Locomotive 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services to perform 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections on U.S. Army conventional EMD diesel locomotives. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, is issuing this Request for Quotations (RFQ) to obtain expert field service support for the Army Sustainment Command (ASC).

• Perform 92-Day Periodic Safety Inspections in accordance with 49 CFR § 229.23 and the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

• Provide qualified personnel with demonstrated expertise in EMD locomotives and NYAB CCB-26 and 26L/26NL brake systems.

• Complete required inspection documentation, including FRA Form F6180-49A.

• Submit preventive maintenance (PM) worksheets.

• Participate in monthly Army locomotive teleconferences.

• Provide required travel and field support.

• Comply with all Government security, access, and data protection requirements.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

• Anticipated Award Type: Single Award Contract

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Period: Date of Award through September 24, 2026
  • Option Period 1: September 25, 2026 through September 24, 2027
  • Option Period 2: September 25, 2027 through August 31, 2028

• Place of Performance: Seven (7) Army installations within the continental United States.

• RFQ Issue Date: January 9, 2026

• RFQ Close Date: January 23, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time

• Submission Method: Email only to the Contracting Officer and Branch Chief.

• Quotations must be valid for 90 calendar days.

• Quotation Format: Three volumes (Technical Approach and Personnel Qualifications, Past Performance, Price Quotation).

• Evaluation Factors (in order of importance): Technical Approach, Personnel Qualifications, Past Performance, Price. Technical Approach is more important than Personnel Qualifications, which are more important than Past Performance. Combined non-price factors are approximately equal to price.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside. Only quotations from small businesses qualifying under NAICS Code 488210 will be considered.

• Attachment 1: Pricing Sheet

• Attachment 2: Statement of Work (SOW)

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To improve the safety and operational capability of the U.S. Army's fleet of fifteen (15) conventional diesel locomotives by performing federally mandated periodic safety inspections.

• Perform 92-day periodic safety inspections on 15 EMD model locomotives located at seven (7) different Army Rail installations.

• Inspections are required per 49 CFR Part 229.23.

• Approximately 28 inspections during the Base Period and 45 inspections per option year are anticipated.

• Specific filters and parts are required for the 184-day interval inspection.

• Inspections must ensure locomotives remain operational and meet mission requirements.

• Identification of needed repairs for planning purposes (does not authorize corrective maintenance).

• Base Period: Date of Award to 9/24/2026

• Option Period 1: 9/25/2026 to 9/24/2027

• Option Period 2: 9/25/2027 to 8/31/2028

• Performance will occur at various Army Rail installations across the United States (locations detailed in Table 1).

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price, Small-Business Set-Aside.

• Field Service personnel must have expert knowledge of EMD locomotives and at least five years of experience.

• Personnel must meet Qualified Mechanical Inspector (QMI) qualifications as per 49 CFR Part 229.

• Contractor must possess necessary tools and diagnostic equipment.

• Contractor is responsible for furnishing all parts and consumables for inspections, unless otherwise directed.

• Contractor employees require government-issued passes and badges for installation access.

• Monthly teleconferences are required on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM Eastern Time.

• Travel is required for in-field support.

• Completed locomotive cab card (Form FRA F6180-49A) with updated inspection dates.

• PM worksheets for each locomotive, including operating status, work performed, issues experienced, and identification of needed repairs.

• Deliverables to be submitted within five (5) business days after completion of inspections at each location.