(RFI) Request for Information No. 010 / 2021 January 2021

Request for Information
         (RFI)

     No. 010 / 2021

     January 2021

Metro Project
                         Request for Information

1. Introduction

   1.1.   NTA - Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd. (“NTA”) is the governmental
          company responsible for the development of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Mass
          Transit System, a network of light rail transit (LRT) and metro railway lines.

   1.2.   The Tel Aviv “Red Line” LRT Project is currently under construction, with
          operation scheduled to commence towards the end of 2022. The Tel Aviv
          “Green Line” LRT Project and the Tel Aviv “Purple Line” LRT Project are
          currently in the tender phase, with construction scheduled to commence at
          about the beginning of 2022.

   1.3.   In addition to those LRT lines, NTA has been assigned with the development
          of the design and other aspects concerning the feasibility of the metro network,
          a network which is intended to include three (3) mostly underground metro
          lines of about 145 kilometers in length, about 108 underground stations, more
          than 760 vehicles (3.20 m width) and seven (7) transportation hubs, and
          operated using a driverless system (the “Project” or the “Metro Network
          Project”).

   1.4.   The Project will include three (3) main sections:

          ▪ M1 – running north to south, from Kfar Saba, Ra'anana and Hod-Hasharon,
            through Tel Aviv, to Holon, Rishon LeZion, Nes-Ziona, Rehovot, Lod and
            Ramla;

          ▪ M2 – running east to west, from the southern part of Petach Tikva, via
            Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak and Givataim, to the eastern side of Tel Aviv; and

          ▪ M3 – a half-ring connecting the other two sections to a metro network,
            running from Bat-Yam, Holon, Azor, Ben Gurion Airport, Or-Yehuda,
            Kiryat-Ono, Petach-Tikva, north of Tel-Aviv and Herzliya.

             Each a “Line”, a “Metro Line” or a “Metro Line Project”.

             Additional information regarding the Metro Lines is presented in Annex
             “A” (Metro Lines – General Information) hereto.

1.5.    The Project will be the largest infrastructure project undertaken in Israel,
           involving several Ministries and multiple municipalities. The network will
           provide modern, reliable public transportation to hundreds of thousands of
           passengers per day across the Tel Aviv Metropolitan area. An illustrative map
           of the network is presented in Annex “B” (High Level Network Description)
           hereto.

   1.6.    Currently, it is expected that the implementation of each Metro Line shall be
           divided into at least 2 (two) sub-phases and, consequently it is envisaged that
           the commencement of the operation and maintenance of the Metro Network
           Project shall be implemented in several phases.

   1.7.    The Project is expected to receive statutory approval by the end of 2021.

   1.8.    This Request for Information (“RFI”) is intended to solicit Responses from
           (i) entities which have proven experience in the management and\or execution
           of metro projects around the world and (ii) from local entities which have
           proven experience in the management and execution of complex
           infrastructure projects (the “Participants”).

   1.9.    This RFI is a preliminary process initiated by NTA, solely for receiving
           information and conducting its initial internal evaluation and consideration of
           the Project. This RFI does not, in any manner whatsoever, constitute a tender,
           bid, offer, proposal or a request for any of them nor does it constitute a
           representation, warranty or undertaking on behalf of NTA or the State of
           Israel.

2. Indicative Timeline

   It is expected that the Network will be open to service gradually. It is expected that
   the first phase should be open to service within ten to twelve (10-12) years and the
   second phase will be open to service gradually thereafter.

3. Information Requested

   The information requested below is divided into three (3) different Chapters: Chapter
   1 – Procurement Strategy and Market Constrains (section 3.2), Chapter 2 – Time
   Schedule (section 3.3) and Chapter 3 – Integration and Interoperability Between Lines
   (section 3.4) (each a “Chapter”).

     The Participants may choose whether to respond to any or all three (3) Chapters,
     based on their knowledge and areas of expertise. If responding to more than one
     Chapter, the response should address each Chapter separately and independently
     from the other Chapters. For the avoidance of doubt, all Participants are required to
     provide the general information requested in section 3.1.

Please respond to as many of the following questions and requests as you can:

3.1.   General; Area of Expertise and Past Experience.

       Please describe the Participant's area of expertise and the relevance of the
       Participant's past experience to the Project.

       Please elaborate whether the Participant's previous experience and
       involvement in similar projects was as a service provider, main contractor,
       sub-contractor, a concessionaire under a PPP scheme, a DB contractor,
       operator or other.

3.2.   Chapter 1 – Procurement Strategy and Market Constrains

        3.2.1. Market Constraints. Kindly provide details and your opinion and
               perception of market constraints which should be taken into account
               and managed. In your response, please refer to, inter alia:

           3.2.1.1. Management resources and required capabilities (internal,
                    external, local and international), including with reference to:

                3.2.1.1.1.   Constrains related to heavy civil works in urban
                             environment;

                3.2.1.1.2.   Internal management capacity and capabilities;

                3.2.1.1.3.   Design capacity and capabilities to support promoting
                             site availability related works including utilities
                             relocation, tunneling and stations works, land value
                             capture, urban development and interface with others.

           3.2.1.2. Local civil contractors and ability to support and perform site
                    availability related works and civil works at the stations and
                    depot facilities.

           3.2.1.3. International capacity to support the following activities:

                3.2.1.3.1.   TBM – presenting new technology (please refer to
                             mining daily rate), maximum TBM capacity per
                             contractor and other constrains.

                3.2.1.3.2.   Stations and shafts – Cut and Cover vs. NATM or other
                             technologies, comparing the duration and costs
                             between different technologies and other constraints
                             (please note that general terms and percentages can be
                             referred to, no specific prices are required).

3.2.1.3.3.   Signaling and train control, rail and non-rail systems –
                             constraints related to design, procurement, delivery and
                             installation processes.

                3.2.1.3.4.   Rolling stock – constraints related to design,
                             procurement, manufacturing and delivery, including
                             reference to a monthly rate of production and delivery
                             and ability to open a local production line.

        3.2.2. Procurement Strategy. Based on past experience in similar metro
               projects, please advise which potential procurement strategy can be
               compatible and best suitable for the implementation of the Project
               (PPP, turnkey, lot by lot, other) and what are the main criteria and
               factors to be considered when deciding which strategy to adopt?

        3.2.3. Work Packages. Based on past experience in similar metro project,
               please advise what potential combination of work packages should
               be considered assuming several Lines will be implemented
               simultaneously, and assuming that there is and there is no
               interoperability between Lines and stations in the Network. Please
               address specifically to the integration of the works (including the
               method of management of implementation of the integration of
               various systems and work packages).

        3.2.4. O&M activity. Based on past experience in similar Metro network,
               what O&M procurement strategies should be considered, with
               reference to the following criteria and considerations:

           3.2.4.1. Single operator vs. multiple operators;

           3.2.4.2. The interface between operator(s) and maintainer(s) and the
                    interface management.

3.3.   Chapter 2 – Time Schedule

       Based on past experience, kindly provide your opinion with respect to the
       feasibility and risks associated with project's time schedules and key success
       factors related to management of time schedules and implication related to a
       growing Network.

3.4.   Chapter 3 – Integration and Interoperability Between Lines Risks

3.4.1. Integration Risk. Based on past experience, what measures need to
               be implemented in order to minimize and reduce the integration risks
               between:

           3.4.1.1. Civil works (tunnel & outer box) and system (including inner
                    box works) packages;

           3.4.1.2. Interfaces with the municipality and other public stakeholders;

           3.4.1.3. Design Build and O&M activities;

           3.4.1.4. Interoperability between different Lines and common stations
                    within the Metro Network;

           3.4.1.5. Underground interchange stations;

           3.4.1.6. Transportation hubs and metro stations interface.

        3.4.2. Unified System. Based on past experience, kindly provide your
               recommendation and reasons for implementing a unified solution on
               a Network level assuming that the Network will not be interoperable.
               In your response, please refer, inter alia, to rolling stocks, signaling,
               radio, U-OCC, fire detection and protection, ATIM, and other
               systems.

        3.4.3. Optimal Risk Allocation. Based on past experience, which
               proposed risk allocation would offer the most cost effective (optimal)
               risk allocation between the parties involved:

           3.4.3.1. Design of infrastructure works (tunnel, stations outer box, depot,
                    other);

           3.4.3.2. Obtaining permits (building, working, temporary traffic
                    arrangements etc.);

           3.4.3.3. Allocation of utilities (before and during the construction
                    phase);

           3.4.3.4. Integration between construction, operation and
                    maintenance activities.

3.5.   To the extent practicable, when referring to past experience please provide
       details of the applicable referenced project; and to the extent practicable,
       please support the Response with specific (concrete) examples from projects
       in which the Participant has undertaken an active role.

4. Instructions for Submission

   4.1.   NTA appreciates the participation of Participants in this RFI process. In order
          to allow for an effective process, please submit the Response in writing, in
          English or Hebrew, to the following email address: tender5-metro@nta.co.il.

   4.2.   The Response and/or a presentation which provides information with respect
          to the issues which a Participant intends to present at an RFI session (see
          below) is required to be submitted on or before 15.2.2021 March 1st 2021 (a
          “Response”).

   4.3.   Without derogating from anything below or from the discretions granted to
          NTA pursuant hereto, please mark, in a clear, complete and legible manner,
          information contained in the Response which is considered commercially
          sensitive or of a confidential nature. To the extent permitted by applicable
          laws, NTA will refrain from disclosing such information (if so requested) and
          shall ensure that any of its consultants shall act accordingly.

   4.4.   NTA is not requesting a tender, bid, offer, proposal, detailed plans, marketing
          material, budgetary information or proprietary information to be submitted in
          the Response.

   4.5.   NTA may, at its sole discretion, hold RFI meeting sessions, in order to receive
          additional information from Participants regarding their Responses. The
          sessions will be held either online or at NTA’s offices in Holon, Israel (if that
          will be possible, as shall be determined by NTA at its discretion). Without
          derogating form NTA’s discretion whether or not to hold such sessions and
          whether or not to invite a particular Participant, the sessions will be scheduled
          based on the Responses submitted by Participants. Therefore, even though the
          sessions will be coordinated in advance, NTA will only conduct the sessions
          based on the Responses submitted by Participants.

   4.6.   Further details concerning the RFI sessions, including dates and times, venue,
          registration forms, etc., will be provided to Participants in due course.

   4.7.   NTA looks forward to receiving the Responses and to the participation of
          Participants in the RFI sessions.

   4.8.   Following receipt of the Responses, NTA may contact any of the Participants
          and may request clarifications or additional information, all at its discretion
          and as it shall deem required.

5. Reservations and NTA’s Discretions

   5.1.   The Project description set forth in this RFI is initial, general and indicative
          only. The issuance of this RFI is neither intended nor shall be construed to
          give rise to or create any representation, undertaking or warranty on behalf of
          NTA, the State of Israel, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of
          Finance, or anyone on its behalf with respect to the Project or any component
          or part thereof, or with respect to any other project or matter whatsoever. The
          issuance of this RFI is neither intended nor shall be construed to guarantee the
          initiation, implementation, timing or manner of execution of the Project, nor
          the type, extent or contents of the Project’s scope, components or any part
          thereof.

   5.2.   Participation in this RFI does not and shall not provide a Participant or any
          other entity with any advantage, nor shall it confer upon a Participant any right
          with respect to the Project (or any component or part thereof) or any future
          proceedings conducted with respect thereto (if any), including with respect to
          any pre-qualification process and/or tender process. Participating in the RFI
          is neither intended nor shall be construed to recognize or accept a Participant’s
          or any other entity’s eligibility, qualification or competence to participate in
          the Project or any future proceedings conducted with respect thereto (if any),
          including with respect to any pre-qualification process and/or tender process.

   5.3.   NTA may publish a new Request for Information, an invitation to pre-qualify,
          tender proceedings and/or any other proceedings with respect to the Project or
          any part thereof and/or with respect to any other project whatsoever, in any
          manner which it will deem appropriate.

   5.4.   NTA may request additional information (in writing or otherwise) as it deems
          necessary, ask to visit sites or facilities constructed or operated by the
          Participant, or carry out professional inquiries regarding any Participant
          (including by way of contacting third parties.

   5.5.   NTA may use any information it receives from a Participant or any third party
          for any purpose it deems fit, including preparing specifications or any other
          documents and may transfer any such information to any of it consultants or
          any person on its behalf.

   5.6.   The Participants shall not be entitled to any payment for the information
          provided by them pursuant to this RFI. All expenses incurred by a Participant
          or anyone on its behalf shall be borne solely by the Participant. Participants
          shall not be entitled to any reimbursement or compensation for expenses with
          respect to their participation in this RFI.

5.7.   NTA shall not be responsible or liable towards a Participant or anyone on its
       behalf in connection with the RFI, including in connection with information
       provided by or to NTA pursuant to or in connection with this RFI.

5.8.   NTA may amend, withdraw or cancel this RFI, at any time and without
       providing reasons or justifications for doing so.

5.9.   This RFI is subject to the law of the State of Israel, including the Mandatory
       Tenders Regulations, 5753-1993 and the obligation to disclose information in
       accordance with Section 14A thereof.

Annex “A” (Metro Lines – General Information)

Line                   M1            M2           M3            Total
Length (in Km)         85            25           39             150
Stations               62            22           25             109
Municipalities         14             8           13       24 (overlapping)
Depot                   2             1            1              4

Annex “B” (High Level Network Description) - Metro Lines – General