DOT's FRA Awards $300K Contract to University of Arkansas for Railroad Testing Methodologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $299,574 ($299.6K)
Contractor: University of Arkansas
Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation
Start Date: 2022-09-27
End Date: 2025-09-26
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $274/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THREE LABORATORY TESTING METHODOLOGIES WILL BE EMPLOYED TO MEASURE MECHANISTIC COMPONENTS WHICH WILL BE COMBINED WITH PREVIOUS RESULTS TO INFORM THE PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODEL
Place of Performance
Location: FAYETTEVILLE, WASHINGTON County, ARKANSAS, 72701
State: Arkansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Transportation obligated $299,574 to UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS for work described as: THREE LABORATORY TESTING METHODOLOGIES WILL BE EMPLOYED TO MEASURE MECHANISTIC COMPONENTS WHICH WILL BE COMBINED WITH PREVIOUS RESULTS TO INFORM THE PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODEL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on laboratory testing to inform phenomenological models for railroad components. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is relatively small, indicating a focused research effort. 4. The sector is transportation, specifically railroad research and development.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $299,574 for a 3-year period appears reasonable for specialized laboratory testing and modeling services. Benchmarking against similar research contracts is difficult without more specific details on the methodologies and expected outcomes.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing. The specific bidding outcomes are not detailed here.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small contract value, focused on advancing railroad safety and efficiency through research.
Public Impact
Advancement of railroad safety and efficiency through improved modeling. Potential for new testing methodologies to be adopted by the industry. Investment in academic research contributing to transportation infrastructure knowledge.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables.
- Potential for research findings to be theoretical rather than immediately applicable.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on scientific methodology and modeling.
- Partnership with an established academic institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for transportation infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for similar academic research contracts can vary widely based on scope and duration, but this appears to be a modest investment.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the University of Arkansas, a large institution, and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. The focus is on academic research capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight procedures for research contracts would apply, focusing on milestone achievement and adherence to the research plan.
Related Government Programs
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Department of Transportation Contracting
- Federal Railroad Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Methodology validation uncertainty
- Integration of prior data quality
- Potential for theoretical vs. practical application gap
- Limited scope for a complex system
Tags
colleges-universities-and-professional-s, department-of-transportation, ar, definitive-contract, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Transportation awarded $299,574 to UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS. THREE LABORATORY TESTING METHODOLOGIES WILL BE EMPLOYED TO MEASURE MECHANISTIC COMPONENTS WHICH WILL BE COMBINED WITH PREVIOUS RESULTS TO INFORM THE PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODEL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $299,574.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2025-09-26.
What are the specific mechanistic components to be measured, and how will they inform the phenomenological model?
The data does not specify the exact mechanistic components. However, these are likely physical or material properties of railroad parts that exhibit predictable behaviors under stress or environmental conditions. Understanding these components allows for the creation of a phenomenological model, which describes the system's behavior without necessarily explaining the underlying physics in full detail, thus informing predictive maintenance and design improvements.
What are the potential risks associated with the chosen laboratory testing methodologies?
Risks could include the methodologies not accurately reflecting real-world operating conditions, leading to models that are not sufficiently predictive. There's also a risk of unforeseen technical challenges during testing, potential delays, or the results being inconclusive. The reliance on combining results with previous data introduces a risk if prior data quality or relevance is compromised.
How will the effectiveness of the phenomenological model be measured and validated?
Effectiveness is typically measured by comparing the model's predictions against actual observed phenomena in real-world railroad operations or controlled experiments. Validation might involve statistical analysis of prediction accuracy, error rates, and the model's ability to anticipate failures or performance degradation. The contract should ideally outline specific validation metrics and processes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Transportation R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: FR22RPD31000000019
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1125 WEST MAPLE STE 210, FAYETTEVILLE, AR, 72701
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $299,574
Exercised Options: $299,574
Current Obligation: $299,574
Actual Outlays: $299,574
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-27
Current End Date: 2025-09-26
Potential End Date: 2025-09-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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