BREAKING: 7000-series Contract Awarded!

[Scrabbleship]

And the winner is....Kawasaki! All hail 75' R160 clones with softer, transverse seating!

Alstom isn't all too happy losing the contract, especially after laying off 60% of their work force, but hopes that they'll get NYCT's R179 and the refurbishment of Amtrak's Viewliners and the PATCO cars.
 

[WayneNYC]

Cool.  If WMATA's 7000 series cars sound anything like NYCTA's R142A and R143/R160B, I may be stalking them.

[Annex4421]

GREAT!!! Now WMATA just have to get a new bus manufactor also and we're good, but wow something different for a change.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

NOT SO FAST EVERYONE!!!

WMATA has NOT awarded the contract to Kawasaki.
 
  From Dr. Gridlock's Get There blog: 
 
  The board declined to act immediately on purchase plans after  getting its first briefing on the financial arrangements. The transit  authority staff is seeking approval to negotiate with Kawasaki to build  64 cars for use on the rail extension toward Dulles, which is under  construction, as well as an additional 300 cars to replace the oldest  ones in the fleet.
 
  That said, it looks like barring any major collapse over the financial arrangements, Kawasaki will be chosen. 

I was hoping Kawasaki would win this contract and ultimately build cars for WMATA but considered it to be a longshot.  I figured Alstom was the most likely pick.  Needless to say, I'm pleased, assuming this goes through.

And the winner is....Kawasaki! All hail 75' R160 clones with softer, transverse seating!

Alstom isn't all too happy losing the contract, especially after laying off 60% of their work force, but hopes that they'll get NYCT's R179 and the refurbishment of Amtrak's Viewliners and the PATCO cars.
 

Um, the R160 isn't built by Kawasaki.  And WMATA cars are not clones of NYCTA cars.  WMATA's closest cousin is MARTA IMHO, and I doubt you'll find anyone who claims it is New York.  Seriously, where do you make this stuff up?

Cool.  If WMATA's 7000 series cars sound anything like NYCTA's R142A and R143/R160B, I may be stalking them.

The propulsion package should be stipulated in the contract, and while there is some correlation between propulsion and manufacturer, I wouldn't say it is guaranteed that we wind up with the same package that the R142A and R143 have.  That said, I do love that package's sound effects and wouldn't mind having it on WMATA.

[C40LF_2464]

I knew it i knew it i just knew Kawasaki was going to get it! So these will sound like NYCTA R160's like Wayne said. I hope they have the Siemens propulsion's!

[Sand Box John]

Consolidated procurement of five railcar projects:
7000 Series Railcar Program Contract Award (1.65 MB PDF file)
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation To The Finance and Administration Committee
March 25, 2010

High Lights:

Consolidated procurement of five railcar projects:
• Recommended
• Base contract: 64 cars – Dulles Phase 1
• Option 4: 300 cars – Fleet Renewal (1000 Series)
• Unfunded
• Option 3: 100 cars – Mid-Life Rehabilitation (4000 Series)
• Option 1: 64 cars – Dulles Phase 2
• Option 2: 130 cars – Growth 75% Eight-Car Trains
• Option 5: 90 cars – Growth 100% Eight-Car Trains
*Total Project Scope = 748 Railcars

• Best-Value procurement – firm fixed price with economic adjustments for options
• Award is made to responsible offeror whose proposal provides the best overall value to the Authority
• Best-Value award ensures the Authority obtains the highest level of technical features and reliable equipment for the most reasonable price

Price and technical factors evaluated and ranked separately
– Price is the total bid price including options
– Technical factors
• Technical adequacy
• Availability
• Schedule
• Managerial approach
• History and past performance

7 Carbuilders submitted proposals
After Initial Evaluation, 4 Carbuilders were not in the Competitive Range and were eliminated
3 Carbuilders submitted Final Proposal revisions
– Alstom Transportation, Inc. - Final assembly location in Hornell, New York
– Bombardier Transit Corporation – Final assembly location in Plattsburg, New York
– Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. – Final assembly location in Lincoln, Nebraska

Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. achieved the highest Technical ranking
– Strongest technical approach. Strengths include:
• System Safety
• Quality Assurance – ISO 9001/2008
• US Built Stainless Steel Car Construction
• Crash Energy Management Car Design
• Open Architecture Network Train Control
• Proven Linear Drive Door System
• Passively Cooled Propulsion System
• Overhead Unitized Environmental System
• LED Interior Lighting
• Test Track at Final Assembly Location

Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. achieved best price ranking
– Price Evaluation
• Price Evaluation is based on the total price of 748 Cars
• Total Price of 748 Railcars - $1.48B ($120M less than next lowest price)
• Total Base Price plus Option 4 (364 Cars) $765M

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