Mexican association seeks proposals from U.S. firms for 'green locomotive' project

Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles A.C. is seeking submission of qualifications and proposal data from interested U.S. firms to provide technical assistance for a "Green Locomotive Technologies" project in Mexico, according to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

The technical assistance will help the association promote the adoption of advanced motive-power technologies throughout Mexico's freight locomotive fleet to reduce air emissions and increase fuel efficiency. The assistance involves the evaluation of the technical, economic, financial, environmental and regulatory aspects of locomotive upgrades in Mexico's freight-rail industry.

The technical assistance will focus on the latest innovations in diesel locomotives, including units that comply with stringent air emissions criteria, hybrid power locomotives and generator-set locomotives with advanced control systems. In addition, the selected firm will assess the use of advanced auxiliary power units to retrofit older locomotives, emissions control systems, idle reduction technologies, computerized remote monitoring systems, information systems and software for asset management, and voice/data communications systems.

Moreover, the technical assistance will involve an analysis of the potential development of federal and state incentive programs, and the identification of potential pilot programs in Mexico that could demonstrate the capabilities of advanced non-diesel motive-power fuels, such as liquefied natural gas.

Only U.S. firms and individuals can submit qualifications and proposals, according to the USTDA. The selected firm will be paid from a $590,358 grant the USTDA provided to the association. Proposals are due to the association by Jan. 15, 2015.

Interested firms must qualify under the USTDA's nationality requirements and must continue to meet such requirements if chosen by the association. The selected U.S. firm can use subcontractors from Mexico for up to 20 percent of the USTDA grant amount.