UPDATE:  1 WEEK EXTENSION FOR SUBMITTALS TO AUGUST 11,2017 5 PM EASTERN

Introduction

This is a request for information (RFI) only. There is no solicitation available. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is requesting information as part of its market research regarding obtaining new and refurbished railway boxcars and flatcars.

Background
The Volpe Center is an innovative, federal, fee-for-service organization within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Its work focuses on the application of advanced technology to the improvement of transportation safety, security and logistics, and is performed primarily within DOT, but also supports other federal agencies and state, local, and international entities. All of the Volpe Center's DOT work supports the goals of the DOT's Strategic Plan: Safety, Mobility, Global Connectivity, Environmental Stewardship, Security, and Organizational Excellence. Non-DOT work focuses on the specific goals of the particular agency in the general areas of transportation and/or logistics. Typically, this work also aligns with DOT's strategic plan and/or provides with future benefits to the DOT.

The Volpe Center is providing overall program management support including: engineering, testing, quality assurance, risk management, acquisition support, manufacturing oversight and assisting with the training, shipping and documentation requirements, engineering and rail equipment acquisition support to address critical transportation issues in the U.S. Army's Rail Modernization Program. The U.S. Army's rail fleet is in critical need of new, modern equipment to increase the efficiency and safety of operators and cargo transported by railroad on U.S. Army installations.

Scope
The Volpe Center has provided railroad related technical support to the Department of Defense (DOD) starting in 1989. Currently the Army has requirements to upgrade its rail rolling stock.

The Volpe Center is releasing this RFI to identify interested parties, and solicit information on the following railway rolling stock to include but not limited to availability, production/delivery rate (i.e., how many cars can be made available each month), amount of time before initial delivery, general information supporting the specifications listed, pricing information including economies of scale, etc. As of today, there is an emerging requirement for box cars (item 1 below), and long term requirements for both boxcars and flatcars indicated in items 1-3 below. The Government is seeking information to address emerging near term requirements (within a year) and over the longer term through the next 5 years:

1. A quantity of 300 new or refurbished railway boxcars with the following characteristics:
• Wheel gauge, standard 56 ½ inch.
• 70-ton capacity, rigid frame
• Sliding doors: Center located, both sides
• Refurbished cars need at least 20 years remaining life according to AAR
• Inside length no less than 50-ft.
• Inside height no less than 10-ft. 4-in.
• Inside width no less than 9-ft. 4-in.
• Wood floor, strength 50,000 pounds
• Height of floor from top of rail 46-in.
• AAR interchange compatible

2. A quantity of 300 New Wood Deck Flatcars with the following characteristics:
• Wheel gauge, standard 56 ½ inch.
• 50-ton capacity
• Wood deck with stake pockets
• Deck length 53-ft.
• AAR interchange compatible

3. A quantity of 300 New Steel Deck Flatcars with the following characteristics:
• Wheel gauge, standard 56 ½ inch.
• 100-ton capacity
• Steel deck with ISO container pockets
• AAR interchange compatible
• Deck length 89-ft.
• Deck width determined by AAR Plate-C Clearance Dimensions

RFI Response Instructions:
Provide details of products and their capabilities in writing by email to [email protected] by the response date. Any questions and responses to the RFI should be submitted electronically to Linda Byrne, Contract Specialist. No phone calls will be accepted. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Respondents to this RFI will supply all cost, schedule and applicable regulatory information, methodology, assumptions and constraints.
Equipment delivery and final acceptance dates will require manufacturer's schedules.
Technologies such as the GenSet locomotive must include life cycle costs.
Responses will not be returned. NO FORMAL SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME.