RFI 221-23 Worker Ahead Technology_FINAL.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Roadway Worker Protection Technology RFI #221-23 / COMMBUYS Bid # 23-1206-40000-40000-95159

MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Rail ROW Worker Protection Bi-Directional Communication Solution

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 221-23

Commbuys Bid # 23-1206-40000-40000-95159

Contact Person:

Jimmy Moynihan Sourcing Executive Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 HYPERLINK "mailto:rwise@mbta.com" rJMoynihan@MBTA.com

Please Note: This is a single document associated with a Request for Information (RFI) that can be found on www.COMMBUYS.com. Interested parties are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the RFI. Bidders may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal, state and Suffolk county holidays.

ISSUE DATE: 11/22/2023

1. Description or Purpose of RFI:

This Request for Information is issued by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) solely for the purpose of gathering information about regional rail operators and operations methodology. The MBTA is conducting this exercise as an exploratory process intended to provide input to policy discussion and, as such, any questions asked and all responses received are exploratory in nature.

For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a procurement, and no contract will result from this exercise.

The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about:

· Minimum requirement:

· Solution to alert Train Operators of workers on the track ahead of them and to alert the Workers on the ROW of an oncoming vehicle. Our train operators are required to slow the train to 10 mph (or less) upon sighting work crews on the right of way (ROW). We are seeking a solution that will help motorpersons achieve 100% compliance with that rule (HR34) and help the MBTA to track compliance with that rule.

· Nice to have:

· Solution can integrate into existing Operations Control Center (OCC) software to provide dispatchers with real time data of the location of the workers on the Right of Way (ROW).

· Solution has the ability to record data for compliance reasons and generate reports of the data.

Please include features, capabilities, pricing, warranty, and any additional related services or solutions available.

2. Requested Information (RFI Response):

Please formulate a response of not more than 10 pages. Material such as a title page, table of contents, and supplemental material or appendices are not included in that limit.

Response should be submitted in COMMBUYS and should address the following topics:

Product Overview – Please describe the equipment you would use to address the MBTA’s interest in a Rail ROW Bi-Direction Worker Ahead Notification Solution. At minimum, please

1. Provide a detailed description of the solution, including its key features and functionalities. Functionalities include but are not limited to: System requirements to be able to integrate into existing infrastructure, rail vehicles, system components, how the system communicates (radio frequency, cellular connection, etc), if applicable, system battery life and charge times.

2. Hardware requirements: Minimum hardware requirements, scalability, software requirements, etc.

3. How does the solution track vehicles movements and worker movements. At what range are workers notified of an oncoming vehicle and vice versa? How do you handle connection in high-noise environments and in areas with long curves and tunnels?

4. Does the solution allow for customization and if so, in what way?

5. Does the solution work with other vehicles such as Hi-Rail equipment, if so, does the solution work the same as when it is installed in a train?

6. Is the solution able to handle at grade crossings and know the difference between a worker vs a car or pedestrian crossing the track(s)?

7. Does the solution require us to install any physical equipment to our existing infrastructure, if so, what are the minimum requirements needed?

8. What are the technical specifications of the equipment, including measurement accuracy, resolution, and range?

9. What capabilities are available for deployment at fixed work zone limits?

Data Collection, Reporting, and Management

10. Does the solution provide a log of worker and vehicle movements that can be accessed for reporting? How is the collected data stored and organized, what format is supported, what is the storage capacity? Is the device/system serialized for tracking and maintenance purposes?

11. Does the solution include automation of event markers and automated measurement capabilities? If so, please elaborate on the automation features and data collection methods and any limitations on event marking.

12. Does the system provide visual representations, such as graphical plots or maps, monitoring of rail vehicle speeds, to aid in understanding and analyzing the collected data? Is any specialist software required to visualize the recorded data?

13. Does the solution include video capture? If so, how does the solution correlate video capture with location? If so, how does the solution correlate thermal imaging capture with location?

14. Detail any additional data visualization or reporting features available within your system.

15. Describe the minimum IT requirements for viewing recorded data (raw and post processed data). Is data hosted on a Cloud based platform?

Support Services and Training

16. What training and support services do you provide to ensure proper implementation and utilization of the solution?

17. Describe the customer support services offered.

18. Include technical assistance, troubleshooting and floor-walking. Is user training included?

19. If so, what is the scope and duration of the training program?

20. What technical support options are available, and what is the typical response time for resolving any issues or inquiries?

Experience and References

21. Share any relevant case studies or success stories showcasing your system’s performance and benefits.

22. If possible, provide references from rail transit agencies or customers similar to the MBTA.

Information Security

23. Briefly describe your information security controls and processes.

24. What types of Information Security certifications/attestations does your platform support/provide?

Other Related Services

25. If you offer any related services for rail, please describe them. Marketing materials and/or hyperlinks are acceptable.

Software Accessibility

26. If there is a software component to your solution, is it complaint with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, levels A and AA? If not, in what areas is the solution noncompliant?

27. If there is a software component to your solution, do you have a completed Accessibility Compliance Report (ACR) from the latest version of the VPAT 2.1 (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or equivalent? If so, does the ACR include reporting for WCAG 2.1 levels A and AA (AAA optional) and Functional Performance Criteria (Section 508 requirements)?

Financial Considerations

28. Explain your typical pricing model. Clarify any additional charges – including but not limited to mobilization, software, off site processing, one-time implementation, equipment, training, or support.

29. If software licensing is part of your offering, please describe your license model including types of licenses.

3. Next Steps Upon receipt of responses, the MBTA may request additional information through email or virtual meeting.

Responses to this RFI will be used to understand current capabilities and determine the merits of moving forward with one or more Requests for Proposal (RFP). If the decision is to move forward, the MBTA will develop and refine business requirements during March 2024. Any RFP will be posted on COMMBUYS, and the MBTA will endeavor to notify all companies that respond to this RFI.

4. RFI Calendar

Bidders are required to monitor COMMBUYS for changes to the procurement calendar for this Bid.

5. Online Questions (Bid Q&A) Written Questions must be entered by pressing the “Bid Q&A” tab for the Bid in COMMBUYS no later than the Questions Due date and time indicated in the Procurement Calendar (above). The MBTA reserves the right not to respond to questions submitted after this date. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to verify questions were successfully posted on COMMBUYS.

Written Responses to Questions will be posted on the Bid Q&A Tab in COMMBUYS on or about the “Response to Questions Posted Online” date indicated in the Procurement Calendar (above).

6. RFI Attachments