Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Acquisition and Grants Services, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW, Mail Stop 50, Washington, DC, 20590

22 -- TRACK RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION VEHICLE SOL DTFR53-00-R-00014 DUE 031500 POC Robert Spratling, Contracting Officer, Phone (202)493-6152, Fax (202)493-6171, Email robert.spratling@fra.dot.gov -- Illona Williams, Contracting Officer, Phone (202) 493-6130, Fax (202) 493-6171, Email WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=DTFR53-00-R-0 0014&LocID=1042. E-MAIL: Robert Spratling, robert.spratling@fra.dot.gov. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has a requirement for design, fabrication, and testing of a Track Instrumentation Vehicle (TIRV) which will serve as a replacement vehicle for the T-6 Research Vehicle with a state-of-the-art Track Instrumentation Research Vehicle (TIRV). (This solicitation will serve as a re-issuance of similar requirements solicited under RFP DTFR53-99-R-00019, which has been canceled). The requirements solicited under this RFP are intended provide for the performance of all the field testing and related R&D support activities that are currently being provided by the existing T-6 research car. The new car is also envisioned to possess adequate design flexibility so as to be expandable in the future to incorporate smart track inspection technologies and related new evaluation techniques to improve track safety. Further, it will provide a test platform to assist researchers in the development of advanced track safety inspection and evaluation technologies. Changes in inspection methods from manual/subjective to automated/objective, and in operating conditions, particularly increased traffic and higher speeds, have created an environment where a self-propelled vehicle is deemed indispensable for the implementation of the track safety research envisioned FRA's Strategic R&D Plan. At a minimum, the TIRV vehicle will be self-propelled, capable of speeds up to 79 mph and 110 mph in tow mode, with Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) and a data acquisition system to support GRMS needs and an additional 32 external data channels. Further, the vehicle design will incorporate attachment and cable conduits which are anticipated to be option requirements. It is anticipated that the RFP will be released based on a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract type. The contractor will be required to deliver a fully operational system within 18 months of contract award. The Government plans to issue the RFP on or before January 31, 2000. The soliciation will be issued electronically through this EPSwebsite. Posted 01/06/00 (D-SN413553). (0006)

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