The U.S. DOT Volpe Center has issued an RFI seeking information from laboratories capable of performing pool and torch fire tests of thermal protection systems (TPS) for FRA railroad tank car research, similar to 49 CFR 179 Appendix B but potentially with extended fire durations, added instrumentation, and modified test parameters. Testing would use TPS specimens applied to 1 ft by 1 ft and 4 ft by 4 ft steel plates of nominal 0.625-inch thickness, with a minimum of two pool fire and two torch fire tests per TPS and the total number of TPS still undetermined. Vendors should also be capable of light fabrication and assembly, including cutting 11-gauge steel sheet, 0.625-inch steel plate, and insulating materials such as fiberglass, as well as mixing and applying coatings. Interested parties are asked to describe their testing and fabrication capabilities, equipment, experience, capacity, accreditations, labor and facility rates, availability and lead times, pre-test needs, post-test analyses, and reporting flexibility. This RFI is for market research and planning only, is not a solicitation, and does not commit the government to procurement.