BDZ terminated the order for delivery of electric railcars BDZ-Passenger Transport terminated the tender for the supply of 16 new electric locomotives. According to the manager of the company Lyuben Nanov and the procurator Velik Tonev, the decision was made because "there is only one suitable offer, which hinders the real competition". Bids in the most expensive public procurement in the history of the state-owned company had been submitted by the well-known manufacturers Alstrom, Siemens and Stadler. It is clear from the decision of BDZ, signed on April 5, that Alstrom and Stadler did not appear on the specified date for negotiations and did not confirm their offers. The only remaining offer is from Siemens, but according to the BDZ management, in this way "the most economically advantageous offer cannot be chosen, which violates the principle of free competition." The reasons for the suspension also state that "the only bidder has offered a price exceeding the estimated value for the implementation of the public procurement". The decision also states that the public interest would be better protected when conducting a new contract in order to achieve optimal market proposals. The decision is subject to appeal within 10 days. This is the second suspension of the order with an estimated value of BGN 246.8 million without VAT (BGN 296 million with VAT). In 2020, it was suspended due to the complaint of Skoda Transport to the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) and the case in the SAC.
Source: economic.bg (07.04.2021)

BDZ claims to receive a BGN 1.5 million penalty for slow repair of railcars BDZ - Passenger Transport will claim to receive a penalty of BGN 1.5 million from Alstom for delayed repair of trains. Under the contract between the two parties, protocols for the penalty have already been issued. Transport Minister Hristo Alexiev has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with Alstrom's slow work. During a sudden inspection at the railway depots in Sofia and Iliyantsi, the Minister had reported a disapproving implementation of the contract on the project for the maintenance of the motor vehicle. At that time, there was a clear delay in the implementation of major repairs. At the moment, only the current maintenance of the trains has been made and time has been lost in a period of one year and nine months after the restoration. In December 2019, BDZ - Passenger Transport and Alstom Transport S.A. signed a five-year contract for the maintenance of 46 trains. The scope includes full current maintenance, as well as overhaul of 22 diesel and 24 electric locomotives, which costs the state company nearly BGN 137 million. The first overhauled locomotive should be ready on December 4. The Minister of Transport will check again then. Alexiev has commissioned an audit of the contract with Alstom.
Source: economic.bg (15.11.2021)