DOT/RSPA/Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 55 Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142

A -- HIGH SPEED RAIL VEHICLE SAFETY CRUSH ZONE ANALYTICAL DESIGN STUDY SOL DTRS57-95-R-00030 POC Anthony J. Flaherty, Acquisition Manager, (617)494-2673. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center desires to purchase a high speed passenger rail vehicle safety crush zone analytical design study. Results of recent analyses of passenger train crashworthiness include optimized inter-car force/crash characteristics for preserving occupant volumes and limiting the forces and decelerations imparted to the occupants. Current issues are centered on implementing these force/crush characteristics into practical rail passenger train structures. The objective of this contract is to perform the preliminary design studies required to determine, analytically, any physical limitations on the length of crush zones located at the ends of rail cars and any limitations of the energy absorbed by such crush zones. This study must be completed in no more than one year. Interested offerors must submit a request for the solicitation in writing no more than 15 days after publication of this notice. Along with the request potential offerors must submit a summary of their experience in rail vehicle crash worthiness analysis and energy-absorbing collsion structure design. For Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Business and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), has a program to assist minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital assistance for transportation-related contracts. Loans are available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $500,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. (0215)

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