prototype of passive-only rail inspectionthat exploits the wheel-generated acoustic “noise” as the rail excitation and only uses air-coupled receivers for non-contact rail inspection at speeds not achievable by current rail inspection technologies.

Air-Coupled Rail Inspection Prototype Using Passive Approach - Follow On (Sole Source Intent Notice) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Washington, DC, intends to award a Sole Source, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) Contract to the University of California San Diego to continue the development of the new concept of "passive-only" rail inspection that exploits the wheel-generated acoustic "noise" as the rail excitation and only uses air-coupled receivers for non-contact rail inspection at speeds not achievable by current rail inspection technologies. The proposed contract action, for which the Government intends to solicit only one source under authority of FAR 6.302, is to develop a 2 nd generation prototype of the described technology and assess its capabilities on the High Tonnage Loop (HTL) and on the Railroad Test Track (RTT) at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO. This synopsis is not a request for competitive proposals; however, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Respondents must provide a capability statement for the " Air-Coupled Rail Inspection Prototype Using Passive Approach " project. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this synopsis. Interested parties with the capability of meeting the proposed requirements are requested to provide an E-mail to the FRA point of contact, Mr. Isaac Rosier, Jr. ([email protected]) no later than 3:00 p.m. EST Friday, 02/02 /2018. 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.