FY 26 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) - Federal Railroad Administration
Updated
Special Notice from the Federal Railroad Administration, for work in Washington, District of Columbia. Due Sep 30, 2027, 12:00 PM (UTC-4), 342 days left.
| Solicitation number | 693JJ626R000001 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Federal Railroad Administration |
| Office | Federal Railroad Administration |
| Notice type | Special Notice |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715) |
| Place of performance | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Posted | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Sep 30, 2027, 12:00 PM (UTC-4) (342 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
693JJ626R000001_00002: Amendment Description __________ The Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research, Development, and Technology amends the FY26-27 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix C — Research Topics document to remove the following four research topics that are “no longer available:” FRA-TR-003 – Characterization and Risk Assessment of Non-Regulatory, Combined Track Geometry Defects FRA-TR-004 – Special Trackwork Wear Analysis 693JJ626R000001_00001: Amendment Description __________ The Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research, Development, and Technology amends the FY26-27 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix C — Research Topics document to remove the following four research topics that are “no longer available:” FRA-TR-005 – Innovative Methods for Measuring or Monitoring Longitudinal Rail Stress FRA-TR-006 – Research and Development on Track Lateral Strength FRA-TR-007 – Determining Pre Break Rail Neutral Temperature, Longitudinal Rail Restraint, and Best Rail Adjustment Practices FRA-TR-009 – Wheel/Rail Contact Evaluation 693JJ626R000001: Original Description__________ The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) FY 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicits a variety of applied research projects that will support Department of Transportation and FRA strategic objectives.
The research needs are in the three FRA research areas: Track, Rolling Stock and Equipment, and Train Control and Communications. The BAA consists of several research topics for potential contractors to submit concept papers for FRA’s review. We recommend full and open competition for the FY 2026 BAA.
Concept papers are approved if they meet the objectives of FRA research topics in the BAA. Contractors with approved concept papers will have the opportunity to submit a proposal for possible contract award. This effort extends for a period of 15 months, therefore the response date is anytime within the 15 month period.
No concept papers will be reviewed after the ultimate deadline of 9/30/2027. However, this announcement is subject to periodic Amendments updating the status of available research topics. Once a research topic becomes unavailable, the research topic will be removed from the announcement allowing the available research topics to gain more visibility.
The FRA is committed to excellence and welcomes top innovators, creators, professors, rail enthusiasts, and rail subject matter experts to take on this BAA opportunity.
Contracting contact
- General BAA E-Mail Inbox · [email protected]
- General BAA E-Mail Inbox · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541715, a business counts as small if it has no more than 11 employees (SBA size standard, with exceptions in the notes). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Notice history
- Aug 21, 2026: Special Notice Due Sep 30, 2027, 12:00 PM (UTC-4)
- May 21, 2026: Special Notice Due Sep 30, 2027, 12:00 PM (UTC-4)
- May 21, 2026: Special Notice Due Nov 21, 2027, 12:00 PM (UTC-5)
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences contracts right now
There are 255 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541715), 37 posted in the last 7 days; 32% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia. A notice in this trade gives a median of 80 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 343 days.
All open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
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From the award notices agencies publish.