Construction BUSINESS

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has commenced market consultation for the MetroLink civil infrastructure contract packages, writes David Keniry.

This Preliminary Market Consultation and corresponding Periodic Indicative Notice is issued for registration of interest in the MetroLink civil infrastructure contract packages comprising designated contract numbers M401, M402 and M403, together the “M400 Contracts for the design and construction of metro tunnels, underground metro stations, shafts, river and road crossings, surface and other civil works.”

This Periodic Indicative Notice is made in contemplation of the anticipated launch of a public procurement process for the appointment of three contractors pursuant to the M400 Contracts and in furtherance of the on-going market consultation in relation to the M400 Contracts. MetroLink is a new/greenfield metro railway to be built and operated in an integrated manner to provide a high speed, high capacity, high frequency, modern and efficient public transport service for people travelling along the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor in Dublin.

MetroLink will be procured by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) through four major separate public contracts as well as a series of smaller advance and enabling works contract packages addressing preparatory issues such as utility diversions. These major contracts comprise: a) the three M400 Contracts for the design and construction of the tunnels, shafts and portals, shell and core station structures (underground, retained cut and at-grade), viaducts, and related MetroLink civil infrastructure. It is anticipated that these contracts will be delivered using the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) Option C with amendments.

These works are divided into three geographical sections being a southern section (M401), central section (M402) and northern section (M403). b) a design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) contract (designated contract number M500 – the “M500 Contract”) to appoint a Service Delivery Partner (“Project Co”) who will provide certain works and the integrated operation and maintenance of the public passenger transport service.

The integrated services will include the design, supply, operation, maintenance and financing of the metro rolling stock, signalling system (at Grade of Operation 4 – an automated railway), a railway depot and maintenance facility, metro control centre building(s) together with the installation of all line-wide trackwork, overhead contact system, power and communication systems, mechanical and electrical systems including tunnel and station ventilation, people movement systems and the fit out of finishes in sixteen stations.

TII is considering the award of an early development agreement to the selected preferred tenderer for the M500 Contract to facilitate it in the role of railway systems integrator with the civil infrastructure/M400 contracts.

TII is the procuring authority for all MetroLink contracts and the contracting entity for the M400 contracts. This latest Preliminary Market Consultation and corresponding Periodic Indicative Notice is issued for registration of interest in the M400 Contracts for the purpose of receiving future market updates and possible market consultations.

Any party who is interested in participating in the market consultation is invited to express their interest by registering under this PIN. No party is restricted from registering their interest in both the M500 contract and the M400 contracts.

Issues to be raised by TII with registered participants are expected to focus on: i) the nature and terms of the proposed form of contract; ii) any interests or concerns raised by potential supply chain participants; iii) the nature and form of the expected Interface Agreement between the four major public contracts M500, M401, M402 and M403; iv) arrangements for the tender procedure; v) matters raised related to the performance of the M401, M402 and M403 contract packages that may affect the performance of the M500 Contract.

The scope of each of the three M400 civil infrastructure contracts is expected to comprise:

Contract M401 – Southern section comprising 9.6km long, single 8.5m internal diameter (9.2m external diameter) bored and concrete-lined railway tunnel, tunnel portal, emergency access and ventilation shafts and ten underground metro stations excavated at a depth of up to [35m] together with required ancillary civil and accommodation works.

Contract M402 – Central section comprising a 2.3km long, single 8.5m internal diameter (9.2m external diameter) bored and concrete-lined railway tunnel, single parallel 5.65m internal diameter bored emergency evacuation and ventilation tunnels (with cross over connections) under Dublin Airport, tunnel portals, two metro stations (one below-grade and one underground), a viaduct over the M50 motorway, earthworks and civil structures to provide a connecting rail roadway from the maintenance depot to the main metro line, together with required ancillary civil and accommodation works.

Contract M403 – Northern section comprising four metro stations in retained cutting, permanent way on surface and in retained cut, road over bridges and major viaduct crossing the Broadmeadow river, accommodation works for a temporary railhead at the terminus station at Estuary, local road diversions and upgrades, together with required ancillary civil and accommodation works.

The M400 contracts will interface with the M500 contract. The M500 Contract is expected to comprise the delivery, through a DBFOM contract with a Service Delivery Partner, of an integrated public transport passenger service for MetroLink under an availability-based DBFOM arrangement.

The scope of the M500 Contract will include the following interfaces with the scope of the three civil infrastructure contracts: the design and delivery of the station fit out works and of the mechanical and electrical plant equipment and associated services within sixteen stations within the shell and core structure that has been designed and built under the M400 contract; and the integrated operation and life-cycle maintenance of the metro system and all civil engineering structures (including as designed and constructed under the M400 Contracts) for an anticipated service period of at least 25 years following completion of the MetroLink works.

Last week, TII announced the issuance of a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN)  for the MetroLink Project Delivery Partner (PDP) contract. TII said the PIN for the PDP marks another significant milestone in the development of MetroLink, Ireland’s largest public transport infrastructure project, and sets the stage for the appointment of a partner who will play a critical role in bringing this sustainable, transformative project to life.

The Project Delivery Partner (PDP) will be a cornerstone of the integrated client organisation, tasked with managing the various MetroLink contracts that will be procured by TII. The selected PDP will provide essential professional services, including but not limited to safety management, project management, site supervision, and contract administration, tailored to each specific contract form. This role is vital in ensuring that all aspects of the MetroLink project are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality.

MetroLink will be procured through four major public contracts, along with a series of advance and enabling works packages (the M100 Contracts) designed to address preparatory issues. The major contracts include:

• M400 Contracts: Three geographical civil infrastructure contracts covering the design and construction of tunnels, shafts, portals, station structures (underground, retained cut, and at-grade), viaducts, and related civil infrastructure.
• M500 Contract: A public-private partnership (PPP) contract as a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Maintain (DBFOM) agreement. This contract will appoint a Service Delivery Partner responsible for certain works and the integrated operation and maintenance of the public passenger transport service.

TII added these contracts represent the foundation upon which MetroLink will be built, connecting communities and enhancing Ireland’s sustainable public transportation network and encourage all interested parties to participate in this consultation process and contribute to shaping the future of MetroLink.

For more information on MetroLink go to https://www.metrolink.ie/.

The delivery of MetroLink will again feature in the discussions between key stakeholders at the third European Infrastructure Conference in Dublin on November 14^th.