RFI for Locomotive Safety Inspections

LOCOMOTIVE 92-DAY PERIODIC SAFETY INSPECTIONS
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A SOLICITATION
  
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. 

This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a solicitation. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotations, or proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract.  All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is requesting information as part of its market research regarding the availability and general information concerning locomotive periodic safety inspections as per the Code of Federal Regulations.

1.    Background   

The Volpe Center is an innovative, federal, fee-for-service organization within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).  Its work focuses on the application of advanced technology to the improvement of transportation safety, security, and logistics, and is performed primarily within DOT, but also supports other federal agencies and state, local, and international entities.  All Volpe Center’s DOT work supports the goals of the DOT’s Strategic Plan: Safety, Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness, Transformation, and Organizational Excellence.  Non-DOT work focuses on the specific goals of the particular agency in the general areas of transportation and/or logistics.  Typically, this work also aligns with DOT’s strategic plan and/or provides with future benefits to the DOT.

The Volpe Center provides support including engineering, locomotive acquisition, locomotive maintenance, and locomotive safety inspections to address critical transportation issues for the Department of Defense. 

2.    Scope

The Volpe Center is releasing this RFI to identify interested parties capable of providing but not limited to the following:   

a.    Perform federally required periodic safety inspections in accordance with 49 CFR Part 229.23(a) on fourteen locomotives located at seven different locations
b.    Personnel performing field service support must have previous experience working on EMD locomotives, be qualified per CFR for performing inspections, and have the capability to perform brake tests on NYAB CCB-26 and 26L/26NL brake systems.
c.    Personnel performing field service support shall have all necessary tools, diagnostic and test equipment to conduct through inspections of the locomotives, conduct maintenance inspections and perform testing and diagnostics in the field where the locomotives are located.

3.    RFI Response Instructions:

Vendors are strongly encouraged to offer candid feedback, as it plays a crucial role in the Government assessing the practicality of the requirements, both in terms of timeline and technical requirements.

Responses shall be in the form of a Capabilities Document that addresses three (3) specific sections: 1) Administrative, 2) Requested Information, and 3) Additional Information. See 4. for Capabilities Document format requirements.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 488210 – Support Activities for Rail Transportation. The anticipated Product Service Code (PSC) is 2210 – Locomotives. 

All questions are due on or before 12:00 PM Eastern Time, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. 

RFI responses are due on or before 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Friday, April 4, 2025.

Questions and RFI documents shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer, Patricia Barnett at patricia.barnett@dot.gov. No phone calls will be accepted.  

4.    RFI Capabilities Document Format Requirements:

a.    Section 1: Administrative: Provide administrative information including the following information:

i.    Vendor Name, Mailing Address, Unique Entity Identification (UEI), phone number, Vendor POC, and Email address of Vendor POC. 
ii.    Please list your business type (large business or small business). Small businesses 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)
iii.    If vendor is a large business, please specify any small-business sub-contracting capabilities the vendor possesses. 
iv.    Interest as a Prime or Subcontractor.
v.    If vendor answered “Prime Contractor” on the previous question, approximately what percent of work could you anticipate subcontracting to?

b.    Section 2: Requested Information:

i.    Can vendor meet the requirements as stated in the “2. Scope”. If not, explain why and list any recommendations for alternative locomotives and corresponding specifications.
ii.    Provide estimated costs, timelines, assumptions, and supply constraints.

c.    Section 3: Additional Information:

i.    Provide similar previous work experience within the past 3 years. Past performance experiences shall include: Contract number; Customer (Government agency, private industry); value and type of contract. 
ii.    Is vendor AAR Quality Assurance Certified, in the process of obtaining this certification, or possess an equivalent certification?
iii.    Any additional, relevant, and recent information on the subject matter that demonstrates capabilities and costs. 
iv.    Qualified Mechanical Inspector – Can vendor meet the requirements of staffing with Qualified Mechanical Inspectors.  As defined in 49 CFR 229.5 “Qualified mechanical inspector” refers to a person who has received instruction and training that includes “hands-on” experience (under appropriate supervision or apprenticeship) in one or more of the following functions: troubleshooting, inspection, testing, maintenance or repair of the specific locomotive equipment for which the person is assigned responsibility. This person shall also possess a current understanding of what is required to properly repair and maintain the locomotive equipment for which the person is assigned responsibility. Further, the qualified mechanical inspector shall be a person whose primary responsibility includes work generally consistent with the functions listed in this definition.

v.    Locomotive Locations, Quantity and Type (see table on attached PDF)

No.    Location    Qty.    Locomotive Type
1    Fort Bliss, TX    3    EMD GP-9
            EMD GP-10
            EMD GP-10
2    Fort Cavazos, TX    1    EMD GP-40-2
3    Fort Carson, CO    2    EMD GP-10
            EMD GP-40
4    Fort Stewart, GA    2    EMD GP-16
            EMD GP-20
5    Fort Campbell, KY    2    EMD GP-10
            EMD GP-10
6    Fort Leonard Wood, MO    2    EMD GP-10
            EMD GP-40-2
7    Fort McCoy, WI    2    EMD GP-16
            EMD GP-16