Amtrak on May 9 reported upcoming procurement packages for new facilities to support its existing and future fleet, including Acela, Amtrak Airo and long-distance trainsets. Two Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) have now been published, “America’s Railroad” reported July 14.
The four new facilities will handle heavy maintenance (major extended repairs and overhauls); maintenance and inspections (M&I; routine maintenance, inspections and refueling); and/or service and cleaning (S&C; routine maintenance and inspections, cleaning and utility access).
Amtrak’s Advanced Notice (download below) specifies the following facility locations:
- Seattle, Wash., Facilities: “Amtrak is designing and constructing an M&I facility as well as S&C tracks.”
- Boston, Mass., Southampton Street Yard Facilities: “Amtrak is designing and constructing an M&I facility, renovating the existing Regional Facility into an enclosed S&C facility, and renovating the existing HSR (high-speed rail) Facility to accommodate ICT equipment, and modifying existing storage tracks.”
- Queens, N.Y., Sunnyside Yard Facilities: “Amtrak is designing and constructing an M&I facility, S&C tracks, and Welfare Facilities.”
- Ivy City, Washington, D.C., Facilities: “Amtrak is designing and constructing an M&I facility, [and] renovating the existing Regional Facility and S&C tracks.”
The publication of Advance Notices provides companies with lead time to “prepare their bids and establish relationships,“ including participation from Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms, reported Amtrak, which noted that it also “helps to increase competition and improve the quality of proposals.”
“These modern maintenance facilities are an essential part of Amtrak’s plans to introduce new state-of-the-art passenger trainsets around the country,” said Norman Forde, Amtrak Vice President, Project Delivery Fleet and Facilities. “Thanks to funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Amtrak can upgrade our existing rail yards with modern facilities that feature additional working space and enable more efficient maintenance practices.”
The first step in the procurement process is the RFQ to invite interested firms to submit their qualifications. Amtrak on July 14 announced the publication of two RFQs: one for the Seattle, Wash., site and another for the three Northeast Corridor sites (Boston; Queens, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C.).
Firms shortlisted in this step of the procurement will be eligible to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.
According to Amtrak’s July 14 announcement, a separate RFP recently welcomed bids for a Philadelphia, Pa., site, and procurement information for the sixth location (Rensselaer, N.Y.) will be announced at a future date.
“Amtrak is delivering a new era of passenger rail, which includes replacing a large portion of our fleet with state-of-the-art passenger trainsets and locomotives across the country,” Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason said. “These new facilities and modifications at existing rail yards will help modernize our maintenance practices and ensure a seamless transition from Amtrak’s aging fleet to modern, state-of-the-art equipment.”
For more details, visit Amtrak’s Procurement Portal.
