The UAE’s Etihad Railway is inviting companies to submit bids by 31 July for a contract to provide terminal design services and simulation studies for the first phase of the $11bn federal rail network.

The scope involves carrying out the infrastructure and operations design of four intermodal terminals of the Etihad Rail network. The contract is extendable to cover up to eight more terminals.

Companies will attend a pre-tender meeting on 17 July.

Earlier in July, Etihad Rail awarded a contract to India’s PCM Strescon Overseas Ventures for the supply of sleepers (MEED 5:7:11).

Etihad Rail is currently inviting companies to prequalify by 14 July for the contract to supply railway maintenance equipment. The company also received 12 bids on 1 June for the civil engineering contract, which covers civil structures, systems, facilities and track work.

A US-based group comprising Aecom and Parsons International are project management consultants on the project. The UK’s Atkins will carry out preliminary engineering for the entire railway.