6913G624RFI1001 -- RFI -- FINAL.pdf

6913G624RFI1001

NEW AND/OR REFURBISHED 120-TON TO 140-TON ROAD-SWITCHER

LOCOMOTIVES

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

This is a request for information (RFI) only. There is no solicitation available. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is requesting information as part of its market research regarding the availability and general information concerning new and refurbished switcher-sized locomotives.

1. Background:

The Volpe Center is providing program management support including engineering and locomotive acquisition to address critical transportation issues in the U.S. Army. In particular, the Volpe Center is seeking a solution for replacing aged and obsolete locomotives with modern locomotives offering a similar design but with enhanced electronics, modern controls, and low emissions. Information on zero-emission or near-zero emission locomotives is welcomed.

The Volpe Center is releasing this RFI to identify interested parties capable of providing but not limited to the following:

a. Information on supplying newly manufactured road-switcher locomotives meeting current EPA Tier requirements with the following characteristics:

a. Cab-forward, short nose and low hood design in the 120-ton to 140-ton size range and offering 1,800 and 2,100 horsepower from a single or multi-engine design with a crashworthy certified frame.

b. Rear-cab and center-cab switching style configured locomotives in the 1,200 to 1,400 horsepower range.

b. Information on supplying refurbished locomotives on reutilized frames and requalified major components with modern control systems in the 120-ton to 140-ton size range.

i. For the refurbished locomotives, the level of remanufacture/refurbishment shall be close to being considered newly manufactured but retain the qualifications as refurbished or repowered (including supplying the hulk) and shall include all mandatory updates/modifications including meeting or exceeding current EPA emissions regulations, including new wiring and new paint.

c. Locomotives will be delivered to multiple locations in the United States. More specific delivery location information is not available at this time.

2. RFI Response Instructions:

Vendors are strongly encouraged to offer candid feedback, as it plays a crucial role in the Government assessing the practicality of the requirements, both in terms of timeline and technical specifications.

Responses shall be in the form of a Capabilities Document that addresses three (3) specific sections: 1) Administrative, 2) Requested Information, and 3) Additional Information. This document should not exceed 10 pages. See “3. RFI Capabilities Document Format Requirements.”

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 336510 – Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing. The anticipated Product Service Code (PSC) is 2210 – Locomotives.

6913G624RFI1001

RFI responses are due on or before 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Friday, March 1, 2024.

Questions and RFI document shall be submitted to Contract Specialist, Rachel Anderson (rachel.anderson@dot.gov) and Rachelle Faiteau (rachelle.faiteau@dot.gov). No phone calls will be accepted.

3. RFI Capabilities Document Format Requirements:

a. Section 1: Administrative: Provide administrative information including the following information:

i. Vendor Name, Mailing Address, Unique Entity Identification (UEI), phone number, Vendor POC, and Email address of Vendor POC.

ii. Please list your business type (large business or small business). Small businesses shall indicate their socio-economic small business size status (Total Small Business, 8(a) business development, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, Small Disadvantaged, or Woman-Owned)

iii. If vendor is a large business, please specify any small-business sub-contracting capabilities the vendor possesses.

b. Section 2: Requested Information:

i. Can vendor meet the requirements as stated in the “Background”. If not, explain why and list any recommendations for alternative locomotives and corresponding specifications.

ii. Provide estimated cost, assumptions, and supply chain constraints.

iii. Timelines for manufacturing and delivery of (4) newly manufactured, and (4) refurbished locomotives to quantify the delivery and costs.

iv. In addition to iii. above, vendors are requested to provide information on the capability of delivering a quantity of ten new 1,800 horsepower switcher locomotives within twelve months following contract award.

v. If known, provide lifespan of refurbished locomotives.

c. Section 3: Additional Information:

i. Provide similar previous work experience within the past 5 years. Past performance experiences shall include: 1) contract number, 2) customer (Government agency, private industry), 3) value, and 4) type of contract.

ii. Is vendor AAR Quality Assurance Certified, in the process of obtaining this certification, or possess an equivalent certification?

iii. Any additional, relevant, and recent information on the subject matter that demonstrates capabilities and costs.