22 -- Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Automated Track Inspection Program (ATIP) Track Geometry Measurement Rail Cars (GCARS T-19 and T-20)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has a requirement for: (1) the design, fabrication, and acceptance testing of a new rail-bound, self-propelled, Track Geometry Railroad Car (T-19); and (2) as an option, the design, fabrication, and acceptance testing of a new rail-bound, towed Track Geometry Railroad Car (T-20). Acquisition of the optional towed GCAR (T-20) will depend upon budgetary considerations in FY 2005. These two new high-speed GCARs are to incorporate state-of-the-art data collection equipment and mechanical operation for performing continuous track geometry measurements at speeds up to 125 mph for the FRA Automated Track Inspection Program. Both GCARS (T-19 and T-20) must conform to Amtrak Office of Engineering Clearance Code - A standards and the interchange rules of the Association of American Railroads. The GCARS must be able to traverse unrestricted throughout the United States general railroad system of transportation, except on curves with a radius greater then 275-feet horizontally and a radius of 2000-feet vertically. A firm-fixed-price, performance-based contract for the initial design, construction, and delivery of a self-propelled GCAR (T-19) with a separately priced option for the design, construction, and delivery of a towed GCAR (T-20) is anticipated to result from the RFP. The RFP is expected to be issued electronically through this website within the next 30-45 days. All offerors must submit a fixed-price proposal for both the initial GCAR (T-19) and the optional T-20. The RFP will be issued only electronically, and no paper copies will be available.