The transit project for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is being delivered as three separate public-private partnership (P3) procurement contracts: one rolling stock, systems, operations and maintenance contract for the entire 15.5km line and two separate civil, stations and tunnel contracts - one for the southern segment and one for the northern segment of the line.
"The Ontario Line is one of the most significant transit infrastructure projects for Ontario in a generation," said Laurie Scott, the Province's Minister of Infrastructure.
The RFQs issued today are for the Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (RSSOM) and the Southern Civil, Stations and Tunnel.
RSSOM includes a design-build-finance-operate-maintain contract for the entire Ontario Line, for a 30-year term. The Southern Civil, Stations and Tunnel contract is using a DBF model.
Responses for both RFQs are due by August 25, 2020, with questions due by August 11. A pre-bidding event is scheduled for June 16. Requests for proposals are expected to be invited in fall 2020.
The schedules for each contract will be aligned to allow for a single in-service date for the Ontario Line.
IO said: “Creating three separate contracts of manageable size and acceptable risk will encourage competition and active participation from the market to support innovation and ensure that the right teams are in place to successfully deliver the line at the best value for taxpayers. “
The Ontario Line is a stand-alone rapid transit line that will connect the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition/Ontario Place, with 15 stations. Over half of the route is planned to run underground through new tunnels, with the remainder running along elevated and at-grade rail corridor sections of track.
The RFQ for the northern civil, stations and tunnel contract, the north portion of the Ontario Line from Gerrard Station to the Ontario Science Centre, is expected to be issued in early 2022. The general scope includes seven stations, a three kilometre tunnel, two portals and the associated approach structures, bridges and elevated guideways.
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation said: "By issuing these first RFQs we are one step closer to realizing our transit vision and helping to generate economic activity and create tens of thousands of jobs as the province recovers from Covid-19."
Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation added:. "To build projects of this magnitude, however, we need everyone at the table. We are calling on the federal government to commit to paying their fair share, at least 40% of the four nationally-significant subway projects."
For more information and contact details on the RSSOM contract, click here.
For more information and contact details on the South Civil contract, click here.