The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors has approved a $3.5 billion Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure the Track and Systems Construction Contract (TSCC). The contract represents a major industry opportunity that seeks to deliver the first true high-speed rail track and systems in the United States, according to state officials.
The TSCC will cover design, construction and testing services for the 171-mile initial operating segment between Merced and Bakersfield. According to the RFP, the selected contractor will install the track, Overhead Contact System (OCS), traction power system, train control systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and security and supervisory control and data acquisition systems. The contract is structured to support the gradual integration of high-speed rail infrastructure already under construction across multiple Central Valley counties.
The procurement divides the TSCC into nine contract packages, each priced separately and delivered under a hybrid model that blends progressive development, collaborative delivery and schedule-driven cost management. The authority expects the selected contractor to work closely with its Track/OCS Design Services Consultant, regional stakeholders and other interface contractors to coordinate sequencing, mitigate construction conflict points and maintain operational readiness milestones. The authority says the contract structure is intended to incentivize innovation, improve communication between work groups and align production with the program’s long-range delivery strategy.
An evaluation committee will determine which TSCC contractor’s proposal best meets the criteria established in the RFP. A pre-bid conference and small business workshop will be held on Dec. 19, 2025, in Sacramento. Proposals are due March 2, 2026.
Photo by Paul IJsendoorn from Pexels
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