Notification to the Industry on Draft Track and Overhead Contact System RFP Documents

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is conducting an industry review for a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) procurement to develop track and overhead contact system (OCS) infrastructure for a 171-mile Early Operating Segment between Merced and Bakersfield. The project requires comprehensive preconstruction and construction services, including design support, constructability reviews, cost estimates, track installation, sub-ballast layer development, cable containment, track ducts, walkways, fencing, and drainage systems. The procurement will be executed through multiple Work Packages with three anticipated Notice to Proceed (NTP) phases: NTP 1 covering design principles and First Construction Section detailed design, NTP 2 focusing on Merced to Madera detailed design, and NTP 3 addressing Locally Generated Alternative detailed design. The industry comment period was extended and written comments are now due by noon on January 17, 2025, with the Request for Proposals (RFP) expected to be released in Q1 2025, proposals due in Q2 2025, and contractor selection targeted for Q3 2025. The project requires coordination with multiple interfacing contractors, including Track/OCS Design Services Consultant, Systems Contractor(s), Trainset Contractor, and Facilities and Stations contractors.

The procurement includes significant small business participation requirements, mandating 25% Small Business participation (with 3% Microbusiness), 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise, and 10% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation. The contract will utilize a performance-based fee structure with a 7% fee during a two-month onboarding period and 9% fee thereafter, compensating the contractor through hourly rates, direct costs, and travel reimbursements. The project will implement a Rolling Owner Controlled Insurance Program and requires contractors to maintain co-located Key Personnel at or near the Authority's Sacramento headquarters. While specific total project budget is not explicitly stated, the contract includes provisions for cost modeling, independent cost estimation, and a contractor contingency to manage potential cost variations. Funding for the project will be sourced through federal grant agreements with the Federal Railroad Administration and state funding sources, with the ultimate goal of developing a high-speed rail system that can be expanded toward San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento without substantial rework.