Austria Awards Up to €5.19 Billion Digital Railway Signalling Framework to Siemens and Hitachi Transport and Related Services

Standfirst

ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has awarded a major framework agreement for the construction, expansion, conversion and maintenance of digital railway signalling systems across Austria. Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH and Hitachi Rail Austria GmbH were selected as the two framework partners under the Stellwerke 2.0 renewal strategy. The maximum value of the framework agreements is €5,186,461,103.88. The procurement covers digital interlockings based on EULYNX specifications, georedundant data centres, object controllers, networks, security services, power supply and integration with existing railway control infrastructure.

Introduction

Austria's railway infrastructure operator ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has completed a major procurement for the renewal and digitalisation of railway signalling systems. The project, identified as ProVia-ID 97418, concerns the construction of Digital Signal Boxes or Digital Interlocking Systems known as DSTW under the Stellwerke 2.0 renewal strategy. The framework will cover works and related technical services across the ÖBB infrastructure network in Austria. Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH and Hitachi Rail Austria GmbH were identified as the selected framework partners after three tenders were received.

Why This Contract Matters

The procurement is significant because digital signalling is a core component of railway infrastructure modernisation. The planned DSTW architecture will use EULYNX specifications and digital interfaces to connect central interlocking units with decentralised object controllers. The target architecture includes two to three geographically redundant data centres with servers for the central DSTW units. Existing operations control centres, Radio Block Centres and level crossing installations are also planned to be connected to the digital signalling environment.

The scale of the framework is also notable. The maximum value recorded by the notice is more than €5.18 billion. Rather than appointing only one supplier, ÖBB selected two framework partners and structured the agreement with reopening of competition. This provides a mechanism for subsequent competition between framework partners for individual requirements.

Contract Timeline

The procurement was conducted under internal identifier ProVia-ID 97418, following an earlier notice numbered 219316-2023. The selected framework partners were awarded contracts concluded on 4 September 2026. The result notice was dispatched on 24 September 2026 and published in OJ S186/2026 on 25 September 2026.

Contract Overview

The procurement covers works for digital railway signalling, with the main CPV classification 45316200 for installation of signalling equipment. Additional classifications cover railway signalling works, railway traffic control equipment, technical planning, maintenance, technical support, software development, railway electrical installations and railway traffic control software.

The framework has one lot and operates with reopening of competition. The maximum value of the framework agreements is €5,186,461,103.88. Siemens Mobility Austria submitted the first ranked tender at €2,595,213,378.94, while Hitachi Rail Austria submitted the second ranked tender at €2,591,247,724.94.

Key Contract Details

Project Scope

The procurement covers the construction of Digital Interlocking Systems based on EULYNX specifications of Baseline 4.4 or equivalent or higher, together with existing X25oRaSTA interfaces. The future framework partners are expected to provide central units including data centres, security services platforms, networks and power supply as well as decentralised object controllers and associated outdoor equipment.

The planned architecture includes two to three geographically redundant data centres containing servers for the central DSTW units. Object controllers will be installed at decentralised locations and connected through networks using EULYNX interfaces. Existing operations control centres, Radio Block Centres and railway level crossing systems are intended to be connected to the digital signalling environment.

About the Contracting Authority

ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is the Austrian public undertaking responsible for the procurement. Its activity is classified in the notice as railway services. The authority is based at Praterstern 3 in Vienna and acted as both the buyer and the organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure.

About the Organisations Involved

ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is responsible for Austria's railway infrastructure procurement and initiated the Stellwerke 2.0 digital signalling renewal programme covered by this framework. The organisation established the technical requirements and selected the framework partners through the competitive procurement process.

Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH was selected as one of the framework partners and submitted the first ranked tender. Its recorded tender value is €2,595,213,378.94. The company is classified as a large economic operator and is based in Vienna.

Hitachi Rail Austria GmbH was selected as the second framework partner and submitted the second ranked tender. Its recorded tender value is €2,591,247,724.94. The company is classified as a large economic operator and is based in Vienna.

Bundesverwaltungsgericht is identified as the review organisation for the procurement. The Austrian Federal Administrative Court is based in Vienna and also provides information concerning the review procedures.

Publications Office of the European Union acted as the TED eSender for the notice. The office is based in Luxembourg and transmitted the procurement result for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Procurement Analysis

The procurement used a negotiated procedure with prior publication of a call for competition. Three tenders were received for the single lot and three were submitted electronically. One tender came from a micro, small or medium sized tenderer. No tenders were recorded from suppliers registered outside the EEA or from other EEA countries.

The framework structure is particularly important. ÖBB selected two framework partners and specified that the framework agreement operates with reopening of competition. This allows subsequent competition between the framework partners rather than allocating every future requirement directly to one supplier.

The two recorded ranked tenders are closely aligned in value. Siemens Mobility Austria's first ranked tender was €2,595,213,378.94, while Hitachi Rail Austria's second ranked tender was €2,591,247,724.94. The notice identifies both companies as winners of the single lot.

Additional Procurement Facts

The maximum value of the framework agreements is €5,186,461,103.88. The two selected suppliers' tender values together total €5,186,461,103.88, matching the maximum framework value recorded in the notice.

The framework has no planned renewals and does not use a dynamic purchasing system. The procurement is not covered by the Government Procurement Agreement according to the TED notice. Subcontracting was recorded as not yet known for both selected tenders.

Market and Industry Perspective

The Stellwerke 2.0 procurement reflects the continuing digitalisation of railway signalling infrastructure. Digital interlocking systems can integrate central computing infrastructure with decentralised field equipment and digital communication interfaces, creating a technology architecture that differs from traditional signalling arrangements.

The use of EULYNX specifications is an important technical element of the procurement. The notice requires DSTW solutions based on EULYNX Baseline 4.4 or equivalent or higher specifications. This creates a procurement environment in which interoperability and standardised interfaces are central considerations.

The project also connects signalling technology with data centres, networks, security services and power systems. This creates demand across multiple technology disciplines rather than limiting the opportunity to conventional signalling equipment manufacturers.

Economic Significance

The maximum framework value of €5.186 billion makes the procurement one of the largest railway technology frameworks recorded in the notice series covered by this analysis. The two selected framework partners account for tender values of approximately €2.595 billion and €2.591 billion respectively.

The framework structure also creates a long term procurement channel for railway signalling works. Because competition can be reopened between the framework partners, future requirements can be allocated through subsequent competitive processes within the framework structure.

Future Procurement Opportunities

The project is likely to generate associated procurement demand across railway signalling, control systems, communications infrastructure, cybersecurity, data centre infrastructure, electrical installations and technical support. Suppliers operating in these areas can monitor ÖBB's future procurement activity for requirements connected with digital railway infrastructure.

The EULYNX based architecture may also generate demand for compatible components, software, interfaces and integration services. Businesses with experience in railway traffic control, object controllers, signalling software and technical planning can monitor related opportunities across Austria and other European railway markets.

Opportunities for Suppliers

The framework demonstrates that large railway digitalisation programmes can create opportunities for both major system suppliers and specialist companies. One of the three tenders received came from an SME classified tenderer.

Specialist suppliers can therefore monitor framework opportunities not only as direct prime contractors but also for complementary technology and services. Areas such as railway software, technical support, maintenance, signalling components, cybersecurity, networking and electrical systems may provide relevant opportunities around large digital signalling programmes.

What Businesses Should Watch

Businesses should monitor ÖBB procurement activity for future call offs and related opportunities arising from the Stellwerke 2.0 programme. Because the framework includes reopening of competition, suppliers should distinguish between the framework award itself and future competitions conducted within the framework.

Companies should also track technical requirements around EULYNX interfaces, digital interlocking systems, object controllers and railway traffic control software. These specifications can influence supplier eligibility and the compatibility of proposed technologies with existing railway infrastructure.

TendersOnTime.com Procurement Intelligence

The ÖBB Stellwerke 2.0 procurement is a significant example of how railway infrastructure modernisation can combine construction, signalling, software and digital infrastructure within a single procurement opportunity. For procurement intelligence purposes, it should not be classified solely as a railway construction requirement because the scope includes substantial technology and software elements.

The CPV structure provides several signals for supplier discovery. The primary classification is installation of signalling equipment, while the additional classifications include railway signalling works, traffic control equipment, software, technical planning, maintenance and technical support. Monitoring only one CPV could therefore miss related opportunities connected with the wider programme.

The two selected suppliers also provide useful competitive intelligence. Siemens Mobility Austria and Hitachi Rail Austria submitted closely valued tenders and were both selected as framework partners. Their respective tender values are €2.595 billion and €2.591 billion. The third tender is not identified in the result information as a selected framework partner.

For suppliers, the most important intelligence point is the framework's reopening mechanism. Future requirements may be competed among the framework partners, creating additional procurement events that can be tracked separately from the original framework award. This makes ongoing monitoring of ÖBB's procurement activity particularly relevant for businesses operating in railway signalling and digital infrastructure.

Supplier Takeaways

• ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG awarded a major Digital Interlocking System framework under its Stellwerke 2.0 strategy.
• Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH and Hitachi Rail Austria GmbH were selected as framework partners.
• The maximum framework value is €5,186,461,103.88.
• Siemens submitted the first ranked tender at €2,595,213,378.94.
• Hitachi submitted the second ranked tender at €2,591,247,724.94.
• The procurement consists of one lot.
• Three tenders were received.
• One tender came from an SME.
• The framework operates with reopening of competition.
• The project is based on EULYNX signalling specifications.
• The planned architecture includes two to three geographically redundant data centres.
• Object Controllers will be connected to central DSTW units through EULYNX interfaces.
• The scope includes signalling, networks, security services, power supply, software and maintenance.
• The contract agreements were concluded on 4 September 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Country: Austria.
• Buyer: ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG.
• Project: Stellwerke 2.0 Digital Interlocking System and signalling infrastructure.
• Internal Identifier: ProVia-ID 97418.
• Main CPV: 45316200.
• Procedure: Negotiated with prior publication of a call for competition.
• Maximum Framework Value: €5,186,461,103.88.
• Framework Partners: Siemens Mobility Austria GmbH and Hitachi Rail Austria GmbH.
• Siemens Tender: €2,595,213,378.94.
• Hitachi Tender: €2,591,247,724.94.
• Lots: 1.
• Tenders Received: 3.
• SME Tenders: 1.
• Framework: With reopening of competition.
• Renewals: 0.
• EU Funding: Not stated as EU funded in the result information.
• GPA: No.

Conclusion

ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has established a framework worth up to €5.186 billion for the construction, expansion, conversion and maintenance of digital railway signalling infrastructure under its Stellwerke 2.0 strategy. Siemens Mobility Austria and Hitachi Rail Austria were selected as the two framework partners after three tenders were received. The project represents a major digitalisation programme involving EULYNX based interlocking systems, data centres, object controllers, networks and integration with existing railway infrastructure.

Source: TED result notice 663182-2026, OJ S186/2026, published 25 September 2026.