Lithium-Ion and Nickel-Cadmium Battery Charging, Load Testing, New Battery Supplier, Recycling and Disposal Services

Valley Metro - Transportation has issued general solicitation, solicitation 2026-RFI-100.

The purpose of this Request for Information ("RFI") is to gather technical and commercial information from manufacturers, system integrators, distributors, battery test-equipment suppliers, battery service providers, and qualified recycling and disposal providers. The information gathered through this RFI will be used to understand available technologies, services, suppliers, integration approaches, facility requirements, and lifecycle support; develop realistic budget estimates; and prepare a clear technical specification for a potential future solicitation.

Valley Metro Rail, Inc. ("Valley Metro") operates a light rail network and is exploring innovative solutions to improve battery reliability, availability, safety, maintainability, and lifecycle value by establishing repeatable testing methods, improved diagnostics, traceable historical records, practical repair and rebuilding options, and compliant recycling and disposal pathways. As Valley Metro continues to expand and modernize its transit system, the agency is evaluating technologies and services to improve the maintenance and lifecycle management of its vehicle battery systems. The fleet incorporates various battery technologies and applications, creating a need for flexible capabilities for battery charging and discharging, load and capacity testing, diagnostics, condition assessment, repair, rebuilding, and end-of-life recycling and disposal.

Responses are due October 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM MST.

Questions must be submitted by October 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM MST.

Commodity categories: Automotive Accessories For Automobiles, Buses, Trailers, Trucks, Etc.; Automotive And Trailer Equipment And Parts; Automotive And Trailer Bodies, Body Accessories, And Parts; Automotive Vehicles And Related Transportation Equipment (Including Trailers) (Effective 1-1-06 This Class Inactivated, Refer To Classes 071, 072 And 073); Automobiles, School Buses, Suvs, And Vans (Including Diesel, Gasoline, Electric, Hybrid, And All Other Fuel Types); Trucks (Including, Diesel, Gasoline, Electric, Hybrid, And Alternative Fuel Units); Mass Transportation - Transit Bus Accessories And Parts; Mass Transportation - Rail Vehicle Parts And Accessories.

Contact: Kevin Query, Procurement Manager (kquery@valleymetro.org, (602) 523-6048).

1 document is attached to the notice: ENG-TPS-003_Battery System Testing RFI.

The full solicitation document, addenda and the question-and-answer thread are on the agency's OpenGov portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/valleymetro/projects/305610. Responses are submitted electronically there, and a free vendor account is required before you can upload one.