Ricky Schweitzer

Ricky Schweitzer serves as a key procurement lead within the Federal Railroad Administration, supporting the agency’s mission to modernize rail safety and operational resilience through technical innovation. Responsible for managing research and development acquisitions, Schweitzer oversees contracts that advance rail infrastructure inspection technologies, human factors analysis systems, and predictive modeling tools for rail capacity planning. His work directly enables the FRA’s technical oversight function by translating operational needs into competitive procurement strategies that prioritize scientific rigor and engineering excellence. He primarily handles high-complexity R&D solicitations requiring specialized expertise in transportation systems, data analytics, and safety-critical software development. Schweitzer collaborates with a diverse ecosystem of engineering firms, academic research institutions, and technology developers specializing in rail systems analysis. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, his procurement patterns reflect a preference for vendors with proven capabilities in transportation engineering, sensor integration, and simulation modeling. He fosters collaborative relationships with firms capable of delivering iterative, performance-based solutions under cost-reimbursable and time-and-materials contract types, often requiring rigorous technical evaluation and peer review processes. Schweitzer’s contracting approach reflects a strong commitment to small business participation, with approximately 20% of his acquisitions set aside for total small businesses under FAR 19.5. He consistently structures solicitations to encourage competition from small businesses with relevant technical credentials, though the majority of his portfolio remains open to all competitors to ensure access to the broadest pool of innovation. His socioeconomic strategy aligns with FRA’s goal of leveraging diverse talent while maintaining technical integrity. His procurement focus is exclusively centered on NAICS 541715—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—reflecting deep expertise in engineering R&D. He procures advanced analytics platforms, rail safety simulation software, inspection robotics, and human performance modeling tools, all critical to advancing the nation’s rail infrastructure resilience and accident prevention capabilities.