On June 2nd 2008 the launch of the international call for tenders took place for the Poceirão-Caia Public-Private Partnership rail infrastructure concession, which will be part of the high-speed line from Lisbon to Madrid. All the technical studies and other documents relating to Poceirão/Caia section were supplied to all the interested parties (potential bidders) almost 3 months before the Tender was launched. Until the end of the year, the Jury nominated by the Portuguese Government has the mission to evaluate the 4 proposals. In the beginning of 2009, there will take place the negotiation process with the 2 best classified proposals that will culminate with the "Best and Final Offer - BAFO".
Railway Gazette published in their recent article that tendering started on March 30th, 2009 and that "from a field of four consortia, Elos and Altavia Alentejo have been shortlisted to present their best and final offers for the concession covering the 169 km between Poceirão and the Spanish border at Caia, including a new 1668 mm gauge freight route from Évora to Caia. It is hoped to sign the concession contract in September for work to start in 2010, with some €641m of European Union funding being available for the project."
In an own presentation, Brisa indicated the differences in the BAFOs, indicated below.
From: Portuguese government
