FY 26 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) - Federal Railroad Administration

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.