CATS Rail Geometry Testing

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is issuing Request for Proposals (RFP #269-2026-2049) for Rail Geometry Testing services to support automated track inspection across the LYNX Blue Line's 40-mile double-track infrastructure system in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide a Track Geometry Vehicle (TGV) capable of measuring critical geometric parameters including runoff, profile, cross level, superelevation, curvature, track alignment, gauge, rail profiles, warp, and twist in accordance with American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards. Testing shall be conducted annually during non-revenue hours between 0130 and 0400 hours to avoid disruption to passenger service, with all vendor personnel required to obtain Roadway Worker Protection Program (RWPP) certification through CATS Rail Safety personnel prior to commencing work. Primary deliverables include detailed track geometry reports identifying and documenting all defects with appropriate severity classifications according to the CATS Maintenance of Way (MOW) Track Standards Manual, presented to CATS personnel upon completion of each testing night and a comprehensive final report submitted in electronic format upon completion of the full testing cycle. Key objectives include identifying, assessing, and mitigating track geometry defects to ensure passenger safety, sustain a state of good repair, support immediate corrective maintenance actions, inform long-term capital and maintenance planning, and maintain regulatory compliance. The evaluation criteria include qualifications and experience, project approach and proposed solution, cost effectiveness and value, and acceptance of contract terms. Critical deadlines include May 13, 2026, for written questions (pre-conference consideration), May 19, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. EST for the non-mandatory pre-proposal conference (virtual), May 22, 2026, for post-conference written questions, and June 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EST for proposal submission through the Bonfire e-Procurement Portal. Proposals must remain valid for 180 calendar days from the due date.

The City of Charlotte has established set-aside provisions requiring bidders to identify and utilize Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), with mandatory submission of the CBI Form 3 Subcontractor/Utilization Commitment form at bid opening and Letters of Intent (CBI Form 4) for each proposed subcontractor within three business days of request, or proposed utilization will not be counted toward established goals. All subcontractors and suppliers must be registered with the City of Charlotte and provide vendor numbers as a condition for receiving payment, and bidders must maintain the level of MBE, WBE, and SBE participation proposed throughout the contract duration. The contract will be governed by the City's standard terms, which include federal transit contracting requirements, insurance obligations including commercial general liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and workers' compensation insurance meeting North Carolina statutory requirements, background checks prior to work commencement and annually thereafter, indemnification, and compliance with civil rights laws and the Charlotte Business Inclusion (CBI) Program. The initial contract term consists of three years with the City retaining the option to renew for up to two additional consecutive one-year terms, and the pricing worksheet requires vendors to submit all-inclusive costs in United States dollars covering mobilization, testing, and overtime rates for each year of the initial three-year term and optional renewal years, though no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the available procurement documents. Vendors must be capable of hi-rail mode operation and provide a qualified pilot to assist with track access and operational coordination, and CATS will provide a qualified pilot to facilitate track access and operational coordination during testing activities.