Agency to hold pre-meetings with interested contractors before releasing RFP for biggest operations and maintenance contract in agency history

LOS ANGELES – Attention all companies and firms with expertise in rail operations and maintenance! Today, the Metrolink Board of Directors approved the scope of work to combine the operations and maintenance contracts to improve the customer experience and service reliability, while maintaining the agency’s strong commitment to safety.

“We are excited about this procurement in order to make our railroad more efficient and effective,” Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins said. “Our Board of Directors sees this policy shift as an imperative step in continuing Metrolink’s path toward being the preferred transportation option over driving in Southern California.”

As a first step, Metrolink will hold an event on February 15 and 16 in Pomona, Calif. for interested contractors, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers who have expertise and/or offer services or products to the rail industry. This will be an opportunity for the industry to preview a draft request for proposals (RFP), provide feedback, obtain more information about Metrolink operations and tour Metrolink facilities.

This will also be a time for companies of all sizes to meet and greet the Metrolink team, as well as an opportunity for them to network for the purpose of creating teaming arrangements. The event will cover issues related to the involvement of small businesses, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements. The DBE goal has yet to be established, but Metrolink is working with consultants and the goal will be included in the RFP upon release.

The anticipated term of the resulting contract will be for a base period of seven years with two optional renewal periods of four years each.

The expected contract will involve a wide array of primary operational functions, as well as related ancillary services required to support all aspects of the rail system. Those operational functions will include:

· Train & crew services;

· Rolling stock (locomotive and cab coach car) maintenance;

· Signal, communication and train control systems maintenance;

· Track, structure and right-of-way maintenance;

· Railroad facilities (yards, buildings) maintenance;

· Rubber tire non-revenue fleet and specialized equipment maintenance;

· Rehabilitation/capital maintenance associated with the above;

· Materials acquisition and management to support the infrastructure, systems and equipment.

Maintenance activities will include inspection and repair of tracks, bridges, structures, wayside signals, communications, rights-of-way, grade crossings and Level 1 train control systems for the entire system. Responsibilities will also include maintenance of SCRRA facilities and all equipment, locomotives, rail cars and rail car components, along with mechanisms such as brake systems, motors, seats and passenger communication equipment. Passenger stations are generally owned by the various agencies and will not be included in the procurement.

While this event is optional, all parties interested in the upcoming procurement are encouraged to attend.

The final RFP is expected to be released in Spring 2019, with mandatory pre-proposal meetings and tours following the issuance of the RFP.

To sign up for updates and get more information about this procurement, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com/bigRFP. This webpage will be updated regularly with the latest information.

For more information about Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com.

ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 26th year of operation. Metrolink is governed by The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Metrolink operates seven routes through a six-county, 538 route-mile network. Metrolink’s passengers travel approximately 441 million miles each year, making Metrolink the second busiest public transportation provider in Southern California. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the eighth largest based on annual ridership.

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