Akwasi Kankam is a government contact. Akwasi is associated with 19 contracts. Activity spans Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), Support Activities for Rail Transportation, and Professional and Management Development Training.
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Contracting officer information and contact details
The Federal Railroad Administration, under the Department of Transportation, is issuing a pre-solicitation notice for the Railroad Employee Fatigue and Scheduling Pilot Program Study. This initiative, mandated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to conduct research and pilot studies to identify fatigue countermeasures and scheduling methodologies that maximize employee alertness and reduce fatigue. The project will be awarded as a firm-fixed-price contract with a period of performance lasting 12 months from the effective date.
The government requires perpetual, non-exclusive, and irrevocable rights to all deliverables, including analytic models and fatigue-assessment methodologies, to share them across federal, state, and local agencies. This is an unrestricted solicitation open to all responsible sources, with the formal solicitation expected to be released shortly after the initial posting. Offerors must disclose any third-party intellectual property or proprietary restrictions that could impact the government's ability to use the resulting materials.
Department Of TransportationWashington,
DC,
20590,
USA
NAICS
541720
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
The Federal Railroad Administration, under the Department of Transportation, is seeking support for Office Safety Investigations through a solicitation numbered FR26RDI20000000052, posted on July 13, 2026. The work falls under NAICS code 541715, indicating it involves scientific research and development services, specifically targeting safety investigation support functions. The primary point of contact is Akwasi Kankam, reachable via email at akwasi.kankam@dot.gov, with the federal office located in Washington, DC, 20590. The work is required to be performed in Hinsdale, Illinois, 60521, indicating that the contractor will need to be situated or capable of operating at this location. The contract type is categorized as a justification, suggesting this solicitation is issued to formally document the need for services without competitive bidding. There is no set-aside designation, meaning the opportunity is open to all eligible businesses regardless of size or status.
Department Of TransportationHinsdale,
IL,
60521,
USA$525Kest.
NAICS
541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
The Federal Railroad Administration under the Department of Transportation is seeking solutions for the Mobile Railcar Inspection Portal system, identified by solicitation number FR26RDI20000000044. The requirement is classified under NAICS code 488210, which pertains to support activities for rail transportation, and the opportunity is posted with a planned date of July 13, 2026. The contract will be managed out of the agency’s office in Washington, DC, with performance expected to take place in Jacksonville, Florida, at zip code 32256. The primary point of contact for inquiries is Akwasi Kankam, reachable via email at akwasi.kankam@dot.gov. This solicitation is categorized as a justification, indicating it may pertain to a non-competitive or sole-source acquisition rationale, though no set-aside type or description is provided. Interested parties can access further details through the provided SAM.gov workspace link.
Department Of TransportationJacksonville,
FL,
32256,
USA$1.3Mest.
The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking to continue work on Automatic Engine Start Stop (AESS) technology and conduct a study on air leak fuel penalties, focusing on improving fuel efficiency and operational performance in railroad systems. The solicitation, identified as FR26RDI20000000033, was posted on July 13, 2026, and falls under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This effort is aimed at advancing rail technology through targeted engineering analysis and data-driven assessments related to engine management and fuel consumption impacts from air system leaks. Performance of the work will occur in San Antonio, Texas, while the contracting office is based in Washington, D.C. The primary point of contact for inquiries is Akwasi Kankam, reachable via email at akwasi.kankam@dot.gov. The contract type is listed as a justification, indicating this solicitation supports ongoing or expanded work rather than a new competitive procurement, and no set-aside provisions are specified.
Department Of TransportationSan Antonio,
TX,
78238,
USA$500Kest.
NAICS
541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
The Federal Railroad Administration, under the Department of Transportation, is awarding a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract valued at $750,000 to BlueHalo for the development of a handheld railcar wheelset bearing defect detector using Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS). This acquisition is authorized under 49 USC § 20108 and implementing regulations at 49 CFR §§ 1.88(b) and 1.89(f), fulfilling a congressional mandate to enhance railroad safety by proactively detecting internal bearing defects in freight trains before service, particularly during hazardous materials transport. The contract is justified under FAR 6.302-1 and FAR 12.201-1 due to BlueHalo’s exclusive prior development of RUS technology under a 2024 Broad Agency Announcement, with no other sources capable of delivering the identical or equivalent capability without unacceptable delays. The device must demonstrate validated performance in both laboratory and field environments, building directly on existing RUS research to enable defect detection through shifts in natural resonant frequencies, with the ultimate goal of scalable future integration into automated inspection systems. Performance is to be conducted in Simi Valley, California, with inspection and acceptance responsibilities held by the Federal Railroad Administration through its designated Contracting Officer, Akwasi Kankam, and Technical Representative, David C. Brabb. No fee is included in the contract, and while the total value is specified, no line-item breakdown, pricing details, option periods, or delivery schedule are provided. Packaging, marking, and preservation requirements are not detailed in the available documentation, nor are specific quality standards such as MIL-STD or ASTM cited; compliance is tied to federal railroad safety objectives and the technical success of the RUS system as previously validated. The award is not competitively solicited, and no socioeconomic certifications, small business status claims, or affirmative representations are indicated, with the sole basis for selection being technological uniqueness and continuity of development. Submitting entities were required to provide a narrative sole source justification under SAM.gov, with the process concluding on January 16, 2024, and the contract formally signed on April 16, 2026.
Department Of TransportationSimi Valley,
CA,
93065,
USA$750Kest.
NAICS
541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
The Federal Railroad Administration plans to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Progress Rail, LLC for the repair and replacement of components on the DOTX2000 locomotive, owned by the FRA and operated by the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. This locomotive is critical for collecting real-world data on emerging rail safety technologies. Progress Rail, as the original equipment manufacturer of the EMD product line, holds exclusive access to proprietary engineering designs, technical specifications, and proprietary control systems like EM2000™ and FIRE™, making it the only entity capable of performing authorized repairs that maintain the locomotive’s original safety certifications and operational integrity. Non-OEM vendors cannot replicate the required diagnostic protocols or component tolerances, posing unacceptable technical risks. The contract authority is grounded in FAR 6.302-1 and applicable federal statutes, and no competitive solicitation is being issued. The performance period is limited to twelve months from the award date, with repairs to be conducted in Hudson, Indiana.
Interested parties may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to perform the work without disrupting program continuity or incurring duplication of cost, but only if they can prove equivalent access to the proprietary systems and certification standards. All responses must be submitted electronically no later than June 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time; oral communications are prohibited. The notice does not obligate the government to award a contract, nor does it constitute a solicitation. The primary point of contact for inquiries is Akwasi Kankam, Contract Specialist at the Federal Railroad Administration, reachable via email at akwasi.kankam@dot.gov. The NAICS code for this action is 488210, and the award will be made under no set-aside provisions.
Department Of TransportationHudson,
IN,
46747,
USA
