Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), acting on behalf of the MetroLink programme, has initiated the first stage of procurement by inviting potential bidders to participate in the tender process for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract.

The contract is structured as an availability-based Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) arrangement. It will be awarded to a single consortium responsible for delivering designated railway systems works, along with the integrated operation and maintenance of the metro passenger service (M500 Services) over 25 years. This PPP contract excludes major civil engineering and infrastructure components, such as tunnelling and enabling works. These elements are being procured separately under different delivery mechanisms as part of the broader MetroLink programme. As part of the current process, TII has issued a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to the market. This step builds on a structured series of market engagements, starting with the tendering of the Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) contract to deliver key professional services such as safety oversight, project management, and site supervision. It was followed by the launch of the M100 contract for enabling works and, earlier this year, the M400 contracts covering major civil engineering works.

The contract will cover the full lifecycle of key metro systems, including the DBFOM of rolling stock and a fully automated signalling system operating at Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4). It also includes the development of a railway depot, maintenance facilities, park-and-ride infrastructure, and metro control centre buildings. In addition, the scope encompasses all route-wide infrastructure, such as track installation, overhead line equipment, and power and communications systems. Mechanical and electrical works are also included, covering tunnel and station ventilation as well as passenger movement systems within stations. The contract further involves internal construction works within underground station structures, including partitioning and secondary civil elements, along with full fit-out and finishing works across 16 stations, both above and below ground. Urban realm improvements around these stations will also form part of the works. Beyond construction, the selected consortium will be responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of all MetroLink assets. Additionally, TII intends to enter into an Early Services Agreement with the preferred bidder to carry out preliminary services during the pre-contract phase. 

The contract packages for MetroLink are:  

• M100 series contracts: Advanced enabling works contracts, including contracts for: archaeological services; utility works; enabling and heritage works; independent monitoring and surveying services; and heavy civils advanced works , including the construction of the Dublin Airport station box
• M400 series contracts: Two, large geographical design and build contracts (M401 and M402) for the civil engineering and stations components of the scheme (i.e. the southern and northern contract packages), procured separately
• M500 contract: DBFOM contract (M500) for the design, supply, construction, operation, maintenance and financing of the metro rolling stock (GoA4), signalling system, a railway depot and maintenance facility, park and ride facility, operational control centre, installation of all line-wide trackwork, overhead contact system, power and communication and signalling systems, mechanical and electrical systems including tunnel and station ventilation, people movement systems, the fit out of finishes in sixteen stations (above and below ground) and design and construction of urban realm; and operation and maintenance of all assets comprising MetroLink.