Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission - Operator of Watsonville Rail Service - RFP 2607 (2026)
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation CommissionSpecial District · Santa Cruz, CA- Due
- Feb 6, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Jan 16, 2026
- Primary contact
- Bella Kressman
- (831) 460-3200
The 30-second brief
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seeks qualified firms to provide freight rail service between MP 0.4 and MP 3.0 of the Watsonville Branch Line in Watsonville, California. The selected operator will furnish rolling stock, maintenance, qualified train and engine crews, supervisory and support personnel, an environmental protection program, and liability insurance. The solicitation requires compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulations, an administration and coordination license agreement, and an interchange agreement with UPRR. Proposals are due by February 6, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. PST, submitted to [email protected] or at 1101 Pacific Ave., Suite 250, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Ability to operate rail service as evidenced by experience in providing similar service (15), Experience and competence of key personnel (15), Comprehensiveness and validity of the proposed Service Plan (15), Comprehensiveness and validity of the proposed Maintenance Plans (15), Viability of proposer's Financial Plan and evidence of financial capability (15), Ability and willingness to respond to SCCRTC requirements and accessibility (15), Experience in working with FRA, CPUC, and other regulatory agencies (10)
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Summary
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seeks qualified firms to provide freight rail service between MP 0.4 and MP 3.0 of the Watsonville Branch Line in Watsonville, California.
The selected operator will furnish rolling stock, maintenance, qualified train and engine crews, supervisory and support personnel, an environmental protection program, and liability insurance. The solicitation requires compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulations, an administration and coordination license agreement, and an interchange agreement with UPRR. Proposals are due by February 6, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. PST, submitted to [email protected] or at 1101 Pacific Ave., Suite 250, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Ability to operate rail service as evidenced by experience in providing similar service (15), Experience and competence of key personnel (15), Comprehensiveness and validity of the proposed Service Plan (15), Comprehensiveness and validity of the proposed Maintenance Plans (15), Viability of proposer's Financial Plan and evidence of financial capability (15), Ability and willingness to respond to SCCRTC requirements and accessibility (15), Experience in working with FRA, CPUC, and other regulatory agencies (10)
- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Scope location
- Watsonville, CA
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is February 6, 2026. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Bella Kressman.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission in CA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Bella Kressman at (831) 460-3200. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
Show 4 more questions
What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Ability to operate rail service as evidenced by experience in providing similar service (15), Experience and competence of key personnel (15), Comprehensiveness and validity of the proposed Service Pl..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission?
All active and historical solicitations from Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission are tracked and searchable. As a special district agency, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. Review the full document from Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Watsonville, CA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.