Government of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation

d. Office of Contracting and Procurement

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Regarding Current Vehicle Technology and Availability for Future Extensions of D C Streetcar RFI No. DCKA-2018-I-0108 September 21, 2018

Purpose

The Government of the District of Columbia (“District”) Office of Contracting and Procurement, on behalf of the District Department of Transportation (“DDOT”) is issuing this RFI to solicit input from qualified and experienced streetcar vehicle manufacturers, resellers, distributors and stakeholders with the aim of improving its understanding of the state of vehicle technology and availability, prior to a future vehicle procurement in support of extensions to the DC Streetcar program. T

DDOT’s goal is to use the information obtained through this RFI process to update DDOT’s planning and procurement strategy and maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of future vehicle procurement for the DC Streetcar Program. Use of the RFI process promotes competition for the District’s anticipated future vehicle procurement. The process also helps inform on availability of safe and efficient technology solutions that meet the District’s unique operating and environmental requirements. This document is an RFI only – it is not being posted as an actual statement of work (SOW) at this time, nor does it constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. Respondents are advised that DDOT will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondent’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation.

Request to Stakeholders

Respondents are asked to provide informed responses and feedback regarding the project description below and describe any benefits, changes, limitations, unintended consequences, and potential economic gains or losses that may result from the project as described. In addition, respondents may

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provide recommendations (including proposed draft solicitation language) regarding the best approach for implementation and product delivery.

Background

1. Introduction

The goal of the DC Streetcar Program is to facilitate travel for District residents, workers, and visitors, complementary to other transit options, by creating new connections between growing and underserved markets.

The DC Streetcar Program began revenue service in February 2016 along an initial 2.4-mile route on H Street NE and NE, with nine (9) stops, serving approximately 3,800 people per weekday. The service operates with an average 12-minute headway and an average directional travel time of 20 minutes. Streetcars are in revenue operation seven (7) days per week and a total of 376 revenue hours per week. Approximately half of the alignment is curb running and half is center running, primarily in shared traffic lanes. The approach to the western terminal stop at Union Station on the H Street bridge includes a 5.83% grade.

2. Existing Vehicles and Technology

The current DC Streetcar fleet consists of three (3) Inekon 12 Trio vehicles that were delivered to the District in 2006; and three (3) ( Iron Works) Model 100 vehicles delivered to the District in 2011. The vehicles are 66 feet long and eight (8) feet wide, providing a capacity of 157 passengers over a 50% low-floor layout. The existing DC Streetcar Vehicle Design Standards are available online on the DDOT web site at the following link, https://ddot.dc.gov/publication/dc-streetcar-design- criteria-january-2012 (see Chapter 11).

The current vehicle fleet is stored at the Car Barn and Training Center (CBTC), which opened in 2017 for the storage and maintenance of streetcar vehicles. The CBTC is located at the Oklahoma Avenue streetcar stop and is equipped with three indoor streetcar maintenance bays, a car wash, and storage tracks for 12 to 16 vehicles (depending on vehicle size). Vehicles run on 12 minute headways, typically utilizing four to five vehicles to provide service with one vehicle used as a spare.

Propulsion and power supply considerations for the DC Streetcar system are subject to the District of Columbia Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010 (the/this “Act”). This Act authorized installation of aerial contact wires to power the DC Streetcar system on H Street/Benning Road NE while designating wire-free zones along the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue between the U.S. Capitol and White House to protect historically designated viewsheds. The Act also mandated an evaluation of the impact of aerial wires on specified properties and historic districts as part of the formal streetcar project development process. This process is being completed for each proposed extension in conjunction with the evaluation and documentation prepared in keeping with the District of Columbia Environmental Policy Act (DCEPA), NEPA, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

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The H Street/Benning line operates entirely with an overhead contact system (OCS), and it is powered by three traction power substations (TPSS) located one at each end of the alignment and one at a midpoint.

3. Future Streetcar System Characteristics

DDOT is open to considering vehicles that are longer than those in the existing fleet, but anticipates the maximum vehicle length that can be accommodated without retrofit to the CBTC is approximately 72 feet. DDOT is willing to consider longer vehicles if the benefit to the District can be demonstrated to outweigh the retrofit impact and cost.

DDOT is anticipating off-wire operation for some or all of the future operating line using an on-board energy storage (OES) system. DDOT is planning for an operating system with a minimum acceptable state of charge for approximately one mile of running under maximum power requirements. DDOT is interested in learning from industry participants about rapid charging capabilities during a standard 20- 30 second stop, and the extent of line operation capabilities with only terminal station charging.

While fleet sizing will be refined as extension projects are developed, DDOT currently anticipates procuring fourteen (14) or more vehicles within the next five years.

4. Overview of Planned Extensions

DDOT is currently progressing two projects through the planning and environmental assessment process to extend the DC Streetcar Program from the current H Street/Benning line in both easterly and westerly directions, as shown in Error! Reference source not found..

Figure 1: Map of DC Streetcar Extensions

The Benning Road Extension in the easterly direction would add approximately 1.7 route miles and six (6) stops, with revenue service anticipated in 2024. This segment would continue operating in shared lanes with mixed traffic, with the following characteristics: - Grades of up to 6% on Benning Road NE at the Minnesota Avenue NE intersection, accompanied by heavy congestion and potential signal delays - Running over bridges located on Benning Road to cross Freeway/295 (Whitlock Bridge) and over the (Ethel Kennedy Bridge)

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- Alignment runs beneath Metrorail bridge, just west of

The streetcar extension in the westerly direction would run from Union Station to Mount Vernon Square, and potentially further west. The alignment immediately west of the existing Union Station stop on the H Street bridge ramp would require a grade of approximately 7% for up to 1,000 feet.

Further information regarding planning for the easterly extension is available at http://www.benningproject.com and https://www.dcstreetcar.com/planning/future-lines/benning- road-extension.

Further information regarding planning for the westerly extension is available at http://unionstationtogeorgetown.com and https://www.dcstreetcar.com/planning/future-lines/union- station-to-georgetown.

RFI Response Content

In your response, please include the following content:

1. Provide feedback on areas of opportunity or challenges regarding off-wire and hybrid vehicle technology. Comment on any areas of project background that are unclear or where more information may be required to make vehicle design selections or to understand the scope of work. 2. Please describe the following off-wire performance capabilities of vehicles in your product line (that are fully designed or in development): a. Distance covered using off-wire technology; b. Life expectancy of OES; c. Details of energy storage and any associated power conversion devices; d. Recovery time (specifically, how long does the vehicle need to recharge to get from 50% to 80 % state of charge); e. Dimensioned general arrangement drawings showing layout of all major equipment including OES; f. Standard vehicle widths available; g. Standard vehicle lengths available (at minimum include information for a 3 and 5 module configuration). Is there enough room on the roof of a 3-module (20-25 meter long) vehicle to accommodate both the critical air conditioning capacity and the energy storage devices required? What types of compromises might be required (e.g. stacking components)? h. Vehicle ability to operate on a maximum sustained up-grade of 7% for 1,000 feet under both on-board and OCS power sources; i. Passenger capacity (at AW0, AW1, AW2 & AW3); j. Minimum horizontal turning radius; and k. Minimum vertical curve crest and sag. 3. Please describe your firm’s ability to deliver new vehicles in the next three (3) to five (5) years, focusing on the following elements:

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a. Are your hybrid or off-wire vehicles currently in revenue service? If so, please identify locations and operational attributes; b. Please describe the off-wire vehicle technologies with which your entity has direct experience; c. For technologies in development, please provide a timeline within which you anticipate the technology being ready for revenue service; d. What specific performance requirements and functionality information would be required in the Technical Specification in order for your entity to effectively respond to off-wire requirements in an RFP? e. Have you participated in any innovative procurement approaches? If so, please describe them, identifying the benefits to both the purchaser and the supplier. In particular, DDOT is interested in possible multi-party procurements; f. Similarly, DDOT is interested in approaches that address the current fleet in a manner that could lead to a single holistic fleet after expansion, either through retrofit or disposal of the existing vehicles. Please provide your thoughts and experience in this regard; g. How many streetcar vehicles have you supplied in the last five years, and how many are you currently contracted to provide in the future? How many include OES? h. DDOT is considering options with regard to sources of project funding. Discuss the ability to meet FTA’s Buy America requirements (per 49 U.S.C. § 5323(j)(1)) in the supply of your vehicles. i. Does the respondent have the ability to provide autonomous streetcars? j. Does the respondent have the ability to provide over four (4) streetcars? 4. Please describe any considerations for maintenance of your vehicles: a. In terms of their off-wire capabilities, do your vehicles include any proprietary technology? If so, describe them and any related maintenance arrangements; b. How do operators purchase parts for your vehicles? Are parts available exclusively through your company or through other sources? c. Provide service and product lead time information and considerations. 5. Please describe your firm’s vehicle delivery timeline and constraints: a. What is your approximate time for vehicle delivery from the time the order is placed (first vehicle and last vehicle)? b. Is there a scale of vehicle production that increases or decreases production capacity? 6. Please describe options for vehicle disposal as part of a new vehicle procurement: a. Has your firm employed any innovative delivery methods involving vehicle disposal of the existing vehicle fleet? b. Do you have a mechanism to dispose of vehicles or facilitate resale for parts? c. Provide vehicle deliver lead time information and considerations. 7. The cost of owning and operating the new vehicles is an important consideration. Life Cycle Costing is the full consideration of all vehicle costs over its useful life, including capital purchase, maintenance, and disposal. Life Cycle Costing as a basis for selection of a vehicle requires good data. DDOT seeks input to help determine if there is a satisfactory way to evaluate or use Life Cycle Costing as part of the evaluation process. There are at least two processes that need to be

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evaluated: (a) validation of data; (b) enforcement of incentives/penalties. DDOT would appreciate your firm’s insight into both considerations and any other issues you consider pertinent to the use of Life Cycle Costing as a part of potential selection criteria. 8. Provide information on any available small business concerns that serve as manufacturers, distributer or resellers for these vehicles.

RFI Response Instructions Due Date

Responses are due by 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Responses should be submitted via email to [email protected]. For additional information regarding this RFI, contact Ana Rangel, Contracting Officer, via [email protected].

Please include a cover letter that provides the following information:

- Firm name and mailing address - Name, title, address, phone number and email address for individuals serving as the Point of Contact for the RFI - A subject line, “Response to DC Streetcar Program RFI: Vehicle Acquisition”

Respondents will not be invited to participate in in-person informational meetings or presentations as a result of this RFI.

This RFI should not be construed under any circumstances as a pre-requisition or a pre-qualification procedure. This RFI process is intended only to obtain relevant information and improve a potential future procurement processes. Any information submitted or presented in response to this RFI may become publicly available under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act. Use of proprietary information is discouraged. If proprietary information is provided, it should be clearly marked as such.

This is a request for information only. The District has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become District property and will not be returned.

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