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Publications iconKansas Register

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Volume 40 - Issue 13 - April 1, 2021

(Published in the Kansas Register April 1, 2021.)

South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Request for Proposals

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to complete the below scope of repairs for the proposed South Kansas & Oklahoma (SKOL) Railroad project.

Scope of Work

Complete timber rehabilitation on 14 structures on the Tulsa, Neodesha, and Moline subdivisions located between Oswego, Kansas and Winfield, Kansas. Complete the removal and replacement of three timber structures with corrugated metal pipes on the Neodesha and Moline subdivisions located between Oswego, Kansas and Winfield, Kansas. Complete the concrete repair and lining of one stone arch on the Neodesha subdivision located near Neodesha, Kansas. Provide all necessary labor, equipment, and logistical services to supply all materials called for to complete these projects. Additional details concerning the scope of work needing to be done with each portion of the project, will be addressed in the pre-proposal meeting.

Minimum Requirements

MSA and Roadway Worker Protection

Contractors must complete, and have on file, a current Master Services Agreement with SKOL Railroad. Prior to submitting a proposal:

  • Contractors shall comply with all parts of 49 CFR Part 214 and 219 regarding FRA Roadway Worker Safety at all times. Men and equipment shall remain clear of the track unless they have gained Roadway Worker Protection from a qualified person.
  • Contractor, contractor employees, agents, and/or subcontractors must be enrolled and comply with the FRA 219 approved drug testing program.
  • Any subcontracted work will need to be approved by the SKOL Railroad prior to any work starting.
  • As of January 1, 2021, all contractors will be required to complete WATCO Contractor Orientation at https://watcocontractor.com/. Any contractor who was previously enrolled in e-SHORTLINE with WATCO in the past, will be required to complete the WATCO Contractor Orientation.

Work Windows

Impact to current railroad operations must be kept to a minimum. When work must take place that causes an active track to be taken out of service for the purposes of performing work that pertains to the project, the contractor must pre-arrange a defined work window with the railroad. Contractor can anticipate a minimum work window of eight hours with no more than one schedule of interruption in that time frame, between the hours of 07:00 and 17:00. For work windows extending more than eight hours, a minimum of 72-hours of notification is required to the railroad to arrange this window. Work windows may be arranged seven days a week, if desired. Current railroad operations consist of three trains per day through the work area. These trains operate in the early morning and evening hours; however, this schedule is subject to change at any time. This topic will be further discussed during the pre-proposal meeting.

Standards

All standards referenced by the project plans and specifications, as well as all applicable AREMA standards must be upheld during all phases of the project work, unless certain standards are excluded from the project with written approval by the SKOL Railroad. All rail shall be replaced at standard gauge of 56-1/2.”

Submittals

The following documents shall be submitted by the contractor as part of the project at the times listed:

  • Schedule of Work – submitted with proposal
  • Certificate of Insurance – submitted prior to construction
  • Safety Plan – submitted prior to construction
  • Proof of Roadway Worker Training – submitted prior to construction

Other Responsibilities

  • Permits – contractor is responsible for all federal, state and local permits required for the work. Additional permit information will be covered at the pre-proposal meeting.
  • Utilities – contractor is responsible to locate and protect site utilities.
  • Site Clean-up – contractor is responsible for proper site restoration and proper disposal of materials removed in accordance with all local, state and federal laws.

Insurance

Contractor shall purchase required coverage and submit for verification a certificate of insurance.

Materials

All materials shall meet the requirements found in the project plans and/or specifications as well as applicable AREMA requirements. Material storage is granted on railroad right of way to the contractor. However, no materials shall be stored closer than 15’ from the centerline of any active track at any time. Material and equipment laydown areas and reclaimed materials stockpiling locations shall be discussed and further clarified at the pre-proposal meeting. All removed materials will be disposed of accordingly by the contractor unless otherwise arranged with the SKOL Railroad. Note: SKOL Railroad will supply rail fasteners for all bridge tie replacements. Contractor is responsible for supply of all other hardware. Bridge material quantities and sizing are to be field verified by the contractor.

Non-Project Areas

The SKOL Railroad has secured access to the project through the railroad right of way. Other access may be obtained by the contractor if he so chooses. All areas (public, private, and railroad right of way) that are used for access to the project, including parts of the railroad right of way which have no proposed work, shall be maintained and/or remediated, incidental to the project, by the contractor to the satisfaction of the property owner if any damage to these areas occurs.

Pre-Proposal Meeting

The SKOL Railroad shall hold a pre-proposal meeting at 9:00 a.m. (CST) Wednesday and Thursday, April 14 and 15, 2021, at the Cherryvale Depot, 123 N. Depot St., Cherryvale, KS 67335. Contractors are required to be present at this meeting to submit a proposal or their proposal can be rejected. All contractors are required to have PPE for site visits following the meeting. It is anticipated that site visits will last through the afternoon of April 15th.

Project Completion

It is expected the contractor must start construction no later than 60-days after being awarded the bid and complete the project within 120-days of being awarded the bid. Prior to the completion of the project, there will be a final inspection. If there are any issues with the quality of work, the contractor will be responsible for fixing any issues found.

Submission of a Proposal

All proposals must be submitted no later than April 29, 2021. All submitted proposals shall be reviewed by the SKOL Railroad. Please ensure your proposal includes all required information. All incomplete proposals shall be rejected. The structure of your proposal must be able to be clearly understood, all proposals shall provide the following line items and provide costs as required below:

  • Provide a total sum of all line items on the proposal
  • Mobilization and demobilization – lump sum
  • Material (supply) and labor (install) for each line item
  • RRPL insurance – lump sum
  • Performance bond – lump sum

Work Reporting

Daily work reports must be filled out and submitted to Mike McDermott, Watco Bridge Manager, phone 563-581-3250, email michael.mcdermott@watco.com; Mike Mulnix, SKOL Roadmaster, phone 620-330-7415, email mmulnix@watco.com; Neal Jacobs, Division Engineer, phone 316-215-4087, email njacobs@watco.com; and Cameron Ginther, Project Manager, phone 785-513-6049, email cameron.ginther@watco.com. Weekly reports should include updates to project schedules, any delays or changes in the scope of work. A detailed summary report must be submitted upon the completion of the project.

Cameron Ginther
Project Manager
Watco

Doc. No. 048958

Secretary of State Seal