AGENDA ITEM 9-A
CONSENT ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE AN IFB FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
PLATFORM EXTENSION AT THE BROAD RUN STATION
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to
issue an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the construction of a platform extension at the
Broad Run VRE station.
BACKGROUND:
Due to significant increases in ridership, VRE is working with the jurisdictions to initiate
platform extension projects to accommodate this increased capacity. This project will
accommodate additional passengers at the Broad Run station. VRE has completed the
design of a two hundred foot platform extension with canopy. The project will be located
to the east of the existing platform and accommodate up to a seven-car train set.
At the January 2010 meeting, the Operations Board authorized issuance of a task order
to HDR for the design of the platform extension. The design is now complete and ready
to be advertised for bid. The design is currently in the permitting process with the City
of Manassas and VRE staff anticipates no issues.
Upon receipt of bids, VRE staff will return to the Operations Board for authorization to
award a construction contract.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this project is included in VRE’s Capital Improvement Program as part of
the Broad Run Platform Extension project. Funding is via a CMAQ grant, for which no
local match is required.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE AN IFB FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
PLATFORM EXTENSION AT THE BROAD RUN STATION
RESOLUTION
9A-11-2010
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, due to significant increases in ridership at the Broad Run station, VRE has
initiated a platform extension project at this location; and,
WHEREAS, at the January 2010 meeting, the Operations Board authorized issuance of
a task order to HDR for engineering services for this project; and,
WHEREAS, the design for the project has been completed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board authorizes
the Chief Executive Officer to issue an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the construction of a
platform extension at the Broad Run VRE station.
AGENDA ITEM 9-B
CONSENT ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to
issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Mechanical Engineering Consulting services.
BACKGROUND:
In May of 2006, the VRE Operations Board awarded a contract to STV, Inc. for
mechanical engineering consulting services via a competitive solicitation process. The
contract term was for five years or $5,000,000, whichever occurred first. While the
contract term would expire in May of 2011, the monetary limit is close to completion and
a new competitive solicitation must be initiated.
In the past, VRE’s requirements for mechanical engineering services have included
specific project work, such as passenger car and locomotive repair and overhaul work,
as well as system-wide improvements, such as a new car procurement. VRE has found
the use of a mechanical engineering consultant to be more time and cost efficient than
completing numerous, separate procurements.
After competitive proposals have been evaluated, VRE staff will return to the
Operations Board with a recommendation for award. As with the existing contract, the
proposed contract will be a task order agreement with a value of $5,000,000 for a term
of not to exceed five years. Board approval is required prior to each task order award
over $50,000. Specific task orders will include oversight of locomotive and passenger
car modernization, possible new passenger car acquisition and rehabilitation, future
fleet procurement, and fleet configuration planning.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds supporting the MEC V contract are budgeted through specific projects in VRE’s
adopted CIP or via operating funds.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES
RESOLUTION
9b-11-2010
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, VRE requirements for mechanical engineering services include both
specific project work and system-wide improvements; and,
WHEREAS, use of a mechanical engineering consultant has proven to be more
efficient than numerous, separate procurements; and,
WHEREAS, the current MEC contract is approaching its authorization limit and a new
competitive solicitation must be initiated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board authorizes
the Chief Executive Officer to issue a Request for Proposals for Mechanical
Engineering Consulting services.
AGENDA ITEM 9-C
CONSENT ITEM
TO:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
FROM:
DALE ZEHNER
DATE:
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
RE:
AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE AN RFQ FOR THE PURCHASE
AND INSTALLATION OF MULTI-RADIO WIRELESS ROUTERS
RECOMMENDATION:
The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief Executive
Officer to issue a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for the purchase and installation of
multi-radio wireless routers with external signal booster antennas and other
accessories necessary for the implementation of Wi-Fi on VRE trains.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several years, demand for wireless internet services on VRE trains
has grown. However, due to the lack of continuous cell towers along both the
Fredericksburg and Manassas lines, the option of subscribing to any of the
available Internet Service Providers to acquire continuous cell service was not
available.
As another option, VRE tested devices with the current 3G cell technology on
both lines and the results show promise using Verizon. The latest test run showed
complete coverage on the Manassas line from Broad Run to Union Station and
partial coverage on the Fredericksburg line from Fredericksburg to Union Station.
The weak spots on the Fredericksburg line were between the Leeland Road and
Quantico stations and are in the process of being improved upon. Other service
providers in addition to Verizon were tested. However, no other provider came
close to offering the same level of coverage.
Based on the system wide coverage now available, and following a supportive
discussion by the Operations Board at the October meeting, VRE is now
requesting permission to solicit proposals for the purchase and installation of
multi-radio wireless routers and accessories needed to implement Wi-Fi service.
These routers will be installed in VRE’s equipment compartment located above
the vestibule of each cab car. Each wireless router will be equipped with Verizon
Wireless EVDO cards to provide wireless internet services to passengers riding in
the cab car and the car adjacent to the cab car. The scope includes the purchase
and installation of multi-radio wireless routers with external signal booster
antennas and other accessories.
Following receipt of quotes, VRE staff will return to the Operations Board with a
recommendation for award. Installation is expected to take approximately twelve
to fifteen weeks.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available from the FY 2011 Operating budget.
2
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
CHAIRMAN MILDE AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARD
DALE ZEHNER
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE AN RFQ FOR THE PURCHASE
AND INSTALLATION OF MULTI-RADIO WIRELESS ROUTERS
RESOLUTION
9c-11-2010
OF THE
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS
OPERATIONS BOARD
WHEREAS, over the past several years, demand for wireless internet services on
VRE trains has grown; and,
WHEREAS, system wide coverage is now available and the Operations Board
supports implementation of Wi-Fi on VRE trains; and,
WHEREAS, multi-radio wireless routers and other accessories are needed to
implement this Wi-Fi service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Board
authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to issue a Request for Quotes for the
purchase and installation of multi-radio wireless routers with external signal
booster antennas and other accessories necessary for the implementation of WiFi on VRE trains.
3