Robert L Carpenter

Robert L. Carpenter serves as a Contracting Officer for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency’s mission to enhance rail safety, efficiency, and innovation through strategic acquisitions. He manages a diverse portfolio of procurement actions focused on research and development, engineering services, and operational modernization initiatives, including predictive modeling tools, infrastructure inspection systems, and human factors analysis programs. His work directly supports the FRA’s performance-driven goals by ensuring timely, compliant, and technically sound contract awards that align with federal procurement regulations and national transportation priorities. While specific contractor relationships are not publicly enumerated, Carpenter’s contracting patterns reflect engagement with a broad spectrum of technical service providers, including engineering consultants, data analytics firms, and infrastructure specialists. He fosters collaborative vendor partnerships grounded in technical excellence and regulatory compliance, often working with firms capable of delivering complex, performance-based solutions in rail systems engineering and safety research. Carpenter demonstrates a strong commitment to socioeconomic contracting, with 75% of his acquisitions conducted under full and open competition and 25% set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. His approach prioritizes broad small business participation without reliance on specialized set-asides like 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB, indicating a preference for competitive small business engagement across general service categories. His primary NAICS focus areas include 541712 for physical and engineering R&D, reflecting his emphasis on advanced rail safety technologies; 541611 for management consulting services supporting operational planning; and 482111 for line-haul railroad services. He frequently procures technical consulting, data modeling, and infrastructure assessment services, demonstrating deep expertise in rail system resilience, predictive analytics, and federally funded engineering innovation.