CATS BLUE LINE TRACK WELDING SERVICES - Rebid

The City of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposals #269-2026-1950-2 for comprehensive turnkey welding and maintenance services for the Blue Line light rail infrastructure. The procurement requires qualified contractors to provide all labor, supervision, equipment, and materials necessary to perform rail maintenance and repair work, including rail end welding, engine burn welding, switch point welding, frog welding, and thermite field welding in strict accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Safety Standards and Maintenance of Way (MOW) rail maintenance protocols. Deliverables include regular servicing work encompassing maintenance, inspection, and repair of Blue Line track to ensure structural integrity, durability, and safety, with the contractor required to maintain 24/7 on-call emergency response availability and mobilize personnel within 24 to 72 hours of notification. Proposals will be evaluated based on three primary criteria: qualifications and experience, cost effectiveness and value, and acceptance of contract terms. A non-mandatory virtual pre-proposal conference is scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST; written questions must be submitted by February 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST; and completed proposals are due on March 6, 2026, by 10:00 AM EST through the City's Bonfire e-Procurement Portal. Contractors must submit minimum three to five client references demonstrating relevant track maintenance experience, pricing worksheets with hourly rates across four labor categories and mobilization fees, and certifications regarding debarment, non-lobbying, and non-discrimination practices.

The City of Charlotte has established MWSBE (Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Small Business Enterprise) participation goals through its Charlotte Business INClusion program, though no separate DBE goal percentage has been specified for this particular contract. Bidders must certify compliance with the Certification Regarding Debarment, suspension requirements, and the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Certification, with false statements potentially resulting in proposal rejection, award termination, or criminal prosecution. Contractors must comply with North Carolina E-Verify requirements, the City's Non-Discrimination Policy under Charlotte City Code Chapter 2 Article V, and the Charlotte Business Inclusion Policy. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability, and railroad protective liability at specified limits. The RFP does not specify total contract value, pricing terms, or funding sources, requiring contractors to submit competitive pricing based on the defined scope of services; however, the pricing worksheet indicates a five-year contract term with optional renewal in years four and five. The City reserves the right to award the contract to one or more contractors and retains broad discretion regarding contract negotiations, modifications, and award decisions.