ETCS fitment for VR-Group Plc's Rolling stock / Invitation to participate

The European Train Control System (ETCS) is a part of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) which is a European signalling and speed control system that ensures interoperability of the national railway systems. The goal of this procurement is to retrofit VR-Group Plc’s (later “purchaser” or “VR” or “contracting entity”) rolling stock with the ETCS system. The rolling stock to which the ETCS system is installed is specified in more detail below and in Annex 1 of this contract notice (Preliminary description of the procurement) and during the procurement procedure. The procurement includes among others the purchase of the material (hardware, software and other material), design, installation, testing, commissioning, homologation, documentation, training, spare parts and support for the ETCS systems as specified in more detail during the procurement procedure. The procurement may also include the maintenance of the systems. The scope of the contract does not include the Pre-FRMCS network devices (Multichannel routers) which will, according to current knowledge, be procured and provided by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA). However, the selected ETCS supplier must, as part of the scope of the contract, implement the necessary interface between the EVC and the Pre-FRMCS network device (Multichannel router). Additionally, the ETCS supplier must install the Pre-FRMCS network devices (Multichannel routers) to the rolling stock, and also provide and install the necessary antennas, cables, and connectors. The obligations of the ETCS supplier will be defined in more detail during the procurement procedure. The procurement shall include the STM (Specific Transmission Module) related to the ETCS system as defined in the Preliminary description of the procurement and later during the procurement procedure. The basic scope of the contract includes retrofitting the following rolling stock units with the ETCS system: 30 Sr1 locomotives, 42 Edo steering cars and 4 Sm6 electric multiple units. The other rolling stock types and units are in the procurement as options. The procurement covers also four (4) different options which are the following: 1) Option 1: Equipping the optional Sr1 rolling stock units with the ETCS System. Optional Sr1 rolling stock units belonging to option 1 consist of 40 units of Sr1 locomotives. The option may be used in whole or in part. 2) Option 2: Equipping the optional Sr2 rolling stock units with the ETCS System. Optional Sr2 rolling stock units belonging to option 2 consist of 35 units of Sr2 locomotives. The option may be used in whole or in part. 3) Option 3: Equipping the optional Sm3 rolling stock units with the ETCS System. Optional Sm3 rolling stock units belonging to option 3 consist of 15 units of Sm3 electric multiple units. The option may be used in whole or in part. 4) Option 4: Equipping the optional Sm4 rolling stock units with the ETCS System. Optional Sm4 rolling stock units belonging to option 4 consist of 30 units of Sm4 electric multiple units. The option may be used in whole or in part. The preliminary scope of the procurement is described in more detail in Annex 1 of the contract notice (Preliminary description of the procurement) and will be defined in more detail during the procurement procedure. The description is preliminary and may change during the procurement procedure. Final description of the procurement and all contract terms will be specified during the procurement procedure in the final invitation to tender. This procurement relates to the national Digirail project in which the railway infrastructure will be updated in Finland to fulfil the ETCS requirements. Digirail project covers the entire state-owned railway network in Finland and the aim is that the track-side ERTMS equipment will be constructed and deployed in different phases during the years 2028-2040. The current aim is for the purchaser to start commercial traffic on Finland's first commercial ETCS track sections in 2029-2030. Operation on the later track sections will be started after that. The delivery schedules of the ETCS systems will be adapted to these schedules in order to enable the purchaser’s commercial traffic. Please however note that these schedules are preliminary and may change during the procurement procedure. As the procurement relates to the national Digirail project changes in the scope, requirements and schedule of the procurement are possible and may be necessary also due to changes and requirements related to the national Digirail project. The schedule of the procurement will be defined during the procurement procedure. The preliminary aim of the contracting entity is that the procurement contract could be signed by the end of Q1 2026. This schedule may however change. In order to secure compliance with the requirements of the procurement, the candidates are urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with all the documents included in the procurement notice. For clarity, these documents are the following: 1) The procurement notice published in hankintailmoitukset.fi and ted.europa.eu. This notice is also referred to as the contract notice. 2) The invitation to participate which can be found in the electronic tendering system. This document includes relevant information regarding the procurement. 3) ESPD document which contains the suitability requirements for the tenderers 4) Annex 1 Preliminary description of the procurement 5) Annex 2 Reference form for giving information on the required references Documents 2-5 can be found in the electronic tendering system (also known as the “Supplier Portal”). All information shall be taken into account when submitting the requests to participate.