FI-Mikkeli: operation of scheduled air services

Invitation to tender

(2007/C 206/05)

1.   Introduction: Pursuant to Article 4(l)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23.7.1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, the Finnish Government (Ministry of Transport and Communications) has decided to impose a public service obligation on scheduled air services on the Mikkeli-Helsinki route.

The public service obligation has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (C 205 of 4.9.2007).

If, by 1.9.2007, no air carrier has begun to operate nor announced its intention to begin to operate scheduled services on the Mikkeli-Helsinki route in accordance with the public service obligation without requiring financial compensation, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will restrict access to this route to a single carrier for no more than 3 years. The right to operate on the route will, in that case, be granted on the basis of an invitation to tender under Article 4(1)(d) of the abovementioned Regulation. The City of Mikkeli (the client) decided on 11.6.2007 to launch the invitation to tender.

2.   Object of invitation to tender: Operation of scheduled air services on the Mikkeli-Helsinki route from 1.12.2007 to 30.9.2010, except for the periods 20.6.2008 to 15.8.2008, 19.8.2009 to 15.9.2009 and 18.6.2010 to 15.9.2010.

3.   Participation in the tendering procedure: Bids may be submitted by any air carrier holding a valid operating licence within the meaning of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23.7.1992 on licensing of air carriers.

4.   Tendering procedure: The tendering procedure will be conducted in accordance with Article 4(1)(d) to (i) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92.

The client may reject all offers if the price is too high or if circumstances or the requirements for organising the service change significantly, in such a way as to make it unfeasible or impossible to implement the planned service in the way described in the invitation to tender.

Until a contract is signed, the client will retain the right to defer the start date of the planned service. If the start date is deferred, the end date will also be deferred correspondingly.

5.   Tender documents: A full set of tender documents, comprising an invitation to tender, the tender conditions, the contract, a description of the public service obligation and the tender forms, may be obtained from:

Mikkelin kaupunki, Kirjaamo, PL 33, -50101 Mikkeli.

They can also be obtained by sending a request by e-mail to the following address: kirjaamo@mikkeli.fi or by fax to number +358 15 194 2040.

6.   Financial compensation: Bids must clearly specify, in euro, the amount of compensation required for the service in question. The compensation required should be based on an estimate of actual costs and revenue, taking account of the minimum requirements imposed by the public service obligation. The compensation may cover only actual services and costs incurred at Helsinki-Vantaa and Mikkeli airports in connection with the operation of these routes alone. The compensation will not include costs incurred on other routes or at other airports.

All compensation and costs must be specified in euro.

7.   Ticket prices: The tender will specify ticket prices and the conditions for their validity as well as the various types of ticket in the price system. Prices must be in keeping with the public service obligation imposed on this route.

8.   Selection criteria: Selection will be made from the bids that meet the requirements set out in the invitation to tender and the tender documents. Selection will take into consideration the elements mentioned in Article 4(l)(f) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92.

9.   Period of validity of the contract: The contract will apply from the date on which it is concluded to 30.9.2010. Services are to start on 1.12.2007 and end on 30.9.2010.

If the client has to defer the start date for the services, the end date of the services and of the contract will also be deferred correspondingly.

10.   Amendment or termination of the contract: The contract may be amended only if the amendments will not lead to a situation in which the requirements under the public service obligation will no longer be met on this route. Amendments to the contract must be made in writing. The parties will have the right to terminate the contract if there is reason to do so under the terms of the contract.

11.   Penalties in the event of failure to comply with the contract: The air carrier will be responsible for meeting the obligations set out in the contract. If the carrier fails to meet the obligations or meets them inadequately, the client may reduce the compensation payable.

12.   Deadline for submission of bids: Bids must be submitted not later than 31 days after the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

13.   Submission of bids: Bids must reach Mikkeli City Hall by 15:00 on the date specified in point 12, at the latest. The applicant must mark on the envelope: ‘Tarjous: Mikkelin lentoliikenne, dnro 1989/2007’ (= Offers: Mikkeli air service, reference number 1989/2007). Bids may be sent by post to the address mentioned in point 5 above, or be submitted to the Mikkeli City registry at the following address: Raatihuoneenkatu 8-10, 50100 Mikkeli. The registry is open from Monday to Friday.

The price of the bid must be specified in a separate sealed envelope, bearing the name of the tenderer.

Bids will be valid until 31.12.2007.

14.   Validity of invitation to tender: In accordance with Article 4(1)(d) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92, the Finnish State (Ministry of Transport and Communications) has the right to suspend the tendering procedure if a Community air carrier notifies Finland's Civil Aviation Administration before 1.9.2007 of its wish to begin the operation of scheduled services on the route in question as from 1.12.2007 in accordance with the public service obligation without sole rights and without receiving financial compensation.