The object of the award is the integrated procurement and ensuring the availability of S-Bahn multiple units for use on the Cologne S-Bahn. The procurement thus includes the cost-effective production of S-Bahn-capable electric multiple units, including maintenance and long-term assurance of availability for an expected period of 36 years for use in local rail passenger transport of the Cologne S-Bahn according to the NRW-RRX model.

Integrated production and delivery of S-Bahn-capable electric multiple units over the life cycle, including maintenance and long-term assurance of availability over an expected period of 36 years, for use on the lines of the Cologne S-Bahn. The vehicles should be built according to a modular approach. The following modules are required: seat module, comfort station module, multi-purpose module, multi-purpose module with wheelchair space and flex module. According to the current state of planning, at least 90 vehicles (plus maintenance reserve) with a number of modules of at least 96 modules (short type) or at least 112 modules (long type) per vehicle are expected to be required. The first vehicles are expected to start operating from the international timetable change on 13.12.2026 as part of a trial operation with passengers and then successively on the lines of the Cologne S-Bahn. There will be staggered start-ups between December 2027 and December 2032. The boarding height of the vehicles must be optimised for platforms with a height of 96 cm above the top of the rail. The rolling stock shall be made available to one or more railway undertakings (RUs) for operation. The dates for the start of operations mentioned in this announcement represent the current status of the planning, which may change due to new findings in the procurement procedure. However, the bidders are not entitled to this.

For further requirements, reference is made to the vehicle specifications. Basic requirements according to the vehicle specifications are in particular:

(a) bidirectional electric traction units;

(b) use of the maximum available platform length of 150 m (short type) or 170 m (long type);

(c) a maximum speed of at least 140 km/h;

d) all doors with level-level, at least two-lane entry areas suitable for a platform height of 96 cm above the top of the rail,

(e) a uniform colour concept for all vehicles, both for the outer shell and for the interior;

(f) two toilets per vehicle.