Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 15 015
Apply for FR RRD 15 015
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY15 Supplemental for Evaluation of Wheel/Rail Contact Mechanics, VT" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.313 Railroad Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 24, 2015 and posted on Jul 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2015 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $231,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only the Virginia Polytechnic Institue and State University is eligible to apply for this grant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "FY15 Supplemental for Evaluation of Wheel/Rail Contact Mechanics, VT" (Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 15 015) is a discretionary, research-focused grant issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and is associated with CFDA number 20.313, which covers Railroad Research and Development. The purpose of this supplemental funding is narrowly defined: to continue the design and fabrication of a wheel/rail roller rig, complete the remaining fabrication work, and then move into commissioning and initial testing using the rig.
The technical scope centers on building and bringing online a specialized experimental apparatus, commonly used in rail research to study wheel-rail interaction under controlled conditions. In practical terms, the project is intended to push the rig from an advanced build stage into an operational state. "Finishing fabrication" implies completing remaining mechanical and structural components, integrating subsystems that may include drive mechanisms, loading systems, measurement instrumentation, controls, and safety features, and preparing the system for use. "Commissioning" typically means verifying that the rig operates as designed, calibrating sensors and measurement systems, checking alignment and load application accuracy, confirming repeatability, and validating that the overall system meets performance and safety requirements before full experimental campaigns begin. The final step described in the announcement is to start testing with the rig, indicating an expectation of early experimental runs or shakedown tests to confirm the rig can generate reliable data related to wheel/rail contact mechanics.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a grant with an award ceiling of $231,000 and no stated minimum award amount (award floor of $0). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning the applicant is not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving the award. The opportunity was posted and created on July 24, 2015, with an original and current closing date of July 31, 2015, and it was later archived on August 30, 2015, reflecting a short application window consistent with a targeted supplemental award.
Eligibility is highly restricted. Only Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is eligible to apply, which indicates this is a continuation or augmentation of an existing FRA-supported project at that institution rather than an open competition. The listing identifies eligible applicants as "Others" with clarification in the eligibility text field, but the clarification explicitly limits eligibility to Virginia Tech.
For applicant support and access issues related to the electronic announcement, the contact provided is the GrantSolutions Help Desk. Assistance is available by phone at 1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282, during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern), and by email at help@grantsolutions.gov.
FAQs: FY15 Supplemental for Evaluation of Wheel/Rail Contact Mechanics, VT (FR RRD 15 015)
What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "FY15 Supplemental for Evaluation of Wheel/Rail Contact Mechanics, VT."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR RRD 15 015.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What type of grant is this?
It is a discretionary, research-focused grant using a grant funding instrument.
What program or CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 20.313, Railroad Research and Development.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
It falls under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."
What is the main purpose of this supplemental funding?
The purpose is narrowly defined: to continue the design and fabrication of a wheel/rail roller rig, complete the remaining fabrication work, and then proceed into commissioning and initial testing using the rig.
What project work is specifically expected to be completed with these funds?
The announcement describes three primary tasks: (1) continuing design and fabrication of the wheel/rail roller rig, (2) finishing remaining fabrication work to bring the rig to a complete build state, and (3) commissioning and conducting initial testing with the rig.
What is a wheel/rail roller rig in the context of this grant?
It is a specialized experimental apparatus commonly used in rail research to study wheel-rail interaction under controlled conditions. The project is intended to move the rig from an advanced build stage into an operational state suitable for research use.
What does "finishing fabrication" mean for this project?
Based on the description provided, finishing fabrication implies completing remaining mechanical and structural components and integrating the needed subsystems. The announcement notes subsystems that may include drive mechanisms, loading systems, measurement instrumentation, controls, and safety features, along with preparing the system for use.
What does "commissioning" mean in the scope described?
Commissioning is described as verifying the rig operates as designed, calibrating sensors and measurement systems, checking alignment and load application accuracy, confirming repeatability, and validating that the overall system meets performance and safety requirements before full experimental campaigns begin.
What does "initial testing" refer to?
The announcement indicates an expectation of early experimental runs or shakedown tests to confirm the rig can generate reliable data related to wheel/rail contact mechanics.
Is this an open competitive opportunity?
No. Eligibility is highly restricted and explicitly limited to a single institution, which indicates a targeted supplemental award rather than an open competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is eligible to apply.
The listing says "Others" are eligible. Does that mean other applicants can apply?
No. While the eligible applicants field is identified as "Others," the eligibility clarification explicitly limits eligibility to Virginia Tech.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $231,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No minimum award amount is stated. The award floor is listed as $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted (and created) on July 24, 2015.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date was July 31, 2015.
How long was the application window?
Based on the posted/created date of July 24, 2015 and the closing date of July 31, 2015, the application window was very short (one week), consistent with a targeted supplemental award.
What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?
The listing notes it was archived on August 30, 2015, indicating the opportunity is no longer active for applications.
Where can applicants get help with access or electronic submission issues?
For applicant support and access issues related to the electronic announcement, the contact provided is the GrantSolutions Help Desk.
How do I contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk?
You can contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk by phone at 1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282, or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov.
What are the GrantSolutions Help Desk hours?
Help Desk assistance is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
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