Traction Power Substation Rehab Contract 5- Broad, Loudon, Park, and Castor

Substations Two-Step Procurement

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, INSTRUCTIONS,

SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

FOR A TWO STEP PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR

TRACTION POWER SUBSTATION REHABILIATION

CONTRACT 5 – BROAD, LOUDON, PARK, AND CASTOR

SUBSTATIONS

RFP NUMBER 26-00105-AJEB

TRACTION POWER SUBSTATION REHABILIATATION

PROGRAM –CONTRACT 5

BROAD, LOUDON, PARK, AND CASTOR SUBSTATIONS

CONTENTS

SECTION 1– REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS-INSTRUCTIONS AND

INFORMATION

Attachments to Section 1:

ATTACHMENT 1: SEPTA Contract 5 Substations 50% Specifications- 4-1-26

ATTACHMENT 2: SEPTA CONTRACT 5 MARKET 50% BROAD PARK LOUDON

CASTOR DRAWINGS

ATTACHMENT 3: FORM 330

ATTACHMENT 4: ADDENDUM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

SECTION TWO – CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR STEP 2

Exhibit: FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT- STEP 2- CONTRACT 5-

SUBSTATIONS

SECTION ONE – INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

PART 1 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

You (hereinafter referred to as “Proposer”) are requested to submit a Proposal in response to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) (hereinafter referred to as “RFQ Proposal”) for the required services for Step One detailed in Part 3 below in accordance with this Two-Step Procurement Process.

Responses to this RFQ will serve as the basis by which one or more respondents that are deemed acceptable will be invited to participate in Step Two of this process.

Any RFQ Proposal submitted must comply with the requirements of this Two-Step Procurement Process as herein stated including all applicable Federal, State and Local laws, and is to be signed by an officer legally authorized to bind Proposer and shall be submitted to SEPTA in writing, in the time and in the manner described herein.

It is the Proposer’s responsibility to carefully review the attached documents to ensure that its RFQ Proposal addresses all items requested in sufficient detail to enable full evaluation by SEPTA. SEPTA is not liable for any expenses incurred by any Proposer(s) in the development of its RFQ Proposal or any subsequent activity related to the RFQ Proposal.

Note that the pre-qualification meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026 via Teams at 9:00 AM. There will be a Site visit to each Substation on Thursday June 11th at 9:00 am, and Friday June 12th at 9:00 am as outlined in the Invitation to Propose letter.

All questions regarding the RFQ must be submitted in writing to:

Justin Benante Senior Contract Administrator, Contract Administration Procurement & Supply Chain Management Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 1234 Market Street, 11th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107-3780 Email: jbenante@septa.org Phone: (215) 580-7022 and must be received no later than 12:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026..

PART 2 TWO-STEP PROCUREMENT PROCESS

This procurement is being conducted by SEPTA using a Two (2) Step process:

Step One will consist of the request for, submission, evaluation, and (if deemed necessary by SEPTA) discussion of the RFQ Proposal. The objective of Step One is to determine the overall acceptability of the RFQ Proposal submitted by the Proposer. No pricing or bid documents are required or involved in Step One. As used in this context, the word "RFQ Proposal" has a broad connotation and includes all requirements set forth in this Section 1, including the Attachments. Any questions relating to the technical requirements must be addressed in Step One. RFQ Proposals submitted in Step One will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria identified in Section 1, Part 4 – Selection Process.

mailto:jbenante@septa.org

Step Two involves the submission of sealed bids by those Proposers whose RFQ Proposal were deemed acceptable as solely determined by SEPTA in Step One. The submission of said bid will strictly conform to Bid Documents and Proposer’s RFQ Proposal as accepted by SEPTA.

SEPTA reserves the right to cancel this procurement at any time, if deemed in SEPTA’s best interest.

PART 3 STEP ONE – RFQ PROPOSAL

Introduction and General Information

SEPTA is soliciting Requests for Qualifications for the final design and construction for the Traction Power Substation Rehabilitation (the "Project"). Those Proposers submitting acceptable RFQ Proposals in Step One will then be asked to submit a firm fixed price for the final design and construction of the Lansdale and Hatboro Substations and 12th and Portal Switching Station in Step Two.

The RFQ Proposal must be complete in all respects in the sense that it not be piecemeal or contain major omissions and must specifically address all areas listed below. RFQ Proposals should be acceptable without additional explanation or information.

RFQ Proposals will be analyzed for conformance with the instructions and requirements of the RFQ and contract documents. SEPTA reserves the right to request a Proposer to provide any missing information and to make corrections. SEPTA also reserves the right to either give a Proposer the opportunity to cure any minor defect, informality or irregularity in its RFQ Proposal or to waive any such deficiency, whichever is to the advantage of SEPTA.

SEPTA may proceed with Step Two without requesting further information from any Proposer; however, SEPTA may request additional information from Proposers of RFQ Proposals that SEPTA considers reasonably susceptible of being made acceptable, and may discuss RFQ Proposals with Proposers.

SEPTA will review all RFQ Proposals submitted in response to this RFP and select all Proposers which in SEPTA's sole opinion are deemed acceptable to submit a bid in Step Two. The Proposer will be notified by mail at the address shown on your letter of transmittal on or about August, 2026 as to whether or not SEPTA has deemed the Proposer acceptable. A separate Invitation to Bid documents will be sent to the firms deemed acceptable on or about August, 2026.

FORM OF PROPOSALS

General

Each RFQ Proposal shall include a single-sided cover letter that includes the name and address of the organization submitting the RFQ Proposal and whether the organization is an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or joint venture, including the jurisdiction of organization. The cover letter shall include the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the contact person who will be authorized to represent and bind the Proposer.

The RFQ Proposal must be organized, and labeled in ring binders in a manner, formatted and referenced in similar order of the Evaluation Criteria listed in Section 1, Part 4. The RFQ Proposal must be submitted in a sealed container that is identified on the face with the name of the Proposer, the Project name and the contents of the container.

The RFQ Proposal shall be submitted on 8.5 by 11-inch paper in no less than 11 point font size. 11 by 17-inch fold-out drawings are permitted, but should be limited, with the exception of any drawings that are specifically requested in the Technical Submittal. All parts, pages, figures and tables shall be numbered and clearly labeled.

The RFQ Proposal shall not include prices or pricing information.

SEPTA reserves the right to request additional information which, in SEPTA’s opinion, is necessary to determine the Proposer's responsibility to perform the Project as specified.

SEPTA may make investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of Proposer to perform the Project, and Proposer shall furnish to SEPTA all requested information and data. SEPTA reserves the right to reject any RFQ Proposal if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, a Proposer fails to satisfy SEPTA that such Proposer is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the RFQ and to complete the Project as specified.

Only one RFQ Proposal may be submitted by each Proposer.

Information on delivery or performance requirements included in this RFQ is not binding on SEPTA - the actual delivery or performance requirements will be contained in the invitation issued under Step Two.

Technical Proposal Submittal

Proposers must submit their RFQ Technical Proposal addressing the specific elements of the Evaluation Criteria as stated in Section 1, Part 4 herein and in accordance with Attachment 1, “Project Requirements and Design Criteria” and all other Attachments included herein. Proposers should provide any other information thought to be relevant, but not applicable to the enumerated categories, as an appendix to the RFQ Proposal.

Any RFQ Proposal pursuant to Step One received at the SEPTA office designated in Section 1, Part 7 below after the exact time specified for receipt will not be considered by SEPTA unless it can be documented to SEPTA's satisfaction that the RFQ Proposal was actually received by SEPTA as required or was delayed due to some Force Majeure event and, except for delay due to mishandling or error on the part of SEPTA, would have been received on time at the office designated in Section 1, Part 7.

PART 4 SELECTION PROCESS

RFQ Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Each RFQ Proposal shall be evaluated on the following evaluation criteria, listed in descending order of importance.

1. Team Qualifications and Project Management

• Provide the names and titles of the key members of the Project team (including the Design Entity selected by the Proposer) with a brief description of the qualifications and experience of a) the proposed Team Project Manager, b) the Team Design Manager,

c) The Traction Power Integrator/Lead Engineer, d) the Team Site Superintendent, e) the Safety Officer, f) the QA/QC Manager, g) the Environmental Specialist, h) the Communications Specialist, i) Traction Power Integrator / Designer assigned to the Project. Include a clear assignment of responsibility for various project tasks to specific individuals. Include resumes identifying the qualifications and experience of the Project Manager and all other Key Personnel listed above (these Key Members are also described in Specification 01010 that is part of this RFQ.

• SEPTA reserves the right to reject or accept proposed Project personnel. See Attachment 7 - Acknowledgement.

• Provide the names and titles of the key members of the Project team (including the Design Entity selected by the Proposer) with a brief description of the qualifications and experience of a) the proposed Team Project Manager, b) the Team Design Manager,

c) The Traction Power Integrator/Lead Engineer, d) the Team Site Superintendent, e) the Safety Officer, f) the QA/QC Manager, g) the Environmental Specialist, and h) the Communications Specialist assigned to the Project. Include a clear assignment of responsibility for various project tasks to specific individuals. Include resumes identifying the qualifications and experience of the Project Manager and all other Key Personnel listed above (these Key Members are also described in Specification 01010 that is part of this RFQ.

• Submit a complete Form 330 (see Attachment 3 or download at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486) showing all key firms in the Proposer's team, including designated DBE firms.

• If a partnership and/or joint venture is proposed, clearly explain which parties in the partnership or joint venture will interface with SEPTA on design and technical issues, which parties will interface with SEPTA on financial or contractual matters, and which member or partner will be responsible to resolve disputes between the Proposer and SEPTA.

• Identify and describe potential subcontractors with demonstrated proof of the technical capabilities necessary to perform their proposed scope of work and or services.

• Identify and describe suppliers for the major components of the Project, who the Proposer has successfully contracted with and completed rail road projects of similar size and scope. Please include total percentage contracted for each supplier engaged.

• Submit evidence that the Proposer is duly and properly organized and is qualified to conduct business in the states in which the work will be performed or will be prior to contract award.

2. Experience

• Provide a summary of all major projects currently under contract – expected project cost and current percentage of completion.

• Provide a summary of similar substation-related projects in terms of complexity, size, scope, and project costs that either are ongoing or have been completed within the past ten (10) years.

• If a partnership and/or joint venture is proposed, provide a summary of any projects (past or present) undertaken by such partnership and/or joint venture.

• For the project summaries required above, identify no more than five (5) projects and provide the following information:

o The client;

o Description of work;

o Total dollar value of the base contract, and total value of change orders;

o Contract duration;

o Customer contact person including office phone number, email address, and fax number for reference;

o Statement or notation of whether the Proposer is/was the prime contractor or subcontractor;

and http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486) http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486) o The completed result and/or current status of the project.

o Include documentation that demonstrates the quality and standing of the Proposers safety record and program.

3. Understanding of Schedule and Time Constraints

• Explain your approach to completing the Project within the given construction dates and site constraints.

• Include a summary-level CPM schedule detailing all aspects of the Project.

• Include a detailed assessment and response to the site condition restraints.

4. Project Approach

• Describe in detail the methods you foresee utilizing to accomplish the construction at each site. Provide sketches or illustrations to explain your approaches if necessary (elaborate graphics or displays are not desired). This approach should include:

1. Demonstrating a clear and thorough interpretation and acknowledged assimilation of the project work scope as described by the Preliminary Drawings & Performance Specifications (Attachments 1 & 2) that are part of this RFQ.

2. Satisfactorily demonstrating how each of the rehabilitated TPSSs will be staged to minimize impacts to ongoing SEPTA revenue services.

3. Presenting a clear and logical approach for the efficient performance of all work tasks across the Proposer’s entire Project Team

4. Describing how the Proposer’s submitted milestone schedule demonstrates a clear understanding and integration of the required design and construction activities including final design, acquisition of permits, procurement, sequencing of construction, and testing & commissioning.

5. Describing how the Proposer intends to address and mitigate adverse environmental materials

6. Providing a specific and project-proven approach and plan for effective Quality Assurance/Quality Control across the Proposer’s Project Team

7. The Proposer’s outline plan and commitment to safety.

5. Financial & Project Surety

• Provide evidence of the Proposer’s financial ability and resources to adequately perform and manage the Contract, manage risk or ability to obtain such resources as are required during the performance of the Project. If Proposer is a joint venture or a newly-formed entity, identify appropriate guarantor(s) and provide evidence of the financial resources of such guarantor(s).

• Submit audited financial statements for the Proposer for the most recent three (3) fiscal years, certified by certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. If the Proposer is a partnership or joint venture, then audited financial statements for each corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, member or partner holding an interest in the Proposer must be submitted for the same three (3) year period. If applicable, provide all such information with respect to any guarantor(s).

• Provide a letter from a bonding company satisfactory to SEPTA that commits the bonding company to provide the required bonding on behalf of the Proposer if the Proposer is awarded the contract for the Project. Bonding requirements can be found in Attachment 4 of this document.

• Provide a letter from an insurance company, satisfactory to SEPTA, that commits the insurance company to provide the required insurance on behalf of the Proposer if the Proposer is awarded the contract for the Project. Insurance requirements can be found in Attachment 4 of this document.

RFQ Proposal Rating

Evaluations in Step One shall be based on the evaluation criteria in the RFQ with no consideration of responsibility of the Proposer. RFQ Proposals shall be categorized as:

(i) Acceptable;

(ii) Unacceptable.

Any RFQ Proposal which modifies or fails to conform to the essential requirements or specifications of this RFQ shall be considered nonresponsive and categorized as unacceptable.

After making an evaluation of the RFQ Proposals on the basis of the evaluation criteria, SEPTA may conduct interviews and request and receive additional information as it deems necessary from any Proposer deemed to be responsive to this RFQ. If interviews are conducted, Proposers who are deemed to be non-responsive and have no reasonable chance of being selected will not be interviewed. SEPTA may request Proposers, whose RFQ Proposal may be made acceptable to submit, additional clarifying or supplementing information and may arrange discussions for this purpose.

PART 5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROPOSER

SEPTA will only potentially award a contract to a Proposer which it has determined to be responsible and deemed to be acceptable in Step One. The responsibility of the Proposer will be reconfirmed in Step Two.

The Proposer shall furnish adequate documentation to permit SEPTA to determine the responsibility of Proposer within five (5) calendar days of SEPTA’s written request. A responsible Proposer is one that meets the following standards:

1. Integrity and Ethics - Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics, in compliance with 49 U.S.C. Section 5325(j) (2) (A);

2. Debarment and Suspension – Is neither debarred nor suspended from Federal programs under DOT regulations, “Non-procurement Suspension and Debarment,” 2CFR Parts 180 and 1200, or under FAR at 48CFR, Chapter 1 Part 9.4 or any Commonwealth of Pennsylvania funded programs. This contract will also be governed by the Contractor’s responsibilities under 49 CFR, Part 29, regarding debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters of any lower tier covered transactions, as applicable.

3. Affirmative Action and DBE – Is in compliance with the Common Grant Rules’ affirmative action and DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise requirements, 49 CFR, Part 26;

4. Public Policy – Is in compliance with the public policies of the Federal Government, as required by 49 U.S.C. Section 5325 (j) (2) (B) and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania public policies;

5. Administrative and Technical Capacity – has the necessary organization, experience, accounting, and operational controls and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them in compliance with 79 U.S.C Section 5325 (j) (2) (D);

6. Licensing and Taxes – Is in compliance with applicable licensing and tax laws and regulations;

7. Financial Resources – has, or can obtain, sufficient financial resources to perform the contract, as required by 49 U.S.C. Section 5325 (j) (2) (D);

8. Production Capability – Has, or can obtain, the necessary production, and technical equipment and facilities;

9. Timeliness – Is able to comply with the required delivery or performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments;

10. Performance Record – Is able to provide a satisfactory current and past performance record.

Part 6 STEP TWO - BID SUBMISSION

Information contained in this section is provided for informational purposes only. Please review Section 2, Exhibit B in its entirety for a full understanding of the Bid submission. SEPTA will issue final Instructions to Bidders and the complete Bid package for Step Two of this procurement process only to those Proposers that have been qualified under Step One.

In Step Two, only bids based upon RFQ Proposals that SEPTA has determined to be acceptable, either initially or as a result of discussions, will be considered for award. Each of the bids in Step Two must be based on the Proposer's own RFQ Proposals.

Unless all bids are rejected, SEPTA will make an award to the Proposer who was deemed acceptable in Step One and who’s Bid in Step Two, conforming to the invitation for bids, is the lowest responsive and reconfirmed responsible bidder.

PART 7 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

A. SUBMISSION OF RFQ PROPOSALS

One (1) original copy of the Technical Proposal including a PDF copy on a thumb drive contained in envelopes (clearly marked) and meeting the requirements set forth in Section 1, Part 3 above shall be submitted by 11:00 AM prevailing Eastern time on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 to SEPTA’s Contract Administrator:

Justin Benante Senior Contract Administrator, Contract Administration Procurement & Supply Chain Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 1234 Market Street, 11th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email: jbenante@septa.org Phone: (215) 580-7022

NO ORAL, FACSIMILE, ELECTRONIC MAIL, TELEGRAPHIC OR TELEPHONIC

SUBMITTALS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

mailto:jbenante@septa.org

B. RIGHTS RESERVED BY SEPTA

In submitting the RFQ Proposal, the Proposer understands that SEPTA reserves the right to reject any and all RFQ Proposals to serve its best interest. SEPTA is not liable for any expenses incurred by Proposers in the development of its RFQ Proposal or any subsequent activity related to the RFQ Proposal.

C. ADDENDA

In the event that SEPTA finds it necessary to supplement or modify any portion of the RFQ during the RFQ Proposal preparation period SEPTA shall issue written addenda. No interpretation regarding the Project, work or contract documents and no correction of any apparent ambiguity, inconsistency or error therein will be made orally.

Each Proposer submitting a RFQ Proposal shall acknowledge receipt of all addenda by signing the acknowledgment included with each addendum. In the event of conflicts in the addenda, the most recent addendum will govern.

SECTION TWO – BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTOR

SCOPE DESCRIPTION

I. TRACTION POWER SUBSTATION (TPSS) CONFIGURATIONS

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is one of only two U.S. transit authorities that operate all of the major electric-powered transit modes: suburban regional commuter rail, urban “heavy” rail (subway/metro), interurban “light” rail (streetcars/trolleys), and intra-urban electric trolley buses (“trackless trolleys”).

At SEPTA, these electric transit modes are powered by: a) either 12 kV (kilovolt) AC (alternating current) for its regional rail lines (referred to as the Regional Rail Division, or “RRD”) or b) 630V DC (direct current) for its subway, light rail, and electric trolleybus routes (all a part of the City Transit Division or “CTD”). A brief description of each SEPTA Transit Division that will be affected by the TPSS Upgrade Program follows below:

A. Transit Division (CTD): SEPTA also operates a network of subways, trolley lines and “trackless trolley” (electric bus) routes across the Philadelphia metropolitan area. These networks include the Broad Street Subway (BSS), the Market Frankford Subway Elevated (MFSE), five Subway Surface Trolley Lines, the Route 15 Historic Trolley (Girard Avenue and Richmond Streets), and the Routes 59, 66, and 75 Trackless Trolleys (electric trolleybuses).

II. CONTRACT IMPLEMENTATION OBJECTIVES – CONTRACT #5

This contract’s (Contract #5) objective is to: a) provide a completed 100% design effort for each substation in this contract that will require completion by the installing contractor of the existing 50% design that has been SEPTA-provided in the drawings and specifications that make up Attachments 1 (Specifications) & 2 (Drawings) of this RFQ document, and b) construct/install/commission/energize all upgrades as required by the documents included in this RFQ document.

As part of this contract, all electrical equipment is to be replaced. Besides the traction power equipment, this includes but i s not l imited to lighting, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SCADA equipment, etc.

Although in each location the steel gantries and control houses will remain, the contract also calls for a multitude of cosmetic upgrades to these structures to bring each of these locations to a fully integrated, state-of-the-art condition. A detailed Work Scope is included in Specification Section 01010 (“Attachment 1”) of this RFP. Besides the electrical equipment replacement, non-electrical upgrades will include structural/cosmetic upgrades to the gantries (resurfacing, etc.)

civil/structural/architectural/mechanical improvements to the control houses and equipment rooms (heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), environmental/safety improvements to the equipment and site (asbestos removal, lead paint abatement, contaminated soil remediation, and PCB Survey, etc.).