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Publications iconKansas Register

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Volume 40 - Issue 5 - February 4, 2021

(Published in the Kansas Register February 4, 2021.)

Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Request for Proposals

Proposed Project

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to for the proposed K&O Railroad (KORR) project:

  • Construct a 7,400-foot siding track located between Alexander and Bazine, Kansas

Submission Date and Questions

Proposals must be submitted no later than March 15, 2021 (late proposals shall be rejected.) For further information or questions regarding the RFP or submittal of a proposal, please contact Steven Morgan, K&O Roadmaster, phone 316-215-4089, email smorgan@watco.com or Neal Jacobs, Division Engineer, phone 316-215-4087, email njacobs@watco.com.

Scope of Work

  • New track construction of a 7,400-ft Siding (MP 47.2 – 48.3) between Bazine, Kansas and Alexander, Kansas. Provide all necessary labor, equipment, and logistical services to supply all materials called for, complete all track construction work, ties, ballast, etc.
  • Provide and install new 7 x 9 x 8.6’ (industrial grade) or equivalent ties.
  • Provide and install #115 RE rail and OTM needed to complete to project – plates, spikes, anchors, bolt/washer/nut assemblies and comp bars.
  • Contractor must provide all grading, drainage, groundwork, compaction, and sub-ballast work necessary to complete the job.
  • Provide and install ballast. To include compaction/tamping and regulating to AREMA Standards.
  • In accordance with AREMA standards, ballast shoulders must be dressed at the end of each workday to prevent thermal deviation in track due to disturbed roadbed.
  • Build and install two new #115, # 10 Turnouts, including Sampson switch-points and stock-rails; two double throw derails for each end; all OTM – anchors, bolts, and any welding to be done is preferred by the railroad.
  • Contractor to furnish all necessary composition welds within the scope of work.
  • Within the scope of work there is currently a 32’ at-grade crossing. Contractor must include material, OTM, and labor to install wooden crossing panels and to align/grade with the existing gravel roadway.
  • Contractor will be required to coordinate with local county and state officials for road closure and detour traffic as necessary.
  • All materials removed during project construction shall remain property of the K&O Railroad, to be stockpiled as directed by a railroad representative.
  • Additional details concerning the scope of work needing to be done with each portion of the project, will be addressed at the pre-proposal meeting.

Minimum Requirements

MSA and Roadway Worker Protection

Contractors must complete, and have on file, a current Master Services Agreement with K&O 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 sub-contracted work will need to be approved by the K&O 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 at least one train per day through the work area. This train operates in the 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 K&O 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
  • Rail Weld UT Test Requirements (All Rail Comp Welds) – submitted with billing

Other Responsibilities

  • Permits – Contractor is responsible for all federal, state and local permits required for the work.
  • 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 remain property of the K&O Railroad, to be stockpiled as directed by a railroad representative.

Non-Project Areas

The K&O 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 K&O Railroad shall hold a pre-proposal meeting at the project site at 10:00 a.m. (CST) Thursday, February 25, 2021, and shall meet at the Alexander Rest Area in Alexander, Kansas. Contractors are required to be present at this meeting to submit a proposal or their proposal can be rejected.

Project Completion

Contractor must start construction no later than 30-days after being awarded the bid. The K&O Railroad shall enforce a penalty of $2,500/day if the contractor is unable to complete the project within 100-days of being awarded the bid. If the contractor can safely complete the scope of work within 60-days of being awarded the bid, then a $10,000 bonus will be added to the contractor pay-out. 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 March 15, 2021. All submitted proposals shall be reviewed by the K&O 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
  • Labor and installation of #115 RE rail.
  • Labor and installation of new, 7 x 9 x 8.6’ (IG) or equivalent crossties.
  • Grading, drainage, dirt-work, compaction, sub-ballast.
  • Provide and install ballast; include compaction/tamping and regulating.
  • Install two new #115, # 10 Turnouts with associated components.
  • To include one 32’ wood-planked crossing.

Work Reporting

Daily work reports must be filled out and submitted to Steven Morgan, K&O Roadmaster; Neal Jacobs, Division Engineer; and Cameron Ginther, Project Manager, phone 785-513-6049 or 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. 048842

Secretary of State Seal