ARF announced the news in a Facebook post noting that the tender “was automatically cancelled in the public procurement system SICAP,” as no proposals had been submitted.
Following the news, ARF has launched a market consultation period to “obtain the additional elements required to update the allocation documentation” for the purchase of the trains and their maintenance. Following this, ARF will relaunch the tender.
ARF originally announced the tender for 12 hydrogen-powered trains in October 2022 with interested parties being able to submit bids until February 7, 2023. The tender was worth between €500m and €850m, financed through the post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNNR).
It included a 15-year maintenance contract, with the option to extend for a further 15 years, and hydrogen supply services. Delivery of the trains was expected before March 2026.
The trains are to be used on routes under public service contracts, on the Bucharest-Pitesti, Bucharest-Henri Conda Airport, Bucharest-Targoviste and Pitesti-Curtea de Arges non-electrified railways.
In its most recent Facebook post, ARF noted that it has published in the SEAP public procurement platform “a notice of market consultation to obtain the additional elements required to update the allocation documentation for the purchase of 12 long-term hydrogen electric frames for transportation commuter rail and a quotation for its maintenance, including a quotation for hydrogen power services required for their operation.”
ARF wrote: “Thus, through the market consultation action it is desired to obtain the following information: the delivery term for the first train, or the delivery term for the entire quantity, from signing the contract; the conditions of accessibility for persons with reduced mobility; and elements regarding the location of the maintenance warehouse/warehouses and hydrogen power station/s.
“The market consultation procedure will be held online and interested economic operators can submit their justified answers/proposals, as well as any recommendations, opinions, and suggestions to: office@arf.gov.ro, until February 20, 2023.
“Following the consultation process, the ARF will relaunch, with maximum speed, the procedure for acquiring hydrogen electric frames, in accordance with the legal provisions in force,” it added.