Tram Train: Stadler awarded billion euro order for 504 trains – Heuking team led by Dr. Ute Jas-per and Dr. Christopher Marx advises clients from Austria and Germany
Supported by a team led by Dr. Ute Jasper and Dr. Christopher Marx, six transport companies based in Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Mössingen, Saarbrücken, Linz, and Salzburg successfully awarded Europe’s largest contract for the delivery and maintenance of up to 504 Tram Train vehicles to a consortium of Stadler group. Under the several billion euro contract, Stadler will be responsible for supplying and maintaining the vehicles for up to 32 years.
Contractor Stadler will develop a uniform standard design for all operators on the basis of which the vehicles will be individually configured. It was possible to realize an economical new development for these special Tram Train vehicles since they are able to use the infrastructure for streetcars and for local/long-distance trains. This also allows passengers to take trips to the surrounding areas without having to change from the streetcar to the regional express.
The involvement of municipal workshops is another special feature of the contract as many of the transport companies operate their own workshops. Stadler will have to use these workshops for maintenance, thus securing the relevant jobs.
“We are pleased that the operators were able to successfully conclude the award procedure within the set timeframe and without subsequent review. Despite the numerous challenges, we eliminated all risks under procurement law in the end,” said Dr. Ute Jasper, Partner and Head of the practice group at Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek. “Due to the particular contract model, the manufacturer is responsible for maintenance on a long-term basis and the clients’ workshops are gaining valuable know-how,” added Dr. Christopher Marx, Partner and contract specialist at Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek.
Dr. Ute Jasper is one of the most renowned lawyers for procurement and infrastructure projects in the public sector. She advises federal and state ministries, municipalities, and businesses, particularly on innovative and complex projects. Ute Jasper heads Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek's “Public Sector & Public Procurement” department. For years, she has been ranked number 1 with her team in JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms. According to “Law Firms in Germany,” she is the “premier contact on the market” for infrastructure. In October 2016, she received the JUVE Award for Regulated Industries with her team.
Dr. Christopher Marx is a Partner and a member of the “Public Sector & Public Procurement” practice group. He advises the federal government, states, municipalities, and companies on complex competitive procedures and innovative contract models. He is regularly recommended in Public Procurement Law and the Transport sector, including by Legal 500, Handelsblatt, and JUVE.
The project team also included Dr. Laurence Westen (Public Procurement), Dr. Stefan Jöster (Insurance), Reinhard Böhle, Rebecca Dreps, Daniela Kreuels, Max Richter, and Moritz von Voß (all Public Procurement and Contracts).