Rahmenvereinbarung Prüf- und Abnahmeleistungen

The contract timeline is as follows:

The planned start date for services is February 2, 2027. The framework agreement has a duration of 36 months, which means it is expected to conclude on February 1, 2030.

Key milestones and phases of the procurement process leading up to the contract include:

• Announcement of the procedure on DTVP and dispatch of the Europe-wide contract notice: October 1, 2026.
• Deadline for questions (participation competition): October 13, 2026.
• Provision of a final Q&A catalog (participation competition): October 23, 2026.
• Deadline for submission of participation applications: November 3, 2026, 11:00 AM.
• Notification of applicants about the outcome of the participation competition/dispatch of the request for initial offers to suitable applicants: November 6, 2026 (expected).
• End of offer phase I: December 4, 2026 (expected).
• Possibly negotiation dates with bidders and/or selection of the best bidder/award decision/dispatch of preliminary information letter: Calendar week 50/51 (expected).
• Possibly end of offer phase II: Calendar week 2/3/2027 (expected).
• Possibly selection of the best bidder/award decision/dispatch of preliminary information letter: Calendar week 4/5 2027 (expected).
• Possibly award of contract/contract signing: Calendar week 5/6 (expected).
• Binding period: February 2, 2027 (expected).

The core scope of work for this tender is centered around a framework agreement for "Prüf- und Abnahmeleistungen" (inspection and acceptance services) for GASCADE Gastransport GmbH. This involves supporting the operation of a gas high-pressure network for natural gas and hydrogen in Germany, which includes continuous construction projects, erection, and maintenance of gas high-pressure pipelines and gas-technical facilities.

The key deliverables and services include:

• Monitoring, testing, and acceptance services: These are to be carried out on both long-distance pipelines and gas-technical facilities to ensure compliance with legal, technical, safety, and official requirements, as well as GASCADE's internal engineering handbook guidelines.
• Recurring inspections: Specifically at compressor stations, pressure measuring and control systems, and safety-relevant facilities.
• Consulting and technical support: Providing expertise on technical, safety, documentation, and regulatory issues.
• Documentation review: This involves the examination of planning, execution, and revision documents.
• Technical calculations: This includes reviewing and creating technical calculations and proofs for various components such as pipelines, fittings, shaped parts, pressure equipment, and plant areas. Specific tasks involve performing and checking strength, pressure, and wall thickness calculations, verifying external calculations, and generating calculation reports, inspection notes, and expert opinions.
• Material testing: Performing destructive and non-destructive material tests in accredited laboratories, particularly for evaluating the mechanical and technological properties of test welds.

The services are primarily to be performed throughout Germany, with some instances potentially occurring in other European countries, including at material manufacturers. The framework agreement has a duration of 36 months, with an anticipated start date of February 2, 2027.