Generalized Train Movement Simulator Phase 4

The FRA intends to negotiate a Firm-Fixed Price type contract entitled "Generalized Train Movement Simulator (GTMS) Phase IV" under circumstances permitting other than full and open competition. (FAR) 6.302.1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements" [48 C.F.R. 6.302-1 (1989)]. This justification recommends that a contract be negotiated with Decisiontek, LLC as follow-on work to Phase III Generalized Train Movement Simulator. An Independent Government Cost Estimate of this proposed 18-month effort is $750,000. GTMS software, developed by Decisiontek, LLC, is a simulation software that accomplishes the following: a) calculates the time, position, speed, and forces acting on a train; b) includes a train movement algorithm that accounts for changes in terrain and track curvature as each train move through a defined territory while observing speed limits and directives for routing and movement authorizations; c) provides the ability to specify random distribution of departure delays affecting each scheduled train; d) includes a central dispatcher that prioritized train movement, makes routing decisions, prevents train deadlock, and effects safe movement of the train; e) simulates of railroad operations including: regular timetable operations, GCOR Forms A and B, pick up and set out operations; f) supports a full range of railroad control technologies; and g) provides the ability to manage, share, and manipulate data; and h) provides the ability to track and report exposure events of interest including accidents and rare events. Decisiontek, LCC is the sole company able to successfully develop a generalized train movement simulator that can serve as a platform for the fault injection, mathematical and statistical methods, and optimized computer run time risk assessment over a 20 year time horizon. An alternative contractor, other than Decisiontek, LLC would require at least 6 months lead time (and corresponding substantial costs) to master the subject matter listed below and to gain sufficient expertise with Phase III software code needed to successfully inject faults and measure the results required for Phase IV. Required subject matter: 1) PhD level understanding of complex theory from three academic fields (stochastic processes, graph theory, and computer engineering); 2) expert knowledge of complex railroad operations and established relationships with the Class 1 railroad officials for whom the software is intended; 3) expert linear programming skills to implement cutting-edge statistical method known as importance sampling and other mathematic methods required to optimize computer run time. The additional time and cost of changing software developers at this critical stage of the project provides no benefit to the government and introduces an intolerable level of risk of project failure. There is additional risk that without this software, the FRA will not be able to approve Product Safety Plans for Positive Train Control at the pace required by the Railroad Safety Act of 2008. The Act mandates quick deployment of this technology and is part of the FRA mission. The - 1.