RFI - Boxcar Interior Wood Lining.pdf

Request for Information (RFI): Boxcar Interior Wood Lining

RFI #: 6913G626RFI1003

1. Purpose and Objective The U.S. DOT John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) located in Cambridge, MA, is conducting market research in order to determine capabilities and estimated pricing from qualified vendors for the installation of interior protective lining on thirty-eight (38) used boxcars for Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP). These modifications are required to safely transport ammunition and explosives in compliance with strict military safety regulations.

This RFI notice does not constitute a solicitation and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government will not pay for any effort expended in responding to this notice.

2. Equipment Description: 50-Foot Plate C Boxcars The fleet consists of 38 used standard 50-Foot Plate C 70-ton Boxcars, as shown in the photo below. Respondents should assume the following general baseline characteristics for the fleet:

● Dimensions: Interior length of approximately 50'6", interior width of 9'6", and an interior height of roughly 11'0".

● Plate C Clearance: Designed for standard North American rail interchange standards.

● Construction: All-steel exterior superstructure, steel side walls, steel fixed end walls, and standard sliding or plug doors (typically 10-foot openings).

● Current State: Used condition; interior steel walls may have minor surface wear but are structurally sound.

3. Technical Scope of Work & Requirements

3.1. Interior Wall Lining

To prevent direct contact between ammunition packaging and the steel superstructure of the boxcars, protective lining must be installed on all interior vertical surfaces.

● Height Constraint: Wood lining is only required to be installed as high as the top of the cargo. It does not need to extend to the ceiling, 5-feet is sufficient.

● End and Side Wall Material Specifications: Where ammunition touches steel end and side walls, they must be lined with:

○ ¾” BCX Plywood

4. Information Requested from Respondents Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement addressing the following points:

4.1. Technical Approach & Sourcing

● Describe your approach for securely fastening the lining to the steel walls without compromising the structural integrity of the boxcars.

● Confirm your capability to source ¾” BCX Plywood.

● Identification of risks (wood damage, fit issues, structural concerns) and mitigation strategies.

4.2. Schedule & Capacity

● Provide an estimated timeline for completing the modifications across all 38 boxcars.

● Please note that work must be performed at the IAAAP, moving the cars elsewhere for the work is not possible. All personnel entering the facility must be able to provide proper identification and must pass a background check.

4.3. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimate

Please provide a non-binding cost estimate broken down by:

● Material costs per boxcar (differentiating between end walls and side walls).

● Labor hours/costs per boxcar.

Please note that this RFI requests non-binding, high-level cost information for budgetary planning purposes. It is not a bid solicitation and will not result in a contract.

4.4. Additional Information

● Point of contact for this RFI (name, title, phone, email).

● Company profile (capabilities, facility location(s), quality certifications).

● Examples of similar work performed (brief description, photos).

● List of required drawings, information, or samples you need from us to provide a firm quote.

5. Submission Instructions Interested parties should submit a written Statement of Capabilities of sufficient detail demonstrating their experience and ability to provide said services as outlined in Section 4 entitled Information Requested.

Information provided shall be detailed and shall show technical capabilities, knowledge, and expertise so the U.S. DOT can assess the ability to provide the described services in each of the above stated work areas.

All the information sought must be conveyed in no more than 10 pages. Page size is set at 8 x 11 inches, and text must be no smaller than 11 point. Graphics and images may be included within the 10-page limit. Text contained within graphics or images may be of any size so long as it is legible. Hyperlinks to external references may be provided but the information contained within the Statement of Capabilities should stand on its own. Each response must reference the RFI title. Interested vendors shall indicate their socio-economic small business size status (Total Small Business, 8(a) business development, historically underutilized business zone, service-disabled veteran owned, small disadvantaged, or woman-owned) in the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. As a result of recent changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19, small business concerns must ensure that their status certifications are up to date.

Interested parties must respond to this announcement in writing by June 11, 2026, at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. Telephone requests will not be honored. All responses must be submitted via e-mail to Andrew Josephs at Andrew.Josephs@dot.gov. Electronic attachments to the e-mail must be submitted in Adobe PDF format.

6. Information Availability THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal. The notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotations, and proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S.

Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the U.S.

Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. The U.S. Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of response to this RFI notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this synopsis and submittals will not be returned to the sender. Submissions must be disclosable to the public, or the submitter should provide a summary statement that can be disclosed to the public with fuller supporting information that is clearly marked as restricted. The U.S.

Government will use customary means to safeguard proprietary information, but only when such information is (1) clearly marked as proprietary; (2) is, in fact, information that could not have been obtained from another party or source; and (3) is otherwise deserving of such treatment under standards and processes described in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Executive Order 12600.

For information about the Volpe Center, refer to the Volpe Center website at https://www.volpe.dot.gov.

https://www.volpe.dot.gov/