Karen M Marino

Laboratory Capabilities to Test Railroad Tank Car Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)

The U.S. DOT Volpe Center is issuing a Request for Information to identify qualified commercial or university laboratories capable of performing pool and torch fire tests on Thermal Protection Systems for railroad tank cars. The objective is to support Federal Railroad Administration research into preventing hazardous material releases during derailment fires. Testing must align with 49 CFR 179 Appendix B, though the research may require extended fire exposure durations, modified protocols, and additional data collection beyond standard requirements. Interested vendors must demonstrate the ability to conduct these tests and perform light fabrication and assembly of test specimens, including cutting steel plates and applying specific coatings. The government is seeking detailed information regarding facility capabilities, staff expertise, accreditation, hourly rates, lead times, and equipment availability. This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation or a commitment to award a contract.

Department Of TransportationCambridge, MA, 02142, USA

NAICS

541380

Testing Laboratories and Services

PSC

H222

Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Services

Posted Oct 19, 2026

6913G627SS1002

28d left

FederalNEW

Supply Thermal Protection Systems for Railroad Tank Cars

The U.S. DOT Volpe Center is issuing a Request for Information to identify qualified vendors capable of providing Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) for railroad tank cars. This market research effort supports Federal Railroad Administration research into the performance of TPS during simulated pool and torch fire conditions that exceed standard regulatory durations. The government is seeking a minimum of two pool fire test specimens and two torch fire test specimens per system, with a preference for systems already on the PHMSA approved list or currently in use on tank cars. Interested vendors must provide detailed information regarding their ability to supply either fully assembled specimens or the necessary materials and instructions for third-party fabrication. Requested details include assembly descriptions, lead times, estimated pricing, small business classification, and the availability of existing fire testing data. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation or a commitment to award a contract.

Department Of Transportation10225, MA, 02142, USA

NAICS

488210

Support Activities for Rail Transportation

PSC

H222

Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Services

Posted Oct 19, 2026

6913G627SS1001

28d left

Federal4

Evaluation and Standardization of Retention Capacity of Rail Equipment Glazing Systems

Solicitation 6913G626Q300057 is a combined synopsis and request for quotation issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. The agency intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to Sharma & Associates, Inc. under FAR 6.103 and 8(a) set-aside regulations. The project focuses on the evaluation and standardization of retention capacity for passenger rail equipment glazing systems to prevent passenger ejection during derailments and rollovers. This effort builds upon over 11 years of prior research conducted by the contractor, utilizing specialized expertise and proprietary equipment to develop industry safety standards and performance requirements, including push-through, pry, and ballast drag simulations. The contract structure consists of a base period and two optional CLINs, with a total performance period of approximately 15 months. Key tasks include finalizing an FRA report for publication, developing a simplified and detailed validated finite element model, and engaging with industry groups such as APTA to refine performance requirements. Deliverables must be submitted electronically in MS Word, PowerPoint, or Adobe Acrobat formats. Payment will be processed via the DOT's DELPHI system in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act. The solicitation is conducted under FAR Part 12 for commercial products and services, with a NAICS code of 541690 and a small business size standard of 19 million dollars.

Department Of TransportationHinsdale, IL, 60521, USA

NAICS

541330

Engineering Services

PSC

H222

Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Services

Posted Sep 21, 2026

8A6913G626Q300057

Closed

Awarded2

Fire Main Repair for MARAD Warehouse in New Orleans, LA

The U.S. Department of Transportation's John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center intends to issue a sole source award to CMG Pipelines, Inc. for urgent fire water main repairs at the Maritime Administration warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana. The project involves targeted excavations to identify and replace failed sections of 6- to 10-inch diameter buried water pipes. These repairs are critical because the current lack of water pressure has rendered the facility's fire suppression sprinkler system inoperable, creating a serious safety threat to the warehouse, government property, and personnel. This notice serves as a notification of intent and is not a request for quotation. The government is prioritizing the restoration of the water supply to allow for the subsequent certification and functional assessment of the fire protection system. Inquiries regarding this requirement are directed to the contracting officer, Karen Marino.

Department Of TransportationMA,

NAICS

237110

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

6913G626SN1002

Awarded Aug 26, 2026

Federal5

Advanced Acoustic Model Development and Demonstrate Conceptual Tool to Predict Sonic Boom Footprints over a Range of Meteorological Conditions

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is seeking sole source contractor support from Blue Ridge Research and Consulting, LLC, to develop the next public release of the Advanced Acoustic Model (AAM) and demonstrate a conceptual tool capable of predicting sonic boom impacts using historical atmospheric data. The goal is to present the variability of potential sonic boom effects in a clear and accessible format for Vandenburg Space Force Base leadership and the public. This combined synopsis and solicitation, issued under FAR Part 12.202(b)(i), serves as the only request for offers, with no separate written solicitation to follow. The work is defined in a detailed Statement of Work, with pricing required for four specific contract line items, and the Government intends to award a firm fixed-price purchase order. The solicitation is identified by number 6913G626Q300047 and falls under NAICS code 541690 with a small business size standard of $19 million, though it is not set aside for small businesses. All provisions and clauses referenced, including FAR 52.212-1, -2, and -4 as supplemented by deviations through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01, are incorporated by reference, alongside the Transportation Acquisition Regulation clause on electronic payment submissions. Contractors must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the contract lifecycle, and proposals must be submitted electronically via email to Karen Marino by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on August 13, 2026. Offers must conform strictly to all requirements, and any exceptions must be explicitly stated with reference to the specific provisions being contested. The place of performance is Asheville, North Carolina, and all submissions must be addressed to the Volpe Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Department Of TransportationAsheville, NC, 28801, USA

NAICS

541690

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

PSC

R499

Professional, Administrative, and Management Support Services

Posted Aug 10, 2026

6913G626Q300047

Closed

Federal6

Macroeconomic Impacts of Highway Investment

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is soliciting contractor support to perform macroeconomic modeling analyzing the impacts of highway investments in the United States, using the offeror’s proprietary model. This solicitation, identified as 6913G626Q300045, is conducted under FAR Part 12 for commercial items and FAR Part 13 simplified acquisition procedures, with the NAICS code 541990 and a small business size standard of $19.5 million. Offers must be submitted as firm fixed price quotations covering a base period with 20 optional line items, each requiring a specific dollar amount and a total sum. The deadline for submitting offers has been amended to August 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with all questions due by August 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Offers must be emailed to Karen Marino at the specified address, include the solicitation number, offeror’s Unique Entity Identifier, contact information, and a statement of agreement with all terms. Offerors must hold their prices firm for 60 days after the submission deadline, and awards will be made without discussions unless necessary, based on a best value determination considering price and other factors. The contract will incorporate FAR provisions 52.212-1, 52.212-2, and 52.212-4, along with additional clauses including evaluation of options and electronic submission of payment requests via TAR clause 1252.232-70. Contractors must maintain active SAM registration throughout the contract term.

Department Of TransportationCambridge, MA, 02142, USA

NAICS

541990

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

PSC

B507

Special Studies and Analysis (Not R&D)

Posted Aug 5, 2026

6913G626Q300045

Closed

Federal6

Track System Safety Research

This contract is a sole-source solicitation issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center for engineering consulting services in support of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Track Safety Research Program. The work is exclusively awarded to David Jeong of North Reading, MA, based on his unique and irreplaceable expertise in track system safety, specifically in the areas of rail integrity, fracture mechanics, and rail neutral temperature management, with direct historical validation of the Orringer slow crack-growth model and legacy FRA fracture toolsets. The solicitation, numbered 6913G626Q300043, is conducted under FAR Part 12 for commercial items and FAR Part 13 for simplified acquisition procedures, with a NAICS code of 541330 and a small business size standard of $25.5 million. The period of performance spans a 1-year base period and two optional 1-year periods, structured under three CLINs, with the total duration not exceeding two years. The contractor is required to conduct quarterly recorded 1-hour technical consultations and deliver four presentations per year, along with one comprehensive technical white paper at the end of each contract period, all supported by electronic data files including source code, software scripts, and analytical outputs. The Government will provide secure access to the Orringer crack-growth model and incident-related data files for analysis, but all deliverables must be produced using commercially available or open-source tools such as MATLAB, Python, or Excel, without requiring proprietary software. Electronic deliverables under 20 megabytes must be emailed directly; larger files must be uploaded via a Government-provided secure file-sharing service, with all data and intellectual property transferring fully to the Government upon completion. The contract includes the full suite of FAR and TAR clauses under federal acquisition circular 2026-01, including provisions on whistleblower rights, cybersecurity, anti-trafficking, DEI compliance, payment by electronic funds transfer through the DELPHI iSupplier system authenticated via login.gov, and prohibition of unauthorized obligations. The offeror must submit a firm fixed price quote for each CLIN and must meet all specified technical qualifications, as the award will be based solely on the individual’s proven technical capability and historical domain expertise, with no competitive evaluation. Offers must be received via email by the contracting officer no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 7, 2026, and the vendor must maintain an active

Department Of TransportationCambridge, MA, 02142, USA

NAICS

541330

Engineering Services

PSC

R499

Professional, Administrative, and Management Support Services

Posted Aug 4, 2026

6913G626Q300043

Closed

Federal5

Sustainable Aviation Fuel technoeconomic analyses and U.S. fuel deployment data

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is soliciting proposals under a sole-source arrangement with Washington State University to perform technical analyses and data updates in support of the Federal Aviation Administration’s representation at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection. The work involves updating Rules of Thumb models, refining the U.S. capacity database, and revising the Fuel Accounting Report to inform the ICAO-wide assessment of synthetic aviation fuel technoeconomics, production trends, and accounting systems, with deliverables due in early 2027. The solicitation is structured as a Request for Quotation under FAR Parts 12 and 13, using the NAICS code 541620 with a $25.5 million small business size standard, and will result in a firm fixed-price purchase order with a base and six option CLINs that may be exercised unilaterally by the government. Offers must include priced line items for each requirement and comply with all incorporated provisions and clauses, including those from FAR 52.212-1, -2, and -4, as well as the Transportation Acquisition Regulation clause on electronic payment submissions. Proposals are due by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on July 31, 2026, and must be submitted via email to Karen Marino at Karen.Marino@dot.gov, with no telephone submissions accepted. The offeror must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the contract lifecycle, and failure to meet any solicitation requirement may render the submission ineligible. All documents referenced, including the Statement of Work and applicable clauses, are incorporated by reference, and any exceptions to requirements must be explicitly noted in the proposal. The contract will be awarded without competitive bidding based on the authority cited in FAR 6.103-1(a) and (b), and performance is expected to occur in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The contracting officer will evaluate responses based on commercial item evaluation criteria, and payment will be processed electronically in accordance with the prescribed regulation.

Department Of TransportationCambridge, MA, 02142, USA

NAICS

541620

Environmental Consulting Services

PSC

F115

Natural Resources and Conservation Services

Posted Jul 27, 2026

no_set_aside_used6913G626Q300040

Closed

Federal5

Microwave Data Link hardware required to network remote Automatic Identification System (AIS) receive stations

This solicitation, issued as a Request for Quotation under FAR Part 12 for commercial items, seeks a firm fixed price purchase order for microwave data link hardware necessary to connect remote Automatic Identification System (AIS) receive stations to the Volpe Center’s Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS). The hardware must be provided by Cambium and includes twelve specific line items such as PTP 78700 Connectorized ODU units, extended warranties, tilt bracket assemblies, grounding kits, POE injectors, antennas, RF jumper cables, and other associated components—no equal or alternative products will be accepted. The period of performance runs from the date of award through October 31, 2026, with delivery required at Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi, Georgia. All offers must be submitted electronically by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on June 12, 2026, to the Contracting Officer at Karen.Marino@dot.gov, and must include a firm fixed price for each CLIN. Questions must be submitted in writing no later than June 10, 2026. Contractors must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) for the duration of the contract and comply with all incorporated FAR and TAR clauses, including electronic payment submission via the iSupplier module of the DELPHI system with authentication through login.gov. Payment requests submitted by email, fax, or scanned documents are not acceptable. Compliance with the Prompt Payment Act, federal anti-discrimination laws under Executive Order 14173, prohibitions on contracting with inverted domestic corporations, combating trafficking in persons, and information systems safeguarding is mandatory. Inspection and acceptance occur at the place of delivery, with government rights to reject nonconforming items and require correction within six months of acceptance. The NAICS code is 423430 with a $15 million small business size standard, and no set-aside is being used. All submissions must strictly adhere to brand-name specifications and include no exceptions unless clearly identified and justified.

Department Of CommerceDidi Dighomi , GE-TB, 0131, GEO

NAICS

423430

Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers

PSC

7B21

Posted Jun 8, 2026

6913G626Q300032

Closed

Federal3

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 2026 Vehicle Track interaction (VTI) Workshop at TTC”

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is soliciting a sole-source, firm fixed-price contract under FAR Part 12 for commercial services to support the 2026 Federal Railroad Administration Vehicle-Track Interaction (VTI) Workshop at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The award is restricted to ENSCO Inc. of Vienna, Virginia, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), and no competitive bidding process is being conducted. The contract requires comprehensive planning and execution of a two-day international workshop focused on advancing railroad safety research, encompassing venue management for meeting spaces with audiovisual and internet infrastructure, technical support for remote participation, coffee and refreshment services, provision of boxed lunches, demonstration of specialized equipment including the DOTX 304 flatcar and Mini-Shaker Unit, and logistical coordination for a site visit to the slab track at Rail Transportation Testing. All services must be performed on-site at the TTC, with full restoration of facilities within 12 hours after the event. The period of performance extends from the award date through October 31, 2026. Contractors must comply with stringent safety protocols, including mandatory use of hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility vests, and steel-toed boots on-site, along with visitor badge issuance. Information security requirements are governed by FAR and TAR clauses addressing safeguarding of unclassified information systems, protection of Controlled Unclassified Information, and cybersecurity for IT resources. The contractor must assign a Task Order Manager and Safety Officer to attend planning meetings and deliver on-site safety briefings. Offerors must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management throughout the contract lifecycle and affirm representations regarding whistleblower rights, prohibitions on confidential internal agreements, and compliance with anti-trafficking and equal opportunity policies. Proposals must be submitted via email by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on May 21, 2026, to the Contracting Officer, Karen Marino, with any deviations from solicitation terms clearly identified. The contract is assessed under FAR 52.212-2 for evaluation of commercial products and services, though specific evaluation factors are not detailed. No packaging, marking, or preservation standards are specified, and the payment method is electronic funds transfer through SAM, with no formal invoicing platform named. The NAICS code is 611430 with a $15 million small business size standard, and no set-aside is

Department Of CommercePueblo, CO, USA

NAICS

611430

Professional and Management Development Training

PSC

U099

Education and Training Services

Posted May 14, 2026

6913G626Q300027

Closed