Bismarck received three responses to the city commission's request for a facility operator for the Northern Plains Commerce Centre.

Mallory Alexander International Logistics, Midwest Motor Express/Merchandise Movers and Package Pros expressed interest in running the NPCC it was revealed at Tuesday's city commission meeting.

The city hopes to select and award a contract by March 7, announcing it at the Northern Plains Shippers Conference being held in Bismarck.

The NPCC is a city-owned intermodal freight center based mainly on railroad and truck traffic.

The commission is moving forward and gathering background information on Mallory Alexander, a global logistics company providing integrated transportation solutions. The company is headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and has been in business for 75 years.

During an executive session Tuesday, the commission discussed whether it would do background work on the other respondents.

All three companies market internationally, according to city administrator Bill Wocken. Package Pros is based in Fargo.

Midwest Motor Express is well recognized in Bismarck, having headquartered here since 1918, incorporating in 1938. The company serves 15 states. Wocken said Midwest Motor Express was working jointly with an Ohio-based company, Merchandise Movers, specializing in yard management.

Commissioner Sandi Tabor said bid openings for the construction of rails to serve the NPCC will be opened Tuesday. Plans are to have the tracks in place by June when the Bobcat facility opens.

"One thing that is happening now is a review of NPCC infrastructure," Tabor said. "We're considering whether a warehouse or a cross docking facility should be built first. The cross docking facility may prove to be the more crucial initial facility."

Hopes are to have a facility operator chosen before the decision is made. The commission will take up the discussion again in March with a facility operator to provide input on hand.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation is in the preliminary stages of developing a statewide freight plan, which according to Wocken, will help the state in its negotiations with BNSF Railways. The NPCC is expected to be an important part of the plan. City attorney Charlie Whitman is a member of the group organized by Gov. John Hoeven to develop the freight plan.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)