USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        About FRA
                        Resource Center


            
            In This Section
        Resource Center
                Security Awareness Training
                How to Do Business with FRA
                                Overview
                Federal Railroad Administration Vendor Registration Form
                Small Business Goals
                Contracting Opportunities
                Glossary of Award Types
                Jobs
                Equal Employment Opportunity
                Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
                Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
                Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                                Overview / How to Make a FOIA Request
                Electronic Reading Room
                
                Glossary of Award Types
    

    
    
          **Commercial Item** - generally means supplies and services of a type customarily used by the general public. This includes components and any combination of items or services, as well as management and professional support services providing assistance, advice or training. Congress requires buying commercial items when feasible, and authorized a streamlined process to do so.

**Contract** - A mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish supplies or services and the buyer to pay for them.

**Contracting** - Purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise obtaining supplies or services from nonfederal sources. Contracting includes description of supplies and services required, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contracts and all phases of contract administration.

**Cost Reimbursement Contracts** - A family of contracts that provide for payment of the contractor's allowable costs incurred in the performance of the contract.

**Cost Sharing** - An explicit arrangement under which the contractor bears some of the burden of reasonable, allocable and allowable contract cost. Full and Open Competition. When used with respect to a contract action, means that all responsible sources are permitted to compete.

**GSA Schedule Contracts** - ID/IQ contracts awarded by GSA for supplies and services at stated prices for given periods of time. They provide a quick, simplified process for obtaining commonly used commercial supplies and services at prices associated with volume buying.

**Intra/Interagency Agreement** - A formal agreement between two or more DOT Operating Administrations (intra-agency) or two or more Government agencies (interagency) involving a transfer of funds in exchange for supplies or services. They are sometime referred to as Reimbursable Agreements.

**Nonpersonal Services Contract** - A contract under which the personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contractor's terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision or control by Government employees.

**Option** - A unilateral right in a contract by which the Government may elect to purchase additional supplies or services, or extend the term of the contract.

**Performance Based Contract** - A contract that describes a required objective or outcome vs. prescribing a method by which the work is to be accomplished.

**Personal Services Contract** - A contract that, by its express terms or as administered, makes or appears to make the contractor's personnel, in effect, Government employees. An agency may enter into such contracts only when specifically authorized by statute to do so.

**Reimbursable Agreement** - See Intra/Interagency Agreement.

**Section 8(a)** - The section of the Small Business Act [15 USC 637 (a)] that established a program authorizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to enter into contracts with other agencies and let subcontracts for performing those contracts to firms eligible for program participation. The SBA's subcontractors are referred to as "8(a) contractors."

**Service Contract** - A contract that directly engages the time and effort of a contractor whose primary purpose is to perform an identifiable task rather than to furnish an end item of supply.

**Task Order** - An order for services placed against an established contract or with Government sources.

**Unsolicited Proposal** - A research and development proposal that is made to the Government by a prospective contractor without prior formal or informal solicitation from a procuring activity.
              
      
    
          Last updated: Monday, October 7, 2019 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards