United States Transportation Command

Request for Information

DODX Freight Car Repair & Maintenance Rail Transport Support Services

The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is conducting a market survey in

order to effectively identify the capabilities of small businesses, existing entrants, and new
entrants into Federal contracting, available in the market place for meeting the requirements of
rail transport support. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a
request for a proposal nor commit the Government to make purchase of any supplies or services
now or in the future. The information sought and provided will be used for planning purposes
only (FAR 52.215-3). In addition, all documentation or information marked proprietary will be
handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Please be advised that all
submissions become property of the Government and will not be returned.

I. BACKGROUND

Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), the Army component of

USTRANSCOM, manages the Defense Freight Railway Interchange Fleet (DFRIF), a private car
line using DODX reporting marks. The DFRIF is composed of flat, tank, box, refrigerator,
caboose, and Schnabel cars operating in interchange service in North America carrying military
cargos. All repairs and maintenance to the DFRIF are performed either by the railroads using the
cars or by contract car repair and maintenance shops.

II. INTRODUCTION

USTRANSCOM is conducting market research in order to determine sources capable of

satisfying our requirements.

USTRANSCOM desires input to determine the interest, availability, and technical capability of
members of the business community to:

a. Provide Office Manual Rule 88 repairs.

b. Provide heavy freight car repairs.
c. Provide tank car repairs, including qualification.
d. Provide same site cleaning and repair of tank cars with a residue of JP-8.
e. Commit to receive up to a specified number of cars at one time or during a given time
interval from one customer.
f. Commit up to a specified proportion of total shop capacity to one customer.
g. Provide maintenance and inspection per SDDC Preventive and Periodic Inspection
and Maintenance General Instructions.

III. INFORMATION REQUESTED

A. General Company Information

1. Company Name & Address:

2. POC Name/Telephone/Email:

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 United States Transportation Command
Request for Information
DODX Freight Car Repair & Maintenance Rail Transport Support Services

3. Suggested North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Code______________

4. Size/Status for NAICS Code Suggested: (Check all that apply)

____Small Business; ____Veteran-Owned Small Business; ____Service-Disabled

Veteran-Owned Small Business; ____Small Disadvantaged Business; ____Woman-
Owned Small Business; ____Large Business; ______ HUBZone Business

5. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)______________________

6. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code Number__________

7. Is the work explained above “commercial” as defined at Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 2.101 (services of a type offered and sold competitively in substantial quantities in
the commercial marketplace based on established catalog or market prices for specific
tasks performed or specific outcomes to be achieved and under standard commercial
terms and conditions)? Please provide your rationale.

8. Does your company have experience in bidding for work and in billing customers based
on the Interchange Rule 83 – Preparation of Original Record of Repair and Billing Repair
Data, charging for labor and for materials at a discount or a premium to the Association
of American Railroads (AAR) prices in the current Office Manual of the Interchange
Rules? If not, how are your commercial contracts for these services normally priced (i.e.
monthly service fee, per hour, per unit, firm fixed price, reimbursable, etc.)? Please be
specific.

B. General Capabilities

1. What is your experience (complexity and longevity) in providing general freight car
repair and maintenance services?

2. What is your experience (complexity and longevity) in providing tank car repair and
maintenance, including certification services? Tank car cleaning services?

3. If you perform tank car cleaning services what waste disposal licenses do you hold?
How do you dispose of the waste products of tank car cleaning?

4. What is your capacity management plan, how do you handle capacity issues? Are you
willing and or able to dedicate tracks solely for DODX Freight Car Repair and
Maintenance needs?

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Request for Information
DODX Freight Car Repair & Maintenance Rail Transport Support Services

5. Are there any restrictions between you and the servicing rails that would impact on-time
delivery and pick up?

C. Other Information:

1. This award requires certification by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Is

your company currently AAR M-1003, Heavy Freight Car Repairs, Office Manual Rule
88 Repairs, and Status Code 9A certified? If your company is not AAR certified as
previously stated above could you obtain said certifications? Please explain?

IV. RESPONSE REVIEW

Any information submitted with your response that you do not consent to limited release must be
clearly marked and segregated from other response material. Response to this RFI or lack
thereof does not constitute any obligation on the Government to pursue a follow-on effort, in part
or whole, with specific vendors or otherwise.

V. SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

Response to this RFI and any questions should be submitted to Ms. Nicole Radake via e-mail at
nicole.a.radake.civ@mail.mil no later than 4:00 PM (CST) on 8 February 2016. Please do not
cut and paste your responses into this RFI. Remit any and all responses as a separate document.
Any questions regarding this RFI may be directed to the address above.