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Publications iconKansas Register

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Volume 41 - Issue 42 - October 20, 2022

(Published in the Kansas Register October 20, 2022.)

Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Request for Proposals

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to complete the below scope of repairs for the Kansas & Oklahoma (K&O) Railroad.

Scope of Work

Replace open-deck timber bridge ties and timber tie spacers on 49 bridge structures on the Conway Springs, Hutchinson, Kingman, McPherson, Newton, Salina, Great Bend, Garfield Industry, and Scott City Subdivisions located between McPherson, Kansas, Wichita, Kansas, and near Hutchinson, Kansas. Provide all necessary labor, equipment, and logistical services to supply all materials called for to complete these projects.

Detailed Scope of Work

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. (This can be provided in Excel format).

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 always comply with all parts of 49 CFR Part 214 and 219 regarding FRA Roadway Worker Safety. 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 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 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 K&O Railroad. All rails 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’ feet 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 K&O Railroad. WATCO Timber and Concrete standards for bridge materials will be available. Note: K&O 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 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 Virtual Meeting

The K&O Railroad (Watco) shall hold a pre-proposal virtual Microsoft Teams Meeting at 9:00 a.m. (CDT) Thursday, October 27, 2022, to address any questions or clarify any portions of the project tasks.

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 365 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 November 10, 2022. 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
  • Material (Supply) and Labor (Install) for each line item
  • RRPL Insurance – Lump sum

For further information or questions regarding the request for proposals or submittal of a proposal, please contact:

Work Reporting

Daily work reports must be filled out and submitted to Mike McDermott – Bridge Manager, Heath Chischilly – Bridge Manager, Steve Morgan – K&O Roadmaster, Herb Lamkin – K&O Roadmaster, Cody McGee – Division Engineer, and Cameron Ginther – Project Manager. 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. 050590

Secretary of State Seal