Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail IM GSM-R Call Monitoring Solution

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail IM GSM-R Call Monitoring Solution not stated not disclosed not stated Utilities Directive 1 Ireland 8 years + 2+2+2 years extension 2026-10-06T12:00:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail (IE) requires an automated drive-testing and RF monitoring solution for its national GSM-R mobile network. This solution aims to eliminate the need for IE Telecoms personnel to travel on trainsets with monitoring equipment. The core requirement is for a GSM-R Modem and associated hardware, software, or firmware. This system must interface with the modem and provide an HTTP REST API for end-users.

The solution can be integrated with existing IE hosted servers, which utilise NodeJS applications, InfluxDB, and Grafana for data recording and visualisation. Alternatively, the solution can be hosted on a supplier-provided cloud-based platform accessible by IE. Specific technical details will be provided to pre-qualified companies at the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage.

The contract duration is for 8 years, with options for three additional 2-year extensions at IE's discretion.

3. Background & buyer context

Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail operates a national GSM-R mobile network, primarily for driver to CTC communications, using Siemens Mobility on-board equipment. This network is currently operational on the DART network, with a national rollout planned for 2026 across the rest of IE's fleets. The current method of monitoring and drive-testing involves IE Telecoms personnel travelling on trainsets with equipment, which is described as onerous and time-consuming. This procurement seeks to introduce an automated solution to improve efficiency and reduce resource strain. The procurement is governed by the Utilities Directive (2014/25/EU) and the European Union (Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) Regulations 2016.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum qualification criteria to proceed:

• Turnover requirement: A minimum average annual turnover of €100,000 (exclusive of VAT) for the last three audited financial year ends. Evidence required includes signed auditor's statements and audited accounts. Reliance on parent company or sub-contractor resources for this criterion is permitted, subject to specific declarations and proof of resource availability.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender at the PQQ stage.
• Certifications:
• ISO 9001:2015 certification or equivalent, or confirmation of an existing application for such certification from an accredited body.
• ISO 45001:2018 certification or equivalent, or a summary of the applicant's Safety Management System.
• ISO 14001:2015 certification or equivalent, or documentary evidence of environmental processes including an Environmental Policy, operating procedures, approach to environmental risk management, and pollution prevention/emergency response procedures.
• Past experience: Applicants must provide three examples of relevant current or completed contracts within the past 5 years. Contracts must be for GSM or similar monitoring solutions. At least two references must demonstrate capability in providing a similar RF monitoring service.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender at the PQQ stage.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender at the PQQ stage.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The selection criteria for pre-qualification are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis for minimum qualification criteria. For the technical/professional ability stage (following pre-qualification), the following weighting applies:

A scoring methodology from 1 (40%) to 5 (100%) is used for each criterion, with defined descriptions for each score level.

6. Submission requirements

The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) must be completed and submitted via the e-tenders portal. Key submission components include:

• Questionnaire: Duly completed in the prescribed form, covering Parts 1-9 and relevant Appendices. All electronic copies must be in PDF format.
• Part 1: Applicant Details and General Information, including consortium and sub-contractor details.
• Part 2: Declaration re Minimum Qualification Criteria.
• Part 4: Technical/Professional Ability: Relevant Experience.
• Part 5: Technical Resources & Qualifications.
• Part 6: Quality Management Systems.
• Part 7: Health & Safety.
• Part 8: Environmental Management Systems & Sustainability.
• Part 9: Declaration of Eligibility.
• Appendices: Compliance with Appendix 2 (Consortium Requirements) and Appendix 3 (Sub-Contractors) where applicable.
• Appendix 4: Applicant’s Statement of Confirmation.
• Supporting Documentation: Evidence of turnover (auditor's statements, audited accounts), ISO certifications or equivalent, organisational chart, and details of environmental processes where applicable.
• Declarations: Declaration of Eligibility for the Applicant, all consortium members, and any sub-contractors or third parties relied upon for resources.

7. Key dates & process

The procurement process is two-stage: pre-qualification (this PQQ) and tender.

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for 8 years, with options for three additional 2-year extensions at IE's discretion. The form of contract will be issued with the Invitation to Tender (ITT) to shortlisted applicants. Shortlisted tenderers will be required to possess and produce a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland at the time of contract award. Sub-contracting is permitted for part of the obligations only, and any sub-contracting requires the sole discretion and consent of IE. Changes to consortium members or sub-contractors must be notified to IE and will be assessed against selection criteria.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The procurement is governed by the Utilities Directive, which may have specific procedural requirements compared to standard public procurement. The PQQ is a re-issued document, suggesting potential prior issues or refinements. The reliance on GSM-R technology, which is being superseded by Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) in some regions, could represent a long-term risk, although this tender focuses on the current GSM-R network. The contract length of 8 years plus extensions is substantial, requiring long-term commitment and financial stability from bidders. The requirement for specific ISO certifications (9001, 45001, 14001) or equivalent evidence indicates a focus on quality, safety, and environmental management.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with specialised expertise in GSM-R technology, RF monitoring, and data integration. The minimum turnover requirement of €100,000 per annum suggests that very small businesses may struggle to meet this threshold independently. However, SMEs can form consortia or rely on sub-contractors to meet financial and technical criteria. The technical experience requirement for GSM or similar monitoring solutions, with a focus on RF monitoring, will narrow the field to specialist providers. Bid preparation effort is likely moderate to high, given the detailed PQQ requirements and the need to provide evidence for multiple selection criteria, including management systems and past experience. The Pwin signal is unclear as no incumbent is named, and the tender is re-issued.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [9719 PQQ.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided text, but typically managed via the eTenders portal.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [9719 PQQ.docx] (The main Pre-Qualification Questionnaire document)
• Appendix 1: The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire to be Completed
• Appendix 4: Applicant’s Statement of Confirmation Enclosing the Completed Questionnaire