Please visit the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) website for more information on the 305 Standards Committee and for full specifications of:
- Locomotive
- Single-Level Passenger Rail Car
- Bi-Level Passenger Rail Car
- Information to the 305 Committee
Midwest High-Speed Rail Supply Chain Report: Good For Manufacturing Jobs, Good for Economic Growth and Good for Our Environment
For more information about Next Generation Rail Supply Chain
Dave Stieren
dave.stieren@nist.gov
(301) 975-3197
Samm Bowman
samm@nist.gov
(301) 975-5978
Topics to explore on this page:
- Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Connectivity Updates
- About Next Generation Rail Supply Chain
- Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Connectivity Forums
- Opportunities for Small Manufacturers in Next Generation Rail Supply Chain
- Supplier Scouting Opportunities for Next Generation Rail
 What is Next Generation Rail Supply Chain?The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Commerce (DOC) formed a partnership to encourage the creation of domestic manufacturing jobs and opportunities for U.S. Suppliers through transportation investments. Learn More... |
Next Generation Rail Supply Chain - Updates
Diesel Locomotive Request for Information (RFI)
Opened: July 6, 2012
RFI Responses Closed: July 20, 2012
Status: Awaiting Diesel Locomotive Request for Proposal (scheduled in 2013)
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Next Generation Equipment Committee (NGEC) will be posting Standardization Table as well as the Buy America Components List. The NGEC represents Amtrak, Federal Railroad Association, and participating states.
To view the now closed Diesel Locomotive RFI, click here.
Bi-Level Passenger Rail Cal Request for Proposal
Opened: April 20, 2012
Closed: August 24, 2012
Award- CALTRANS issued a award contract for the 130 bi-level passenger rail car to Sumitomo Corporation of America. A fully executed contract is expected to be awarded by the end of October. The first rail cars are expected to be delivered in late 2015.
Sumitomo Corporation is the parent company of Nippon Sharyo U.S.A., which just opened a plant in the U.S. is located in Rochelle, Illinois. A Buy America pre-award audit is being conducted prior to final award to verify Sumitomo's assembly and manufacturing locations meet the Buy America requirements.
Past Bidding Announcement
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood just announced that rail car manufacturers across the country will have an opportunity to submit bids to produce the first American-made, Bi-Level Passenger Rail Cars. The $551 million Request for Proposal (RFP) calls for 130 new rail cars including 88 cars for the Midwest coalition states, and 42 cars for California, including Coaches, Cab/Baggage cars, Cafe/Lounge cars, and Cafe/Business Class cars. The funding is being provided by the Federal Railroad Administration’s High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program.
Up to date Proposal Documents may be obtained electronically at http://www.bidsync.com/
For more information, contact your local MEP Center and speak with the Buy American Supplier Scouting Point of Contact.
Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Forums
In 2012 MEP has hosted four Next Generation Supply Chain Connectivity Forums. The forums are an objective to bring large carbuilders and OEMs together with smaller, capable and interested U.S. manufacturers to facilitate reaching the goal of 100% domestic content in railcars that will be funded by state and federal dollars.
These one day forums include representatives from federal and state agencies, local economic development agencies, rail car builders and associated original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and U.S manufacturers who could potentially be their suppliers.
To view information on past forums Click here.
Opportunities for Small Manufacturers in Next Generation Rail Supply Chain
More than 30 locomotive and rail car manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, have committed to establish or expand their base of operations in the United States if they are chosen by states or groups of states to build America’s next generation high-speed rail lines.
The Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Connectivity efforts will help connect small manufacturers with those committed locomotive and rail car manufacturers and will give them the opportunity to see how they could be part of the domestic supply chain for next generation rail.
Ready for the Next step?
Contact your local MEP Center and speak with the Make it in America Supplier Scouting Point of Contact. In addition please contact each Locomotive and Rail car manufacturer to find out what the requirements are for small manufacturers to become a supplier with them. Click here to see the list of Original Equipment Manufacturers.
Report: Midwest High-Speed Rail Supply ChainGood For Manufacturing Jobs, Good for Economic Growthand Good for Our Environment
Next generation passenger rail is picking up speed in the United States, which means business opportunities for both the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that make the trains and the many “supply chain” companies that create the components and materials needed by the OEMs. ELPC’s study of high-speed and other new technology intercity passenger rail suppliers identified 12 OEMs and 460 supply chain companies in seven industrial Midwest states. Each job at a rail car manufacturer generates additional downstream manufacturing jobs.
Next Generation Rail UpdatesPlease continue to check this website regularly for updates relating to the upcoming rail car and locomotive procurements, along with other useful info about connectivity into Next Generation Rail Equipment Supply Chains.
Click here to subscribe to Next Generation Rail e-mail updates.
Supplier Scouting Opportunities for Next Generation Rail
During October and November 2012, MEP conducted a Supplier Scouting analysis of domestic manufacturing capabilities and capacity for the production of a series of 5 rail infrastructure items. (see list below) These items are needed by Amtrak in conjunction with construction of high-speed rail turnout projects around the nation that leverage funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Supplier Scouting was conducted at the request of FRA by the nationwide network of MEP Centers with coordination and guidance from NIST MEP. This MEP Supplier Scouting analysis indicated that, in addition to having capabilities and capacity, several U.S. manufacturing companies are interested in pursuing business opportunities to produce the needed items for the domestic market.
Schwihag double roller assembly and plate, part of the 32.75 turnout - The Schwihag double roller assembly and plate is used in the 32.75 turnout to hold both the ZU1‐60 switch point and the stock rail, as well as provide a base for the roller assembly which assist the movement of the ZU1‐60 switch point.
Schwihag switch roller asembly, part of the 32.75 turnout -The Schwihag roller assembly assists the movement of the ZU1‐60 switch point in the 32.75 turnout. There are single, double and triple roller assemblies which are used in certain locations on Schwihag plates or on domestically produced hollow steel ties. Single and triple roller assemblies are not used on the 32.75 turnout.
Vee Point moveable point frog forging machined - The machined vee point forging is part of the moveable point frog. The moveable point frog Is part of the turnout that allows the train to cross one of the diverging rails. The moveable point allows a continuous wheel path through the frog area for smoother ride quality at higher speeds.
Schwihag plate, part of the 32.75 turnout - The Schwihag plate is used in the 32.75 turnout to hold both the ZU1‐60 switch point and the stock rail. The Schwihag plate is unique in that it provides a positive gage side hold down for the stock rail through the use of a Schwihag clip.
Switch Point Rail Machined ZU1-60, both left hand and right hand, part of the 32.75 turnout - The switch point is the moveable piece of specially tapered rail that is used in a turnout to steer or divert a train from one track or the other.
For more information about these opportunities please contact your local MEP Center and speak with the Make in America Supplier Scouting Point of Contact.
"Not only are we improving how we move people and goods, but we are strengthening our economy by providing opportunities for American companies and their employees to build our transportation system here at home." Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood