The German engineering conglomerate Siemens says the Ontario government broke its own rules for tendering contracts by handing a $528-million sole-sourced contract to French manufacturer Alstom for 61 light-rail vehicles. Among other uses, the cars would provide a substitute for vehicles from Bombardier if that firm fails to deliver as required. Siemens wrote to Steven Del Duca in May suggesting the province was violating its own policies in awarding a contract without a competitive tender process. The letter also said that the awarding of the contract “effectively eliminates Siemens from competition for future light-rail car procurement in Ontario, thus causing us irreparable harm.” “We believe the decision violates the government’s own procurement directive,” Siemens Canada President and CEO Robert Hardt said. In the letter, Hardt said that Siemens was “extremely disappointed” with the province’s decision and will be “exploring all options available” to it to respond to the decision. Cabinet drops Bombardier, orders LRT trains from France
