Physics-Based Model to Quantify the Fire and Toxic Hazard of Li-Ion Batteries

FR26RDI20000000066 Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract. Pursuant to FAR 6.103-1 and inclusive of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) – FAR Part Deviation Guidance, The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intends to negotiate a single-source purchase order with Jensen Hughes, Inc. (JH) for the development of a Physics-Based Model to quantify the Fire and Toxic Hazard of Li-Ion Batteries. This research and development effort is a continuation of critical work begun under Contract 693JJ623C000004. The original contract was awarded using a competitive Broad Agency Announcement process in 2023, BAA-2023, Topic #FRA RS-001. The initial phase focused on developing and validating computer modeling tools to quantify the fire and toxicity hazards associated with Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) utilized in rail applications. The ultimate intent of the model is to inform the design of mitigation measures that ensure BESS are safe for the rail environment. The overall goal of the project is to establish a systematic methodology for determining the Heat Release Rate (HRR) of complex BESS using limited cell and module level testing. Cell-level battery test data, which JH generated under Phase I, defined the failure characteristics for the model. Under this follow-on effort, module-level test data will be utilized to calibrate and validate the model. Due to administrative and governmental delays in the internal approval process, 693JJ623C000004 expired prior to the follow-on period being executed, halting JH’s research. The intent of this purchase order is to enable JH to resume the research and further develop and validate the computer model established during Phase I. Jensen Hughes, Inc. is uniquely qualified to satisfy this requirement, as they possess the specialized data and technical continuity developed during the initial competitive award. Awarding this requirement to any other source would result in a duplication of cost to the FRA and delays in completing Phase II. This notice is not to request competitive proposals, and any information received from interested parties will only be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement should be conducted. However, interested parties may submit a description of their firm's capabilities to satisfy this requirement, demonstrating their ability to successfully perform this effort. Responses must be received by July 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST. All questions concerning this matter should be addressed directly to Ms. KeriAnne Gallagher at kerianne.gallagher@dot.gov.