Supply Thermal Protection Systems for Railroad Tank Cars

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. Purpose This RFI seeks information regarding providing Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) for railroad tank cars to the U.S. DOT Volpe Center. A qualified vendor must demonstrate they are able to provide either complete test specimens as detailed further below or sufficient materials to fabricate completed test specimens without the need for specialized facilities or techniques. Qualified vendors are requested to respond as detailed further below, which includes capability, small business classification, estimated lead time including any risks that may impact delivery, and any other industry concerns the government might consider before solicitation. The intent is to gather information to inform a possible future procurement or contract. Background The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is conducting research into the performance of TPS for railroad tank cars. TPS are designed to delay or prevent the catastrophic release of hazardous materials from a railroad tank car exposed to fires that may result from train derailments. In the FRA’s planned research, test specimens of TPS are to be evaluated in simulated pool fire and torch fire conditions similar to those defined in Appendix B to 49 CFR 179. The durations of the fire exposure would extend beyond the 100 minute pool fire and 30 minute torch fire duration specified in Appendix B to 49 CFR 179. Pool fire test specimens are applied to a 1 foot by 1 foot steel plate of nominal 0.625 inch thickness. Torch fire test specimens are applied to a 4 foot by 4 foot steel plate of nominal 0.625 inch thickness. The Volpe Center is looking to procure a minimum of two (2) pool fire test specimens and two (2) torch fire test specimens for each TPS. Multiple TPS of different construction from the same vendor may be considered. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) maintains a list of tank car TPS that have been tested and shown to comply with the requirem