DOT/FRA Awards $322K Contract for Rail Stress Research Using Ultrasonic Waves

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $322,764 ($322.8K)

Contractor: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-09-13

End Date: 2026-09-12

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $443/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE BAA CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE DOT/FRA WITH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT ENTITLED, "MEASURE LONGITUDINAL RAIL STRESS USING A SELF-REFERENCED ULTRASONIC WAVE METHOD BASED ON ACOUSTOELASTIC EFFECT."

Place of Performance

Location: LINCOLN, LANCASTER County, NEBRASKA, 68583

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $322,764 to BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA for work described as: THE BAA CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE DOT/FRA WITH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT ENTITLED, "MEASURE LONGITUDINAL RAIL STRESS USING A SELF-REFERENCED ULTRASONIC WAVE METHOD BASED ON ACOUSTOELASTIC EFFECT." Key points: 1. Focuses on innovative ultrasonic wave method for rail stress measurement. 2. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 3. Potential for improved rail safety and maintenance through advanced technology. 4. Research and Development in Physical Sciences sector, aligning with agency goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $322,764 for a 2-year R&D effort appears reasonable for specialized research. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in physical sciences is difficult without more specific data, but the scope seems contained.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors could have bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research aimed at improving rail infrastructure safety and efficiency, which could lead to long-term cost savings and reduced accident risks.

Public Impact

Enhances safety and reliability of rail transportation infrastructure. Drives innovation in materials science and engineering for critical infrastructure. Potential for cost savings in rail maintenance and inspection. Supports advanced research capabilities within the university system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Research outcomes may not be immediately applicable or scalable.
Long-term effectiveness and adoption of the technology are uncertain.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need in rail infrastructure monitoring.
Utilizes advanced scientific principles for a novel solution.
Awarded through a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research field and project scope.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, which is not typically considered a small business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight procedures for R&D contracts would apply, focusing on milestone achievement and technical progress.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Railroad Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Novel technology with unproven real-world application.
Potential for high technical risk in R&D.
Dependence on specialized expertise for implementation.
Limited information on long-term scalability and maintenance costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $322,764 to BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. THE BAA CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE DOT/FRA WITH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT ENTITLED, "MEASURE LONGITUDINAL RAIL STRESS USING A SELF-REFERENCED ULTRASONIC WAVE METHOD BASED ON ACOUSTOELASTIC EFFECT."

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Railroad Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $322,764.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-13. End: 2026-09-12.

What is the expected timeline for validating the effectiveness of this ultrasonic wave method in real-world rail conditions?

The contract duration is 729 days (approximately two years), suggesting that initial validation and concept refinement are expected within this period. However, full-scale implementation and long-term effectiveness studies would likely extend beyond this initial R&D phase, requiring further investment and testing.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a self-referenced ultrasonic wave method for critical infrastructure monitoring?

Risks include the method's sensitivity to environmental factors (temperature, surface contaminants), potential for signal interference, and the need for specialized equipment and trained personnel for deployment and interpretation. The novelty of the approach also carries inherent technical risks if the underlying principles do not translate effectively to practical applications.

How will the success of this R&D contract be measured to ensure taxpayer value?

Success will likely be measured by the successful development and demonstration of the proposed ultrasonic wave method, achievement of key research milestones outlined in the contract, and the generation of a comprehensive report detailing findings and potential applications. The ability to accurately measure longitudinal rail stress using the specified method will be the primary technical metric.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Transportation R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 VINE ST # 830861, LINCOLN, NE, 68503

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $489,364

Exercised Options: $322,764

Current Obligation: $322,764

Actual Outlays: $164,953

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline