Volume 45 - Issue 20- May 14, 2026

(Published in the Kansas Register May 14, 2026.)

Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Request for Proposals

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal to complete the below scope of work for the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (KORR).

Scope of Work

This is to be a lump sum bid to provide Watco a facility as detailed in the plans and specifications. Neither Watco nor its engineer are responsible for the quantities provided to the contractor as they are for information only to assist the contractor in the preparation and analysis of his bid. Watco makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or completeness of the quantities provided. All material and work effort will be ancillary to the provided quantities and is solely the responsibility of the successful bidder. Watco provides quantity amounts for pricing assistance and general project value information only. Please note the new siding tracks must be installed at the DRNT or destressed in accordance with Watco CWR policy.

Item	Description	Unit	Approx. Qty.
Site Preparation
201	Mobilization/demobilization	LS	1
202	Contractor performance, payment bonds, and insurance	LS	1
203	SWPPP (Permit and erosion control maintenance)	LS	1
204	Furnish and install ditch checks	EA	15
205	Furnish and install silt fence	LF	3380
206	Furnish and install construction entrance	EA	2
207	Clearing and grubbing (removal of all organics)	AC	2.73
208	Tree removal (including haul off and stump removal)	AC	1.58
209	Excavation to embankment	CY	113
210	Excavation to waste (including haul off)	CY	1694
211	Ditch regrading (grade to drain, improve site drainage)	LF	300
212	Furnish and install geotextile grid	SY	10700
213	Furnish and install KDOT base material (EB-3) (2TN/CY)	TN	4640
214	Seeding	AC	1
Track Work
501	Unload Watco supplied material (includes inventorying and safe storage)	LS	1
502	Remove track (includes disassembly and stockpile)	LF	240
503	Construct track (includes skeletonization, ballast placement, surface, lining, tamping, and destressing)	LF	5422
504	Assemble, thermite weld, and install 115#, #12 RH insulated turnout in curfew (Includes installation of trans. rails, all ballast placement, surfacing, lining, and tamping)	EA	1
505	Assemble, thermite weld, and install 115#, #12 LH turnout in curfew (Includes installation of trans. rails, all ballast placement, surfacing, lining, and tamping)	EA	1
506	Assemble, thermite weld, in place 115#, #12 LH turnout	EA	1
507	Assemble, thermite weld, in place 115#, #12 RH turnout	EA	1
508	Install derails	EA	4

Minimum Requirements

MSA and Roadway Worker Protection

Contractors must complete, and have on file, a current Master Services Agreement with KORR Railroad prior to starting work. Prior to submitting a proposal:

• Contractors shall always comply with all parts of 49 CFR Part 214 and 219 regarding FRA Roadway Worker Safety. Workers and equipment shall remain clear of the track unless they have gained Roadway Worker Protection from a qualified person.
• Contractor, contractor employees, agents, and/or subcontractors must be enrolled and comply with the FRA 219 approved drug testing program.
• Any subcontracted work will need to be approved by the KORR Railroad prior to any work starting.
• All contractors will be required to complete Watco Contractor Orientation at https://watcocontractor.com/. Any contractor who was previously enrolled in e-SHORTLINE with Watco in the past, will be required to complete the Watco Contractor Orientation. A RWIC qualified roadway worker must be on site at all times. This qualification can be obtained through the Watco contractor website.

Work Windows

Impact to current railroad operations must be kept to a minimum. When work must take place that causes an active track to be taken out of service for the purposes of performing work that pertains to the project, the contractor must pre-arrange a defined work window with the railroad. Contractor can expect 1-day windows for the switch cut ins. This topic will be further discussed during the pre-proposal meeting, as operations may change.

Standards

All standards referenced by the project plans and specifications, as well as all applicable AREMA standards must be upheld during all phases of the project work, unless certain standards are excluded from the project with written approval by the KORR Railroad. All rails shall be Installed at standard gauge of 56-1/2”.

Submittals

The following documents shall be submitted by the contractor as part of the project at the times listed:

• Schedule of Work – Submitted with proposal.
• Certificate of Insurance – Submitted prior to construction.
• Safety Plan – Submitted prior to construction.
• Proof of Roadway Worker Training – Submitted prior to construction.

Other Responsibilities

• Permits – Contractor is responsible for all federal, state, and local permits required for the work. Additional permit information will be covered at the pre-proposal meeting.
• Utilities – Contractor is responsible to locate and protect site utilities.
• Site Clean-up – Contractor is responsible for proper site restoration and proper disposal of materials, trash, containers, etc., must be disposed of in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws.

Insurance

Contractor shall purchase required coverage and submit for verification a Certificate of Insurance.

Materials

All materials shall meet the requirements found in the project plans and/or specifications as well as applicable AREMA requirements. Material storage is granted on railroad right of way to the contractor. However, no materials shall be stored closer than 15’ feet from the centerline of any active track at any time. Material and equipment laydown areas and reclaimed materials stockpiling locations shall be discussed and further clarified at the pre-proposal meeting. All removed materials will be disposed of accordingly by the contractor unless otherwise arranged with the KORR Railroad.

Non-Project Areas

The KORR Railroad has secured access to the project through the railroad right of way. Other access may be obtained by the contractor if he/she so chooses. All areas (public, private and railroad right of way) that are used for access to the project, including parts of the railroad right of way which have no proposed work, shall be maintained and/or remediated, incidental to the project, by the contractor to the satisfaction of the property owner if any damage to these areas occurs.

Pre-Proposal Meeting

The KORR Railroad (Watco) shall hold a pre-proposal meeting at 10:00 a.m. May 21, 2026, to address any questions or clarify any portions of the project tasks. Please reach out to Herb Lamkin for specific meeting details.

Project Completion

It is expected the contractor must start construction no later than 60 days after being awarded the bid (dependent upon material deliveries) and complete the project within an agreed upon timeline. Prior to the completion of the project, there will be a 3rd party final inspection. If there are any issues with the quality of work, the contractor will be responsible for fixing any issues found at cost to them.

Submission of a Proposal

All proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. June 5, 2026. All submitted proposals shall be reviewed by the KORR Railroad. Please ensure your proposal includes all required information. All late or incomplete proposals shall be rejected. The structure of your proposal must be able to be clearly understood, all proposals shall provide the following line items and provide costs as required below:

Provide a total sum of all line items on the proposal:

• Mobilization and Demobilization – Lump sum.
• Labor (install) for each line item; include all applicable taxes.
• RRPL Insurance – Lump sum.

For further information or questions regarding the Request for Proposals or submittal of a proposal, please contact:

• Herb Lamkin, KORR Roadmaster, at hlamkin@watco.com; phone 316-215-4080.
• Cody McGee, Division Engineer, at cody.mcgee@watco.com; phone 217-855-4107.

Work Reporting

Daily work reports must be filled out and submitted to Herb Lamkin – KORR Roadmaster, Cody McGee – Division Engineer. Those reports should include updates to project schedules, any delays and/or changes in the scope of work. A detailed summary report must be submitted upon the completion of the project.

Cody McGee
Division Engineer
Watco

Doc. No. 054161