Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: A650 HEAVY RAIL VEHICLE (HRV) COUPLER ASSEMBLY OVERHAUL
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a 66-month firm fixed price contract, Contract No. RR127894000 to Dellner, Inc. for the A650 Heavy Rail Vehicle (HRV) Coupler Overhaul in the amount Not-To-Exceed (NTE) $3,120,000, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Wabtec, identified and established an equipment overhaul schedule for coupler assembly at a 5-year interval. These projects are at 90% completion with the next cycle of overhauls beginning early 2026, including the coupler assembly overhaul.
Background
BACKGROUND
The A650 Heavy Rail Vehicle (HRV) Fleet consists of 26 based-buy vehicles and 74 option-buy vehicles for a combined 32 years of revenue service operations. The option-buy fleet is currently undergoing a Component Overhaul Program for five major systems, inclusive of friction brakes, traction motor, gearbox, semi-permanent drawbar, and low voltage power supply replacement due to parts obsolescence. This overhaul is not routine maintenance but a complete teardown, inspection, and replacement of worn parts with new ones. The coupler assembly provides mechanical and electrical coupling between railcars, as there are 2 couplers per HRV. Overhauling couplers at this interval minimizes equipment failures while maintaining the fleet in a constant state of good repair. This procurement is for the overhaul of the HRV Coupler Assembly, encompassing the overhaul of 100 couplers, or 50 kits, including spares.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The A650 fleet component overhaul projects consist primarily of the repair and replacement of vehicle wear items that require overhaul or replacement of the vehicle’s 30-year design life. Since the option fleet is at mid-life, the fleet is now programmed for a modernization overhaul. Of note, the component overhaul program consists of those items not included in the modernization overhaul, as they are technically preventive maintenance overhauls, including coupler assembly overhaul.
Metro’s Transit Vehicle Engineering (TVE), along with Rail Fleet Services (RFS) staff, performed a technical review of the OEM component overhaul tasks and are in concurrence with the scope and overhaul schedule as described in the Heavy Repair Maintenance Manual. TVE developed the Statement of Work (SOW), ensuring the Contractors are following the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Association of American Railroads (AAR), California Public Utilities Commission (CPU), and Metro’s Corporate Safety Standards for this project.
The coupler assembly consists of mechanical and electrical components, including the mechanical coupler assembly, buffer, electrical cables, and coupler head assembly for trainline functions. Wear and tear of these components is expected, which prompts periodic overhauls accomplished by a Contractor with specialized training, tools, and equipment.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The A650 coupler assembly is an integral component of the HRV, as the mechanical/electrical interface between trains is used for safe and reliable operations. Timely replacement of these components will ensure that safety is preserved by overhauling the coupler assemblies into new conditions as defined by the OEM, while achieving regulatory compliance with state and federal regulations.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $500,000 for the coupler assembly overhaul project is included in the FY26 budget under approved Capital Project (CP 214007) in the amount of $11,000,000 Life-of-Project (LOP) in cost center 3942, Rail Fleet Service Maintenance.
Since this is a multi-year project, the cost center Component Overhaul Superintendent, Division Director, and Sr. Executive Officer of Rail Fleet Services will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is Measure M State of Good Repair 2%. This funding is eligible for Operating Capital Projects. Given approved funding provisions and guidelines, using these funding sources maximizes project funding intent.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Metro’s HRV fleet provides vital transportation services throughout Center City and the County of Los Angeles via the B and D lines, which connect downtown Los Angeles to North Hollywood, and will connect Koreatown and the Wilshire/Western area to Century City and Westwood with the future D Line extension. The B and D subway system includes many underserved communities where regional disparities exist between residents’ access to jobs, housing, education, health, and safety. Implementation of the coupler overhaul campaign safeguards the A650 fleet availability and reliability, thereby ensuring continued service on the B and D Lines as well as minimizes service disruptions for transit riders.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) did not recommend a Small Business Enterprise (SBE)/Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal for this procurement due to the lack of certified firms that perform this service. Dellner, Inc. listed two non-certified firms to perform the services of this contract.
Vehicle Miles Traveled Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit. * Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational equipment purchase activities that will maintain and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of the A650 fleet coupler assembly overhaul supports Strategic Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. This component-level overhaul project ensures sustained fleet reliability, including safe, accessible, and affordable transportation for all riders of Metro’s subway system. The recommendation supports Metro Strategic Plan Goal 5: Provide Responsive, Accountable, and Trustworthy governance within the Metro organization. CMA and Contract extension safeguard overhaul production continuity while meeting passenger safety and fleet reliability.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
An alternative is to defer the coupler assembly overhaul. However, this alternative is not recommended as the coupler is a vital and safety-sensitive component that could cause mechanical failure with no coupling for multiple trains and create a risk to passenger safety.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. RR127894000 for the A650 HRV Coupler Assembly Overhaul with Dellner, Inc.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Bob Spadafora, Senior Executive Officer, Rail Fleet Services
(213) 922-3144
Richard M. Lozano, Superintendent, Rail Fleet Services
(323) 224-4042
Matthew Dake, Deputy Chief Operations Officer
(213) 922-4061
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief, Vendor/Contract Management
(213) 418-3051
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer (213) 418-3034
Digitally approved by Stephanie Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer