Battery Electric Locomotives and Charging Stations

TACOMA RAIL
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
BATTERY ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES AND CHARGING
STATIONS
SPECIFICATION NO. TR26-0005F

City of Tacoma
Tacoma Public Utilities/Tacoma Rail
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TR26-0005F
Battery Electric Locomotives and Charging Stations
Submittal Deadline: 11:00 a.m., Pacific Time, Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Submittals must be received by the City's Procurement and Payables Division by 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
For electronic submittals, the City of Tacoma will designate the time of receipt recorded by our email server, as
the official time of receipt. This clock will be used as the official time of receipt of all parts of electronic bid
submittals. Include the specification number in the subject line of your email. Your submittal must be sent as
an attachment, links to your electronic submittal will not be accepted.
For in person submittals, the City of Tacoma will designate the time of receipt recorded by the timestamp
located at the lobby security desk, as the official time of receipt. Include the specification number on the
outside of the sealed envelope. Late submittals will be returned unopened and rejected as non-responsive.
Submittal Delivery: Sealed submittals will be received as follows:
By Email: In Person:
sendbid@tacoma.gov Tacoma Public Utilities Administration Building North,
Maximum email size including attachments: 35 MB. Main Floor, Lobby Security Desk
Multiple emails may be sent for each submittal. 3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Note: Email may pass through multiple servers before arriving Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
at its destination. Please allow sufficient time for email delivery
of submittals. Timely electronic delivery is at the risk of the
supplier.
Bid Opening: Submittals must be received by the City's Procurement and Payables Division prior to 11:00
a.m. Pacific Time. Sealed submittals in response to a RFB will be opened Tuesday's at 11:15 a.m. by a
purchasing representative and read aloud during a public bid opening held at the Tacoma Public Utilities
Administrative Building North, 3628 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, conference room M-1, located on the
main floor. They will also be held virtually Tuesday's at 11:15 a.m. Attend a Zoom meeting via this link or call 1
(253) 215 8782, using meeting ID # 884 0268 0573, passcode # 070737.
Submittals in response to an RFP, RFQ or RFI will be recorded as received, but not read at bid opening. As
soon as possible, after 1:00 PM, on the day of submittal deadline, preliminary results will be posted to
www.TacomaPurchasing.org.
If you believe your submittal was sent timely and was not read at bid opening, please contact
sendbid@tacoma.gov immediately.
Solicitation Documents: An electronic copy of the complete solicitation documents may be viewed and
obtained by accessing the City of Tacoma Purchasing website at www.TacomaPurchasing.org.
* Register for the Bid Holders List to receive notices of addenda, questions and answers and related updates.
* Click here to see a list of vendors registered for this solicitation.
Pre-Proposal Meeting: A pre-proposal meeting will not be held.
Project Scope: The City of Tacoma (City) / Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU), Rail Division d.b.a. Tacoma Rail, is
soliciting proposals to establish one or more contracts with qualified vendors to provide the turnkey delivery of
equipment, materials, and personnel necessary to construct two, fully functioning Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) compliant battery-electric locomotives that will be charged using reverse pantograph
style charging systems.
Estimate: $14,000,000.00
Paid Sick Leave: The City of Tacoma requires all employers to provide paid sick leave in accordance with
State of Washington law.
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Form No. SPEC-040C Revised: 06/03/2024

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Information: The City of Tacoma, in accordance with Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to
nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. Specification materials can be
made available in an alternate format by emailing the contact listed below in the Additional Information section.
Title VI Information:
"The City of Tacoma" in accordance with provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (78 Stat. 252, 42
U.S.C. sections 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively
ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises
will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated
against on the grounds of race, color, national origin in consideration of award.
Additional Information: Requests for information regarding the specifications may be obtained by contacting
Sara Bird by email to Sbird@tacoma.gov.
Protest Policy: City of Tacoma protest policy, located at www.tacomapurchasing.org, specifies procedures for
protests submitted prior to and after submittal deadline.
Meeting sites are accessible to persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations for persons with
disabilities can be arranged with 48 hours advance notice by calling 253-502-8468.
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Form No. SPEC-040C Revised: 06/03/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................. 6
2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................. 8
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES..................................................................10
4. CONTRACT TERM ............................................................................................................11
5. CALENDAR OF EVENTS ..................................................................................................11
6. INQUIRIES ........................................................................................................................11
7. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING..............................................................................................12
8. DISCLAIMER .....................................................................................................................12
9. EVALUATION CRITERIA ...................................................................................................12
10. CONTENT TO BE SUBMITTED - This section represents 100% of the possible scoring
criteria. ......................................................................................................................................13
11. INTERVIEWS / ORAL PRESENTATIONS .....................................................................16
12. RESPONSIVENESS .....................................................................................................17
13. ACCEPTANCE / REJECTION OF SUBMITTALS ..........................................................17
14. CONTRACT OBLIGATION ............................................................................................17
15. STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS / GENERAL PROVISIONS ...........................17
16. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................18
17. PREVAILING WAGE INFORMATION ...........................................................................18
18. PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND .....................................................................19
19. PARTNERSHIPS ..........................................................................................................19
20. COMMITMENT OF COMPANY KEY PERSONNEL ......................................................20
21. AWARD .........................................................................................................................20
22. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PROCUREMENT ..............................................20
23. PROPRIETARY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ..................................................20
24. ADDENDUMS ...............................................................................................................21
25. LEAP REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................21
26. EQUITY IN CONTRACTING .........................................................................................21
27. TESTING AND STANDARDS .......................................................................................21
28. START OF WARRANTY ...............................................................................................22
APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................23
APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................25
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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SUBMITTAL CHECK LIST
This checklist identifies items to be included with your submittal. Any submittal received without
these required items may be deemed non-responsive and not be considered for award.
Submittals must be received by the City of Tacoma Purchasing Division by the date and time
specified in the Request for Proposal page.
The following items make up your submittal package:
One electronic copy of your complete submittal package
Signature Page (Appendix B)
Price Proposal Form (Appendix B)
Information in Section 10 (Content To Be Submitted)
After award, the following documents will be executed:
Services Contract
Certificate of Insurance and related endorsements
Payment & Performance Bonds
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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1. BACKGROUND
The City of Tacoma (City) / Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU), Rail Division d.b.a. Tacoma Rail, is
soliciting proposals to establish one or more contracts with qualified vendors to provide the
turnkey delivery of equipment, materials, and personnel necessary to construct two, fully
functioning Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) compliant battery-electric locomotives that
will be charged using reverse pantograph style charging systems.
Tacoma Rail is a full-service Class III short line railroad with interchange to both the BNSF and
Union Pacific railroads. Tacoma Rail is owned by the City of Tacoma and conducts business
under the oversight of the Tacoma Public Utility Board.
Tacoma Rail operates in the Tacoma Tideflats industrial area, in addition to South Tacoma, as
a terminal and switching Carrier with rates set by tariff. Operational activities serve 38
commercial customers, including three international intermodal terminals at the Port of Tacoma
and handled the equivalent of 264,000 railcars in 2025. Tacoma Rail's service territory is also
situated within the ancestral homelands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
Tacoma Rail is replacing Two diesel-electric locomotives with two zero-emission battery-electric
locomotives, which is the type of environmental leadership action needed to achieve the climate
goals of the Pacific Northwest. This project not only reduces significant toxic diesel emissions
and greenhouse gases (GHGs), but it will also advance freight rail electrification technology in
the region and potentially encourage other Class III freight rail operators to follow suit.
To learn more about the City of Tacoma, visit tacoma.gov
The City anticipates awarding one contract.
This project is budgeted at $14 million dollars and the anticipated completion date is June 30,
2028.
Submittals submitted and/or the selected vendor(s) may be used for projects of similar type and
scope at the sole discretion of the City for up to one year.
Grant Funding and Requirements
1.1 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Legislative Grant Award from
carbon emissions reduction account, FY-2023 RRB-1311.
Funding source acknowledgement: The Zero-Emissions Locomotives and the associated
Charging Stations Project is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment
Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest
dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.
Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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Requirements:
* Excepting the Worker's Compensation Insurance, the State Washington, its officers,
employees, and agents will be named on all insurance policies as an additional
insured, with no restrictions or limitations concerning products and completed
operations coverage. This coverage shall be primary coverage and non-contributory
and any coverage maintained by the AIs shall be excess over, and shall not
contribute with, the additional insured coverage hereunder.
* Contractor's insurer shall waive any and all rights of the subrogation against the
Additional Insureds.
1.2 Department of Ecology, State of Washington, AQVWZEV-2325-TACRai-00028
Requirements:
* Equipment can be placed in revenue service only after a project specific Letter of
Concurrence is obtained from the FRA Chief Safety Officer.
(Locomotives must meet all applicable FRA regulations, and the Respondent must be prepared
to work with the City and the FRA to meet any requirements necessary to obtain a letter of
concurrence from the FRA for deployment of the battery-electric/alternate fuel locomotives.)
1.3 The US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA)/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
Requirements:
* Contractor shall submit a Build America Buy America (BABA) certification to Tacoma
Rail as an inclusion with their submittal to this Request for Proposal.
* Ability to meet the federal Buy America Build America (BABA) requirements.
Proposer is required to submit a completed Buy America certificate in accordance
with the suggested format below. If upon being awarded a contract, the successful
awardee fails to demonstrate that it is in compliance with its certification, the
awardee will be required to take the necessary steps in order to achieve compliance.
If the awardee takes these necessary steps, it will not be allowed to change its
original bid price or the price of its final offer. If the awardee does not take the
necessary steps to achieve compliance and the contract has not yet been awarded,
it will not be awarded the contract. If a contract has been awarded and the awardee
does not take the necessary steps to achieve compliance, it may be considered in
breach of the contract.
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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Certificate of Compliance with Buy America Requirements
The proposer hereby certifies that it will comply with the FRA Buy America requirements of 49
U.S.C. Section 22905(a)(1).
Date ___________________________________________________________________
Signature _____________________________________________________________
Company ______________________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________________________________
Title __________________________________________________________________
Where the proposer believes it may qualify, pursuant to Section 22905(a)(2), for a waiver from
the Buy America requirements, it should submit, along with the required certificate, a written
justification detailing the reasons it believes it meets the particular waiver exception(s). As part
of its waiver justification, the proposer should include a statement detailing the percentage of
U.S. content in each component or end product, as applicable.
Certificate of Non-Compliance with Buy America Requirements
The proposer hereby certifies that it cannot comply with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. Section
22905(a)(1), but it may qualify for an exception to the requirement pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
Section 22905(a)(2).
Date ___________________________________________________________________
Signature _____________________________________________________________
Company ______________________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________________________________
Title __________________________________________________________________
2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Tacoma Rail acknowledges that there are multiple U.S. manufacturers that are offering battery-
electric locomotives; however, Tacoma Rail prefers to keep its locomotive fleet as standardized
as possible. Subsequently, Tacoma Rail is requesting submittals for the purchase of two, 4 axle
locomotives utilizing a GP38/GP40 style frame. Submittals should note any deviations from the
following minimum requirements:
Tacoma Rail requires that the battery-electric locomotives be built and delivered without the
requirement of surrendered cores. It is Tacoma Rail's intent to purchase these locomotives
outright.
Locomotives must meet all existing FRA safety requirements at time of delivery to Tacoma Rail.
Contractor will be required to comply with all additional FRA safety and design requirements
imposed for Battery-Electric Locomotives characterized as alternative fuel technology.
Provide two zero-emissions locomotives capable of delivering horsepower and tractive-effort
performance equivalent to that of the two, 2,000-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives
currently being utilized by Tacoma Rail in freight railcar classification and switching service.
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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Both zero-emissions locomotives capable of operating at a top speed of 50 MPH.
Batteries designed to handle the environmental, space and weight considerations for rail
application, while maintaining performance, durability, reliability, maintainability, and safe
operation of the locomotives.
Locomotives must be equipped with the most current battery compartment fire containment
system that prevents propagation from pack to pack, as well as detection and control systems.
Respondents shall provide a narrative on how the locomotive battery compartment complies
with the following codes/standards for fire protection safety features:
* Thermal runaway management systems to prevent thermal runaway.
* UL9540 listing for cell, module, or unit level as available.
* Full scale fire-testing data (UL9540A or similar) for the expected fire size if thermal
runaway occurred.
* General compliance approach to NFPA 855.
* Describe how the battery compartment for the individual battery modules will be vented
from explosive gases. i.e., vented up, vented on sides and compliance with either NFPA
68 or NFPA 69.
Locomotives must be compatible for use in the following ways: (1) perform yard switching with
track curvatures of up to 30 degrees and (2) mainline freight hauling in all weather conditions.
If offered locomotives cannot meet the above requirement, respondent shall propose their
locomotive's maximum curve negotiability.
Respondents must demonstrate they have obtained FRA approval for the locomotive(s) and
charging equipment they are proposing, and both have been authorized for use in the general
railroad system of the United States.
The State of Washington shall be listed as additionally insured on all insurance documents.
Ability to accept a down-payment prior to project start-up.
Provide a project approach to include a project-specific schedule and the quality assurance
measures that will be used to maintain all requirements and all local, state, and federal
regulations.
Provide invoicing that itemizes and segregates all charges by individual locomotive and charger
to ensure compliance with grant accounting requirements.
Provide training criteria and instructions to Tacoma Rail's local emergency responders to assure
they understand hazards before an emergency occurs.
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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Provide in person, at Tacoma Rail, proper training to Tacoma Rail locomotive mechanics and
electricians on the safety, maintenance and charging operations using the reverse pantograph
charging stations to charge the locomotives.
* In addition to day shift training, some of the training may need to be done on swing shift
and graveyard.
Provide in person, at Tacoma Rail, proper training to Tacoma Rail locomotive mechanics and
electricians, on the maintenance of the locomotives.
* In addition to day shift training, some of the training may need to be done on swing shift
and graveyard.
Provide in person, at Tacoma Rail, proper training to Tacoma Rail locomotive mechanics,
electricians, Road Foreman of Engines and Tacoma Rail DSLE's, on the operation of the
locomotives.
* In addition to day shift training, some of the training may need to be done on swing shift
and graveyard.
Provide the assumptions of the battery life expectancy and the degradation over that period.
The estimated cost for shipping the locomotives to Tacoma Rail in Tacoma Washington, shall
be included in the submitted pricing.
The estimated cost for shipping the locomotive charging stations and the shop charger/balancer
to Tacoma Rail in Tacoma Washington, shall be included in the submitted pricing.
* Tacoma Rail can accept deliveries via truck or rail.
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES
It is the City's intent to select a company based on qualifications and abilities of the company
and key project individuals.
Locomotives and charging equipment shall meet all applicable state and federal laws, codes,
regulations and safety standards for yard switching and mainline freight rail service. This
includes, at a minimum, all the following applicable requirements:
A. Compliance with all applicable parts of USDOT, Code of Federal Regulations Title 49.
B. Compliance with all applicable electrical codes required by local, state, and federal
regulatory agencies.
C. Compliance with all other applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Request for Proposal Specification No. TR26-0005F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025
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