Metro C/K Line Mainline Fastener Replacement

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is soliciting bids for the Metro C/K Line Mainline Fastener Replacement project under IFB OP138405, with bids due September 9, 2026, and a pre-bid conference on August 18, 2026. Metro has established a 2% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal that bidders must meet or exceed to be considered responsive; good faith efforts are no longer accepted if the goal is not achieved. Metro-certified Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) primes receive a 5% bid price reduction preference, as do non-LSBE primes subcontracting at least 30% of contract value to eligible LSBE firms.

The scope encompasses procurement and installation of 53,530 Direct Fixation Rail Fastener Assemblies across two light rail segments totaling 19.3 miles—the El Segundo K-Line Southern Segment (3.6 miles) and the Century C-Line Segment (16.5 miles). Work includes removing worn fasteners, installing new fasteners using existing anchor inserts, measuring and correcting track gauge, replacing embedded inserts as needed, and performing quality assurance inspections. The contractor must be qualified with a minimum of three light-rail or heavy-rail direct fixation fastener replacement projects completed within the last ten years, including at least one valued at $5 million or greater. The contractor must assign a Project Manager with ten years of operational railroad or transit maintenance experience and a half-time Project Safety Representative holding current First Aid/CPR certification. Work is allocated primarily during nighttime hours (Sunday–Thursday 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM, Friday–Saturday 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM) with estimated weekly hours up to 40; Metro retains cancellation rights with compensation limited to $2,500 per cancellation for up to five cancellations. Metro will provide Material Delivery logistics coordination, track inspectors, traction power inspectors, signal inspectors, and designated storage and equipment access locations. The contractor is responsible for all labor, materials, equipment, hi-rail vehicles, and Tier 4 diesel emissions-compliant on-track construction equipment.

The contract term extends through December 28, 2029, with mandatory work suspension from June 30, 2028, through August 6, 2028, for the Summer Olympic Games. The contract is funded with state and local funds and subject to fiscal year funding availability. Federal prevailing wage requirements under 29 CFR 5.5 apply. Liquidated damages are $1,643 per hour per calendar day for work that interferes with revenue service operations when such interference was reasonably preventable. Questions are due August 21, 2026, with clarifications due August 27, 2026. All primes and first-tier subcontractors with contract value exceeding $500,000 for non-construction contracts or any amount for public works construction contracts must be pre-qualified prior to bid submission. All contractors and subcontractors must be registered with California's Department of Industrial Relations and comply with prevailing wage determination CA 2026-1 for Southern California, Los Angeles County. Contractors must hire state-certified apprentices at a minimum ratio of 20% apprentice to journeyman hours and maintain employment records for three years after project completion.