthe

interview.

Participantsareadvisedthatanyrelevantcontractorperformance/customerevaluationspreviously

preparedwithinthelastthreeyearsbytheagency/firm(thereference),andsubsequentresponsesor

rebuttalsfromtheparticipant/contractor,mayberequestedofthereferencetoaugmentorfurnishedin

lieuofthesurveyorinterview.

ReferencesshouldbeadvisedthatwhenandiftheyarerequestedtocompleteasurveybyFRA,theyare

tosendthecompletedsurveydirectlytotheFRAattheaddress(es)identifiedintheSurveyandnotto

theparticipantseekingareference,noraretheyreturnaduplicatetotheparticipant.Thisdoesnotprecludethereferencefromadvisingtheparticipantthatasurveywascompletedandsubmitted,oran

interviewconducted,ifitsochooses.

Toensurefrankandopenevaluationsandexpressionsofopinionsbyevaluatorsorothers,allpartiesare

advisedthattheidentityofrespondentscompletingthesurveywillbeheldinconfidenceandwillnotbe

releasedordisclosedtotheparticipantoutsidetheGovernment.However,asspecifiedunderFAR

15.306,conditionsmayexistinwhichtheparticipantmaybeprovidedanopportunitytodiscussadverse

pastperformanceinformationonwhichtheparticipanthasnothadapreviousopportunitytocomment.

4.3 Oral PresentationsFRAmayrequestanoralpresentationfollowinganinitialreviewoftheproposal.Theparticipantmay

submitoralpresentationslidesatthesametimeastheprojectproposal,orwaituntilFRArequeststhe

presentation.

Oralpresentationswillbeonehour30minutesforpresentationand30minutesforquestions.Oral

presentationsareanopportunityfortheparticipanttoprovidehigherresolutiontothetopicsdiscussed

intheformalproposal.Thepresentationshalladdresstechnicalfactorsonly,notcostorpricingdata,


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andshallnotaddresstopicsnotpresentedintheproposalsubmittal.FRAmayasktechnicalclarification

questionsduringthepresentation.FRAwillnotprovidefeedbacktotheparticipantduringthe

presentation.

OralpresentationswillbeheldattheFRAofficesinWashington,DCortheywillbeconductedusing

computer/telephonetools.LocationandformatdecisionswillbemadebyFRA.

5 Evaluation and Award ProcessAllsubmittalswillbeevaluatedbyGovernmentofficials,exclusively.Participantswillbenotifiedof

evaluationresultsvialetter.

5.1 Evaluation Criteria5.1.1 Project Concept PapersProjectconceptpaperswillbeevaluatedforoveralltechnicalvaluetotheGovernmentsareaof

interest,withinthecontextofavailablefunding.FRAwillestimatethedegreeofthepotentialimpact

onthedevelopmentofahighspeedrail,thetechnologyreadinesslevel,andthereasonablenessof

estimatedcostsforeachconceptpapersubmitted.FRAwillalsoevaluatetheparticipantscapabilityto

performtheworkbasedonthetechnicalapproach,background,andreferencedresourcesprovidedin

theconceptpaper.

FRAmayrequestformalproposalsforprojectconceptsthataredeemedtohavetechnicalvaluetothe

FRAshighspeedraildevelopmentobjectivesandarefoundtofitwithinfundingconstraints.Project

conceptpapersarenotevaluated,orconsidered,aspartoftheawardevaluationprocess.

5.1.2 Project ProposalsProposalswillbeevaluatedsolelyonthecriteriapublishedinthisannouncement.Proposalswillbe

evaluatedassubmitted,withoutopportunityforrevisionbeyondparticipantresponsestotechnical

clarificationquestionsfromFRA.Oralpresentationswillbeconsideredasubsetoftheproposalmaterial

andevaluatedusingthesamecriteria.Oralpresentationswillnotbeevaluatedfororaldeliverystyle,

polish,orthestyleorformatofthesubmittedmaterial.

FRAwillevaluateprojectproposalsubmissionsusingthefollowingcriteria.

5.1.2.1Technical FactorsResponsivenesstoBAAObjectivesandRequirements

ThedegreetowhichtheproposedprojectmeetstheprogramobjectivesoftheBAAandconformsto

thefundinglimitationsdetailedherein.Thedegreetowhichtheproposalisresponsivetothe

requirementspublishedinthisannouncement.


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TechnicalApproach

Thedegreetowhichtheprojectimpactsthesuccessofhighspeedraildeployment,enhancingsafety,

performance,andefficiencyaspectsofrailoperations,maintenance,and/ordesign.

Thedegreetowhichtheparticipantcomprehendsthetechnologicalframeworkfortheproposedproject

intermsofanalyticalscience,priordevelopmentprogress,andrailindustryapplication.

Thedegreetowhichtheproposalprovidesareasonableandlogicaltechnicalapproachtotheproject,

integratestherailindustryinthescopeofwork,providesappropriatereportsanddeliverablesto

documentprogressandoutcomes,qualitycontrols,andareali

Federal Railroad Admin Seeks High Accuracy LOcation (HALO)

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