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Emergency Egress Window for Locomotives (FR RRD 10 016) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Emergency Egress Window for Locomotives grant opportunity?

This was a discretionary research and development grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The program supported targeted science and technology work intended to improve locomotive crew safety by enabling faster and more reliable emergency escape.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this grant was FR RRD 10 016.

Which agency administered this grant?

The grant was administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

What CFDA program was this grant associated with?

This opportunity fell under CFDA 20.313, Railroad Research and Development.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on June 18, 2010. The closing date was July 23, 2010.

Was this opportunity later archived?

Yes. The opportunity was later archived on August 22, 2010.

What was the main purpose of the funded project?

The main purpose was to develop an emergency egress window for locomotives that includes a removable seal, and to explore and validate a window design that could function as a viable emergency exit for crew members.

What does "emergency egress window with a removable seal" mean in this context?

In practical terms, it refers to a locomotive window design intended to be used as an emergency escape route, with a seal that can be removed as part of the egress process. The concept was aimed at supporting quicker and more dependable evacuation when standard exits are not usable.

Why was the FRA interested in funding an emergency egress window project?

The FRA's interest was tied to safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB urged the FRA to make emergency egress windows a formal requirement, and this grant was intended to help move the idea from recommendation toward real-world implementation through feasibility assessment and prototype development.

What kinds of incidents was the emergency egress window intended to address?

The window concept was especially relevant to scenarios where conventional doors may be blocked, damaged, or otherwise unusable after a collision, derailment, or fire.

What types of activities was the grant meant to support?

Based on the description, the work was deliverable-driven and focused on feasibility assessment and prototype development for a locomotive emergency egress window design.

How much funding was available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling was $90,000. No award floor was stated.

What does it mean that there was an award ceiling and no stated award floor?

An award ceiling of $90,000 indicates the maximum amount expected for an award. The lack of a stated minimum suggests proposals could potentially request smaller amounts, consistent with the opportunity being described as a modest, targeted effort.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity included a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning the recipient would need to contribute resources alongside the federal funds.

What does the cost sharing or matching requirement imply about the expected project approach?

The structure suggests the agency wanted strong applicant commitment and "skin in the game." It also suggests the effort was intended to be grounded in a realistic path toward manufacturing, installation, and operational use, with the recipient contributing financial or allowable in-kind support.

Who was eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility was narrowly limited: only Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) was permitted to apply.

If the listing shows "Eligible Applicants" as "Others," could other organizations apply?

No. Even though the category was listed as "Others," the eligibility clarification stated that only Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) could apply, making it effectively a single-applicant competition.

Why was eligibility restricted to Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD)?

The restriction suggests the work was likely intended to be integrated with specific locomotive platforms, designs, or engineering capabilities associated with that manufacturer, and that the FRA viewed EMD as uniquely positioned to execute the design, fabrication, and testing needed to demonstrate a workable emergency egress window solution.

Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement materials?

Applicants were directed to use the Additional Information link labeled "Emergency Egress Window for Locomotives" to access the full announcement.

What should someone do if they could not access the grant materials electronically?

They were instructed to contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk for assistance.

What are the GrantSolutions Help Desk contact details provided for this opportunity?

The contact details listed were 1-800-618-0223 or 301-231-6005, and the email address help@grantsolutions.gov.

What were the Help Desk hours listed in the opportunity?

The Help Desk hours were standard weekday business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

How would you describe the overall intent of this grant in plain language?

It was a small, targeted federal investment intended to accelerate engineering and prototyping of a locomotive safety feature (an emergency egress window) that the NTSB had already identified as important enough to consider making mandatory across the industry.