The winner will be chosen on the basis of the bid which offers the lowest fare in economy class between Rio and São Paulo in relation to the maximum rate set of Reais 0.49/kilometre (27 US cents/km).
The cost of the project is estimated at Reais 33.1 billion ($US 18.5 billion). Brazil's National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) will provide funding of up to Reais 19.9 billion. The government will be responsible for land acquisition and preliminary release of environmental licenses worth Reais 3.4 billion. These funds will be incorporated in a new state-owned company called Etav, which will have a minority stake in the consortium that will build and operate the new line.
The winning bidder will have to build a minimum of nine stations on the line, of which two will be in Rio (Leopoldina and Tom Jobim International Airport), three in São Paulo (Aparecida, Guarulhos International Airport and Campo de Marte) and two in Campinas (Viracopos Airport and the city centre).