Maryland trims list of private-sector teams competing for Purple Line project

Four teams will be invited to submit proposals to design, build, construct, finance, operate and maintain the Purple Line in Maryland's Montgomery and Prince George's counties through a public-private partnership, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) announced yesterday.

The four teams were selected from six private-sector teams that responded in early December to a request for qualification for the project, state officials said in a press release.

The short-listed teams are: Maryland Purple Line Partners, comprised of Vinci Concessions S.A.S., Walsh Investors L,L.C., InfraRed Capital Partners Ltd., Alstom Transport S.A. and Keolis S.A.; Maryland Transit Connectors, comprised of John Laing Investments Ltd., Kiewit Development Co. and Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate L.L.C.; Purple Line Transit Partners, comprised of Meridiam Infrastructure Purple Line, Fluor Enterprises Inc. and Star America Fund G.P. L.L.C.; and Purple Plus Alliance, comprised of Macquarie Capital Group and Skanska Infrastructure Development Inc.

Representatives of state and county agencies, including Montgomery and Prince George's counties, evaluated six statements of qualifications according to a solicitation plan. Criteria included prior experience, the proposer’s personnel and organization, financing capacity, stewardship approach and overall approach.

"We were quite pleased with the overall response," said MTA Administrator Robert L. Smith. "The interest expressed by so many well-regarded companies is a testament to both the value of the Purple Line as a transportation asset and the power of public-private partnership to deliver value for citizens over a long period."

In spring, MDOT/MTA plan to issue a request for proposals to the short-listed teams to submit complete proposals by fall. In late 2014 or early 2015, MDOT/MTA expect to select a preferred partner and recommend the final agreement to the Board of Public Works for its review and approval. Construction could begin in spring 2015.

The $2.2 billion Purple Line project will involve a 16-mile light-rail line that will run east-west inside the Capital Beltway between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George's County.