HSR25-30 Invitation for Bids for Fiber Optics

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued Invitation for Bids HSR25-30 for the procurement of single-mode, loose-tube, steel-tape armored fiber optic cables to support the First Construction Segment of its high-speed rail track. The scope includes the manufacture and delivery of 1,584,000 linear feet of 2 x 144 fiber cables to railheads in Kern and Fresno Counties, with an additional option for 792,000 linear feet of 1 x 288 fiber cables. These materials must meet a minimum design life of 30 years and comply with various ITU-T and IEC standards, as well as railway safety specifications including EN 50121 through EN 50129. Bids are due by October 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. PST, and must be submitted to Trevor Newhouse in Sacramento. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible responsive bidder based on the total bid price for manufacturing and delivery for years one and two. Evaluation includes a pass/fail assessment of technical criteria and a review of past performance to mitigate risk. Bidders must provide a bid bond equal to 10 percent of the total bid amount and adhere to strict compliance requirements, including Buy America, prevailing wage, and non-discrimination certifications. Deliveries are anticipated between Q4 2027 and Q1 2028, requiring direct handoff to onsite contractors. Quality assurance mandates that each shipment include a Certificate of Compliance and passing Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer test results. Payments will be processed electronically in accordance with the California Prompt Payment Act within 45 days of acceptance.