DIAPHRAGM MOUNTING FRAME AND BUFFER ASSEMBLY

Invitation for Bids No. 211984A is a procurement issued by Metra for the supply of Diaphragm Mounting Frame and Buffer Assembly components for Amerail, NS Gallery, and Highliner cars. The contract is established for a five-year period with a maximum value of 3,000,000.00 dollars and is supported by FTA funding. The scope of work includes the delivery of an estimated 180 total car sets, consisting of buffer side stem assemblies, mounting frames, and bottom face plates, along with required CWI inspections. Bidders must provide the first car set for evaluation before shipping remaining components. All welding and tolerance requirements must adhere to Specification M-13-010 and applicable AWS standards, with mandatory inspection by a Certified Welding Inspector. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on a lot basis within 90 days of the bid opening. Bids are due by September 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. LPT via Metra's procurement portal. To be considered responsive, bidders must bid all items, sign the contract signature page, and submit all required affidavits and certifications, including the Buy America Certificate and the Corrupt Practices Act Affidavit. While no specific DBE goal has been set, participation is encouraged. Pricing is generally firm, though bidders may quote escalated percentages for years two through five with supporting documentation. Delivery is F.O.B. Destination, and the vendor is required to provide a detailed inspection report with each shipment.