Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2025-12-08
Buyer: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
Country: IE
Region: IE061
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 34200000 | 50113000: Repair and maintenance services of buses | 50114000: Repair and maintenance services of trucks | 50222000 | 50224000
Estimated value:  EUR
Submission deadline: 2026-03-02

Technical requirements: This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to advise prospective suppliers of the upcoming market engagement for the possible mid-life refresh of 26 trams owned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and to invite them to participate in a pre-tender market consultation exercise. The aim of the exercise is to provide early information and gain feedback to help inform the proposed procurement and contracting strategy. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland, herein referred to as TII, is the owner of the Luas tram system. Luas operates over two main lines:  

The Green Line, which began operating on 30th June 2004, and now serves a 24.5 kilometre route from Broombridge via Sandyford to Bride's Glen. 

The Red Line, which opened on 26th September 2004, and now operates from The Point or Connolly, to Saggart or Tallaght, each route is approximately 20.7 kilometres long. 

The Green Line has seen several extensions since its original opening in 2004, from the original service from Sandyford to St Stephen's Green, to the Green Line route of today, which opened in 2017.  

The system operates on a 750V DC overhead power supply and uses the international standard track gauge of 1,435mm. 

The Green Line is served by 26 Citadis 402 trams, which entered service in 2009, seven Citadis 502 variants, which were procured for use on the St. Stephen's Green to Broombridge line, entering service in 2018, and eight further 502 units, which entered service in 2020.  

Between 2019 and 2021, all 26 Citadis 402 trams were lengthened to match the Citadis 502 formation, resulting in a tram length of 55 metres. Each tram comprises 9 cars and 5 bogies. The trams are low floor throughout. 

Owing to the strong reliability performance of these vehicles, TII intends to operate the fleet until at least 2040. To support this objective, and to ensure a consistent and high-quality customer experience across the network, TII intends to commission a mid-life refresh of 26 Citadis 402 vehicles to address wear and tear and adopt minor equipment upgrades.  

TII anticipates that development and validation (1 x LRV for process development and 1 x LRV for process validation) work will be undertaken at a suitable facility away from Luas, due to lack of suitable space in Luas facilities. The work on the remainder of the fleet can then be undertaken at a Luas owned facility where space will have become available, unless the supplier can demonstrate value to TII in continuing the works at the supplier’s facility. 

The mid-life refresh works will comprise: 

Minor Corrosion Repair: This is mostly around the headstocks, gangways and jacking points, with the expected scope of work to include removal of corrosion, anti-corrosion treatment, and recoating rather than heavy material replacement. 

Interior Improvements: Including the replacement or repair of grab poles and grab rails, upholstery, floor covering, and some interior painting. 

Exterior Lighting Upgrade: New headlights and fog lights and replacement of the associated wiring. 

Component Replacement: Including gangway bearings, roof fairing mudflap brackets, air-conditioning ducts, and bellows. 

Exterior Bodywork: Exterior repainting to remove scuffs and damage below the window line. 

In relation to the estimated value, TII will use this market engagement to ascertain the potential value of the services.