UDOT RFP- UDOT/UTA FrontRunner Train Sets Acquisition - IN LIEU OF

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) are issuing a Request for Proposals to procure diesel multiple unit (DMU) commuter rail vehicles for the FrontRunner 2X project. This solicitation seeks proposals from qualified manufacturers to design, manufacture, test, furnish, deliver, and performance test a base order of 10 DMUs with options for up to 40 additional units. Deliverables include the vehicles themselves along with spare parts, training materials, maintenance manuals, special tools, diagnostic equipment, and optional DMU Operation Training Simulator. The procurement will award a single fixed-price contract to the responsive and responsible vendor achieving the highest combined technical and cost score (700 points for technical factors and 300 points for price, totaling 1,000 points). Technical evaluation criteria include technical approach to work, schedule credibility, major subsystems and system integration experience, proposer experience and organization, key personnel qualifications, and vehicle life cycle support capabilities. The vehicles must accommodate a minimum of 240 passengers, achieve a design life of 40 years with annual operating distances of 150,000 miles, operate at maximum speeds of 90 miles per hour, and demonstrate mean distance between failures of 48,000 miles at the vehicle level. Critical deadlines include February 6, 2026 for initial questions submission, February 11, 2026 for final addendum issuance, and February 16-17, 2026 for proposal submissions. Contract award and negotiation are projected for March 9 through May 12, 2026, with Notice to Proceed 1 scheduled for June 22, 2026 and Notice to Proceed 2 expected twelve months thereafter. All proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 180 calendar days after the due date, and all questions and comments must be submitted through the online Bonfire eProcurement Platform.

This procurement is subject to federal requirements including Buy America certification, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements under 49 CFR Part 26, and compliance with FTA regulations as outlined in the FTA Master Agreement and FTA Circular 4220.1G. The vehicles must integrate with existing FrontRunner infrastructure, including the 83-mile Wasatch Front corridor, and comply with all Federal Railroad Administration regulations, American Public Transportation Association standards, Positive Train Control signaling systems, and specific UTA infrastructure requirements including track geometry and maintenance facility compatibility. Proposed vehicles must feature diesel-electric propulsion systems with provisions for future conversion to battery electric or other low-emission alternatives, service-proven designs with documented successful revenue operation for at least five years in similar environments, and advanced systems including HVAC meeting ASHRAE standards, passenger information systems, automated passenger counting, Wi-Fi connectivity, and integrated CCTV with FRA-compliant recording. The procurement is structured as a cooperative procurement under Utah Code 63G-6a-2105(4)(b), allowing other public transit providers throughout the country to purchase vehicles under the resulting contract, and is financed through a combination of Federal Transit Administration grants, State of Utah funding, and UDOT resources. Specific budget ranges or award values are not disclosed in the solicitation documents; pricing must be submitted in U.S. dollars with no escalation allowed for the base order. Vendors must demonstrate financial responsibility by submitting three years of audited financial statements, evidence of ability to obtain required insurance, and a performance guarantee equal to 100 percent of the total contract price, and must comply with all applicable federal and state employment laws, including E-Verify enrollment for Utah employees.