Procurement: Professional project management and support
Even for experienced companies, the procurement of complex railway systems requires a well-thought-out process that goes far beyond routine. In this context, Enotrac not only offers many years of experience, but also comprehensive expertise from the needs analysis to the introduction. As a reliable partner in railway technology, Enotrac takes on the responsible task of managing and supporting procurement processes for rail vehicles, railway infrastructure, depots and workshops.
Procurement law according to BöB/VöB
Enotrac pays particular attention to strict compliance with procurement law, especially in Switzerland according to BöB/VöB or cantonal requirements. In the case of federal procurements, the Federal Act on Public Procurement (BöB) and the Ordinance on Public Procurement (VöB) apply. These legal foundations have been extensively revised in recent years and largely harmonised with the IIöB, with the new federal procurement law coming into force on 1 January 2021.
New procurement, changes and modifications
Enotrac’s expertise extends to both new procurements and changes and modifications that arise from overarching concepts such as operating concepts, expansion projects or renewal projects. Enotrac recognises that each procurement process is unique and requires individual requirements and objectives. From careful planning to successful implementation, Enotrac supports the entire procurement process, taking legal deadlines and requirements management as central elements.
Holistic support
Enotrac works closely with purchasing organisations and, if necessary, the legal departments of the procurement agencies. This ensures that both commercial and legal aspects are taken into account, guaranteeing a holistic perspective. Enotrac offers comprehensive, professional support tailored to individual needs throughout the entire procurement process.
Enotrac supports rail technology customers, including rolling stock, rail infrastructure, depots and workshops, in managing and supporting procurement processes in accordance with procurement law (for example, in Switzerland: BöB/VöB or cantonal ) for new procurements or modifications that arise from overarching concepts (such as operating concepts, expansion projects, renewal projects, STEP expansion step 2035) or from the procurement of applications.
Some of the future developments in Swiss public transport, as outlined in the STEP 2035 expansion step, include half-hourly services on almost all long-distance lines, whereas hourly services currently represent the basic frequency. On lines with high demand in long-distance transport, SBB can even introduce quarter-hourly services, creating a coherent quarter-hourly network. This provides relief for the busiest trains and represents a significant advance for Swiss public transport. In future, freight traffic on the east-west axis will run at half-hourly intervals, and thanks to the express network, will travel faster throughout Switzerland.
Planning the procurement process: from requirements to the award decision
Enotrac excels in providing comprehensive support and precise planning of the entire procurement process – from the initial requirements to the successful introduction. This process is designed with particular attention to legal deadlines and effective requirements management.
Objectives during procurement planning
The definition of clear objectives during procurement planning forms the basis for the entire process. Both hard factors, which are measurable, and soft factors, which are not quantifiable, are taken into account. Efficient planning and careful evaluation aim to minimise the costs of procurement. This includes a comprehensive analysis and optimisation of the financial aspects of the procurement process. Identifying risk factors is also at the heart of this objective. By identifying potential risks, Enotrac experts can develop targeted strategies to mitigate them and thus make the procurement process more secure. Defining clear and precise qualitative standards is important to ensure that the procured products or services meet the desired requirements. This includes criteria that go beyond pure quantification and ensure the quality of the procurement. A central goal is to comply with legal requirements and internal processes. This refers to the legally compliant execution of the procurement process as well as to ensuring an efficient process, taking into account internal organisational requirements.
The procurement process based on a sample project
The professional competence of Enotrac specialists in the field of professional process management and support can be illustrated by means of an exemplary project. When a maintenance application was introduced for the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), Enotrac supported this project in two crucial phases, each of which involved specific challenges and priorities.
Evaluation and procurement process
In this phase, Enotrac placed a clear focus on meticulous planning of the entire procurement process. Starting with the creation of the technical and functional specifications and extending to the preparation of the tender documents in accordance with BöB/VöB, every step was carried out with the utmost precision. This included a detailed analysis of the system structure, the definition of transparent award criteria and the creation of an evaluation matrix for the evaluation of offers. Enotrac not only took on organisational tasks, but also moderated the evaluation and assessment process at MGB to ensure that the customer’s needs and requirements were optimally met.
Implementation and realisation
After the successful completion of the evaluation and procurement process, Enotrac took over the external overall project management during the implementation and realisation phase. This included managing the project from the creation of the specifications to the installation of the application and the implementation of interfaces, customisation, data migration, training of users and administrators, and the final go-live. Enotrac acted as an important link between the MGB departments and the external service providers, in order to ensure a smooth and successful implementation.
Enotrac’s experience thus extended across all phases of the procurement process and contributed significantly to ensuring not only that the technical and operational requirements were met, but also that legal deadlines were met and that active requirements management involving the stakeholders was guaranteed. The example project impressively demonstrates how Enotrac contributes significantly to the success of complex procurement projects through professional process management and support.
Monitoring of requirements: focus on assessability and validability
Enotrac ensures that the requirements developed during the procurement process are monitored with the utmost care. The focus here is on ensuring that the offers can be assessed and that they can be validated in practical operation. This targeted monitoring ensures that the offers not only meet the technical requirements, but can also be successfully validated in actual implementation.
Creation of evaluation documents and schemes
For a professional procurement, a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the offers is essential. Enotrac takes on the task of creating detailed evaluation documents and schemes. These not only include technical aspects, but also economic and legal considerations. This careful preparation forms the basis for a holistic evaluation by the procurement department, which encompasses all relevant criteria.
Cooperation with purchasing organisations and legal departments
Enotrac places a high value on close cooperation with purchasing organisations and, where appropriate, the legal departments of the procuring entities. The Enotrac team not only checks the commercial, but also the legal aspects of the procurement procedures and documents. This ensures a comprehensive and legally compliant perspective that takes into account all relevant legal and commercial issues.
Comparison of offers and recommendation for the award decision
Enotrac performs a highly detailed comparison of the offers received, based on predefined and precise evaluation criteria. This includes not only the purely technical aspects, but also takes into account economic and legal considerations. Our team of experts prepares intensively for the bid comparisons, including the preparation and, if necessary, participation in supplier presentations and clarification rounds. Finally, a well-founded recommendation for the award decision is made, based on objective and careful evaluations of the offers. This recommendation serves as a solid basis for the final decision in the procurement process.
Example project: Professional project management and support
The project to connect the overhead contact lines of the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn (MGB) and the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) via the coupling station in Rueras is an excellent example of Enotrac’s professional project management and support. In this example project, Enotrac acted as a reliable client representative and played a decisive role in the successful implementation of all phases, from the initial variant study to the final project completion. The range of services provided by Enotrac is diverse and comprehensive.
Enotrac carried out extensive studies, including detailed load flow calculations, to determine the optimal technical solutions for the grid connection. The development of a comprehensive pre-project dossier formed the basis for the further planning and implementation phases, taking into account important technical, financial, and scheduling aspects. Enotrac was also responsible for coordinating and implementing the entire tendering process, including the procurement of planning and implementation services from qualified service providers.
Enotrac took over the detailed implementation planning, in which the switchgear, transformer and technical cabin were precisely specified. The tight scheduling and overall coordination by Enotrac enabled efficient handling of all construction phases and adherence to the time schedule. Enotrac critically monitored the acceptance of all components and carried out comprehensive integral tests to ensure the flawless functionality of the coupling station.
Another central aspect was the creation of comprehensive documentation, which not only records all planning and implementation steps, but also serves as an important source of information for future maintenance and operation phases. Overall, this example project impressively illustrates how Enotrac makes a significant contribution through professional process management and support in complex infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
The procurement of complex railway systems requires professional process management and support that goes beyond the routine of experienced companies. In this context, Enotrac not only offers many years of experience, but also comprehensive expertise from the needs analysis to the successful introduction of the systems. As a reliable partner in railway technology, Enotrac takes on the responsible task of managing and supporting procurement processes for rail vehicles, railway infrastructure, depots and workshops. In doing so, compliance with procurement law, in particular in accordance with BöB/VöB or cantonal requirements in Switzerland, is of central importance. The Federal Law on Public Procurement (BöB) and the Ordinance on Public Procurement (VöB) apply to federal procurements, and have been extensively revised in recent years.
Enotrac’s expertise covers both new procurements and changes and modifications that arise from overarching concepts such as operating concepts, expansion projects or renewal projects. Each procurement process is individually designed by Enotrac, with a focus on the specific requirements and objectives. Close cooperation with purchasing organisations and, if necessary, the legal departments of the procuring entities is a matter of course. Enotrac reconciles commercial and legal aspects to ensure a holistic perspective. Overall, Enotrac offers comprehensive, professional and tailored support throughout the entire procurement process.
