site.btaTransport Ministry Terminates Biodiesel Trains Tender

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has officially terminated a public procurement tender for the delivery of ten new biodiesel trains, valued at EUR 248 million (BGN 485 million), excluding VAT. This information was published on January 14 in the minutes of the public procurement register of the Centralized Automated Electronic Public Procurement Information System (CAIS EOP).

The ministry planned to purchase a total of 20 biodiesel-powered passenger trains that meet the requirements for dual mobility, meaning they can also be powered by regular diesel fuel. Last July, the ministry announced a procedure for the first ten trains. When the bids were opened, it became clear that only one company had expressed interest in the order: the Slovak company ZOS Vrutky a.s., which submitted a bid worth EUR 67.5 million (approximately BGN 132 million).

In response to a BTA inquiry, the Ministry of Transport and Communications press centre said that the Public Procurement Act allows the termination of a procedure when only one bid is submitted, as was the case here. The ministry said that the reasons for the termination are related to ensuring competition and the effective use of public funds. The ministry added that it will assess the possibilities for re-opening of the tender under conditions that encourage the participation of more potential contractors.