Title - Siemens rushes to SC over DMRC contract

Apprehending that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) could award a R3,500-crore contract to Hyundai ROTEM, a consortium led by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi Metro's tender process for supply of 81 high-speed trains for its third phase.The project is in furtherance to implementation of Phase-III, covering the corridors of Mukundpur-Gokulpuri and Janakpuri-Noida.A bench headed by Justice BS Chauhan posted the matter for hearing on May 22 as the company, which had failed to bag the contract for supplying the high-speed trains, had not filed a certified copy of the Delhi High Court judgment. Senior counsel UU Lalit represented Siemens.
The HC had last week cleared the decks for train procurement by dismissing the petitions of Siemens and Alstom Transport India challenging the award of contract to Hyundai ROTEM for Delhi Metro's train procurement for Phase III.While the HC rejected the arguments of the two firms that the process was vitiated since DMRC tweaked the conditions of the tender at the last minute, it also imposed a cost of R10,000 on Siemens and Alstom Transport India.
DMRC had in March last year invited tenders from agencies on International Competitive Bidding basis for the design, manufacture and commissioning of 486 standard gauge cars meant for 81 trains.
On September 18, 2012, six bidders, including Siemens, stood qualified during evaluation of technical bids, the petition stated, adding that on opening of the price bids in February this year, Siemens was found to be the lowest bidder at R3625.27 crore, followed by Bombardier Consortium (L-2) at R4242.27 crore and that of Hyundai Rotem (L-3) at R4290.57 crore.