Two (2) Fabricated Rail Hopper for use with Liebherr Portal Mounted Harbor Gantry Crane

The North Carolina State Ports Authority is seeking proposals for two fabricated 32" gauge rail hoppers to be utilized with a Liebherr portal mounted harbor gantry crane at the Morehead City Port located at 113 Arendell Street. These rail hoppers will have a 75 cubic yard capacity and are specifically designed for discharging bulk products like grains and fertilizers directly to railcars and trucks. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on April 15, 2025, with proposals due on April 29, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for April 22, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the port location. The procurement will follow a "Best Value" evaluation method, considering factors such as vendor experience, technical approach, delivery and installation capabilities, references, cost, and warranty compliance. Optional items for bidding include a lifting spreader, air compressor/generator, operator's cab, and LED lighting. The project is expected to be completed by January 30, 2026, with the hoppers supporting future port tonnage and operational efficiency.

Vendors must be registered in the North Carolina Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) and comply with state requirements, including non-discrimination statutes and E-Verify employment verification. The contract includes a standard warranty period of 12 months for most components and 24 months for fabricated structures. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned, the RFP suggests potential price matching for North Carolina resident vendors. The technical specifications are comprehensive, requiring precise manufacturing standards from organizations like ASTM, AWS, and NEMA, with specific requirements for steel grades, coating thicknesses, welding procedures, and surface treatments. The hoppers will feature a blue main structure, white operator's cabin, a diesel-engine driven power unit, LED lighting, and HVAC specifications for the operator cabin. Though an exact budget range was not provided, the detailed technical requirements and multiple exhibit documents suggest a significant capital investment for these specialized port infrastructure components.