For a lack of any other discussion on this topic, the RFP was originally scheduled to close later this month. I know several potential bidders asked for an extension. Does anybody here know if the deadline has been extended? At this rate the soonest we may see a preferred bidder is late this year.
Stadler will be holding an open house in June, like last year I will be in attendance.
Last year employees were surprisingly loose-lipped about procurement opportunities they were eying. I heard all about their dreams of getting the LA metro order, and how they plan to beat Siemens for UTA's...
Stadler has more land in Salt Lake City than Siemens has in Florin. They'd just need to build the facilities to produce steel carbodies and expand assembly space.
In the last several months us Rio Grande Plan folks have begun hosting a monthly coffee hour. Dates and info can be found on our Linkedin or Instagram page.
Today I witnessed two cyclists risking their lives cutting in front of an oncoming Frontrunner train. This crossing would be eliminated...
Anybody who has made passenger rail equipment in the US in the last 15 years is likely to at least try to bid. Amtrak mentioned last year that they had ~10 companies interested. Of those you can be pretty sure the following are going to make a significant effort:
Stadler
Siemens
Alsom
CAF...
I am glad I shared the documents. It seems you bunch are much faster at reading through and finding the good bits than I am. I will quote the links to keep them on what is presently the front page.
This might be my favorite bit:
Fine, It's on you two if the feds get pissed.
No, though diagrams and images are messed up because it has been scanned from a physical copy.
Main Document (Download link)
Further Chapters (Download link)
Well after several technical issues with the Amtrak FOIA process I am now in possession of the Technical Specification chapter of the LD RFP. I'm cautious to share the entire document as every page has a bold "CONFIDENTIAL - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE" printed at the bottom. I'll go through it more...
The wording of the pre-procurement RFP:
It is not suggesting that they are looking to replace bi-level equipment, rather they are looking to purchase bi-level.
My request for the full document is still pending, though it's apparently several thousand pages and very detailed. Odd considering...
Bilevels allow certain features like ADA Bathrooms and Kitchens to occupy the entire car width on the lower level. Lifts are a relatively easy thing to maintain.
And the RFP was worded to specify that they were purchasing bilevels, not just replacing them.
The only thing that is known is that Amtrak is looking to purchase bilevel equipment. Single-level was ruled out in the RFP.
Otherwise we'll continue to speculate and argue for at least the next several months. It'll be late this year at the soonest before a preferred vendor is chosen and...
Stainless Steel Single Levels won't happen because Amtrak is buying bilevel equipment. It was very clearly stated in the initial RFP.
They did not specify stainless steel, though that is almost certainly what they are after.