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High-Speed Rail CEO outlines 2026 priorities: track-and-systems contract, MATOC/IDIQ strategy and $1B funding
Summary
CEO Ian Choudri told the board the Authority will pursue track-and-systems contracting in May, advance IDIQ/MATOC procurement approaches to speed delivery, and continue work on legislative fixes; he noted a $1 billion appropriation to support near-term work and announced three new executive hires.
CEO Ian Choudri used the April 29 board meeting to outline program priorities for 2026 and to introduce three executive hires.
Choudri said the Authority will bring the major track‑and‑systems contract to the board in May and is pursuing procurement reforms — including IDIQ and MATOC approaches and on‑ramp/off‑ramp controls — to shorten procurement lead times. "We will come to the board for approval for the track and systems contract in May," Choudri said, calling it "the next biggest thing" on the project schedule.
Choudri also listed near‑term items the Authority is pursuing with the legislature and administration: a CEQA exemption for certain renewable energy sites, streamlining third‑party permitting, and potential updates to SB 198 to enable infrastructure investment beyond Merced–Bakersfield if private investors participate. He cautioned that unresolved third‑party utility scheduling could add 7–9 percent to program costs per year of delay.
The CEO noted a recent appropriation of $1 billion to support the program in the near term and described MATOC/IDIQ as tools to prequalify firms and speed task‑order procurement once firms are vetted. Chief of Contracting Emily Morrison described oversight controls: annual A&E qualification updates, an ordering guide, and a draft ordering guide submitted to the Office of Inspector General for review prior to executing MATOC.
Choudri introduced Christine Ciccotti (general counsel), Marilyn Norris (chief of safety and security) and Antonio Buelna (chief of infrastructure maintenance), each of whom briefly described relevant experience.
Why it matters: Moving to IDIQ/MATOC and prequalifying firms is the Authority's approach to accelerate construction procurement while aiming to preserve competition and allow faster issuance of task orders to meet an ambitious delivery schedule.
Next steps: The Authority plans to present the track and systems contract in May, finalize ordering guides prior to MATOC/A&E execution, and provide the board with recommendations on delegation of authority and procurement governance.
