Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has begun the selection process of prospective bidders who have submitted tenders for major civil infrastructure packages for both the M401 and M402 MetroLink contracts.
The contracts, which represent a key milestone in the ultimate delivery of the MetroLink programme, encompass the provision of the programme’s heavy civil engineering works, and include work to implement tunnelling, track alignment preparation, create stations, and build a wide range of structures such as bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, forming the core physical infrastructure of Ireland’s first metro system.
An artist’s impression of a MetroLink station
Procurement itself begins with a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage, which constitutes the initial screening phase of the competition. Then, during the PQQ stage, a bidder’s capacity to deliver the contract is assessed before they are invited to submit a full, formal tender.
Following this, a shortlist of pre-qualified applicants will be invited to submit detailed tenders for the M401 and M402 contracts, for which the combined maximum contract value is stated to be 7.9 billion EUR (excluding VAT). Selected contractors will then be asked to prepare bids – with TII expecting the tenders to be considerably less than the Contract Notice values.
The contracts have now gone live on both the eTenders and OJEU websites.
MetroLink Programme Director, Dr. Seán Sweeney said:
The publication of the M401 and M402 contract notices marks a major milestone for the MetroLink programme and formally commences the procurement process to select prospective bidders for our major civil works. This is a significant step forward in delivering Ireland’s first metro system.
Reaching this point is the result of sustained effort and collaboration, and I want to acknowledge the leadership and support of the Minister, the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, our many stakeholders, as well as the dedication and hard work of the wider MetroLink programme team. Their commitment and expertise have been instrumental in bringing the programme to this important stage.
In accordance with the Government’s Climate Action legislation and MetroLink’s sustainability and carbon management commitments, the M400 contracts will incorporate a structured framework to ensure alignment with defined carbon targets. This approach will aim to encourage innovation in low-carbon construction methods, materials and logistics, as well as form part of the overall contract performance assessment.
The scope of each contract is as follows:
M401 – Southern Section (Charlemont to Northwood) – Contract Notice Value (excl. VAT): 4.565Billion EUR
- Bored railway tunnels, tunnel portals, evacuation/intervention shafts and ventilation shafts
- Below ground station excavations at Charlemont, St Stephen’s Green, Tara Station, O’Connell, Mater, Glasnevin, Griffith Park, Collins Avenue, Ballymun, Northwood up to 35m deep, including shell and core structure
- Required ancillary civil and accommodation works
M402 – Northern Section M402 (Northwood to Estuary) – Contract Notice Value (excl. VAT): 3.347Billion EUR
- M50 viaduct, surface route (retained cut, cut and cover) and at-grade sections (i.e. railway sections built at ground level and in shallow excavations, including some covered sections)
- Broadmeadow River Viaduct
- Estuary Station Park and Ride Facility (site preparation)
- Preparation of the Dardistown Depot site and access road
- Bored tunnels and portals, evacuation/intervention shafts
- Stations, excavations and associated logistics, including Dardistown, Fosterstown, Swords Central, Seatown, and Estuary
The procurement process for both M400 contracts, which will be conducted under EU regulations, is set to be managed by TII, who will act as the Contracting Authority and sole point of contact for applicants.
Tender competition will be comprised of two lots – Lot 1: M401 contract and Lot 2: M402 contract. It will also comprise two stages – The prequalification stage, which assesses and shortlists applicants on criteria including financial stability, technical capability and relevant experience; and the tender stage, which may involve multiple stages and begins with TII issuing tender documents to each shortlisted applicant.
All tenders submitted in the second stage will be evaluated on Compliance, Quality and Cost criteria, following which the successful contractors will be selected.
Applicants are permitted to apply for one or both lots, but can only be awarded one contract, with three applicants set to be shortlisted for each lot if sufficient parties are interested.
TII also reserves the right to shortlist the fourth highest-ranked applicant for one or both contracts.
The prequalification stage for the M400 contracts will run concurrently. The subsequent tender stage for each contract will be staggered, with the M401 contract tender stage commencing first, followed by the M402 contract tender stage a number of months later.