NIGP 55820: Freight Cars

NIGP 55820 Freight Cars, an Item code, encompasses rolling stock procurement by state and local transit authorities and transportation departments, though recent solicitation activity shows limited volume in this category. The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority issued an RFI in February 2026 seeking bi-level commuter rail coach and cab cars—a base order of six cab cars and twelve coach cars with an option for nine additional cab cars and twenty-four coach cars—to replace aging 1987 UTDC/Bombardier equipment and support service expansion. Prospective manufacturers must demonstrate proven capability in supplying multilevel passenger rail cars with successful North American commuter rail revenue service history and comply with 49 CFR Part 238 Tier I passenger equipment standards, FTA regulations, ADA requirements, and applicable APTA, AAR, and NFPA standards. New equipment must be compatible with SFRTA's existing locomotive fleet and operate on rail corridors with interoperation capability with Amtrak and CSX freight services. Issuing bodies under this code consist primarily of regional transit authorities and state transportation agencies; cooperative purchasing vehicles such as Sourcewell also advertise equipment procurement frameworks on behalf of participating public entities, though recent opportunities show transit-specific rolling stock as the primary driver of activity.

Geographic activity is concentrated in Florida, where SFRTA's commuter rail procurement represents the most recent substantive opportunity. SFRTA intends to issue a Notice to Proceed within three to five months of the RFI close, with the first trainset required within forty-eight months of NTP and subsequent deliveries progressing at one cab and two coach cars per month through final delivery within sixty months. The procurement will utilize Federal funds and requires manufacturers to comply with Buy America requirements and all applicable Federal regulations. Response to the RFI was due March 16, 2026; no other recent freight or passenger car solicitations appear in the current opportunity pipeline, indicating limited near-term activity in this code.