Active

Contract Opportunity

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Request for Information (RFI)

Modelling the Effects of Friction Modifiers on Creep Forces in the Wheel-Rail Interface: Model Extension and Implementation

Objective

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Research, Development and Technology – Track Research Division is seeking information related to railway vehicle wheel-rail interface modelling, with a specific focus on top of rail (TOR) friction modifiers and lubricants related technologies and capabilities that will be available in the 2022 through 2030 timeframe. Specifically, FRA is seeking comprehensive input to gain insights into TOR friction modifiers and their impact on wheel-rail interaction, including creep forces reduction, and how that would affect the railway system safety and efficiency in revenue service.

It should be noted that this request for Information (RFI) is for informational purposes only; it is not a request for proposal (RFP) or a solicitation for a contract or grant award, and it does not obligate the Government in any way. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with responding to this request.

Modeling of Wheel-Rail Friction, Rail Wear, Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF), and TOR Friction Modifiers and Lubricants

To identify capable research entities, the FRA requests vendors confirm whether they have experience performing various aspects of Model Development and Model Validation and Testing. Vendors should also provide documentation supporting claims. Documentation can include synopsis of projects, studies, research, publications, and corresponding contract numbers (if any). The specific experience and expertise that FRA is seeking include:

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  Model Development

  
  

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  Provide documented research related to railway vehicle-track interaction, vehicle dynamics, and effects of TOR friction modifiers and lubricants.

  
  


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  Provide experience/documented research into top of rail friction modifier relationship with respect to wear and rolling contact fatigue.

  
  


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  Provide previous experience modeling forces at the wheel/rail interface, vehicle dynamics, and TOR friction modifiers and lubricants.

  
  

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  Present experience with single wheel lateral to vertical load ratios (L/V’s), creep forces, and varying traction conditions.

  
  


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  Present experience with varying baseline conditions.

  
  


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  Present TOR materials examined (i.e., water and/or grease based, other)

  
  


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  Provide an estimate of time and efforts needed to build upon earlier research findings, if provided with previous FRA-developed code.

  
  

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  Present previous railroad industry modeling collaboration.

  
  

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  Provide experience with multibody simulation (MBS) using codes such as VAMPIRE or SIMPACK, or define alternatives used.

  
  

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  Model Validation and Testing

  
  

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  Provide experience using testing equipment such as: a scaled wheel rig (SWR), the full-scale rig (FSR) and The SUROS twin-disc rig for modelling and data collection purposes.

  
  

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  Provide availability of access to test equipment.

  
  

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  Provide railway vehicle model and software integration experience.

  
  


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  Provide experience performing/validating simulations in varying railroad scenarios (i.e., curving, tangent).

  
  


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  Provide ability to perform validation testing in relevant environment, (i.e., testing on railroad tracks).

  
  

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses are due no later than March 6th, 2024, 12:00 PM EST. Late submissions will not be accepted or reviewed.  In order to ensure timely response and consideration of your feedback, we ask each company to limit itself to one (1) response.  Please submit all responses to this RFI to the Contracting Officer, Ric Schweitzer at the email below:

ricky.schweitzer@dot.gov

DISCLAIMER AND USE OF INFORMATION This RFI does not guarantee that the Government will issue a solicitation or award a contract for supplies or services. No specific solicitation is planned to follow this RFI; however, the responses could impact the Government’s decision to release multiple solicitations in the future.  Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable government regulations. Any material received will be public domain unless clearly marked (on each page) as proprietary. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified.

Please email your questions or comments regarding the RFI to ricky.schweitzer@dot.gov

Respondents are advised that questions, comments, and Government responses may be posted publicly on SAM.gov, although the identity of the requesting organization will be withheld.

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