On 13 Dec, 22:33, D7666 wrote:
On Dec 13, 10:27 pm, "Paul Scott"
wrote:

I recall there was a certain amount of debate here about how the DfT were
able to announce the class of train and manufacturer, without an OJEU notice
appearing, and tenders being sought.

There was - or at leastt here was in once case where I stated this.

However, I was shot down by subsequent posters and told it was wrong.

Well, I was talking to the top people at Siemens recently and touched
on the 172s - there was absolutely no complaint about the way they
were procured. I think possibly there was some behind the scenes
discussion with all manufacturers - and certainly Siemens appear to be
just too late with ideas for much lighter trains, so maybe they have
accepted "defeat" as they think they wouldn't have had anything ready
to offer.

I think the order for the TfL / LOROL sets has already been agreed.

Despite the slip up with announcing the "winner" before the order was
signed I understand LM have got the trains at pretty much the price
they originally expected to pay. Reference to letters exchanged during
the run up to the franchise starting was rather helpful in LM's
favour!

Tony