1-B. Scope Rail Grinding Technical Requirements for RFP-2025.docx

Rail Grinding Technical Requirements for RFP

1. Purpose The purpose of this Rail Grinding Contract is to restore rail profile, remove surface defects, improve wheel-rail interface performance, extend rail life, and reduce noise and vibration along the Authority’s rail network. The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, planning, and documentation necessary to perform rail grinding services in accordance with these specifications.

2. Scope of Work

2.1 General

The Contractor shall perform rail grinding on both tangent and curved track segments within the Authority’s system. Work includes:

· Corrective and preventive grinding

· Removal of corrugation

· Profile restoration to specified templates

· Surface conditioning for friction management

· Grinding of switches, frogs, and special trackwork (if included in pricing)

· Provision of post-grind verification data The Contractor shall ensure all work meets the operating and safety requirements of the Authority.

3. Technical Specifications

3.1 Grinding Equipment

The Contractor shall supply a rail grinding machine meeting the following requirements:

· Capable of profile restoration to the target rail profile(s) specified by the Authority.

· Equipped with minimum 16 grinding stones (or RFP-specific requirement).

· Capable of continuous grinding at speeds appropriate for the rail condition.

· Designed to work safely within the Authority’s clearance envelope.

· Equipped with on-board dust collection and spark/ fire suppression systems.

· Capable of data logging including machine speed, metal removal rate, and stone pressure.

3.2 Grinding Performance Requirements

Grinding shall:

· Remove rolling contact fatigue (RCF), spalls, and minor surface defects.

· Eliminate or reduce short-pitch and long-pitch corrugation.

· Restore the rail head to the Authority’s designated rail profile template.

· Maintain running surface smoothness and reduce wheel-rail contact stress.

· Achieve surface roughness (Ra) as specified, typically 0.5–2.0 microns, unless otherwise noted.

· Leave no visible burns, gouges, or chatter marks.

4. Work Planning and Execution

4.1 Pre-Grind Inspection

The Contractor shall:

· Conduct a pre-grinding survey of designated track segments.

· Identify profile deviations, corrugation depth, and surface conditions.

· Propose a grinding plan including number of passes, metal removal rates, and schedule.

4.2 Work Windows / Coordination

· Contractor shall perform all work within scheduled nighttime or weekend outages, or as otherwise coordinated.

· Contractor must be able to mobilize and demobilize within the allotted work window.

4.3 Safety Requirements

· Comply with all Authority rules, FRA regulations (if applicable), and local safety policies.

· Implement spark mitigation and have fire patrols as required.

· Provide track protection personnel, if required by the Authority.

5. Deliverables

5.1 Pre-Work Deliverables

· Detailed grinding plan

· Equipment specifications

· MSDS/SDS for grinding stones and lubricants

· Safety plan and job hazard analysis

5.2 Post-Grinding Deliverables

Contractor shall provide the following documentation within 10 business days:

· Post-grind profile measurements (left and right rail)

· Verification of profile restoration relative to target template

· Metal removal report (per mile or per foot)

· Corrugation reduction report (if applicable)

· Summary of defects removed

· GIS/GPS-based work location records

· Work logs including hours, crew assignments, and equipment used

6. Environmental Requirements

· The grinder shall have a vacuum, dust suppression, or spark containment system to minimize emissions and fire risk.

· Contractor is responsible for the cleanup and disposal of grinding debris in accordance with state and federal regulations.

8. Acceptance Criteria Grinding will be accepted upon satisfactory completion of:

· Profile restored within tolerance

· Removal of specified defects

· Surface roughness within required limits

· Documentation submitted and approved