The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology, and Communications of Bulgaria has decided to make changes to the technical specifications and selection criteria for tenders related to the supply of railway rolling stock, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Battery Locomotive

These changes were made after the cancellation of three out of four tenders announced in May and low interest from leading global manufacturers.

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The total cost of the four tenders was nearly BGN 2.8 billion without VAT (€1.43 billion). These tenders included the delivery of 35 single-deck and 7 double-deck electric trains, 20 push-pull trains, and 18 shunting locomotives.

Despite consultations with manufacturers in the previous year, major companies such as Alstom, Siemens Mobility, Hyundai Rotem, and Hitachi Rail declined to participate in the tenders.

According to local media outlet Mediapool, some railway industry experts believe that the overly detailed technical requirements for rolling stock were a key reason for low interest.

For instance, in the tender for the supply of 35 single-deck electric trains for BGN 1.1 billion without VAT (€560 million), parameters such as seat spacing, special places for bicycles, and baby strollers were extensively specified.

This led to the suspension of the procurement after Skoda Group filed a complaint with the competition commission.

The restart of the procedure with modified technical documentation is planned for early 2024.

The tender for the supply of 7 double-deck electric trains for BGN 410 million without VAT (€210 million) was also suspended due to a complaint from Stadler. The resumption of this procurement is expected after the completion of all legal procedures.

Another tender cancellation occurred due to non-compliance with the delivery terms for 20 push-pull trains.

Two companies, Talgo and CRRC, submitted their prices: Talgo proposed BGN 1.2 billion without VAT (€622 million), which is BGN 17 million (€8.7 million) higher than the initial price, while CRRC halved the price to BGN 607 million without VAT (€310 million).

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Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Gvozdev stated to Mediapool that direct negotiations with both companies are planned to improve their proposals.

A tender worth BGN 68 million without VAT (€35 million) was divided into two lots: the supply of 9 battery locomotives and 9 contact-battery electric locomotives for operation in partially electrified depots.

Bulgarian locomotive manufacturer Express Service offered a price of BGN 10.6 million without VAT (€5.4 million) for the first lot, which is 1.5 times lower than the initial price. The application is deemed compliant with all requirements, and contract procedures have already commenced.

For the second lot, the only offer of BGN 60.7 million without VAT (€31 million) came from the consortium “9 Shunter” involving Chinese CRRC and German Vossloh Rolling Stock. However, it was rejected due to non-compliance with requirements and exceeding the initial maximum price by BGN 9 million (€4.6 million).

A new tender with modified conditions is expected to be announced in early 2024.

Bulgarian press expresses concerns about potential delays in the competitive procedures that may impact funding from European funds.

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