Systemwide DC Load Flow and Protection Study

Rev Date: January 2026
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Request for Qualifications
For
Systemwide DC Load Flow and Protection Study
[]
MBTA Contract No.
P00PS01
ISSUE DATE
6/1/2026

I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is soliciting consulting services to complete the
Systemwide DC Load Flow and Protection study, an effort that will develop, validate, and run a
systemwide model using commercially available, non-proprietary software; will define necessary
protective relay upgrades to the MBTA's DC power infrastructure; and will support implementation of
the required system upgrades. The selected consultants will exhibit a depth of experience
and expertise in developing and validating power system models, conducting load flow studies
(particularly for DC infrastructure), and will have a proven track record of doing similar projects. The
MBTA also anticipates the following expertise will be required to complete this scope of services:
electrical engineering, system modeling and simulation, DC infrastructure assessment, cost estimating,
construction phasing, and resilient design planning.
This project is expected to utilize non-federal (state) funding.
II. SCOPE OF SERVICES:
The Scope of Services includes, but is not limited to the following: developing, validating, and running a
systemwide DC power system model using commercially available, non-proprietary software; defining
necessary protective relay upgrades to the MBTA's DC power infrastructure; and supporting
implementation of the required system upgrades.
Contract services will be delivered by phases. The selected consultant and the MBTA will negotiate the
scope and fee for Phase I. Prior to Phase I completion, the selected consultant and the MBTA will then
negotiate Phase II.
Project phases include the following:
1. Phase I: Model Development and Asset Upgrade Planning
2. Phase II: Asset Upgrade Implementation Support
At the completion of the first phase, the MBTA reserves the right, with or without cause, to:
1. Advance to the next phase(s) of work with the selected consultant;
2. Utilize another firm for the subsequent phases of work on the project;
3. Terminate the selected firm's work on the project; or
4. Terminate the project
All work shall be performed in accordance with MBTA standards and guidelines as well as all applicable
local, state, and federal codes, laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, orders, and decrees.
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The MBTA expects the selected consulting team to have demonstrated experience in developing and
validating power system models, conducting load flow studies (particularly for DC infrastructure), and to
have a proven track record of doing similar projects. The MBTA also anticipates the
following expertise will be required to complete this scope of services: electrical engineering, system
modeling and simulation, DC infrastructure assessment, cost estimating, construction phasing, and
resilient design planning.
III. DURATION:
The duration of this contract will be five (5) years with the option of two (2) individual one (1)-year
extensions.
IV. PROJECT BRIEFING:
The MBTA will hold a virtual project briefing for this Project on 6/8/2026, 11:00 am, via Microsoft
Teams.
Link will be posted to Bid Express
V. QUESTIONS AND ADDENDA:
Proposers are advised that all communication shall be limited to written inquiry.
The deadline for receipt of questions is 8 calendar days before the SOQ due date. All questions must be
submitted via Bid Express.
Proposers are responsible for ensuring that any questions and requests for clarification clearly indicate
that the material relates to the Project. The MBTA reserves the right to respond or not respond to questions
and requests submitted. To the extent that a response is merited, any response will be made available to
all Proposers.
The MBTA reserves the right to revise this RFQ by issuing addenda at any time before the SOQ due date.
All addenda will be considered part of this RFQ and will be posted on the procurement site. It will be the
sole responsibility of the Proposer to ascertain the existence of any and all addenda issued by the MBTA.
Firms will receive notice from the procurement site that an addenda has been posted.
Any responses to questions, clarifications, or addenda not issued in accordance with this Section will be
without legal effect
VI. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MBTA AND PROPOSERS
Once the RFQ has been issued, the only authorized communications shall be through the named person
of contact for the MBTA. Unauthorized communications or contact between the firms, their employees,
agents, or other related entities interested in submitting SOQs and the MBTA, or any other person or entity
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participating on the Selection Committee with regard to this Project are strictly prohibited after the RFQ
is advertised. Interested firms will have access to the MBTA Project team during the Project Briefing if
conducted. Any communication outside of this meeting will be addressed to the Designated Project
Representative via email.
From the date of issuance of this RFQ through the award of the Contract, any Proposer that contacts
directly or indirectly any member or employee of the MBTA or any member of the Selection Committee
in connection with the selection process or the contract contemplated herein for this Project is subject to
disqualification.
VII. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Firms having capabilities for this work are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications no later than
11:00 AM on 6/23/2026 via Bid Express at https://www.bidexpress.com/businesses/83754/home.
Joint Venture participation will be considered.
Proposers are solely responsible for ensuring that the MBTA receives their SOQs by the specified
delivery date and time at the address listed above. The MBTA shall not be responsible for delays and
other occurrences beyond the control of the MBTA.
Responses to the Request for Qualification shall include one (1) digital copy, submitted via
BidExpress.com of the current Standard Form (SF) 330 - Architect/Engineer Qualification Questionnaire
for all proposed team members, including all proposed sub-consultant firms.
Each Statement of Qualification must include the firm's valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued
through System for Award Management (SAM) on Part II of the (SF)330
Please utilize Section H (Additional Information) of the Standard Form (SF) 330 to address the following:
1. Proposed Team and Organization.
2. Key personnel qualifications for all project disciplines. The Project Manager assigned by the
selected consultant(s) shall be a registered Electrical Engineer or approved equal with a minimum
of 5 years of PM experience and possess experience with DC load flow modeling and analysis.
3. Project experience of team members that best illustrates current qualifications relevant to this
project.
4. Additional information or description of resources supporting Firms' qualifications for the
project.
In addition, Consultants shall provide:
Completed Bidder Form for each Prime and Subconsultant on the SOQ Submission
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The Statement of Qualifications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Evaluation Criteria Weighting
Proposed Team and Organization - 25
Key Personnel Qualifications 25
Relevant Project Experience 25
Additional Information 15
Personnel by Discipline 10
Total 100
VIII. SELECTION PROCESS
Following an initial evaluation of qualifications and performance data, firms considered to be the most
highly qualified to provide the required services will be requested to submit proposals and may be invited
to participate in interviews
All firms that are shortlisted must be actively registered in the Federal System for Award Management
(SAM) and maintain an active status prior to proposal submission.
It is the practice of the Authority to encourage the economic growth of professional firms through broad
solicitation and award of contracts. All capable firms are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications
in accordance with the instructions presented in this solicitation.
This is not a Request for Proposal. The MBTA reserves the right to cancel this procurement or to reject
any or all Statements of Qualifications.
Phillip Eng
Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager & CEO
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