Volume 40 - Issue 9 - March 4, 2021

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

South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Request for Proposals

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to remove and install 5,280 track feet of CWR Relay for the proposed South Kansas & Oklahoma (SKOL) Railroad project.

Scope of Work

CWR Relay consisting of 5,280 track feet (MP 213.3 – 214.3) between Grenola, Kansas and Cambridge, Kansas. Provide all necessary labor, equipment, and logistical services to supply all materials called for to complete this project.

• Provide and install 136# rail (no sticks of rail are to be less than 80-feet long.)
• All rail replaced during this project, shall be discussed in depth at the pre-proposal meeting.
• Provide and install all Welds & OTM – spikes, spike plugs, anchors and plates.
• The use of a Cribber/Adzer will be required.
• All OTM that is removed shall be stacked in an organized manner at the nearest crossing, unless otherwise instructed by the railroad representative. Any material deemed non-salvageable shall be disposed of according to all local and state laws and regulations.
• New rail installation will need to be adjusted/heated with a rail heater to obtain the proper rail neutral temperature of or at the minimum of 105°F in compliance with SKOL Rail CWR Policy where not otherwise stated, the minimum AREMA Standards. Refer to Watco’s CWR Policy and Procedures for any additional information.
• 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 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 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.
• 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 SKOL Railroad to be stockpiled as directed by a railroad representative.

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 the project site at 9:00 a.m. (CST) Thursday, March 25, 2021, and shall meet at the Cherryvale Depot in Cherryvale, Kansas. Contractors are required to be present at this meeting to submit a proposal or their proposal can be rejected.

Project Completion

It is expected the contractor must start construction no later than 30-days after being awarded the bid and complete the project within 90-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. Upon project completion, if any failed welds are found during the SKOL’s next scheduled rail test, the contractor shall be responsible to fix those welds in the appropriate manner.

Submission of a Proposal

All proposals must be submitted no later than April 15, 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
• Labor and removal/installation of 136# rail
• Labor, welds and OTM installation

Work Reporting

Daily work reports must be filled out and submitted to Brandon Craddock, SKOL Roadmaster, phone 316-215-4089, email bcraddock@watco.com; Mike Mulnix, SKOL Assistant 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, 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. 048886