Specification for Track Lubricator Maintenance and Communications.docx

Specification For Track Lubricator Maintenance and Communications

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Engineering and Maintenance 21 Arlington Ave Charlestown MA 02129

June 2025

TRACK LUBRICATOR MAINTENANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

1.0 Type of Service

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is seeking a qualified contractor to provide maintenance and communications services for all wayside lubricators located within the right-of-way, for a three (3) year period. The primary function of these lubricators is to extend rail life and reduce noise. The primary goal of this contract is to ensure that all lubricator units are working effectively, both mechanically and electrically, at all times. Maintenance shall be performed on an as-needed basis, at the request of the MBTA. The communications portion of this contract includes providing and maintaining the Elecsys communication system utilized in the MBTA’s lubricators. The Elecsys system provides real time remote status and alarms of each unit – including level of grease in the tank, wheel counts, pump status, power status, etc. The Contractor will be responsible for monitoring these alarms and be need access to the Elecsys system database. The Contractor should monitor this daily and provide a weekly summary report of any alarms. This report will be used in conjunction with any issues reported by MBTA field personnel to prioritize maintenance needs. Also, the Contractor must provide documentation supporting working knowledge and experience in maintaining and installing lubricator systems, as well as a demonstration of suitable capability.

2.0 Existing Lubricator System

The majority existing lubricators are “back-of-flange” drilled restraining rail applications, with the remainder being “top-of-rail” friction modifier type applicators. The lubricators are Lincoln/SKF single-track 200# units, with a Lincoln Model 276800 controller. The majority are AC-powered with several units being DC solar-powered. The pumps are FlowMaster II Rotary Driven 24V electric pumps, series “A”. See Appendix A for the Operational and Maintenance Manual for the existing lubricators.

There are currently 68 mainline lubricators with plans to install 12+ more at Codman Yard and Wellington Yard.

MAINLINE UNITS BELOW:

· Green Line - 25 units

· Red Line – 16 units

· Blue Line – 7 units

· Orange Line – 15 units

· Mattapan High Speed Line – 5 units All units that are currently under warranty, or are put online after the contract is awarded, will the be the responsibility of the installing Contractor to address any warranty related items. Warranty work will not be paid for under this Contract. The MBTA is to be notified of any new units that put online and added to the Elecsys database as soon as they are certified and operational. If Elecsys monitoring is part of the contract that the new units were installed under, then those units shall not be invoiced for under this Contract, until they are off warranty, or meets the obligations of the contract that they were installed under.

3.0 Maintenance Scope

The maintenance scope includes a range of activities, including but not limited to:

· Provide labor and materials to replace lubricator parts that are no longer fully functional due to wear, corrosion, damage, etc.

· Provide labor and materials to disconnect and reconnect parts as needed for track or other maintenance work

· Provide labor and materials to reinstall units that may be disconnected and relocated to optimize grease migration

· Replace older designed parts with newer designed parts to optimize the function of the lubricator

· Convert units to split-system type to feed multiple locations, if deemed applicable, at the discretion of the MBTA

· Convert units from DC to AC, or vice versa, if deemed applicable, at the discretion of the MBTA

· Add up to (1) pail of grease if performing work on a unit that has mechanical issues related to low grease. Grease to be supplied by the MBTA.

· Monitor alarms issued by Elecsys and prepare a preliminary plan to address prior to visiting the site

· Address any communication issues related to the Elecsys remote monitoring system and wireless connection – this may include, but not limit to, installing extended antennas, upgrading wireless cards, or replacing the local monitoring device

· Each site visit shall include a full inspection of the unit, with a report documenting the current status of the unit and any work performed, or work that remains to be performed. The report is to be provided to Maintenance of Way by the end of the week that the site is visited, via an online form submission on the MBTA’s online application for lubricators.

· Most site visits will occur during non-revenue hours (1:30AM-4:30AM) and access to and from units will be on foot via stations or ROW gates.

· Multiple units may be serviced during a single shift if time allots, and should be planned accordingly.

4.0 Scheduling & Payment

Scheduling will be at the request of the MBTA, although the Contractor shall monitor alarms and propose remedial action as needed. Contractor shall have the ability to respond and address emergency issues within 48 hours. Typically, site visits will be scheduled a week or more in advance. Billing shall be on a monthly basis, invoiced at the end of the month, for any work performed during that month. The monthly invoice shall include separate line items for the following:

· A flat monthly rate that includes:

· All aspects of the Elecsys monitoring system (including but not limited to the price to provide service, to monitor the website for alarms, time to put together upcoming service request summaries)

· Any labor, overhead, insurance related to support of this project

· The labor for all work performed during that month, including details on site visits. For bid purposes, Contractor shall bid for a total of 72 shifts per year, for three years.

· NOTE: Contractor must carry all necessary insurance as required by the MBTA.

5.0 Track Availability

The Contractor shall coordinate with Maintenance of Way Track Engineers and Planning and Scheduling Coordinators to arrange access to the various lubricator locations. Contractor can expect to have up to three hours of on-track time per non-revenue hour shifts (generally 1:30AM to 4:30AM), or four or more hours of on-track time per revenue shift (green line and Mattapan High Speed lines, or emergency rapid transit line work). Although track access is typically less than 8 hours, the Contractor shall be made available for 8 full hours around a shift if needed and will not be paid more than the standard shift rate for anything under 8 hours. Contractor shall confirm availability 48 hours in advance of planned work. MBTA will notify the Contractor by 1PM on any day in which scheduled work can not proceed the upcoming non-revenue shift, due to an emergency or other higher priority work. No standby payment rate shall be made in the event work is cancelled.

All units will have to be accessed by foot via stations or ROW access gates. The majority of lubricators are located just outside the limits of station platforms, with the remainder of units being located within a ¼ mile of the closest ROW access gate or station.

Prior to entering the right-of-way, all Contractor personnel must have shown that they have current MBTA right-of-way safety training. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to coordinate right-of-way training for their personnel. No additional payment will be made for personnel attending right-of-way training.