What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issues a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for applied research projects supporting its strategic objectives. The FRA requires research in Track, Rolling Stock and Equipment, and Train Control and Communications. Bidders submit concept papers for review. Approved concept papers allow for proposal submission for potential contract awards. The effort has a 15-month duration, with concept papers accepted anytime within this period. No concept papers will be reviewed after September 30, 2027. The FRA seeks innovators, creators, professors, rail enthusiasts, and rail subject matter experts.
Scope of work
- Applied research projects in Track
- Applied research projects in Rolling Stock and Equipment
- Applied research projects in Train Control and Communications
- Concept papers for FRA review
- Proposals for possible contract award
Documents to include with your response
- Concept papers
- Proposal (for contractors with approved concept papers)
How to submit
- Instructions
- Response date is anytime within the 15 month period; no concept papers will be reviewed after 9/30/2027.
Incumbent and award research
Likely prior awards for this requirement
Likely matchAwarded by the same buying office (693JJ6) with descriptions matching "broad agency". The notice does not name its current contract, so confirm before relying on it.
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| THORNTON TOMASETTI, INC.693JJ624C000013 · BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP AN UPGRADED DETAIL FRACTURE MODEL B | $450.0K | Jul 31, 2027 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS693JJ624C000034 · THIS BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SUPPORTS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT), | $220.0K | Aug 31, 2026 |
| WABTEC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, LLC693JJ624C000011 · THIS BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) CONTRACT IS TO UTILIZE PERCEPTION TECHNOLOGY FROM AUT | $500.0K | Oct 31, 2025 |
| GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH & SERVICE FOUNDATION INC693JJ624C000032 · THIS BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SUPPORTS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT), | $79,928 | Aug 28, 2025 |
| SIEMENS CORPORATION693JJ625C000002 · THIS BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) SUPPORTS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT), | $134.3K | Aug 26, 2025 |
Market context
Awards in the same category (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)). This is not this requirement's award history.
Recent similar awards: Department of Transportation, NAICS 541715
| Vendor and award | Value | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| WESTAT, INC.693JJ926F00115N · QUANTIFYING GLARE EFFECTS FROM MODERN HEADLAMP LIGHT SOURCE TECHNOLOGIES | $898.8K | Sep 29, 2031 |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY693JJ426F00044N · IDIQ CONTRACT THAT PROVIDES FMCSA WITH RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF CO | $250.0K | Sep 28, 2031 |
| TOXCEL LLC693JJ926F00105N · . . TITLE: CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY FOR CHILDREN WITH ADAPTIVE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS | $1.3M | Sep 24, 2031 |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY693JJ926F00010N · TITLE: INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILITATE BROADER USE OF FIELD DATA COLLECTED WITH CONSUMER AVAI | $2.0M | Aug 16, 2031 |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY693JJ926F00106N · TITLE: ALERT AND WARNING TIMING FOR MAINTAINING DRIVER ATTENTION IN L2 DRIVING | $797.0K | Jan 17, 2031 |
Top vendors in this category: Department of Transportation, NAICS 541715, since Oct 1, 2024
731 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.
- 1. ENSCO INC$29.0M
- 2. LEIDOS, INC.$20.6M
- 3. GENEX SYSTEMS, LLC$19.4M
- 4. VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY$14.2M
- 5. UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA$10.0M
Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.