Publication Reference: EuropeAid/124429/D/WKS/BG
QUESTIONS
SUBMITTED BY POTENTIAL TENDERERS
In accordance with the appropriate tender procedure, questions concerning the Tender Documents have been submitted by Companies/Consortia/Joint Ventures after the mandatory Information meeting held in Sofia on 28.02.2007.
All the questions are quoted as received and no corrections of spelling or grammar errors have been made.
The enumeration of the questions is a continuation of the lists of questions already answered (published on the EuropeAid website, as well as on the website of the Contracting Authority).
Question 125
Ref. Vol. 3, part 3, par. 16.1 - General: " The Train Control Sysytem provided by the Contractor shall include:
a. …….
b. On-Board equipment (only the specialized rolling stocks property of NRIC are subject to the project) "
1. It is not clear what does it mean "only the specialized rolling stocks property of NRIC are subject to the project". Could you please clarify?
2. It is not clear how many rolling stock and which type and/or series of rolling stocks are included in contractor's scope of work. Could you please clarify?
3. It is not clear if the engines of the above mentioned rolling stocks are diesel or electrical. Could you please clarify?
4. It is not clear the value of battery voltage. Could you please clarify?
5. It is not clear if they already have an on-board signalling system installed. If so, will the contractor replace the existing one with the new one?
6. It is not clear where the specialized rolling stocks property of NRIC are recovered and it is also not clear if the the tenderer will be able to make a site inspection before the foreseen deadline. Could you please clarify?
7. It is not clear if the contracting authority will supply to the contractor the necessary drivers to move the rolling stocks inside the site area and along the line for testing and commissioning phases. Could you please clarify?
8. It is not clear if the contracting authority will give to the contractor for free an area in which to perform the required works on the rolling stocks. If so it is not clear if in such an area the contracting authority will allow the contractor to use the site facilities (power supply, forced air, etc.) Could you please clarify?
9. It is not clear if the contracting authority will give to the contractor for free on site an area to stock the equipment and to establish a provisional office. Could you please clarify?
Answer
Refer to the answer to question 17.
Question 126
Ref. Vol. 5, part 1 - General: the available plans regards stations of Plovdiv only. Are the plans of the other stations included in the contractor's scope of work available? Could you please clalify?
Answer
As it is a Design-Build Contract, the Contractor shall make his own investigations and shall make the required assumptions/calculations in his designs and shall implement the particular design solutions (including for the signalling and telecom rooms in the stations), subject to the approval procedures and in observation of the requirements as included in the Contract and of the regulations in force.
Question 127
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.1.5 Ease of ensuring compatibility with other systems and equipment
What type of systems and equipment do you mean?
Train detection equipment standardised for use in NRIC network
What are the NRIC network standards related/applicable to the axle counter system?
Answer
It is clear that the Contractor shall deliver and install multi-section axle counters which shall be compatible with all the other systems and equipment within the scope of this Contract and also with the electrification systems. These axle counters shall be in accordance with the European standards in force and also with Regulation No. 58 dated 02.08.2006 for the rules for technical operation, the traffic of the trains and the signaling in the railway transport.
Question 128
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.1.6 The provision of axle counters shall incorporate all necessary requirements and additional equipment to achieve compatibility with all interfacing systems /equipment.
What type of interface systems/equipment do you mean? At what type of system the Axle Counter has to interface with?
Answer
As it is a Design-Build Contract, the Contractor shall make his own investigations and shall make the required assumptions/calculations in his designs and shall implement the particular design solutions (including for the interface with the systems to which the axle counters shall submit information about the state of the controlled sections), subject to the approval procedures and in observation of the requirements as included in the Contract and of the regulations in force.
Question 129
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.2.8 The axle counters system shall be designed to function correctly, with the required integrity and reliability, in railway line sections with train speed up to 200 km/h and with electric traction 25 kV, 50 Hz AC;
What is the minimum length of a section?
Answer
Refer to Corrigendum No. 1 to the Tender Documents, Sub-Clause 2.7.
Question 130
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.2.13 C. The axle counters system shall be designed to ensure reliable and safe operation for the range of rolling stock characteristics;
What is the range of rolling stock characteristics? There are differences about the wheels geometry?
Answer
The operation of the counter contacts shall not depend on the wheel diameter, as well as on its geometry.
Question 131
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.2.15 Axle counter equipment shall be capable of being directly interfaced to the control system and provide appropriate processing of detection counts, compatible with control system processing and in accordance with the system design.
What is the control system? What is the information does it need? In which time does it need the information? What is the interface utilized to connect the Axle Counter with?
Answer
As it is a Design-Build Contract, the Contractor shall make his own investigations and shall make the required assumptions/calculations in his designs and shall implement the particular design solutions (including for the systems, the information to be exchanged, the interface with the systems to which the axle counters shall submit information about the state of the controlled sections, etc.), subject to the approval procedures and in observation of the requirements as included in the Contract and of the regulations in force.
Question 132
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.2.16 On single lines and those double lines identified as requiring bi-directional operation, train detection equipment shall be capable of being adapted to bi-directional operation and shall provide direction of travel information, whenever required by the system design.
We understand that the Axle Counter itself shall be capable of being adapted to bi-directional operation and the interlocking shall provide direction of travel information. Is our understanding correct?
Answer
The direction of travel of the trains shall be automatically recognized.
Question 133
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.2.17 Where applicable, the train detection equipment to be used shall conform to the requirements of MoT and NRIC Instructions and Regulations. The Contractor may propose the use of alternative standards, for the acceptance of The Engineer. The relevant Beneficiary authority shall approve the each new standard.
What are the requirements of MoT and NRIC Instructions and Regulations related/applicable to the axle counter system?
Answer
Refer to the answer to question 127.
Question 134
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.2.26 The removal of a reading head shall be detected and indicated to the CTC dispatcher.
Does the removal of the reading head to provoke the related section occupancy?
Answer
Refer to Corrigendum No. 1 to the Tender Documents, Sub-Clause 2.5.
Question 135
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.3.1 Train detection equipment and systems shall be so designed as to be fully compatible with all other equipment and systems (including rolling stock) in conjunction with which, or in the vicinity of which, they shall operate. This shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. Operational compatibility with existing signalling systems and equipment, which will be in operation temporarily, or permanently;
b. Functional compatibility;
c. Electromagnetic compatibility, during operation, under both normal and fault conditions.
What are the Electromagnetic regulations?
Answer
The requirements of EN 50121-4 shall be observed.
Question 136
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.3.3 The Contractor shall undertake the necessary measures to ensure that the train detection system operates safely and reliably in the presence of any surges, noise, radio interference, permanent or transient harmonics in the traction current during normal operation and under fault conditions.
What type (in term of bandwidth, duration, amplitude, ect.) of surges, noise, radio interference are involved? Are they compliant with the EN 50121-4?
Answer
The parameters as referred to in the question shall be in accordance with EN 50121-4.
Question 137
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.3.6 The area of the detector starting-up shall not be more than 200 mm at both sides of the detector.
What is the sensible shape around the detector?
Answer
The wheel flange shall not act upon the detector at a distance larger than 200mm.
Question 138
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.3.7 Electric spark discharges with amplitude 2 to 4 kV-50 Hz at a distance up to 2 m from the equipment shall not cause failure and malfunction of the equipment.
On which element of the system has this test to be done? We understand that the test is related to the outdoor detector? Is our understanding correct?
Answer
The requirement as referred to in the question shall be applied for the outdoor equipment.
Question 139
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.4.9 The equipment shall be constructed on a modular basis, with high quality connectors enabling rapid and reliable replacement. The modules shall be so designed to be portable by one person. The replacement of a module shall not require the assistance by second person and an incorrect replacement of one module with a different type shall be prevented.
Which equipment has to be modular? Outdoor or indoor?
Answer
The requirements of the Sub-clause as quoted in the question shall refer to both indoor and outdoor equipment.
Question 140
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.5.2 The Contractor shall include details of interfaces with the traction system (i.e. connection of impedance bonds, etc.), which shall be designed, so as to be compatible with the existing, or proposed, traction power system.
What are the traction power system characteristics
Answer
The traction power characteristics are the following: 27.5 kV, 50 Hz. Further, refer to the answer to question 66.
Question 141
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.7.5 Necessary protective measures for safety of the working staff shall be specified.
Protective measures for safety are necessary with voltages involved less than 60 V?
Answer
The Contractor shall observe the Bulgarian legislation in force, including the requirements for the health and safety of labour. Although the Tender Procedure does not include interpreting of the Bulgarian legislation, the requirements for the measures as referred to in the question are indicated in Regulation No. 13 (2005, issued by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy) for healthy and safe labour conditions in the railway transport.
Question 142
Ref. Vol. 3, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - PART 3, DESIGN OF SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, chapter 15, pages 14-20
15.9.6 The equipment shall be capable of withstanding against mechanical shock with the following exemplary characteristics:
a) Pulse form - semi-sinusoidal;
b) Pulse duration for the rail detector -18 ms;
c) Peak acceleration - mm. 300 m/s2;
d) Number of shocks:
- 4000 for the rail detector
- 3 for the track-side equipment.
At which distance from the detector the number of shocks are made? In which modality?
Answer
The outdoor equipment shall, in respect of the parameters as referred to in the question, be in accordance with EN 50125, Class 3M1 as per EN 60721-3-3.
Question 143
Volume 1, Section 6, Administrative Compliance Grid, Page 66:
In a column of the grid states: “Subcontracting statement acceptable (ref. Cl. 4.1.6)".
a) Which exact statement of subcontractors is meant under this requirement, as the reference to Cl. 4.1.6 could not be found?
b) Which subcontractors, if any, does this requirement apply to? (<10%, >10%)
Answer
a) Refer to the answer to question 5.
b) The subcontracting statement refers to item 4.1.5 of the Instructions to Tenderers, 8th bullet point "Data concerning sub-contractors and the percentage of works to be subcontracted". Tenderers shall provide the information in the format of Form 4.6.3 of the Instructions to Tenderers, Section 4, Questionnaire. Further, it is explicitly stated in Form 4.6.3, item 4.6.3.4 that "If the Tenderer plans to subcontract part of the Works, he must provide the following details…"
Question 144
Volume 1, Section 6, Administrative Compliance Grid, page 66:
In a column of the grid states:" Parent company guarantee provided, if applicable (ref. Volume 2, Annex 1)".
As we have no other reference to any parent company guarantee (except a draft in Vol. 2, Annex 1) in the instructions to tenderers, can we assume, that for the tender participation no parent company guarantee is requested?