Attachment 1 - 6913G626Q300009.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13.5. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation Number: 6913G626Q300009

Title: Locomotive 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections

Issuing Office: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

NAICS Code: 488210 – Support Activities for Rail Transportation

PSC: H922 – Other Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection - Railway Equipment

Set‑Aside: Total Small Business Set‑Aside

Contract Type: Firm‑Fixed‑Price (FFP)

Anticipated Award Type: Single Award Contract

REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ) Issue Date: January 9, 2026

RFQ Close Date: January 23, 2026

Response Time: No later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date

1. SOLICITATION TYPE AND AUTHORITY

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for commercial services in accordance with FAR Part 12 and FAR Subpart 13.5 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Commercial Products and Commercial Services).

The Government intends to award a Firm‑Fixed‑Price contract resulting from this RFQ to the responsible quoter whose quotation represents the best value to the Government, considering price and non‑price factors.

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center provides technical support to the U.S. Army Sustainment Command (ASC) to improve the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of the Army’s diesel locomotive fleet. The Army owns and operates fifteen (15) conventional EMD diesel locomotives across seven (7) installations within the United States.

The objective of this acquisition is to obtain expert locomotive field service support to perform 92‑Day Periodic Safety Inspections in accordance with 49 CFR Part 229 and the attached Statement of Work (SOW), along with associated support, reporting, and coordination.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall perform all services in accordance with the SOW, dated January 9, 2026, entitled: “Statement of Work for Army Locomotive Safety Inspections – ASC 92‑Day Inspections.”

Services include, but are not limited to:

• Performing locomotive 92‑Day Periodic Safety Inspections in accordance with 49 CFR §

229.23 and the inspection schedule established in the SOW, based on regulatory due dates;

• Providing qualified personnel with demonstrated expertise in EMD locomotives and NYAB CCB‑26 and 26L/26NL brake systems;

• Completing required inspection documentation, including FRA Form F6180‑49A (Locomotive Inspection and Repair Record);

• Submitting preventive maintenance (PM) worksheets following inspections;

• Participating in monthly Army locomotive teleconferences;

• Providing required travel and field support;

• Complying with all Government security, access, and data protection requirements.

The full technical requirements, locations, inspection quantities, deliverables, and personnel qualifications are defined in the SOW.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The anticipated period of performance is as follows:

• Base Period: Date of Award through September 24, 2026

• Option Period 1: September 25, 2026 through September 24, 2027

• Option Period 2: September 25, 2027 through August 31, 2028

The Government may exercise options at its sole discretion.

5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Services shall be performed at seven (7) Army installations within the continental United States, as identified in the SOW.

6. CONTRACT LINE ITEM STRUCTURE (CLINs)

Quoters shall propose firm-fixed unit pricing per inspection, with extended pricing calculated to reflect annual totals, plus separately priced travel and Other Direct Costs (ODCs), for the CLIN structure as shown on Attachment 1: Pricing Sheet.

Pricing shall be firm-fixed-price and inclusive of all labor, tools, equipment, materials, and incidentals necessary to perform inspections in accordance with the SOW.

Reimbursable Travel and ODCs: Travel and ODC CLINs are Not-to-Exceed (NTE), cost-reimbursable CLINs; quoters shall propose an NTE amount for each applicable period.

Reimbursement for Travel and ODC CLINs is limited to the NTE amount for each period and will be made only for actual, allowable, and reasonable costs. Travel costs shall be consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and shall not exceed applicable per diem rates. The Contractor shall submit itemized documentation (e.g., receipts where required) with invoices. Reimbursable costs shall not be subject to profit or fee. Reimbursable Travel and ODCs shall be invoiced at actual cost and shall not be subject to any indirect burdens unless expressly authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer.

7. QUOTATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

7.1 General Instructions

Quotations shall be submitted by email only. The quoter shall email its quotation to the Contracting Officer (Patricia Barnett, patricia.barnett@dot.gov) with a copy to the Branch Chief (Matthew Phelps, matthew.phelps@dot.gov). Quotations must be received no later than January 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Late quotations will not be considered. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of quotations.

Quotations shall be valid for 90 calendar days from the RFQ close date.

7.2 Quotation Format

Quotations shall consist of three (3) volumes:

Volume I – Technical Approach and Personnel Qualifications

The Technical Volume shall address, at a minimum:

• Understanding of the SOW requirements;

• Technical approach to performing 92‑Day inspections;

• Experience with EMD locomotives and applicable brake systems;

• Qualifications of proposed personnel, including Qualified Mechanical Inspector (QMI) compliance;

• Scheduling approach and ability to meet inspection due dates;

• Tools, diagnostic equipment, and field service capabilities.

Volume II – Past Performance

Provide up to three (3) recent and relevant contracts performed within the last five (5) years that demonstrate experience performing similar locomotive inspection or rail transportation support services.

For each reference, include:

• Customer name and point of contact;

• Contract value and period of performance;

• Brief description of services performed.

Volume III – Price Quotation

Provide firm‑fixed‑prices for each CLIN and period of performance. Pricing shall be fully burdened and include all costs.

8. BASIS FOR AWARD

Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose quotation represents the best value to the Government.

The following factors will be evaluated:

1. Technical Approach

2. Personnel Qualifications

3. Past Performance

4. Price

Technical Approach is more important than Personnel Qualifications, Personnel Qualifications are more important than Past Performance, and when non-price factors are combined, they are approximately equal to price. However, price will be evaluated for reasonableness.

Price Reasonableness: Price reasonableness will be determined by comparison of quoted prices received in response to this RFQ and by comparison to the Government’s Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). Additional techniques permitted by FAR 13.106-3(a) may also be utilized, as appropriate. The Government may also consider the reasonableness of unit pricing (price per inspection) and the relationship of unit pricing to the NTE travel/ODC amounts.

The Government intends to evaluate quotations and make award without discussions but reserves the right to conduct discussions if determined to be in the Government’s best interest.

9. SMALL BUSINESS SET‑ASIDE

This procurement is a Total Small Business Set‑Aside. Only quotations submitted by quoters that qualify as small businesses under NAICS 488210 will be considered.

By submitting a quotation, the quoter certifies its small business status in SAM.gov.

10. APPLICABLE CLAUSES

a. The provisions and clauses identified below are incorporated by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The full text of the FAR clauses may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/browsefar and the full text of TAR clauses may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/tar.

https://www.acquisition.gov/tar

b. FAR PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

52.204-7 System for Award Management

52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations—Representation

52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEE PARAGRAPH

(e) BELOW FOR FULL TEXT)

52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

52.219-1 Small Business Program Representations

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

c. FAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions

52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions

52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting

52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance

52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications

52.204-20 Predecessor of Offeror

52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems

52.204-23 Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities

52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application

52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract

52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management

52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors

52.233-1 Disputes

52.233-3 Protest After Award

52.243-1 Changes—Fixed-Price

52.246-4 Inspection of Services—Fixed-Price

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Products and Commercial Services

d. FAR 52.212-5 NOTICE:

The clause at FAR 52.212-5 applies. Any FAR clauses within 52.212-5 that are applicable to this acquisition are incorporated by reference through 52.212-5.

e. FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (FULL TEXT)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quotation conforming to the solicitation represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations:

Technical Approach

Personnel Qualifications

Past Performance

Price

Technical Approach is more important than Personnel Qualifications, Personnel Qualifications are more important than Past Performance, and when combined, the non-price factors are approximately equal to Price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

Note: For purposes of this RFQ issued under FAR Part 13, the terms “offer” and “offeror” in this provision shall be read as “quotation” and “quoter.” Issuance of a contract constitutes acceptance of a quotation.

(End of provision)

(f) TAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1252.204-70 Contractor Personnel Security and Agency Access

1252.223-71 Accident and Fire Reporting

1252.223-73 Seat Belt Use Policies and Programs

11. QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

All questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted by email to both the Contracting Officer (Patricia Barnett, patricia.barnett@dot.gov) and the Branch Chief (Matthew Phelps, matthew.phelps@dot.gov) no later than January 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Responses will be posted via amendment, if necessary. Only written responses issued by the Contracting Officer shall be binding.

12. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Pricing Sheet

Attachment 2: Statement of Work (SOW), dated January 9, 2026

13. INSTRUCTIONS & EVALUATION MATRIX

NOTE: This matrix is provided for clarity and does not invoke FAR Part 15 procedures.

Factor What the Quoter Submits How the Government Evaluates Volume I:

Technical Approach

Narrative describing understanding of SOW, technical approach to 92-Day inspections, staffing plan, QMI compliance, EMD locomotive experience, brake system qualifications, tools and diagnostic equipment, and scheduling methodology

Evaluated for completeness, feasibility, demonstrated understanding of requirements, and likelihood of successful performance.

Volume I:

Personnel Qualifications

Resumes or qualification summaries for key personnel performing inspections

Evaluated to confirm minimum experience, QMI compliance, and demonstrated expertise with EMD locomotives and applicable brake systems.

Volume II: Past Performance

Up to three recent and relevant contracts with points of contact

Evaluated for relevance and quality.

More recent and more similar efforts are weighted more heavily.

Volume III:

Price

Firm-Fixed-Price by CLIN for base and option periods

Evaluated for reasonableness and completeness. Unrealistically low or incomplete pricing may be deemed unacceptable.

END OF COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

Attachment 1: Pricing Sheet

ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION TOTAL AMOUNT

CLIN 00100 BASE PERIOD

FFP for 28 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections on 15 conventional U.S. Army locomotives, in accordance with the SOW

CLIN 00200 BASE PERIOD

NTE Reimbursable Travel for 28 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections on 15 conventional U.S. Army locomotives, in accordance with the SOW

CLIN 00300 BASE PERIOD

NTE Reimbursable for ODCs

CLIN 00400 OPTION PERIOD 1

FFP for 45 92-Day Periodic Safety

CLIN 00500 OPTION PERIOD 1

NTE Reimbursable Travel for 45 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections on 15 conventional U.S. Army locomotives, in accordance with the SOW

CLIN 00600 OPTION PERIOD 1

NTE Reimbursable: ODCs

CLIN 00700 OPTION PERIOD 2

FFP for 45 92-Day Periodic Safety

CLIN 00800 OPTION PERIOD 2

NTE Reimbursable Travel for 45 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections on 15 conventional U.S. Army locomotives, in accordance with the SOW

CLIN 00900 OPTION PERIOD 2

NTE Reimbursable: ODCs

Note: The number of inspections in the Base Period may be prorated based on the Base Period length and current 92-day due dates provided at award; however, the Contractor remains responsible for completing all inspections required to maintain compliance with 49 CFR Part 229 during the period of performance