Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: A LINE TRAIN CONTROL NON-VITAL AND VITAL RELAY REPLACEMENT
Action
ACTION: CONTRACT AWARD
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a 39-month firm fixed price Contract No. AE117510000 to B&C Transit, Inc. for the Metro A Line Train Control Non-Vital and Vital Relay Replacement Project in the amount of $14,838,050 effective October 1, 2024, subject to resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
B. INCREASE the Life of Project (LOP) Budget for the A Line Train Control Non-Vital and Vital Relay Replacement by $9,355,855 from $11,100,000 to $20,455,855.
Issue
ISSUE
The Metro railway train control system uses electronically operated non-vital and vital relay switches to manage the safe movement of trains. The current non-vital and vital train control relays on the A Line have continuously operated since revenue service began in 1990. These non-vital and vital relays are now reaching the end of their useful life and require replacement. They are no longer supported by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), are not readily available in the industry, and potential replacement relays are not cost-effective due to the difficulty of installation. Approval of a contract award and an increase in the LOP budget are needed to proceed with the replacement and modernization work.
Background
BACKGROUND
The obsolete non-vital train control relays are challenging the Maintenance of Way (MOW) maintenance workforce to keep them operational and in good repair. Additionally, new technology in the marketplace would make maintenance of the non-vital train control system easier.
In May 2022, the Board approved the Metro A Line Train Control Non-Vital Relay Replacement project with an LOP budget of $11,100,000 as part of the adopted FY23 annual budget. This initial LOP budget was based on the engineering estimate for replacing only the non-vital train control relays at Communication and Signal (C&S) buildings along the mainline. Subsequently, the project scope was expanded to include the replacement of vital train control relays because vital relays have also become more difficult to procure and are less readily available. The expanded project scope to add replacement of the vital relays, as well as inflation, contributed significantly to the increased LOP.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
All train control equipment rooms consist of a large number of vital relays and non-vital relays. Vital relays are essential components of Metro’s railway train control system, managing critical safety functions. They ensure the safe operation of trains by controlling signals and track switches at interlockings (track sections). They are designed to halt train movements when a train enters a section already occupied by another train. These relays are crucial in preventing collisions and are designed to fail without creating an unsafe condition. Non-vital relays manage other essential functions such as requesting routes, providing status indications, and sending alarms to the Rail Operations Control (ROC) Center.
The project work under Contract No. AE117510000 will replace the current vital and non-vital relays and associated wiring with microprocessor-based train control equipment. The microprocessor-based train control system will be installed at 14 C&S building locations along the mainline. To minimize the impact on rail service, the project work will be performed within one C&S building location at a time. A $20,455,855 LOP budget need has been determined based on the necessary project scope and the negotiated amount for Contract No. AE117510000. See Attachment A for the expenditure plan of capital project 205673.
The replacement of the train control relays is part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to renew transit infrastructure assets. Metro is committed to maintaining transit infrastructure assets in good repair.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Non-vital and vital train control relays directly impact the safety of train movements and are critical infrastructure assets that work to prevent train collisions and other safety hazards. In accordance with Metro’s Transit Asset Management Plan requirements, both non-vital and vital train control relays must be replaced in a timely manner when they begin reaching the end of their useful life to comply with safety and reliability standards, alongside meeting California Public Utilities Commission and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action will increase the LOP budget for capital project 205673-A-Line Train Control Non-Vital and Vital Relay Replacement, adjusting it from $11,100,000 to $20,455,855. The FY25 budget includes annual funding of $2,900,276 for this project.
Since this is a multi-year project, the Project Manager will ensure that the balance of funds is budgeted in future fiscal years.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is local funds. The majority of the funding sources are eligible for Capital and Operating Projects.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Metro is committed to maintaining transit assets in marginalized communities, ensuring reliable and equitable transportation options for Metro riders. The equity benefits of this action modernize transit infrastructure assets on the A (formerly Blue) Line that directly provide service to many Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) as well as low-income riders, who are the primary users of the Metro transit system.
The A Line serves communities with a high concentration of EFCs, including Westlake, Exposition Park, Central-Alameda, Huntington Park, Vermont-Slauson, Vermont, Knolls, Vermont-Vista, Watts, Willowbrook, Compton, Long Beach, and Wilmington. It also serves as transfer connections to other Metro rail lines and multiple bus lines. Replacing and modernizing the vital and non-vital relays ensures the continuity of rail services through EFCs. The relays manage the safe movement of trains and provide for safe operations that benefit low-income riders.
Contract No. AE117510000 for the A Line Train Control Non-Vital and Vital Relays was solicited with a 3% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal. The recommended firm, B&C Transit, met the project work requirements by committing to both the 3% SBE and 3% DVBE goals.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of this recommendation supports the following Metro Strategic Plan Goals:
• Goal # 2 Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system.
• Goal # 3 Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to award Contract No. AE117510000 and not increase the LOP budget for project 205673. Staff does not recommend this because the current non-vital and vital train control relays along the A (formerly Blue) Line are nearing the end of their useful life. They are safety-sensitive, and choosing not to perform or postpone replacement will impact service reliability if the relays become non-operational, halting train movements and disrupting railway service. Functioning non-vital and vital relays are required for train operations. Additionally, unscheduled maintenance repair costs per component will result in higher operating costs versus reduced costs when performing work as scheduled.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon the Board's approval of the recommendations, staff will increase the authorized LOP budget and execute Contract No. AE117510000 with B&C Transit, Inc. for the Metro A Line Non-Vital and Vital Relay Replacement Project.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Project 205673 Expenditure Plan
Attachment B - Procurement Summary
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Geyner Paz, Chief Administrative Analyst, (213) 922-3744
Aderemi Omotayo, Deputy Executive Officer, Wayside Systems Engineering and Maintenance, (213) 922-3243
Errol Taylor, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Infrastructure Maintenance and Engineering, (213) 922-3227
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer (Interim), (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
