[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29465-29468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14251]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Notice of the Initiation of a Railroad Research and Development
Grant Program in Cooperation with Academic Research Institutions
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
Action: Notice of initiation of grant program and funds availability.
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SUMMARY: FRA announces the initiation of a railroad research and
development grant program in cooperation with academic research
institutions (``Program''). This Program is intended to foster long-
range enhancement of FRA's program of research in support of rail
transportation by developing cooperative research relationships between
the FRA and selected university research organizations. The FRA seeks,
via this announcement, to identify specific academic research
institutions (broadly referred to hereinafter as universities) that may
have expertise useful in complementing the established research program
of FRA's Office of Research and Development (OR&D). Selected
universities will be expected to buttress FRA's current research
program that now operates principally in coordination with non-academic
entities.
Funding Authority and Related Information
This program is being undertaken utilizing funds in the Department
of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal
Year 1998 (Pub. L. 105-66), dated October 27, 1997. FRA anticipates
awarding a small number of grants (whose combined value is not to
exceed approximately $1,000,000, in the aggregate, in Fiscal Year 1998)
for approved university research. Applicants are also encouraged to
consider sharing the cost of their proposed projects or identifying in-
kind contributions. The FRA intends to focus the initial funding
associated with this notice on various research and development (R&D)
areas of interest relating to or under the general heading of rail
safety. In the event future appropriated funds are authorized for the
Program, FRA may, at its discretion, provide additional funding for
research. Such future grants may focus on rail safety or other rail and
adjunct transportation research areas, such as traffic control and
intelligent transportation systems.
Eligible Participants
Accredited universities, colleges, major academic research
institutions, and other public or private academic institutions of
higher learning. All otherwise eligible entities must also have
demonstrable specialized expertise in rail transportation research, and
have a minimum of five years of railroad or rail-related research
experience. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and
Minority Institutions (MIs) fitting this description are encouraged to
apply. However, no portion of this Program will be set aside
exclusively for HBCUs and MIs.
Exchanges and Points of Contact
Exchanges of information between interested parties and the
Government, prior to submission of an application for consideration
under the Program, are strongly encouraged. Such informal exchanges may
provide prospective applicants with preliminary information on the
Government's level of interest in prospective works or projects or on
the availability of funds. Any exchanges of information must be
consistent with all applicable statutory or regulatory procurement
integrity requirements. Technical inquiries regarding this notice may
be directed to: Dr. Magdy El-Sibaie,
[[Page 29466]]
Office of Research and Development, Mail Stop 20, 400 7th St. S.W.,
Washington, DC 20590, TEL 202-632-3259, FAX 202-632-3854. Requests for
forms and administrative questions regarding this solicitation may be
directed to: Ms. Jill Shohet, Office of Research and Development, Mail
Stop 20, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC 20590, TEL 202-632-3284, FAX
202-632-3854, e-mail: [email protected]
Program Applications
To be considered for inclusion in the grouping of selected ``pre-
qualified'' universities and subsequent award of grants/cooperative
agreements to be awarded under the Program, eligible applicants must
submit a Program Application. Program Applications--which consist of
two sections: University Profile and Proposed Research Projects (from
the Areas of Interest)--may be obtained by submitting a written or
electronic request (facsimile requests will be honored) to the
administrative point of contact identified above, Ms. Shohet. Requests
for application forms may be submitted as of the date of (electronic or
printed) publication of this Notice.
Evaluation and Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated/selected by FRA using a three-step
process. In the first step, applications will be evaluated (using the
information from Application Section I--University Profile) to assess
the applicant's eligibility (as an accredited institution of higher
learning), demonstrated specialized expertise in rail transportation
research (e.g., technical capabilities and depth of experience of key
personnel or principal investigators), and experience in railroad or
rail-related research, all as evidenced by cited research contracts/
grants, published papers or dissertations related to railroad
technology, railroad research and test facilities and/or staff with
actual railroad experience of five or more years of railroad research.
Applicants having satisfactory eligibility, background and experience
requirements will then be advanced to the second step, and applications
will be reviewed within the context of proposed projects (from
Application Section II--Proposed Research Projects). Each proposed
project--from the Areas of Interest--will be evaluated based on the
following criteria (which are listed in descending order of relative
importance): (1) Its overall scientific and/or technical merit; (2) The
degree to which it may improve upon or advance railroad safety; (3) The
likelihood for its near term adoption and implementation of possible
recommendations; (4) The degree with which the proposed project fits
into the FRA's overall research objectives; and (5) The reasonableness
and realism of the proposed cost, and the availability of funds (to
include due consideration for proposed cost-sharing (cash or in-kind
contributions) by the applicant). Applicants having advanced from the
first step and whose applications contain one or more proposed projects
determined by FRA to have fully satisfied the evaluation/selection
criteria in the second step, will be advanced to the third step of
evaluation/selection. In the third and final step, all applicants will
be ranked in order of preference, which for the purposes of this
Program will mean a rank order listing of applicants who, in the FRA's
judgement, have the highest to the lowest rated qualifications and the
most to the least probability for success under the Program (with due
consideration to background, personnel, experience and facilities or
other resources identified), and the degree to which one or more of
their proposed projects are of interest to the FRA as potential grant
or cooperative agreement awards (with due consideration to the stated
project evaluation criteria). From this order of rank listing, FRA will
establish a group of selected universities (initially numbering eight
or fewer) that will thereafter be considered ``pre-qualified'' to
perform solicited or approved research projects. At the conclusion of
the evaluation/selection process, FRA will notify all applicants of the
agency's determination and their status (i.e., acceptance or non-
acceptance into the Program). Applicants not selected under the cutoff
in the third step, but meeting the minimum requirements under steps one
and two, will have their applications retained by FRA for one year for
possible future consideration as replacements or add-ons to the initial
pre-qualified grouping of selected universities.
Future Program Awards
Any subsequent grant or cooperative agreements entered into under
the Program will be on an individual award basis. Pre-qualification
will not guarantee selected universities that any FRA research projects
or funding will be forthcoming at any time during the period of Program
affiliation. However, FRA will only fill actual Program requirements
for work through those universities in the pre-qualified grouping
selected hereunder. Solicitation of actual requirements for work
identified by FRA or requests for project proposals initiated by the
FRA, will be at the sole discretion of the FRA, and may be conducted on
a fully competitive (i.e., for the purposes of this Program, open to
all pre-qualified universities), partially competitive (i.e., for the
purposes of this Program, open to two or more pre-qualified
universities), or sole source basis (i.e., for the purposes of this
Program, limited to a single pre-qualified university). The method of
in-house solicitation (i.e., competitive or non-competitive) and
subsequent choice for award will be based on FRA's preliminary
assessments of the pre-qualified university(s)'s qualifications and
capabilities (with regards to the work requirement or project being
solicited), past performance under the Program, and its determination
on the suitability and probability for success of any one or more pre-
qualified universities, and on the availability of funding. Research
projects may also be proposed (without a solicitation from the FRA) by
pre-qualified universities any time during the period of Program
affiliation. Research projects proposed by pre-qualified universities
will be considered by FRA employing the same selection criteria used
under this Notice in evaluating the initial proposal(s) submitted for
consideration for both inclusion in the pre-qualified grouping/Program
and as probable future projects. (See the five selection criteria under
the heading ``Evaluation and Selection Process.'') FRA may use projects
initially proposed in the selection process, as well as those
subsequently proposed by pre-qualified universities, as the basis for
solicitation of more in-depth technical and/or cost proposals, the
submission of formal applications for assistance (e.g, SF 424--
Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424A--Budget Information (Non-
Construction Programs), etc.) and subsequent award of financial
assistance. The determination to approve or disapprove, and fund or not
fund a research project proposed by a pre-qualified university is at
the sole and final discretion of the FRA. Each approved project will
stand independently as a separate award. The specific terms and
conditions of potential awards will be identified in the solicitation.
Generally speaking, by entering into a financial assistance agreement,
pre-qualified universities/prospective recipients will be subject to 49
CFR, part 19--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Non-Profit Organizations, OMB Circular A-21--Cost Principles for
Educational
[[Page 29467]]
Institutions, and OMB Circular A-133--Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations. Unless a university loses
its eligibility to participate (e.g., Government debarment or
suspension (non-procurement)), or the Government has other sufficient
cause for termination, or the parties mutually agree to dissolve the
pre-qualified status, pre-qualified universities will be considered to
be affiliated with the Program and will remain eligible to receive FRA
grant/cooperative agreement awards, as described above, for a period of
up to three years from the date of notification of acceptance into the
Program.
Areas of Interest
The following are areas of current FRA research interest. The
subjects listed here identify the breadth of FRA research activities in
support of its safety mandate. Applicants should prepare and submit as
part of their application, proposed projects in one or more of the
listed areas of interest for which they are qualified to perform.
Note: Applicants may propose more than one project per area of
interest, but the total number of all proposed projects may not
exceed five.
Proposed projects may in and of themselves serve as the basis for
initial solicitations and awards following the FRA's evaluation of
applications and selection of pre-qualified universities. Each project
proposal should be a brief, yet comprehensive and fully descriptive
overview of the project. Each project proposal should be five pages or
less, one-sided, 10- to 12-point type or font, single spaced, and
numbered. To facilitate evaluation, project proposals should be
formatted using the basic outline set forth in Section II of the
application form. (To obtaine a copy of the application form, see
information under the heading ``Exchanges and Points of Contact.'')
1. Modeling and Simulation of Vehicle/Track Interaction
This research activity involves the development of a comprehensive
computer program for modeling and simulating railway vehicle/track
systems with an emphasis on the dynamic performance of both vehicle and
track and their interaction through the wheel/rail interface. The
primary goal is to enhance the government capability for modeling and
simulating the dynamic performance of a user-defined vehicle/track
system. This computer program will be used by the FRA and other
government and regulatory agencies in rail related safety studies and
in accident investigations, among other uses.
2. Smart Transducers and Monitoring Devices for Railroad Safety
Inspection
This research activity focuses on the development of software and
hardware tools for the deployment of smart transducers and devices for
monitoring the safety of track and rolling stock. Emphasis will be on
intelligent sensors and associated logic that are capable of frequent
and economic inspection of track and rolling stock and communicating
safety hazards in the form of exceptions to remote sites. In addition
to innovations in sensor technologies, complementary pattern
recognition algorithms, based on methods such as neural networks and
statistical techniques, shall be explored. The objective of this
research will be to improve the quality and efficiency of track and
rolling stock safety inspection.
3. Advanced Techniques for Detecting and Repairing Weak Track Spots
This research activity is for the development of automated
techniques for identifying spots along the track structure that suffer
from rapid deterioration in geometry and/or strength. Such weak track
spots often develop along track due to many factors, such as weak
subgrade, poor drainage, and poor ballast conditions, resulting in high
track maintenance costs. The often resulting rapid rate of track
geometry and/or strength deterioration may produce a safety hazard.
Research efforts should also consider the development of methods and
techniques for an economic and effective repair of such weak spots
based on the diagnosed track condition.
4. Automated Track Bed Subsurface Evaluation
Track subsurface layers (ballast, sub-ballast, and subgrade) are
key factors in the overall track performance and rate of degradation.
Poor subsurface conditions can lead to adverse redistribution of loads
with the track system, which could in turn lead to overloading of some
track components and premature elements failures, or even collapse of
the track roadbed. This uneven degradation of components results in
costly maintenance, and adversely affects track safety. Thus, although
ballast, sub-ballast, and subgrade are key track components that
warrant monitoring, these subsurface conditions are not amenable to the
current visual methods. In addition, there is no practical methodology
currently available for rapid subsurface data acquisition for the
evaluation of the engineering properties of soil, accurate
determination of location and extent of deteriorated conditions. The
principal objectives of this activity are automated data acquisition
for soil classification and evaluation of its engineering properties,
and the measurement of other pertinent parameters such as in-situ
density and moisture content. In this regard, new emerging technologies
such as ground penetrating radar may offer the promise of significant
improvement by using nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. If
successful in accomplishing these objectives, the study would improve
the effectiveness of track maintenance, and contribute significantly to
the ongoing predictive track degradation model development.
5. Reliability Design and Analysis
Tank car accidents, tank car structural failures in components of
railroad tank cars suggest that measures of reliability should be
better defined. Subsequently, detailed reliability assessment of
individual components and component subsystems should be performed that
will lead to improved accident performance. Although catastrophic
failure is easily recognized, tank car performance as a safe packaging
of hazardous materials may deteriorate over time and elements
contributing to this deterioration (per-existing defects, corrosion,
cracks, pitting, etc.) need documentation. This research activity will
focus on the development of a methodology to assess the failure mode.
It may consist of parameters needed to establish structural integrity
requirements based on value engineering analysis, previous failure
experiences and studies. The methodology will consider establishing a
level of reliability of a tank car design for the intended service. The
development of a methodology that considers expected life, failure
rates and hazard functions and which can combine these variables into
an overall tank car ``strength'' function can be extremely useful. The
results of such an assessment can quantitatively provide the tank car
owner with information that may be used to define boundaries of
reliability, allowing the tank car owner to implement guidelines for
maintenance and use that lead to improved safety performance. This
research activity is also concerned with reliability and safety
performance aspects of other types of railroad cars and railroad
operations and maintenance practices.
[[Page 29468]]
6. Epidemiology of Post-Accident Stress in Locomotive Engineers
It is well established that individuals who are involved in serious
accidents or other situations involving loss of life undergo post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD has been documented in police
officers, firemen, and rescue workers, and, because of the debilitating
effects of PTSD, mandatory counseling is often provided for individuals
who are involved in traumas. Informal discussions with locomotive
engineers indicates that during the course of a career most locomotive
engineers experience a traumatic grade crossing accident. At present
there is no industry approach to PTSD in locomotive engineers, although
anecdotal information suggests that safety may be compromised if
counseling is not provided. However, the number of locomotive engineers
who experience PTSD is not known, and consequently the need for
resources to address this problem is also not known. This project will
determine the descriptive epidemiology (incidence and prevalence) of
PTSD in locomotive engineers so that the magnitude of the problem can
be scientifically established.
Application Submission and Deadline
In preparing application submissions, applicants are reminded to
carefully read this entire Notice and to comply with all content,
format and time requirements. An original and four (4) copies of each
application should be submitted to the following address: Ms. Jill
Shohet, Office of Research and Development, Mail Stop 20, 400 7th St.
SW, Washington, DC 20590. Neither electronic nor facsimile submissions
will be accepted. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
For applicants to receive full consideration, applications must be
received by the FRA at the above address on or before July 17, 1998.
Dated: May 26, 1998.
James T. McQueen,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Development.
[FR Doc. 98-14251 Filed 5-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
