A TENDER to supply 63 new LRVs has been launched with the publication of an invitation to participate by Metropolitan Area Transport, the successor to Helsinki City Transport (HKL).

The new LRVs are intended to replace vehicles dating from the 1970s and 1980s, and provide rolling stock for new extensions to the Helsinki light rail network.

The tender notice says that the new LRVs must be attractive to passengers, offer high availability and be “well adapted” to operation in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Metropolitan Area Transport is procuring 30 Type A LRVs, which will be unidirectional vehicles to operate on the inner-city network in Helsinki.

It is also looking to acquire 33 Type B LRVs, which will be bi-directional with a driver’s cab at each end for operation on new lines in Helsinki and Vantaa as well as existing routes outside of Helsinki city centre.

Amongst the technical and professional references that bidders have to supply is experience of supplying LRVs capable of operating in temperatures from -25°C to +35°C on track ranging from 880mm to 1100mm in gauge.

Bidders must also have previously supplied LRVs mounted on pivoting bogies with conventional wheelsets where both wheels are connected to each other by a rigid axle. The reference LRVs should be between 27m and 35m in length and have a maximum service speed of at least 70km/h.

The contract will also include all spare parts, technical support and supplier services, training, documentation, specialised tools and virtual and physical mock-ups.

Metropolitan Area Transport reserves the right to make additional purchases under options for up to 40 Type A and up to 80 Type B LRVs.

The is also a technical option known as B+, for Type B LRVs capable of operating for 1km without catenary and able to achieve full performance when drawing power at 400kV dc from the overhead supply. The tender notice says that detailed performance of the B+ LRV will be defined during the negotiation phase.

Under the negotiated tendering procedure, a maximum of four bidders are invited to negotiate. The tender notice says that conducting negotiations with an unlimited number of bidders would significantly complicate the tender process.

If there are fewer than four suitable bidders, the contracting entity may continue the procedure by inviting all bidders who meet the criteria of the invitation to participate.

The estimated value of the contract, including all options, is €1.6bn. The purchase agreement will be valid for ordering additional LRVs for 10 years from signing. The support agreement will run for 30 years after the expiry of the general warranty of the last LRV to be delivered and will include two five-year extension options.

The deadline for requesting additional information is October 24.

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