California’s high-speed rail program has entered a pivotal phase as the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) officially begins tendering its long-anticipated Track and Systems Construction Contract (TSCC)—a package valued at up to $US 3.5 billion and central to advancing passenger operations in the Central Valley.
The authority issued its request for proposals (RFP) on November 26, kicking off a competitive procurement process that will shape the core rail systems powering California’s future high-speed network. Interested bidders will participate in a pre-bid conference and a dedicated small business workshop in Sacramento on December 19, with full proposals due by March 2, 2026.
The TSCC encompasses nearly every major systems element required for high-speed rail operations across the 190.4 km currently under construction, along with the planned extensions north to Merced and south to Bakersfield. The scope includes:
To maintain efficiency and speed, the contract is structured into nine phased packages, enabling systems work to begin immediately once civil engineering milestones are met. This allows ongoing construction progress to directly feed into tracklaying and systems installation without delay.
While the winning contractor will oversee detailed design for most systems, CHSRA has already procured standalone contracts for the design of the track structure and electrification system. Key materials—including rail, sleepers, ballast, fibre cable, masts, and contact wire—will be supplied directly by CHSRA.
This hybrid approach is crafted to streamline delivery while allowing CHSRA to control material supply and technical standards. The agency says the contract model emphasizes:
“partnering, collaboration, in-depth communication, motivation for innovation, and progressive project development of construction packages.”
CHSRA reports that tracklaying at its Kern County construction base, located at the southern end of the Central Valley Section (CVS), is now complete. The facility is being prepared to begin receiving rail and other components by train—setting the stage for rapid installation once the systems contractor is selected.
This signals a major shift from foundational civil works to the highly technical phase of building the country’s first true high-speed rail line.
CHSRA CEO Ian Choudri underscored the importance of this RFP in reshaping the state’s construction approach.
“Bringing this contract to market today is a major milestone of our new delivery strategy: building faster, smarter, and more economically,” he said.
The authority’s revised procurement framework aims to compress timelines, de-risk construction phases, and introduce tighter integration between civil engineering and rail systems installation—changes that could accelerate progress toward early service launches in the Central Valley.
As the largest systems package ever issued by the agency, the TSCC marks a crucial step toward turning years of foundational work into an operational high-speed corridor capable of delivering 200+ mph passenger service in the years ahead.
Originally reported by International Railway Journal.
