The Illinois Department of Transportation is giving notice of intent to enter into a sole source contract with Unipart Rail to enhance grade crossing signal shunting which is a public safety issue that has a potential to affect passenger rail operations throughout the US. The shunt enhancer must be custom-fitted to the Charger locomotive's truck and the research and development required to accomplish those tasks will also be included in this improvement program.  IDOT has taken an active and leading role in addressing this concern and the planned procurement/shunt enhancing test program will put IDOT and the ICC at the forefront of working to resolve this issue.