IFB No. DR135523 - Question and Answer- No. 2 - 14-16.pdf

IFB No. DR135523 Q&A No. 1

August 6, 2026

To: All Potential Proposers

Subject: Questions and Answers No. 2 IFB No. DR135523

HI-RAIL BACKHOE WITH TRAILER AND BALLAST TAMPER

Attached please find a list of questions from potential Proposers with Metro’s formal answers, all pertaining to the subject Invitation For Bid (IFB). Please note none of the questions or answers contained in the attachment should be viewed as a change, modification, or revision to the subject IFB requirements.

Any change to the subject IFB will be issued under a formal Amendment to the IFB by Metro.

ATTACHMENT(S):

1. Questions and Answers No. 2

Issued by:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Gabriel Anaya Principal Contract Administrator

The information addressed in the attached Questions and Answers are for information purposes only and are not binding on LACMTA. Only formal written Amendments may revise solicitation documents.

ATTACHMENT 1

IFB NO. DR135523 – HI-RAIL BACKHOE WITH TRAILER AND BALLAST TAMPER

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS NO. 2

IFB No. DR135523 1 Q&A No. 2

No Date of

Question Question Answer

Answer Issued

IFB

Amend.

1. 7/8/26

There are two different illustrations of allowable clearances provided in the bid documents. These illustrations show different allowable clearances. Can you please advise which illustration we should reference? Can the outer dimensions of the equipment be just short of the defined envelope

MW4707 Layout vs T-410 Layout give different clearance tolerances. What is the correct envelope we have to fit in?

The drawings included in Section 10 are provided for reference to illustrate Metro operating clearances at various locations. The proposed equipment shall comply with the clearance requirements specified in Section 5.1 and shall be capable of operating within Metro's most restrictive clearance envelope applicable to the intended service.

8/4/2026 No

2. 7/10/26

Section 1.26 requests a multipurpose 4 in 1 front loader bucket. When this bucket is selected the front loader lift capacity is 8,998lbs per John Deere 710 P specifications. Please acknowledge this discrepancy and advise

When equipped with the specified multipurpose (4-in-1) bucket, the manufacturer's standard rated loader lift capacity shall be considered acceptable. 8/4/2026 No

3. 7/10/26

The Deere 710 P is equipped with (4) LED front drive/work, (4) LED rear work and (2) LED side docking halogen lights (32,500 candlepower each). Are you requesting an additional lighting package to be mounted on rooftop in addition to the factory supplied lighting package?

No. Metro is not requesting an additional rooftop-mounted work light package beyond the manufacturer's standard lighting. The specified work light requirement may be satisfied by the manufacturer's standard lighting package, provided it includes a minimum of two (2) front and two (2) rear LED work lights meeting the operational intent of the specification. The roof-mounted beacon light specified remains a separate requirement.

8/4/2026 No

4. 7/10/26

The 4 wheel hi-rail system to be supplied maintains rear rubber tire constant contact with top of rail, therefore all braking action is achieved by utilizing the internal braking system on the Deere 710P. Please further define “rail brake assist”. If possible, please reference the make/model of a manufactured hi-rail system that features rail brake assist.

Metro clarifies that the intent of Section 5.5 is to require safe and effective braking while operating on rail. Hi-rail systems that utilize the vehicle manufacturer's standard braking system during rail operation are acceptable. A separate rail braking system is not required. The DYMAX Rail Rider system, compatible with the proposed backhoe is considered an acceptable reference.

8/4/2026 No

IFB No. DR135523 2 Q&A No. 2

Question Question Answer

Answer Issued

IFB

Amend.

5. 7/10/26

Approved Equals Request:

Section 1.0 - Features

1.32 – Lights

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

If the proposed backhoe manufacturer's standard lighting package satisfies the lighting requirements of Section 1.32, including the required number and function of the work lights, it will be considered acceptable. The roof-mounted warning beacon specified remains a separate requirement.

8/4/2026 No

6. 7/10/26

Approved Equals Request:

Section 2.0 – Accessories

2.5 – Hammer

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

Based on the information submitted, the NPK PH-4 will be considered an acceptable approved equal, provided it is fully compatible with the proposed backhoe and hydraulic system and meets the operational intent of Section 2.5.

8/4/2026 No

7. 7/10/26

Approved Equals Request:

Section 3.0 – Trailer

3.1 – Model

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

IFB No. DR135523 3 Q&A No. 2

Question Question Answer

Answer Issued

IFB

Amend.

Based on the information submitted, the Interstate 40DLA will be considered an acceptable approved equal, provided it is configured to meet all requirements of Section 3.0, including minimum payload capacity, deck dimensions, air brakes, loading ramps, and all other applicable specification requirements.

8. 7/10/26

Approved Equals Request:

Section 5.0 – Hi Rail Gear Design Requirements and Rail Drive System

5.5 – Brakes

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

As stated in the response to Question 4, Metro clarifies that Hi-Rail systems utilizing the vehicle manufacturer's standard braking system during rail operation are acceptable. A separate rail braking system is not required, provided all other requirements of Section 5.0 are met.

8/4/2026 No

9. 7/21/26

For the front rail wheels, do they need to be hydraulically placed with the operator not leaving the cab of can they be manual? Reason being the manual work with the standard front Multipurpose bucket that comes from the factory. The hydraulic ones need to have a quick coupler upfront and that was not in the spec requirements.

Metro prefers hydraulic deployment for front Hi-Rail wheel system; however, manual deployment is acceptable.

IFB No. DR135523 4 Q&A No. 2

Question Question Answer

Answer Issued

IFB

Amend.

10. 7/21/26

For the backhoe, you call for a shunt system.

XXXXX who is quoting the rail portion of this unit says they do not offer that for a backhoe, only vehicles.

Metro confirms that a shunt system is not required. A Hi- Rail backhoe without a shunt system is acceptable.

8/4/2026 Yes

11. 7/21/26

For the breaker that seems to be undersized for this size machine. I will have to quote a bigger unit as the current specs will not work with the pins for the bucket coupler.

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

Metro acknowledges the compatibility concern. Please submit the manufacturer and model of the hydraulic breaker that is compatible with the proposed backhoe model as an approved equal request.

12. 7/25/26

Approved Equal Request

Requests that the Mitchell Rail Gear SwitchPro™ Ballast Tamper be considered an approved equal to the specified Dymax Model DX-BT-DYM14-270x1-BL-20.

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

Based on the information submitted, the Mitchell Rail Gear SwitchPro™ Ballast Tamper can be considered an acceptable approved equal, provided it is fully compatible with the proposed backhoe model and hydraulic system, and meets the operational intent and all applicable requirements of the specification.

8/6/2026 No

IFB No. DR135523 5 Q&A No. 2

Question Question Answer

Answer Issued

IFB

Amend.

13. 7/25/26

Approved Equal Ballast Tamper Requirements Section 1.30 identifies hydraulic circuit requirements for the ballast tamper, while Section 4.1 permits an approved equal ballast tamper meeting the specified functional and performance requirements.

Please clarify whether the hydraulic circuit configuration identified in Section 1.30 is intended specifically for the referenced Dymax Model DX-BT-DYM14-270x1-BL-20 ballast tamper, or whether an approved equal ballast tamper utilizing a different hydraulic system architecture would be considered acceptable, provided all specified functional, operational, and performance requirements are met or exceeded.

In accordance with the IFB document, LOI-10 Approved Equals (Goods) Bidders must provide data substantiating the bidder’s representation that the nonspecified item is of equal quality to the item specified. As such, LA Metro prefers that bidders utilize Exhibit A.1 to identify area where an “approved equal’’ is requested.

The hydraulic circuit configuration identified in Section

1.30 is based on the referenced ballast tamper.

Approved equal ballast tampers utilizing a different hydraulic system architecture will be considered acceptable, provided they are fully compatible with the proposed backhoe and hydraulic system and meet all functional, operational, and performance requirements of the specification.

8/6/2026 No

14. 7/25/26

Rail Lifting During Tie Replacement

Successful railroad tie replacement requires the rail to be raised from the tie plates to facilitate tie extraction and insertion in order not to overstress the backhoe boom and prevent damage to replacement ties during installation.

Please clarify whether LA Metro intends to provide an integrated means of lifting the rail as part of the equipment furnished under this procurement, or whether rail lifting will be accomplished using separate equipment or another method not included in this contract.

No, an integrated rail-lifting device is not required. The equipment furnished under this procurement is not intended to be used for rail lifting.

IFB No. DR135523 6 Q&A No. 2

Question Question Answer

Answer Issued

IFB

Amend.

15. 7/25/26

Bucket Rotation Requirement

Section 1.9 identifies a nominal bucket rotation capability of 190 degrees.

Please clarify whether the specified 190-degree bucket rotation is intended to represent the minimum required rotational capability, or whether providing greater rotational capability would be considered acceptable, provided all other functional and performance requirements are met or exceeded.

Yes, A bucket providing greater rotational capability is acceptable, provided all other functional and performance requirements of the specification are met.

The specified 190-degree bucket rotation represents the minimum required rotational capability.

8/6/2026 No

16. 7/25/26

Ballast Tamper Rotation Requirement

Section 4.1 identifies a ballast tamper with a rotational capability of 270 degrees.

Please clarify whether the specified 270-degree rotation is intended to represent the minimum required rotational capability, or whether a ballast tamper providing greater rotational capability would be considered acceptable, provided all other functional and performance requirements are met or exceeded.

Yes, A ballast tamper providing greater rotational capability is acceptable, provided all other functional and performance requirements of the specification are met.

The specified 270-degree ballast tamper rotation represents the minimum required rotational capability.