Background on the Agency and Its Relevance
The Agencia Reguladora de Transporte Ferroviario (ARTF) is a Mexican regulatory body responsible for overseeing railway transportation in the country. Under the leadership of Andrés Lajous, ARTF has been instrumental in modernizing Mexico’s railway infrastructure and ensuring efficient, safe, and reliable passenger services.
Overview of the Public Tender
ARTF has recently published a draft call for a public international open tender to acquire 47 passenger trains. These trains will serve three key routes: Mexico-Querétaro, Querétaro-Irapuato, and Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo. Interested companies have until September 29 to submit technical comments regarding the tender.
Tender Details
- Total trains to be purchased: 47
- Routes served:
- Mexico-Querétaro
- Querétaro-Irapuato
- Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo
- Technical comment submission deadline: September 29
- Official tender publication expected during the first half of October, with a tentative announcement of the decision on November 19 (assuming an initial clarification meeting).
Train Specifications
The tender comprises two categories of trains:
- Long-distance trains (33 units): Capacity for 300 passengers.
- Short-distance trains (14 units): Capacity for up to 700 passengers.
Previous Tenders and Relevant Companies
ARTF’s previous tender for 15 trains on the Mexico-Pachuca route was successfully awarded to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive and México Railway Transportation Equipment for 5,846.4 million pesos in September 2021.
For this new tender, companies showing interest include:
- CAF México: A Spanish multinational company specializing in rail transportation solutions.
- Alstom Ferroviaria México: Another Spanish company currently developing rolling stock for the Tren Maya project.
Evaluation Criteria and Process
ARTF has outlined the evaluation criteria for this tender:
- Technical proposal: Up to 65% of the total score
- Economic proposal: Up to 35% of the total score
- Minimum technical proposal score required for consideration: 48.75 points
The technical evaluation will consider:
- Compliance with required aspects for rolling stock
- National content
- Train lifespan (minimum 30 years)
In case of a tie, the contract will be awarded to the lowest bidder according to ARTF’s discretion.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this public tender? ARTF aims to purchase 47 passenger trains for three key routes in Mexico.
- What are the train specifications? 33 trains will have a capacity of 300 passengers for long-distance routes, while 14 trains will accommodate up to 700 passengers for short-distance routes.
- When is the deadline to submit technical comments? September 29
- Which companies have shown interest in this tender? CAF México and Alstom Ferroviaria México have expressed their interest.
- What are the evaluation criteria? Technical proposal (up to 65%) and economic proposal (up to 35%) with a minimum technical score of 48.75 points for consideration.
