Région Occitanie has awarded a €10.87M framework for project management assistance for the operation of regional railway lines to two groupements

Région Occitanie, a contracting entity operating in railway services, has awarded a composite framework agreement for project management assistance for the operation of regional railway lines in Occitanie (Mission d'assistance à maîtrise d'ouvrage pour l'exploitation des lignes ferroviaires régionales en Occitanie) to two groupements: GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE (Lot 1) and GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES (Lot 2). The maximum framework value in this notice is €10,874,060.00, covering support services for railway transport, with each lot awarded separately. The contract was awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by Directive 2014/25/EU (special sectors).

Introduction

Région Occitanie, a contracting entity operating in railway services, has conducted an open procedure in anticipation of the opening to competition of its regional public passenger rail transport by 2033, as regulatory enacted by the implementation of Law No. 2018-515 of 27 June 2018 for a new railway pact. The Region Occitanie, as the Organising Authority for Transport, has launched a composite framework agreement covering several project management assistance needs. The framework agreement is composite, with one part corresponding to an ordinary contract and one part corresponding to a framework agreement executed partly by issuing purchase orders and partly by concluding subsequent contracts. The details of the missions entrusted to the contractor and the distribution between the ordinary part and the framework agreement part are set out in the specifications.

The procurement is not financed with EU funds but is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Strategic procurement includes an approach to reducing environmental impacts (Other) and a social objective promoted (Other). The framework agreement operates without reopening of competition. Five tenders were received for Lot 1 and four tenders for Lot 2. Each lot has a maximum value: Lot 1 €7,000,000.00 HT; Lot 2 €2,500,000.00 HT. The maximum framework value in this notice is €10,874,060.00. Subcontracting was declared for both lots. The contracts were concluded on 15 September 2026.

Why This Contract Matters

This framework ensures that Région Occitanie has access to specialised project management assistance for the opening to competition of its regional railway network and the takeover of regional maintenance and stabling sites.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Railway Transport: Provides project management assistance for regional railway lines
• Significant Value: €10,874,060.00 maximum framework value in this notice
• Two Lots: Technical, administrative and legal assistance; and assistance with maintenance and stabling sites
• Price and Quality: Evaluation criteria include technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost (as per similar frameworks)
• Competition: 5 tenders (Lot 1); 4 tenders (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting: Subcontracting declared for both lots
• Preparation for Competition: Supports the 2033 opening to competition of regional rail transport

Contract Timeline

• Contract concluded: 15 September 2026
• Maximum renewals: 0
• Notice published: 22 September 2026 (OJ S 183/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 21 September 2026
• Previous notice: 183071-2026

Contract Overview

Région Occitanie conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by Directive 2014/25/EU.

Key features include:

• Two lots: LOT-0001 and LOT-0002
• Maximum framework value in this notice: €10,874,060.00
• Lot 1 maximum value: €7,000,000.00 HT
• Lot 2 maximum value: €2,500,000.00 HT
• Maximum renewals: 0
• Framework type: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• Evaluation: Technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost (per lot)
• Winners: GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE (Lot 1); GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting: Yes (value known for both lots)
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Strategic procurement: Environmental impact reduction (Other); social objective promoted (Other)

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 63711000 Support services for railway transport
• Additional classification: 63711000 Support services for railway transport; 71356200 Technical assistance services
• Place of performance: Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, France (NUTS: FRJ23); 22 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 31406 Toulouse
• Procedure identifier: 10762b5c-c87f-45e6-b060-f748496a5e16
• Internal identifier: 2026-ETU-0022
• Type of procedure: Open
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Legal basis: Directive 2014/25/EU
• Review body: Tribunal administratif de Toulouse

Lot Structure

LOT-0001 – Technical, Administrative and Legal Assistance for Opening to Competition

• Title: Assistance technique, administrative et juridique de la Région dans la mise en oeuvre de son ouverture à la concurrence du réseau ferroviaire régional
• Description: Technical, administrative and legal assistance of the Region in implementing the opening to competition of the regional railway network
• Internal identifier: 01
• Maximum value: €7,000,000.00 HT
• Winner: GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE (Contract 20260345)
• Tenders received: 5
• Subcontracting: Yes (€117,125.00; Setec Its, 2b2p Conseil, Citec Ingenieurs Conseils, Hle Consulting)
• Contract concluded: 15 September 2026

LOT-0002 – Assistance with Takeover in Ownership of Maintenance and Stabling Sites

• Title: Assistance de la Région dans la reprise en propriété des Sites de Maintenance et Remisage (SMR) ferroviaires régionaux et leur exploitation par un éventuel nouveau cessionnaire
• Description: Assistance of the Region in the takeover in ownership of regional railway Maintenance and Stabling Sites (SMR) and their operation by a possible new assignee
• Internal identifier: 02
• Maximum value: €2,500,000.00 HT
• Winner: GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES (Contract 20260346)
• Tenders received: 4
• Subcontracting: Yes (€9,200.00; Mensia Conseil)
• Contract concluded: 15 September 2026

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	Technical, Administrative and Legal Assistance for Opening to Competition	7,000,000.00 HT	GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE	5
2	Assistance with Takeover in Ownership of Maintenance and Stabling Sites	2,500,000.00 HT	GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES	4
Total		10,874,060.00 (max)

Scope of Supply

The framework covers the following services:

• Technical Assistance: Technical assistance to the Region for the opening to competition
• Administrative Assistance: Administrative assistance to the Region for the opening to competition
• Legal Assistance: Legal assistance to the Region for the opening to competition
• Support Services for Railway Transport: Support services for railway transport
• Maintenance and Stabling Sites: Assistance with the takeover in ownership of regional railway Maintenance and Stabling Sites (SMR) and their operation by a possible new assignee
• Technical Assistance Services: Technical assistance services under CPV 71356200

Special Procurement Conditions

• Composite Framework: The framework agreement is composite, with one part corresponding to an ordinary contract and one part corresponding to a framework agreement executed partly by purchase orders and partly by subsequent contracts
• Framework Agreement: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• No Renewals: Maximum renewals: 0
• Options: The contract provides for the possibility of later entrusting the contract holder with one or more contracts for similar services
• Subcontracting (Lot 1): Setec Its (€12,000 HT), 2b2p Conseil (€50,000 HT), Citec Ingenieurs Conseils (€53,700 HT), Hle Consulting (€14,250 HT) – all subcontractors of Artelia/Fcl
• Subcontracting (Lot 2): Mensia Conseil (€9,200 HT) – subcontractor of Opteamise
• Strategic Procurement: Approach to reducing environmental impacts (Other); social objective promoted (Other)
• Consultation of Documents: Contracts and related documents can be consulted on written request to the contracting authority by post or email

About the Contracting Authority

Région Occitanie is a contracting entity operating in railway services in France.

• Legal type: Regional authority / Contracting entity in the special sectors
• Activity: Railway services
• Registration number: 68423
• Location: Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, France (NUTS: FRJ23)
• Address: 22 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 31406 Toulouse
• Contact point: DELGA Carole
• Email: marches.publics@laregion.fr
• Telephone: 0561335050
• Internet address: http://www.laregion.fr

About the Winning Suppliers

GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE

• Size: Large enterprise
• Registration number: 1793879-1-1-1
• Location: Saint-Ouen, France (NUTS: FR106)
• Address: 16 rue Simone Veil, 93400 Saint-Ouen
• Email: offres.ferroviaires@arteliagroup.com
• Telephone: 01 77 93 78 99
• Beneficial owner nationality: France
• Subcontracting: Yes (€117,125.00)
• Winner of LOT-0001

GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES

• Size: Micro, small, or medium enterprise
• Registration number: 1793879-1-2-1
• Location: Clamart, France (NUTS: FR105)
• Address: 21 Rue Brissard, 92140 Clamart
• Email: contact@opteamise-consulting.com
• Telephone: 06 74 35 83 98
• Beneficial owner nationality: France
• Subcontracting: Yes (€9,200.00)
• Winner of LOT-0002

Evaluation Criteria

Both lots use evaluation criteria including:

• Technical Value: Valeur technique
• CSR: Rse
• Commercialisation: Commercialisation
• Overall Cost: Coût global

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by Directive 2014/25/EU
• Competition: 5 tenders (Lot 1); 4 tenders (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting: Yes (value known for both lots)
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds
• Framework agreement: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• No dynamic purchasing system used
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Strategic procurement: Environmental impact reduction (Other); social objective promoted (Other)
• Review body: Tribunal administratif de Toulouse
• Call for competition terminated: The call for competition has been terminated (contracts awarded)

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• No EU funds were used for this procurement
• The maximum framework value in this notice is €10,874,060.00
• Lot 1 maximum value: €7,000,000.00 HT; Lot 2 maximum value: €2,500,000.00 HT
• The procurement is divided into two lots, each awarded separately
• Technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost are the evaluation criteria
• 5 tenders (Lot 1); 4 tenders (Lot 2)
• The winners include a large enterprise (Lot 1) and an SME (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting was declared for both lots
• The contracts were concluded on 15 September 2026
• Maximum renewals: 0
• The framework operates without reopening of competition
• The procurement anticipates the 2033 opening to competition of regional rail transport

Market & Industry Perspective

The French public sector railway transport consultancy market features a mix of large engineering and consultancy groups and specialised SMEs. Project management assistance is essential for preparing regional railway networks for the opening to competition and for the takeover of maintenance and stabling sites.

Key trends in this market include:

• Balanced evaluation: Technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost
• Mix of providers: Large enterprise (Lot 1) and SME (Lot 2) winners
• Composite frameworks: Ordinary contract and framework agreement parts
• Long-term preparation: Supporting the 2033 opening to competition
• Subcontracting: Declared for both lots
• Strategic procurement: Environmental impact reduction and social objectives

Economic Significance

At €10,874,060.00 maximum framework value in this notice, this framework represents a significant investment in project management assistance for Région Occitanie's regional railway network. The contract will:

• Support Railway Transport: Provide project management assistance for the opening to competition
• Support Both Large Enterprises and SMEs: Winners include a large enterprise and an SME
• Prepare for Competition: Support the 2033 opening to competition of regional rail transport
• Support Site Takeover: Assist with the takeover in ownership of maintenance and stabling sites
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Comply with Law No. 2018-515 for a new railway pact
• Support Strategic Objectives: Environmental impact reduction and social objectives

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the framework period
• Options: The contract provides for the possibility of later entrusting the contract holder with one or more contracts for similar services
• Related Services: Additional project management assistance for railway transport
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the groupements and their subcontractors
• Other Regional Rail Projects: Similar project management assistance procurement opportunities

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for railway project management assistance providers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Options: Monitor similar services opportunities with the contract holders
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the groupements and their subcontractors
• Related Services: Other project management assistance for railway transport
• Other French Regions: Similar railway opening to competition assistance procurements

What Businesses Should Watch

• Région Occitanie's future procurement notices
• Other French regional railway opening to competition tenders
• Railway project management assistance market trends
• Changes to French procurement regulations
• Environmental and social requirements in railway procurement
• Options for similar services

FranceTenders.com Procurement Intelligence

This railway project management assistance framework is a notable example of French public sector procurement in the special sectors. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €10.87M maximum framework value in this notice
• Balanced evaluation: Technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost
• Mix of winners: Large enterprise (Lot 1) and SME (Lot 2)
• Two lots: Technical/administrative/legal assistance; and maintenance and stabling sites
• Competition: 5 tenders (Lot 1); 4 tenders (Lot 2)
• Subcontracting: Declared for both lots
• Composite framework: Ordinary contract and framework agreement parts
• No renewals: Maximum renewals: 0

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Technical value: Technical value-based evaluation
• CSR: CSR-based evaluation
• Commercialisation: Commercialisation-based evaluation
• Overall cost: Overall cost-based evaluation
• Railway expertise: Ability to deliver project management assistance for railway transport
• Public sector experience: Understanding of French regional railway requirements
• Regulatory awareness: Understanding of the new railway pact and opening to competition

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate strong technical value – technical value is an evaluation criterion
• Showcase CSR – CSR is an evaluation criterion
• Demonstrate commercialisation capability – commercialisation is an evaluation criterion
• Offer competitive overall cost – overall cost is an evaluation criterion
• Showcase railway project management assistance expertise
• Develop public sector experience with French regional railway authorities
• Monitor Région Occitanie and French regional railway procurement opportunities
• Prepare for options for similar services

Key Takeaways

• Région Occitanie awarded a €10,874,060.00 project management assistance framework for regional railway lines
• Two lots: LOT-0001 (technical, administrative and legal assistance for opening to competition) and LOT-0002 (assistance with takeover of maintenance and stabling sites)
• Lot 1 maximum value: €7,000,000.00 HT; Lot 2 maximum value: €2,500,000.00 HT
• Maximum renewals: 0
• Evaluation: Technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost
• 5 tenders (Lot 1); 4 tenders (Lot 2)
• Winners: GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE (Lot 1); GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES (Lot 2)
• Winners include a large enterprise and an SME
• Subcontracting declared for both lots
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Framework without reopening of competition
• Composite framework (ordinary contract and framework agreement parts)
• Supports the 2033 opening to competition of regional rail transport

Conclusion

This project management assistance framework ensures that Région Occitanie has access to specialised technical, administrative and legal assistance for the opening to competition of its regional railway network and for the takeover in ownership of regional maintenance and stabling sites. By awarding the two lots to two groupements, the Region secures a diverse panel with the capability to deliver project management assistance for railway transport.

The evaluation criteria (technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost) reflect the balanced nature of railway project management assistance procurement, where both quality and cost are important differentiators among qualified suppliers. The composite framework structure, the two-lot split and the subcontracting arrangements reflect the complexity and strategic importance of preparing the regional railway network for the 2033 opening to competition.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of technical value, CSR, commercialisation, overall cost, railway expertise, public sector experience and regulatory awareness in winning French public sector railway project management assistance contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Région Occitanie?

Ans: A contracting entity operating in railway services in France, acting as the Organising Authority for Transport in the Occitanie region.

Q: What is the value of the framework?

Ans: Maximum framework value in this notice €10,874,060.00; Lot 1 maximum €7,000,000.00 HT; Lot 2 maximum €2,500,000.00 HT.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: GROUPEMENT ARTELIA/HARLAY AVOCATS/FCL GERER LA CITE (Lot 1) and GROUPEMENT OPTEAMISE CONSULTING/ARCADIS ESG/SEBAN & ASSOCIES (Lot 2).

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Project management assistance for the operation of regional railway lines, including technical, administrative and legal assistance for opening to competition (Lot 1) and assistance with the takeover in ownership of maintenance and stabling sites (Lot 2).

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Technical value, CSR, commercialisation and overall cost.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: 5 tenders (Lot 1); 4 tenders (Lot 2).

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Tribunal administratif de Toulouse.

Q: What is the lot structure?

Ans: Two lots – LOT-0001 (technical, administrative and legal assistance for opening to competition) and LOT-0002 (assistance with takeover of maintenance and stabling sites).

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: Yes, subcontracting was declared for both lots (Lot 1: €117,125.00; Lot 2: €9,200.00).

Q: Are there renewals?

Ans: No, maximum renewals: 0.

Q: What is the purpose of the framework?

Ans: To prepare for the opening to competition of the regional public passenger rail transport by 2033, as enacted by Law No. 2018-515 of 27 June 2018 for a new railway pact.

Q: What strategic procurement objectives apply?

Ans: Approach to reducing environmental impacts (Other) and social objective promoted (Other).

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 653087-2026, OJ S 183/2026, published 22 September 2026.

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