ENG420021 - ADVANCE - Relocation - 20170410 Sole Source Justification Form v.7.01 v5_SPO Signed.pdf

Sole Source Justification Form

Version 7.01 Page 1 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information

Department/Bureau/Section: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Need Identified Date: Oct 7, 2024 Supply/Service Need By Date: Feb 14, 2025

Project Title: Pullman Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar 'ADVANCE' Relocation

Vendor: Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA)

Provide a description of the supplies or services required: Specialized Relocation Expertise & Storage Facility for ‘ADVANCE’

Value: Actual Value of Initial Term, this Change Order or Amendment: 258,470.48

Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract? Yes No

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Type: New Sole Source

Section II - Proposed Term

One-Time Purchase Term Contract

Estimated Contract Begin Date: Feb 14, 2025

Estimated Contract End Date: Feb 13, 2027

Number of Potential Renewals:

Length of Each Renewal in Months:

Total Value of All Renewals:

If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months? Yes No

If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:

Moving 'ADVANCE' requires expensive expertise and equipment; a multiple-year term will reduce the number of moves (and risk to the fragile historic rail car) while the DNR develops criteria for the next procurement (restoring the historic rail car and, ultimately when the site is prepared, moving the restored car by rail to the Pullman State Historic Site for interpretation).

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply): State Appropriate Funds Federal Funds Other (Explain):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification

This purchase is economically only available from a single source primarily because it is: (If "Other" explain in one sentence)

Other. Moving 'ADVANCE' - a historic 1911 Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar - requires specialized expertise and the destinatio

Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source? Yes No

Section V - Purchase History

Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past? Yes No

Section VI - Business Rationale

Version 7.01 Page 2 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

The 'ADVANCE', a historic 1911 Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar, is currently being stored in unacceptable conditions.

Despite military-grade tarps covering the 'ADVANCE', water continues to infiltrate the car and is causing its steel to deteriorate to the point of failure. Due to the rare and unique nature of the 'ADVANCE' , IDNR cannot allow it to deteriorate further. The current situation is that with each rain or snow the car suffers additional damage. Moving 'ADVANCE' to a specialized storage facility - one that's under cover, conditioned, and with appropriate doors and track space--is critical to preserving the historic car.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has designated the Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar ‘ADVANCE’ eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as both Historic & Significant. The car is of great significance to the Pullman State Historic Site -- where the car will be interpreted once restored. The car is uniquely able to highlights the transition from wood to steel construction, is an important part of the Pullman Porter's story, and is tied to Robert T. Lincoln, son of President Lincoln, who may have traveled on it shortly prior to his death in 1926. However, the rail car is currently stored in Madison, IL. where, after almost a decade of being exposed to the elements, the former IHPA purchased two (2) military-grade tarps to cover the ‘ADVANCE’. Unfortunately these tarps have not stopped water from infiltrating the car and causing substantial damage with each rain/snow event. In response to damage sustained with each rain/snow event, the agency is seeking to move the car to an appropriate covered, conditioned facility.

Relocating 'ADVANCE' will require specialized expertise, specifically knowledge of 1911 Class I railway standards and specialized expertise in identifying and removing non-historic additions to the car. Additionally, specialized expertise is required to prepare the 'ADVANCE' to be transported via flatbed truck to a specialized facility. Truck transportation is the only possible method of relocating the car as the 'ADVANCE' is not railroad worthy in it's current condition. Expert supervision, a specialty crane, and a custom sling will be required at both the current location and the destination to safely transfer the 'ADVANCE'. The move required to relocate the car to the specialized facility is anticipated to take three (3) weeks. Lastly, due to the deteriorated condition of the car, the distance moved must be limited to reduce additional damage to the car that is both expensive to repair and would risk the 'ADVANCE' eligibility to be listed on the NHRP.

This procurement also includes costs associated with protecting the 'ADVANCE' in the specialty storage facility for 24 months. During this time, IDNR expects to complete the designs for repairs and restoration work required to procure these services in the future.

Funding for repairs and full restoration of the 'ADVANCE' car is expected to be confirmed in the near future.

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

- The NHRP - eligible status of the ‘ADVANCE’ requires specialized expertise & facilities to protect the rare and unique car during preparation for re-location, transport, delivery, and storage.

- Relocation efforts requires specialized expertise in the identification and removal of non-historic items added to the undercarriage of the car. Removal of these non-historic items will reduce risk of damage to the car during its relocation.

-Distance for the car to be moved shall be under 500 miles. The SHPO has directed that risks to the car should be minimized as much as possible.

- Requires specialized expertise, specifically on-site supervision by an experienced specialist, to safely load and unload the 'ADVANCE' by crane at its current location in Madison, IL and transfer to its future location at a specialized facility.

-The specialized facility is required to have adequate track capacity that is under cover and is in conditioned space.

-The location of the covered & conditioned space should be at least 82' -0" long and have doors that are 16’-0” wide min. These dimensions are based on the overall length and width of the 'ADVANCE'.

-The location of the covered & conditioned space should also be within proximity of Statewide Operations staff to periodically inspect the car to ensure that conditions are maintained and no additional damage to the car is sustained.

- Storage for the 'ADVACE' for 24 months while IDNR secures funding, completes repair & restoration planning, procurement, and the completion of restoration work.

Version 7.01 Page 3 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

The Agency seeks a Sole Source for procurement of specialized expertise and facilities to re-locate and protect 'ADVANCE' - a historic and significant rail car. The Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) located in Silvis, IL. has the specialized expertise to supervise moving ‘ADVANCE’ (including bracing and craning operations), knowledge of historic Class I / Interchange standards of 1911, and also a specialized covered & conditioned facility (with the capacity, appropriately sized door, track, and equipment to move ‘ADVANCE’ on-site). At this covered & conditioned facility, further damage to 'ADVANCE' (necessitating costly repairs and reconstruction) due to exposure to weather will not occur.

Utilizing a modern train repair and reconstruction specialist (of which there are more service providers available) poses a very real risk of irreparably altering the historic car when preparing the car for transport utilizing solely modern methods. Undoing modernization would be costly and risks irreparably changing the historic car nature of the artifact and removing its eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Currently, 'ADVANCE' is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A for transportation and Criterion C for its design, with a specific Period of Significance of being built in 1911 and updated in the 1920s).

IDNR is required by the State Agency Historic Preservation Act to minimize Adverse Effects to state owned historic resources.

Modern service providers often do not have the specialized expertise to identify/preserve the components related to the 1911 Class I / Interchange standards that required to be preserved while the 'ADVANCE' is prepared for relocation. 1992 Class I standards are completely different than the 1911 standards. If modern standards are followed, the 'ADVANCE' would no longer be eligible for the

NRHP.

The Agency is limited by the State Historic Preservation Office to a 500-mile radius for the distance to relocate the 'ADVANCE' in order to not cause additional damage and loss of historical integrity. While there are service providers in the United States with the specialized skills to move the car, many of these service providers are over 500-miles distant from the 'ADVANCE' (with associated cost and risk).

More importantly, these service providers also do not have the capacity or a covered and conditioned facilities.

Only one vendor has the unique combination of required specialized expertise to strategically & selectively disassemble / move deteriorated train cars, specific knowledge of historic car transportation systems, and highly specialized storage facility to accomplish the Agency's needs. The Railroading Heritage of Midwest American (RRHMA) has the required specialized expertise to move the car, the appropriate rail track capacity, and unique facility (to store the car under cover, in a conditioned space, and with the appropriate sized door and equipment. The RRHMA is geographically close to the Pullman State Historic Site (the Agency's ultimate vision is to display the 'ADVANCE' to the public at the Pullman SHS).

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

The Agency is seeking a combination of specialized expertise to move a deteriorated historic 1911 Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar - 'ADVANCE', preserve the fragile artifact during transport (as the car can not be moved by rail), and specialized storage requirements:

- Specialized expertise in historic train car exterior repairs and restoration are needed to maintain the historic integrity of 'ADVANCE'.

- Specialized expertise in historic transportation systems (trucks) are required in order to identify non-historic elements that can be removed in preparation for transportation while maintaining the Landmark status of the 'ADVANCE'.

- Specialized historic train expertise / oversight is required to prepare proper bracing (specific to this rare type of car) to reduce risk of damage during transport.

- 500-mile restriction: Due to the deteriorated condition of 'ADVANCE', long-distance moves (especially into rolling terrain outside of the Midwest) greatly increases risk of catastrophic damage to the historic car. The State Historic Preservation Office have stated that distance shall be restricted.

- Specialized storage (covered, conditioned, appropriate ladder track, doors, and internal cranes).

Version 7.01 Page 4 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need? Yes No

5a. If yes, name the alternative vendors whose supplies or services were evaluated:

- Gateway Rail Services, Inc. (Illinois)

- Illinois Railroad Museum (Illinois)

- Crossroads Railcar Services, Inc. (Indiana)

- Mid-America Car, Inc. (Indiana)

- East Tennessee Rail Car Services, Inc. (Tennessee)

- Diamond Rail Group (Tennessee)

5b. If yes, what were the alternatives for each vendor and why were they unacceptable? Be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:

Due to SHPO direction stating "distance traveled should also be minimized, given its ['ADVANCE'] fragile condition", the Agency has investigated facilities and vendors in the Midwest 500-mile radius of 'ADVANCE'). Below are alternative vendors that were considered:

- Traditional storage facilities were discounted because vendor does not have the specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems nor the specialized expertise to move a deteriorated historic rail cars. Furthermore, all but a few storage facilities do not have the required rail to store 'ADVANCE' nor the appropriate doors/space (16’-0” doors and at least 82’-0” storage space - based on the dimensions of 'ADVANCE').

- Gateway Rail Services, Inc. (Illinois) - The 'ADVANCE' is currently located at this location. However, Gateway does not have the specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems nor the specialized expertise to move a deteriorated historic rail car. Gateway also does not have specialized facilities available to store the car in a conditioned space under cover (which has necessitated this procurement).

- Illinois Railroad Museum (Illinois) - IRM has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Crossroads Railcar Services Inc. (Indiana) - Crossroads has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Mid-America Car, Inc. (Indiana) - Mid-America has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- East Tennesee Rail Car Services, Inc. (Tennessee) - East Tennessee has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Diamond Rail Group (Tennessee) - Diamond has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

5c. Explain how the market evaluation was conducted?

*This evaluation is to determine available options within a market. If the evaluation is to determine quality or best suited option, this is not the appropriate source selection. Under no circumstances shall the evaluation consist of testing alternative options. These activities must be conducted in a competitive transparent environment (i.e. IFB or RFP).

The market evaluation was completed through extensive research of local storage facilities (through internet inquiry, search of BidBuy, and direct queries of several specialized train car conservators). Train Car Conservator identified vendors with specialized expertise to both move a deteriorated historic car and knowledge of historic 1911 transportation systems (to maintain these during a move).

Follow-up inquiries where made to the facilities (above) regarding capacity of specialized storage facilities. Appropriate vendors with expertise are in high-demand and their storage facilities are at capacity (further highlighting how unique and specialized the RRHMA Silvis Facility is ). Direct observation of the Gateway Rail Services, Inc. lack of specialized facilities (and lack of expertise regarding moving deteriorated cars) have been observed by State Staff in-the-field during the last decade of stewardship (where exposure to the elements have caused irreparable damaged to the car despite two tarps placed on the car - a minimal solution that was financed by the former Historic Preservation Agency).

Version 7.01 Page 5 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

Yes No N/A

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

Agency staff have researched services with the required expertise, facilities, and capacity within a 500-mile radius of Madison IL (the current location of 'ADVANCE') based on SHPO requirements. Given the Agency's need for specialized expertise, equipment, and storage requirements to move the 'ADVANCE' - a priceless 1900s artifact - the costs associated with preserving historic transportation systems, protecting the car during its move, and protecting the car at an appropriate storage facility are fair and reasonable.

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

Yes No

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

Risk of Catastrophic Damage & Lost Eligbility During Move:

- Without specialty expertise (required by the State Historic Preservation Officers), the car will likely suffer catastrophic damage during a move.

- Catastrophic damage to the dilapidated car (a priceless artifact) could suffer irreparable damage which would ultimately result in loss of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

Further Damage due to Exposure:

- Without moving the 'ADVANCE' to a specialty facility, irreparable damage will occur with each rain/snow event.

- Ultimately, the car will lose integrity along with eligibility for the National Register or have to be interpreted as a ruin.

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

Version 7.01 Page 6 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section VII

Requesting Department Representative

Requesting Department Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

Date Jan 8, 2025

Printed Name Erick O. Huck E-mail Address erick.huck@illinois.gov

Phone Number (217)782-5694

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed)

E-mail Address maurice.mosley@illinois.gov

Phone Number 217-785-4494 Date Jan 21, 2025

Printed Name Maurice Mosley

Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director and Not a Designee

SPO Approval and Signature Required

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and agree with the State Agency or University determination.

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and do not agree with the State Agency or University determination. As a result, the State Agency or University must explore other sourcing methods to satisfy their need.

State Purchasing Officer Signature Phone Number 2176221908 Date

Printed Name Andrew Hennig E-mail Address Andrew.Hennig@illinois.gov

Version 7.01 Page 7 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number 25-422DNR-REALT-B-46300

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information

Project Title Pullman Heavyweight Corporate Car 'ADVANCE' Relocation

Vendor Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA)

Initial Date of Procurement Bulletin Posting

Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Yes - Complete Section II and III below (Section II will only be visible when this option is selected)

No - Section II not required, go to Section III below Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required

Based on my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed in accordance with the published Notice referenced above.

Based upon my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed with the following Changes.

Based on my review, the Agency/University is not authorized to proceed with this sole source as presented and my recommendation is that it be cancelled.

Other

CPO Signature CPO Phone

Printed Name Date

CPO E-mail

Version 7.01 Page of Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract?

If yes, what was the original contract value?

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Section II - Proposed Term If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months?

If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source?

Section V - Purchase History Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past?

Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type Section VI - Business Rationale

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need?

5a. If yes, name the alternative vendors whose supplies or services were evaluated:

5b. If yes, what were the alternatives for each vendor and why were they unacceptable? Be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:

5c. Explain how the market evaluation was conducted?

*This evaluation is to determine available options within a market. If the evaluation is to determine quality or best suited option, this is not the appropriate source selection. Under no circumstances shall the evaluation consist of testing alternative options. These activities must be conducted in a competitive transparent environment (i.e. IFB or RFP).

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

8a. If yes, please provide details regarding future obligations and/or needs:

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

Section VII Requesting Department Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed) SPO Approval and Signature Required Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Section II - Sole Source Hearing Details The State posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin a description of the State's need, the justification for the sole source decision, and information regarding the opportunity to submit comments and testify at a public hearing. Notice of the hearing was also posted outside of the hearing room 48 hours prior to the hearing.

The public hearing was conducted for the purpose of receiving testimony regarding the sole source determination. The Hearing Officer recommends the following:

The following relevant documents are attached:

Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required 9.0.0.2.20101008.1.734229

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has designated the Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar ‘ADVANCE’ eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as both Historic & Significant. The car is of great significance to the Pullman State Historic Site -- where the car will be interpreted once restored. The car is uniquely able to highlights the transition from wood to steel construction, is an important part of the Pullman Porter's story, and is tied to Robert T. Lincoln, son of President Lincoln, who may have traveled on it shortly prior to his death in 1926. However, the rail car is currently stored in Madison, IL. where, after almost a decade of being exposed to the elements, the former IHPA purchased two (2) military-grade tarps to cover the ‘ADVANCE’. Unfortunately these tarps have not stopped water from infiltrating the car and causing substantial damage with each rain/snow event. In response to damage sustained with each rain/snow event, the agency is seeking to move the car to an appropriate covered, conditioned facility.

Relocating 'ADVANCE' will require specialized expertise, specifically knowledge of 1911 Class I railway standards and specialized expertise in identifying and removing non-historic additions to the car. Additionally, specialized expertise is required to prepare the 'ADVANCE' to be transported via flatbed truck to a specialized facility. Truck transportation is the only possible method of relocating the car as the 'ADVANCE' is not railroad worthy in it's current condition. Expert supervision, a specialty crane, and a custom sling will be required at both the current location and the destination to safely transfer the 'ADVANCE'. The move required to relocate the car to the specialized facility is anticipated to take three (3) weeks. Lastly, due to the deteriorated condition of the car, the distance moved must be limited to reduce additional damage to the car that is both expensive to repair and would risk the 'ADVANCE' eligibility to be listed on the NHRP.

This procurement also includes costs associated with protecting the 'ADVANCE' in the specialty storage facility for 24 months. During this time, IDNR expects to complete the designs for repairs and restoration work required to procure these services in the future. Funding for repairs and full restoration of the 'ADVANCE' car is expected to be confirmed in the near future.

Q2Answer: - The NHRP - eligible status of the ‘ADVANCE’ requires specialized expertise & facilities to protect the rare and unique car during preparation for re-location, transport, delivery, and storage.

- Relocation efforts requires specialized expertise in the identification and removal of non-historic items added to the undercarriage of the car. Removal of these non-historic items will reduce risk of damage to the car during its relocation.

-Distance for the car to be moved shall be under 500 miles. The SHPO has directed that risks to the car should be minimized as much as possible.

- Requires specialized expertise, specifically on-site supervision by an experienced specialist, to safely load and unload the 'ADVANCE' by crane at its current location in Madison, IL and transfer to its future location at a specialized facility.

-The specialized facility is required to have adequate track capacity that is under cover and is in conditioned space.

-The location of the covered & conditioned space should be at least 82' -0" long and have doors that are 16’-0” wide min. These dimensions are based on the overall length and width of the 'ADVANCE'.

-The location of the covered & conditioned space should also be within proximity of Statewide Operations staff to periodically inspect the car to ensure that conditions are maintained and no additional damage to the car is sustained.

- Storage for the 'ADVACE' for 24 months while IDNR secures funding, completes repair & restoration planning, procurement, and the completion of restoration work.

Q3Answer: The Agency seeks a Sole Source for procurement of specialized expertise and facilities to re-locate and protect 'ADVANCE' - a historic and significant rail car. The Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) located in Silvis, IL. has the specialized expertise to supervise moving ‘ADVANCE’ (including bracing and craning operations), knowledge of historic Class I / Interchange standards of 1911, and also a specialized covered & conditioned facility (with the capacity, appropriately sized door, track, and equipment to move ‘ADVANCE’ on-site). At this covered & conditioned facility, further damage to 'ADVANCE' (necessitating costly repairs and reconstruction) due to exposure to weather will not occur.

Utilizing a modern train repair and reconstruction specialist (of which there are more service providers available) poses a very real risk of irreparably altering the historic car when preparing the car for transport utilizing solely modern methods. Undoing modernization would be costly and risks irreparably changing the historic car nature of the artifact and removing its eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Currently, 'ADVANCE' is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A for transportation and Criterion C for its design, with a specific Period of Significance of being built in 1911 and updated in the 1920s). IDNR is required by the State Agency Historic Preservation Act to minimize Adverse Effects to state owned historic resources.

Modern service providers often do not have the specialized expertise to identify/preserve the components related to the 1911 Class I / Interchange standards that required to be preserved while the 'ADVANCE' is prepared for relocation. 1992 Class I standards are completely different than the 1911 standards. If modern standards are followed, the 'ADVANCE' would no longer be eligible for the NRHP.

The Agency is limited by the State Historic Preservation Office to a 500-mile radius for the distance to relocate the 'ADVANCE' in order to not cause additional damage and loss of historical integrity. While there are service providers in the United States with the specialized skills to move the car, many of these service providers are over 500-miles distant from the 'ADVANCE' (with associated cost and risk). More importantly, these service providers also do not have the capacity or a covered and conditioned facilities.

Only one vendor has the unique combination of required specialized expertise to strategically & selectively disassemble / move deteriorated train cars, specific knowledge of historic car transportation systems, and highly specialized storage facility to accomplish the Agency's needs. The Railroading Heritage of Midwest American (RRHMA) has the required specialized expertise to move the car, the appropriate rail track capacity, and unique facility (to store the car under cover, in a conditioned space, and with the appropriate sized door and equipment. The RRHMA is geographically close to the Pullman State Historic Site (the Agency's ultimate vision is to display the 'ADVANCE' to the public at the Pullman SHS).

Q4Answer: The Agency is seeking a combination of specialized expertise to move a deteriorated historic 1911 Heavyweight Private General Service Railcar - 'ADVANCE', preserve the fragile artifact during transport (as the car can not be moved by rail), and specialized storage requirements:

- Specialized expertise in historic train car exterior repairs and restoration are needed to maintain the historic integrity of 'ADVANCE'.

- Specialized expertise in historic transportation systems (trucks) are required in order to identify non-historic elements that can be removed in preparation for transportation while maintaining the Landmark status of the 'ADVANCE'.

- Specialized historic train expertise / oversight is required to prepare proper bracing (specific to this rare type of car) to reduce risk of damage during transport.

- 500-mile restriction: Due to the deteriorated condition of 'ADVANCE', long-distance moves (especially into rolling terrain outside of the Midwest) greatly increases risk of catastrophic damage to the historic car. The State Historic Preservation Office have stated that distance shall be restricted.

- Specialized storage (covered, conditioned, appropriate ladder track, doors, and internal cranes).

- Illinois Railroad Museum (Illinois)

- Crossroads Railcar Services, Inc. (Indiana)

- Mid-America Car, Inc. (Indiana)

- East Tennessee Rail Car Services, Inc. (Tennessee)

- Diamond Rail Group (Tennessee)

- Traditional storage facilities were discounted because vendor does not have the specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems nor the specialized expertise to move a deteriorated historic rail cars. Furthermore, all but a few storage facilities do not have the required rail to store 'ADVANCE' nor the appropriate doors/space (16’-0” doors and at least 82’-0” storage space - based on the dimensions of 'ADVANCE').

- Gateway Rail Services, Inc. (Illinois) - The 'ADVANCE' is currently located at this location. However, Gateway does not have the specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems nor the specialized expertise to move a deteriorated historic rail car. Gateway also does not have specialized facilities available to store the car in a conditioned space under cover (which has necessitated this procurement).

- Illinois Railroad Museum (Illinois) - IRM has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Crossroads Railcar Services Inc. (Indiana) - Crossroads has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Mid-America Car, Inc. (Indiana) - Mid-America has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- East Tennesee Rail Car Services, Inc. (Tennessee) - East Tennessee has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Diamond Rail Group (Tennessee) - Diamond has the required specialized knowledge of 1911 historic train car transportation systems and specialized expertise to move deteriorated historic rail cars but do not have the specialized facilities to store 'ADVANCE' under cover in a conditioned space.

- Without specialty expertise (required by the State Historic Preservation Officers), the car will likely suffer catastrophic damage during a move.

- Catastrophic damage to the dilapidated car (a priceless artifact) could suffer irreparable damage which would ultimately result in loss of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

Further Damage due to Exposure:

- Without moving the 'ADVANCE' to a specialty facility, irreparable damage will occur with each rain/snow event.

- Ultimately, the car will lose integrity along with eligibility for the National Register or have to be interpreted as a ruin.