Once more into the breach

[Suicide Junkie]

When adding a racial trait such as "Federation tech", all of your current EMP files will not work; you must create new ones.
You can get the randomly generated races to choose that racial tech by editing the racename_AI_General.txt, and inserting a new racial trait. Be sure that the racial point costs are still balanced at the end.

Sometimes, when making major changes, the first game you generate will be blacked out. Just save and reload, and everything will appear.

If you have a more specific question, go ahead and ask, that's what the Generals are for


PS: Try researching torpedo weapons (antimatter torpedo (aka photon torp), and quantum torpedo), plus, propulsion level 9 opens High Energy Discharge. Incinerator beams make for quite a decent Phaser Beam. Alternatively, you could use the Phased Polaron Beams.