FR20RPD31000000029 NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intends to award a sole source contract to RJ Peterman & Associates, Inc. (RJPA) for “Determining the Transfer Length of Large-Diameter Prestressing Tendons Used in Pretensioned Concrete Railroad Ties”. This experimental work is a continuation of concrete crosstie research and development begun under DTFR53-11-C-00020 (Kansas State University) and continued under DTFR53-15-C-00006 (Kansas State University). The objective of this project is to experimentally establish the correlation functions between two existing pretensioning wire assessment methods (ASTM 1096 and Automated Non-Contact Wire Indent Scanning), developed in these prior research projects to assess bond characteristics and transfer length for 5.32 mm indented wire, and larger diameter indented wires currently used in the concrete tie industry – 7.5mm, 8.0mm, and 10.5mm. The product of this project directly supports FRA goals for ensuring a state of good repair in the rail industry. Published FRA research has shown that the relationship between 5.32 mm wire indent geometry and concrete bond is critical to concrete tie durability. This new research will produce experimental data necessary for proper design and manufacturing of prestressed concrete crossties with larger diameter wires. The results of this experimental effort will be widely disseminated through the rail industry and the prestressed concrete industry, via FRA publications, industry conference reports and presentations, and updates to the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual for Railway Engineering. Because RJPA developed the experimental procedures for this effort- ASTM A1096 and Automated Non-Contact Wire Indent Scanning they are considered the only source who can conduct the research. Additionally, outsourcing this effort would incur additional cost which is not feasible due to the low level of effort for the proposed project. The proposed contract action, for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, is under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Interested parties with the capability of meeting the proposed requirements are requested to provide an email to the FRA point of contact, Veronica Dorsey at
[email protected] no later than 1:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, July 23, 2020, expressing interest and outlining their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government