ITALY: State-owned passenger operator Trenitalia has invited expressions of interest by October 1 for the supply of up to 250 single-deck EMUs with an estimated total value of €2·7bn.
The FS Group subsidiary is looking to award two four-year framework agreements for EMUs to operate regional passenger services on the 3 kV DC electrified network.
Valued at €1·07bn, Lot 1 covers the supply of up to 150 ‘medium-capacity’ EMUs with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. There would be a guaranteed minimum order for 38, of which a firm contract for 19 would be placed when the framework agreement is signed. The second lot covers up to 100 ‘high-capacity’ EMUs suitable for 200 km/h operation, with a potential value of €1·62bn. This framework agreement would include a firm order for a minimum of 22 trainsets.
Two options for future maintenance are envisaged. Bidders are invited to tender for a ‘full service’ arrangement with integrated maintenance for 15 years, extendable for up to a further 10 years. Should Trenitalia decided to keep the work in house, the other option would cover the provision of spare parts for ‘scheduled and post-warranty corrective maintenance’ over a period of 23 years.
The framework agreements would each be awarded to a single company or consortium, although both could be awarded to the same company. However, Trenitalia reserves the right to reject joint bids from two or more suppliers if these could be considered anti-competitive. The agreements would initially run for 48 months, with optional extensions of up to 24 months, but there would be no provision for further renewals.
