Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Acquisition and Grants Services, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW, Mail Stop 50, Washington, DC, 20590

A -- UPGRADING TRACK AND ROADBED FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL OPERATIONS SOL DTFR53-00-Q-00377 DUE 041400 POC Dana Hicks, Purchasing Agent, Phone (202)493-6131, Fax (202)493-6171, Email dana.hicks@fra.dot.gov -- Dana Hicks, Purchasing Agent, Phone (202)493-6131, Fax (202)493-6171, Email dana.hicks@fra.dot.gov WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=DTFR53-00-Q-0 0377&LocID=1042. E-MAIL: Dana Hicks, dana.hicks@fra.dot.gov. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intends to award this procurement on a sole source basis to Jan Zicha, an independent contractor, to develop specific criteria for upgrading existing railroad routes to accommodate mixed traffic -- high speed trains (125, 150, and 200 mph maximum speeds) and conventional freight trains (with axle loads up to 39 tons) -- on the same track, in a cost-effective fashion. The resulting track must be affordable in initial cost, practically achievable on existing routes, durable, and capable of being maintained at modest cost. Dividing the effort between the roadbed, track structure, and alignment, more specific objectives are: (a) Roadbed Investigation and Remediation: The objective is to provide the basis and procedures for determining how to rehabilitate the roadbed, in a cost-effective fashion, so it will effectively support mixed traffic. The resulting roadbed must sufficiently resist settlement or deformation so that track surface remains stable for long periods. (b) Track Structure: The objective is to provide the basis and specific designs for durable track structures (from top of rail to top of ballast) which will effectively support mixed traffic at low maintenance expense and at moderate initial cost. These track structures must also damp dynamic loads and vibrations from passing trains to minimize roadbed settlement and deformation and ballast deterioration. (c) Alignment: The objective is to provide the basis and specific designs for track alignments which will accommodate high speed service more effectively than current common practice, without resulting in detrimental effects on conventional freight service. The contractor will be required to perform the following tasks: (1) Fulfill objectives (a), (b) and (c) listed above by addressing specific questions and concerns; (2) Prepare and submit an outline, monthly progress reports and draft and final reports; (3) At the FRA's discretion, meet with the FRA mid-way through the project to discuss progress. Jan Zicha is considered uniquely qualified because of his world-integrated approach to upgrading existing railroad routes to effectively accommodate high speed operations. Purely American approaches for track upgrading will not suffice, as they do not fully incorporate foreign experience and foreign approaches will not suffice, as American freight car axle loads are commonly higher than those of other countries which operate high speed rail lines; thus Mr. Zicha's world-integrated approach is needed. The applicable authority for this announced intention is that under 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source." This task is not a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) and a competitive RFP is not available. Posted 03/16/00 (D-SN435048). (0076)

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