Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 11 009
Apply for FR RRD 11 009
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the science and technology and other research and development transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Locomotive Emissions Measurement for Various Blends of Biodiesel Fuel" 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 Jun 24, 2011 and posted on Jun 24, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 18, 2011 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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only Southwest Research Institute is eligible to apply
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Opportunity Summary:
The Locomotive Emissions Measurement for Various Blends of Biodiesel Fuel opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 11 009) was a discretionary research grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), under the Railroad Research and Development CFDA program (20.313). Its purpose was to generate emissions data showing how biodiesel blends affect locomotive engine exhaust, with particular attention to both gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. In practical terms, the project was framed as an emissions testing study designed to help the FRA and other stakeholders better understand what changes, if any, occur when locomotives operate on biodiesel blends compared with standard diesel fuels used for certification and in specific regional fuel programs.
The core work involved testing emissions from pre-selected locomotive engines while running several fuel types and blends. The announcement specifies conventional EPA certification diesel fuel as a baseline, California Air Resources Board (CARB) fuel as a second comparison fuel commonly associated with more stringent fuel requirements, and biodiesel blends at B5 and B20. B5 typically refers to fuel containing 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel, while B20 contains 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. By structuring the tests around these specific fuels, the study aimed to produce comparable measurements that could indicate whether biodiesel use in locomotives tends to raise, lower, or otherwise change emissions profiles relative to conventional diesel and CARB diesel.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the award ceiling was listed at $500,000, with no stated award floor, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The funding instrument was a grant, and the activity category fell under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with a transportation focus. The opportunity was posted on June 24, 2011, and closed on August 18, 2011, with an archive date of September 17, 2011, meaning it is no longer open for applications.
Eligibility was highly restricted: only the Southwest Research Institute was eligible to apply, indicating this was effectively a targeted or sole-eligible award rather than a broadly competitive solicitation. For applicants and the public trying to access the full announcement at the time, the listing referenced an additional information link and directed technical access issues to the GrantSolutions Help Desk (help@grantsolutions.gov, 1-877-577-0771), with operating hours on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Locomotive Emissions Measurement for Various Blends of Biodiesel Fuel.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR RRD 11 009.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
This was a discretionary research grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What program is this opportunity associated with (CFDA)?
It was offered under the Railroad Research and Development CFDA program, CFDA 20.313.
What was the purpose of the grant?
The purpose was to generate emissions data showing how biodiesel blends affect locomotive engine exhaust, with particular attention to gaseous pollutants and particulate matter.
What kind of project was funded under this opportunity?
The project was framed as an emissions testing study. It focused on measuring and comparing locomotive emissions when operating on biodiesel blends versus standard diesel fuels used for certification and for specific regional fuel programs.
What specific fuels and blends were included in the testing?
The announcement specified testing with:
- Conventional EPA certification diesel fuel (baseline)
- California Air Resources Board (CARB) fuel (comparison fuel associated with more stringent requirements)
- B5 biodiesel blend
- B20 biodiesel blend
What do B5 and B20 mean in this context?
In the announcement, B5 refers to fuel containing 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel, and B20 refers to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.
What was the baseline fuel used for comparison?
The baseline fuel was conventional EPA certification diesel fuel.
Why was CARB fuel included in the testing plan?
CARB fuel was included as a second comparison fuel because it is commonly associated with more stringent fuel requirements, providing an additional reference point alongside the EPA certification diesel baseline.
What outputs was the study intended to produce?
The study aimed to produce comparable emissions measurements that could indicate whether biodiesel use in locomotives tends to raise, lower, or otherwise change emissions profiles relative to conventional diesel and CARB diesel.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $500,000.
Was there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor was stated.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a grant.
What was the activity category or focus area?
The activity category was Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with a transportation focus (specifically railroad/locomotive emissions research).
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was highly restricted. Only the Southwest Research Institute was eligible to apply, indicating a targeted or sole-eligible award rather than a broadly competitive solicitation.
Was this a competitive opportunity open to multiple applicants?
Based on the stated eligibility (only one eligible entity), this was effectively a targeted/sole-eligible opportunity rather than an open competition.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on June 24, 2011.
What was the application closing date?
The opportunity closed on August 18, 2011.
What does the archive date mean, and what was it for this opportunity?
The archive date indicates when the listing was placed into an archived status and is no longer active for applications. The archive date was September 17, 2011.
Is this grant opportunity still open for applications?
No. The closing and archive dates show the opportunity is no longer open.
Where were applicants directed for technical help accessing the announcement?
Technical access issues were directed to the GrantSolutions Help Desk.
What are the GrantSolutions Help Desk contact details listed in the announcement?
The announcement listed:
- Email: help@grantsolutions.gov
- Phone: 1-877-577-0771
What were the Help Desk operating hours?
The Help Desk hours were listed as weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
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