FY 26 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) - Federal Railroad Administration

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) BAA 2026-27 (Solicitation Number 693JJ626R000001) from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) seeks applied technology research projects to support its strategic objectives and research needs in three divisions: Track, Rolling Stock and Equipment, and Train Control and Communication. The overarching goal is to develop technologies that improve the safety and efficiency of freight and passenger rail operations in the U.S. Projects aim to reduce operational risks, human/technology failures, capital costs, and improve reliability and domestic manufacturing of rail equipment.

• Research projects should focus on specific topics outlined in Appendix C (Research Topics).

• Projects must be at least at the proof-of-concept testing stage (Technology Readiness Level 3) or higher.

• Deliverables for multi-year projects include annual Research Results reports or Technical Reports.

• Final deliverables may be required to be compatible with Google Docs.

• Awards will be in the form of firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts, unless sufficient justification for other than FFP is provided.

• Individual awards are anticipated to range between $50,000 and $500,000, though awards may be of any dollar value.

• The BAA process is two-step: Concept Papers followed by Project Proposals (if invited).

• Concept Papers are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout FY26 and FY27, with no specific deadline other than the end of FY27 (September 30, 2027).

• FRA reserves the right to remove topic areas once sufficient Concept Papers are received.

• Concept Papers must be submitted electronically to FRABAA@dot.gov.

• Proposals, if invited, will be evaluated based on technical factors, cost/pricing factors, and past performance.

• Any responsible source may submit a Concept Paper, including State/local governments, universities, non-profits, private individuals, and corporations.

• Businesses owned in whole or in part by the Federal Government are not eligible for direct funding but may subcontract.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Small, Small Disadvantaged, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, and HUBZone Small Business Concerns, as well as HBCUs and MSIs, are encouraged to participate, but no portion of this BAA will be set aside exclusively for them.

• This is a contracted effort, not a grant.

• Concept Papers and Proposals must not be encrypted or password-protected.

• Communications regarding non-technical inquiries should be directed to the Contracting Officer; technical inquiries to the BAA Program Manager.

• Appendix C contains the specific research topics. Appendix B provides Price Proposal Format and Preparation Instructions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is DD Form 882, "Report of Inventions and Subcontracts." It is used by contractors and subcontractors to report inventions and subcontracts containing a "Patent Rights" clause to the government. This form is required for both interim and final reports.

• Section I: Subject Inventions: Details information about inventions, including inventor names, titles, disclosure numbers, and election to file patent applications (US and foreign).
• Section II: Subcontracts: Records information about subcontracts awarded that contain a "Patent Rights" clause, including subcontractor name, address, contract number, description of work, and subcontract dates.
• Section III: Certification: A certification by the contractor/subcontractor that they have procedures for identifying and disclosing subject inventions and that all such inventions have been reported.

Bidders should be aware that this form is used to track intellectual property and subcontracts related to government contracts. If this form is attached to an opportunity, it may indicate that the work involves research and development or requires specific attention to patent rights and subcontracting. Bidders may need to understand the implications of these clauses when preparing their proposals, especially if they are a small business or nonprofit organization, as specific reporting requirements apply.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix C - Research Topics, lists the research areas of interest for the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for 2026-2027. It serves to inform potential offerors about the specific technical challenges and research needs the FRA aims to address.

The appendix is organized into three main categories:

• Track: Covers research topics related to rail weld technologies, non-contact flaw detection, track geometry defects, special trackwork wear, longitudinal rail stress, track lateral strength, pre-break rail neutral temperature, and extraction of railway infrastructure geometry from remote sensing imagery.
• Rolling Stock and Equipment: Focuses on improving the safety of hazardous materials transportation, specifically concerning tank car shells and service equipment.
• Train Control and Communication: Includes research on train movement communications systems, verification of position navigation module performance, maintenance of way employee and rail vehicle safety systems, and enhancing rail safety integrity against quantum-era exploitation and automated threats.

Each topic is assigned a unique identifier (e.g., FRA-TR-001, FRA-RS-001, FRA-TC-001) and includes a brief description of the problem or area of interest, and what the FRA is seeking in terms of research and development.

This document is crucial for potential bidders responding to the BAA. It outlines the specific research problems and technical areas where the FRA is seeking innovative solutions. Bidders should review these topics to identify areas that align with their expertise and capabilities to develop relevant proposals. The document also notes that if a division satisfies its research needs before the BAA end date, topics may be removed, indicating a dynamic list of research priorities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix D - FAR 52.204-24, provides the representation required by Section 889(a) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. It requires offerors to represent whether they will provide or use covered telecommunications equipment or services in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation.

• Representation on Providing Covered Equipment/Services: Offerors must indicate if they "will" or "will not" provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government.
• Representation on Using Covered Equipment/Services: Offerors must indicate if they "do" or "do not" use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.
• Exceptions: Provisions are included for exceptions related to specific types of services or equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or permit visibility into user data.
• Definitions: Key terms such as "backhaul," "covered foreign country," "covered telecommunications equipment or services," "critical technology," "interconnection arrangements," "reasonable inquiry," "roaming," and "substantial or essential component" are defined to aid understanding.

Bidders must carefully review this representation and provide accurate information based on their company's practices and the specific requirements of the solicitation. Failure to complete this representation accurately may impact their ability to be awarded a contract. The definitions provided are crucial for understanding the scope of "covered telecommunications equipment or services."

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix E - FY26 Contractual Requirements," outlines the contractual terms and conditions that will apply to contracts awarded under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicitation. It details the flow-down of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions and clauses, specifies requirements for packaging and marking, and outlines inspection and acceptance procedures.

• Contractual Requirements: Details the application of FAR clauses to awarded contract vehicles.
• Packaging and Marking: Specifies requirements for marking submitted information and contractor responsibility for postage and fees.
• Inspection and Acceptance: Includes FAR clause 52.246-9, "Inspection of Research and Development (Short Form)," granting the government the right to inspect work and premises.
• Deliveries or Performance: Outlines the requirement for contractors to submit all deliverables and progress reports in electronic format via email.
• Progress Reports: Specifies monthly or quarterly progress reports, detailing content such as summaries of work, technical/schedule problems, projected activities, meeting minutes, and cost breakdowns.
• Contract Administration Data: Includes clauses related to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and electronic submission of payment requests via the DELPHI system (iSupplier).
• Offeror Instructions: Details requirements for submitting offers, including content, format, and submission deadlines, as well as provisions for late submissions, modifications, and withdrawals.
• Incorporated Clauses: Lists numerous FAR and local clauses that are incorporated by reference, covering a wide range of contractual requirements including limitations, payments, labor standards, changes, terminations, and research misconduct.
• Hybrid Award Structure: Notes that awards may be structured as Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Reimbursement (CR), or a hybrid combination.

This document is critical for bidders as it defines the legal and contractual framework for any awarded contract. Understanding these requirements is essential for preparing compliant proposals and for fulfilling contractual obligations post-award. Key areas include reporting requirements, inspection rights, payment procedures, and the specific FAR clauses that will govern the contract. Bidders should pay close attention to the submission requirements for offers and the details regarding electronic invoicing and payment processing.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Contractor Performance Self-Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Contractor Performance Self-Assessment Report Worksheet. It is used by contractors to assess their own performance against contract requirements.

• Contract Information: Fields for Contract Number/Order Number, Contractor, Assessment Date, Assessor's Name, Phone, and E-mail.
• Self-Assessment Purpose: To define the reason for the self-assessment.
• Period of Performance: Start and End Dates.
• Rating Categories: Includes sections for:
  • Quality Rating
  • Schedule Rating
  • Cost Control Rating / Value Added Services (Note: Not applicable for Fixed Price)
  • Management Rating
  • Small Business Subcontracting Rating (Note: Not applicable to contracts/orders awarded to a Small Business prime)
  • Regulatory Compliance Rating
  • Other Areas Rating
• Justification: Each rating category requires a detailed justification to substantiate the assigned rating.
• Rating Definitions: Reference to Tables 42-1 and 42-2 (starting on Page 4) for detailed definitions of rating scales (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory, Not Applicable) and specific guidance for Small Business Subcontracting.

This worksheet outlines the criteria and methodology used for evaluating contractor performance. Bidders can use this document to understand how their performance will be assessed if awarded a contract, particularly concerning quality, schedule, cost control, management, regulatory compliance, and small business subcontracting. Understanding these evaluation metrics can help bidders tailor their proposals and operational plans to meet or exceed government expectations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for a report, specifically the "Title of Report" template, likely used for technical reports submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It outlines the standard format and required sections for documenting research and development activities.

• Report Documentation Page: Includes fields for report date, type, dates of research, title, contract/grant/program numbers, author(s), performing organization, sponsor information, distribution statement, supplementary notes, abstract, subject terms, and security classifications.
• Conversion Factors: Provides metric/English conversion factors for length, area, mass/weight, volume, and temperature.
• Report Structure: Details the expected sections of a technical report, including an Executive Summary, Introduction (with Background, Objectives, Approach, Scope, Organization), main body sections, Conclusion, References, Appendices, and Abbreviations/Acronyms.
• Formatting Guidance: Includes instructions for content within sections (e.g., active voice, maximum word counts) and placeholders for tables and figures.

This template is relevant to bidders as it dictates the expected format and content for any technical reports or documentation required as part of a contract or grant with the FRA. Understanding this template helps ensure that any submitted reports will meet the agency's standards for clarity, completeness, and format, potentially impacting acceptance and evaluation of deliverables.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a template for the Research Results Report required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It outlines the expected structure and content for reporting research findings.

• Title: Specifies the title of the research results report.
• Summary: Requires a concise overview of the research.
• Background: Details the context and rationale for the research.
• Objectives: Outlines the specific goals of the research.
• Methods: Describes the methodologies employed in the research.
• Results: Presents the findings of the research.
• Conclusions: Summarizes the key takeaways from the research.
• Future Action: Suggests potential next steps or future research.
• Acknowledgements: Section for acknowledging contributions.
• Contact Information: Fields for FRA and vendor contact details.
• Keywords: Relevant terms for the research.
• Contract Number: Field to record the contract number.
• Includes placeholders for figures and tables, with an example table structure provided.

Bidders must use this template to format and submit their research results reports as required by the contract. Understanding and adhering to this template is crucial for fulfilling reporting obligations and ensuring compliance with contract terms.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing a template for a Quarterly Progress Report (QTRLY Report Template). It is intended for use by contractors to report on their progress for a specific contract or task order.

• Contract Information: Fields for Contract Number, Task Order Number, Task Title, Project Manager, and FRA Manager.
• Reporting Period: A field for the "Period Ending" date.
• Progress Tracking: Sections for "Performance Progress" and "Financial Progress."
• Financials: Includes fields for Funding Level, Expended Amount, Remaining Amount, and % Expended. It also includes a table to track estimated vs. actual expenditures by month.
• Milestones and Deliverables: A table to track the start, planned completion, revised completion, actual completion, planned percentage complete, and actual percentage complete for various milestones (A through G).
• Problem Reporting: Sections for "Technical/Cost/Schedule Problems."
• Future Planning: A section for "Work Planned for Next Period."
• Meetings: A section for "Meetings Planned/Held."

Bidders should review this template to understand the reporting requirements and metrics that will be expected once a contract is awarded. It provides insight into the level of detail required for progress and financial reporting, which can influence resource allocation and project management planning during proposal development.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix L - FY26_BAA_Quad_Templates.pptx," appears to be a template or appendix providing a standardized format for project-related information, likely for a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or similar research and development initiative. It outlines key sections for presenting project details.

• Project Description: Details the core objectives and activities of the project, such as disseminating NDE probability of detection (POD) results, conducting feasibility studies on new NDE methods, investigating corrosion effects, and gathering information on newer tank car types.
• Railroad Impact: Highlights the benefits and significance of the project, including providing inspection reliability, increasing safety through technological development, addressing industry maintenance and inspection needs, and quantifying NDE method capabilities.
• Project Partners: Lists the involved entities, such as Transportation Technology Center, Inc., the tank car industry and stakeholders, and NDE equipment OEMs.
• Cost & Schedule: Specifies the funding amount (FY20 Funding: $540,000) and the project duration (October 2018 – September 2021).
• Project Manager: Placeholder for contact information.

This template serves as a guide for potential bidders on how to structure and present their project proposals or research plans, particularly concerning Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) of Railroad Tank Cars. It indicates the type of information and level of detail expected by the government regarding project scope, impact, partners, and resources. Bidders should use this structure as a reference for their submissions to ensure all critical aspects are addressed comprehensively.