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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking a contractor to supply up to 620 rail cars and rehabilitate existing cars.

Yesterday, the agency's Finance, Administration and Oversight Committee issued a request for proposals for 64 new 7000 Series cars to serve the Dulles Airport rail extension. The selected bidder also would rehabilitate WMATA's 4000 Series cars, which have been in service for 25 years. The contract includes options for up to 620 rail cars; WMATA plans to use 128 of the cars for the Dulles line and the remainder to replace 1000 Series cars and expand eight-car train operations.

The base order of 64 cars will be funded through an agreement with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Funding for the remaining cars is subject to approval by the WMATA board. The new cars will feature a stainless-steel exterior and seats, and might include interactive linear maps and automated announcements.

By consolidating the contracts into one, WMATA will save nearly $500 million in design, procurement, development and engineering costs, the agency said.