A rather unusual move was yesterday to change the main conditions of the current competition. “Attica Metro”. The tender concerns its operation Metro Thessaloniki through a partnership with a private individual with a budget of 292 million euros, and the intervention concerns the way in which the potential contractor cooperates with companies with experience in such projects. The amendment apparently serves to “withdraw” the appeal filed by INTRAKAT with the Supreme Court, however, according to Attiko Metro, it is aimed at getting as many companies as possible to participate in the tender. At the same time, compensation continues to be paid to the base producer.

The tender for the operation and maintenance of the Thessaloniki Metro through a private partnership (PPP) was announced on September 2, 2022 and, after two extensions, has a final date of February 28, 2023. The duration of the contract is 11 years, of which the first year will be a preparatory period ending with the start of commercial operation of the trunk line, followed six months later by the operation of an extension to Kalamaria. All this is in the plans, since it is unlikely that a contractor will be found and that the contract will be signed before the end of the year, when Attico Metro completes the project.

Yesterday, Attico Metro posted on Prometheus (the Internet portal of electronic government contracts) a question about changing the terms of the tender. The most basic amendment concerns the way in which stakeholders interact with companies with experience in operating and maintaining metro facilities, which is a prerequisite for participation in the tender. In particular, interested parties are given the opportunity not only to enter into an agreement with a company with similar experience, but also to rely on the capabilities of such companies, regardless of the legal nature of their relationship, which is conditionally called “experience loans”. However, the interested party must certify the consent of the company that will “borrow” its experience, which, in turn, must have a stake directly or in the metro operating company.

The goal is to have as many companies as possible involved in applying for an O&M project.

OUR “K” asked Attico Metro president Nikos Tahiao., explain the change in the conditions of the competition. “Many companies interested in participating in the tender informed us that they are not metro operators themselves, but participate in operating schemes (ie a special purpose company). With this change, “experience loans” from such companies can be used. We make sure that there are no unnecessary exceptions and that as many schemes as possible enter the competition.”

Mr. Tahiaos confirms that this was also the reason for INTRAKAT’s appeal to the Council of State (the appeal was considered on 10 January). As for the remaining extensions that have so far been granted to the tender, Mr Tahiaos argues that they are related to its complexity. “Stakeholders asked for more time because this is a very difficult competition for a project that has never been done before in Greece.”

Otherwise, Attico Metro approved the 10th compensation request of the consortium building the highway (AKTOR, Webuild, Hitachi Rail). The company will pay 1.99 million euros due to the delay in the reconstruction of the Venizelos station for the period from 01/05/22 to 07/31/22.