A --Research in Transportation, Safety and Logistics Programs

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center intends to award a five-year task order contract to support research in transportation, safety, and logistics related programs with respect to modeling, technology, policy, conservation, security, and safety. Support will involve: application of advanced/unique computer techniques to air traffic control, air and surface traffic management systems, transportation system scheduling and planning, and safety enhancement; use of advanced test facilities for verification of the appropriate application of new technologies to transportation systems problems; use of advanced simulators and modeling tools to develop, analyze, and improve transportation safety and planning; development and application of state-of-the-art communications and surveillance technologies for improving transportation situational awareness; use of software and modeling tools to mitigate transportation noise and air quality impacts; and application of state-of-the-art expertise and resources to conduct research on advanced man-machine interfaces in transportation systems and the use information technology to enhance productivity with particular attention to transportation and logistics. Interested offerors must submit a capabilities package with two copies demonstrating their sustained abilities in each of the following transportation areas: capability to rapidly simulate the operations of a specific airport and provide an assessment of any operational changes on the airport's capacity and delays; capability to perform studies and tests in support of various spectrum/frequency issues critical to air traffic control operations; capability to model travel behavior and security measures; capability to model the real-time response of traffic on a highway network to incidents and traveler information; capability to perform quantitative research on human factors in advanced guideway systems and railroad operations; capability to test human subjects at simulated high speeds; capability to conduct research in the simulation and investigation of pilot performance using advanced concepts; capability to perform shakedown stress estimation using software in order to conduct research on transportation-related materials; capability to measure fixed-wing aircraft and rotor-craft noise; capability to measure aircraft air emissions and dispersion; capability to reduce and analyze acoustics-related and air emissions-related data; capability to develop codes and algorithms for acoustics and emissions computer models; capability to model aircraft performance; capability to model airport noise; capability to model air pollution dispersion; and capability to apply sophisticated visual problem solving and rapid prototyping skills to the problems of imaging visual complexity and the capability to assess and employ advanced techniques in information technology to improve safety, security and efficiency in transportation and logistics. Interested parties must respond to this announcement in writing within 15 days of publication. Telephonic requests will not be honored. For Minority, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small Business and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) has a program to assist minority, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital assistance for transportation-related contracts. Loans are available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $500,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169.