Refurbished and Used Boxcar Request for Information

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Subject: Refurbished and Used 50-Foot Railway Boxcars
Issuing Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center RFI Reference No.: RFI-DOT-VOLPE-2026-001
Date of Issuance: October 7, 2026
Response Due Date: October 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

1. Purpose and Objective

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), Cambridge, MA, 02142, is conducting market research to determine the availability of refurbished and used boxcars. These boxcars are needed to safely transport ammunition and explosives in compliance with strict military safety regulations. This RFI notice does not constitute a solicitation and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government will not pay for any effort expended in responding to this notice.

2. Equipment Description: 50-Foot Boxcars

Option 1 – Refurbished Boxcars: Multiple general purpose refurbished 50-foot standard railway boxcars with wood floors and wood lined steel walls with a minimum load capacity of 70-tons. The gross load on rail shall not exceed 263,000 pounds or 65,750 pounds per axle. Cars shall be built to Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards, mechanical designation XM and car type B314 or equal. The cars should have a minimum remaining life of 30-years according to AAR. Option 2 – Used Boxcars: Multiple general purpose used 50-foot standard railway boxcars with wood floors and wood lined steel walls with a minimum load capacity of 70-tons. The gross load on rail shall not exceed 263,000 pounds or 65,750 pounds per axle. Cars shall have all major systems functional including doors that are operable without the aid of mechanical assistance, brakes, couplers, etc. and be able to meet Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards for mechanical designation XM and car type B314 or equal.

3. Documents of Reference and Compliance

The railroad boxcars must satisfy all the following documents in effect at the time of this procurement:

Association of American Railroads (AAR) Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices AAR Interchange Rules
The Official Railway Equipment Register
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49, Transportation
AAR Rules Governing Closed Car/Trailer/Container Freight Loading Methods Part 1, Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A53
American Welding Society (AWS) D15.1