CATS Ultrasonic Testing Services

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is requesting proposals for annual ultrasonic rail flaw detection services on the CATS Light Rail system, with proposals due October 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM. The scope spans approximately 40 miles of double-track mainline, yard tracks, storage tracks, siding tracks, grade crossings, interlockings, and special trackwork. Testing will occur annually during four consecutive nights of non-revenue service hours between 12:30 AM and 4:00 AM; CATS provides rail access and a qualified pilot.

All services must comply with American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards. The contractor furnishes all labor, supervision, equipment, materials, transportation, and technical expertise to identify internal and surface rail defects. Deliverables include nightly summaries and a comprehensive final report with inspection logs, electronic data files, defect catalogs, and recommendations.

The contract carries an initial three-year term with an option for up to two additional consecutive one-year renewal terms at CATS's discretion, contingent on contractor performance, data quality, safety compliance, and timeliness. Pricing proposals must be all-inclusive and submitted using a required pricing worksheet covering mobilization costs, daily rates, and delay rates per hour for the initial term and optional renewal years.

Evaluation criteria include relevant experience with transit or railroad ultrasonic inspection, technical approach and methodology, equipment capabilities, personnel qualifications and certifications, safety record and compliance history, quality of reporting, and references from similar projects within the past five years. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and automobile liability, and comply with Federal Transit Administration requirements, OSHA regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.

The City of Charlotte's Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) program encourages small business enterprise (SBE) participation; no specific SBE subcontracting goals are stated. Written questions are due October 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM and October 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for October 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM via Microsoft Teams. Proposal evaluation occurs October 23 through November 6, 2026. All submissions must be made electronically through the Bonfire Procurement Portal.