Transport Canada, through Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project, in February 2023. The RFQ closed on April 24, 2023. The Government of Canada evaluated four responses from Canadian and international consortia, and three consortia have been invited to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) that launched on October 13, 2023.
- Cadence (CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis (formerly known as SNC-Lavalin), Systra Canada, Keolis Canada)
- Intercity Rail Developers* (Intercity Development Partners, Kilmer Transportation, First Rail Holdings, Jacobs, Hatch, CIMA+, First Group, RATP Dev Canada, Renfe Operadora)
- QConnexiON Rail Partners (Fengate, John Laing, Bechtel, WSP Canada, Deutsche Bahn)
The launch of the RFP is a major step in the procurement process that consists of a series of milestones and selecting a private developer partner to design and develop the High Frequency Rail project.
(*Note: Intercity Rail Developers is in the process of replacing one of its team members, Ellis Don Capital. This request is under the evaluation by Canada to ensure that the RFQ requirements are met. This process is also overseen by the Fairness Monitor.)
Next Steps
Following the announcement of the RFP on October 13, 2023, the participating consortia will have approximately nine months to develop their proposals.
The deadline to submit the proposals is summer 2024, which will be followed by a three-month evaluation period. The selected consortium is expected to be announced in late fall 2024 and will work collaboratively with VIA HFR to design and develop the High Frequency Rail project.
Selection of the Private Developer Partner
The entire procurement process is overseen by a Fairness Monitor, an independent consultant who acts as an objective, third-party observer, who monitors the procurement process to ensure that it is conducted in a fair manner, consistent with the process set out in the RFQ and RFP.
Following the RFP process, a private developer partner will be selected based on their demonstrated capacity to deliver the High Frequency Rail project with the best value and benefits for Canadians. They will be asked to present their analysis for two technically and commercially feasible solutions, along with a business plan and management plan for the co-development, construction, and operations phases of the project.
The first solution will have trains travelling faster than existing VIA Rail speeds at up to 200 kilometres per hour. Currently, VIA Rail trains can travel up to a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour, with operating speeds of 60-120 kilometres per hour, depending on the segment. The second solution will include high speed segments to achieve even shorter trip times.
This approach will allow for a rigorous assessment of the benefits and costs of high-speed rail segments to determine whether and how they should be integrated into the High Frequency Rail project.
The Government of Canada will also be looking for:
- how the solutions meet or exceed the project outcomes;
- understanding of the project and its associated risks;
- partnership and collaborative strategies for Indigenous Peoples; and
- readiness and capacity to proceed.
This strategy will drive respondents towards the maximization of project outcomes, while considering the cost-benefit trade-offs of alternatives for meeting or exceeding project outcomes.
