2024 PCC-Railroad Ballast & Aggregates

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is soliciting quotes to establish one or more open contracts for railroad ballast and aggregates for the PCC Railway System in eastern Washington. The procurement covers multiple material types including Railroad Ballast (Standards No. 4 & 4A), Yard Ballast (No. 5 & No. 57), Crushed Surfacing Base Course (CSBC), and Crushed Surfacing Top Course (CSTC), along with comprehensive delivery and stockpiling services. Vendors must provide detailed pricing per ton for materials and per ton-mile for delivery, with materials required to meet specific grading requirements and AREMA 2023 Volume 1 specifications for railroad ballast. The solicitation spans multiple jurisdictions including Spokane Valley City, Spokane County, Whitman County, Lincoln County, and Spokane City. Key procurement dates include questions due by December 20, 2024, proposal submissions due by January 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time, intent to award announcement on January 14, 2025, and formal award on January 21, 2025. Evaluation will focus on material quality, pricing, delivery capabilities, and compliance with technical specifications.

The contract opportunity does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on vendor types. The initial contract term is one year with potential extensions up to six years total. Vendors can propose price adjustments 60 days before each contract term's end, with supporting documentation required. Fuel price adjustments are permitted based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration's West Coast diesel fuel price index. Delivery requirements mandate vendors begin fulfillment within 10 calendar days of purchase order receipt to any location along the PCC Railway System. Materials will undergo visual acceptance prior to delivery, with potential sampling and testing occurring every 2,000 tons to verify grading and fracture compliance. While specific budget ranges are not detailed, the open contract structure suggests flexibility in procurement volume and potential significant aggregate supply requirements for WSDOT's eastern Washington railway infrastructure.