Banedanmark Awards DKK 80 Million Railway Track Component Framework to Dena Stahlbau

Banedanmark has awarded a DKK 80 million framework agreement for milled rail inserts to Dena Stahlbau GmbH & Co. KG. The four-year framework covers the supply of railway track components and accessories for Denmark's rail infrastructure network, with options for two two-year extensions.

Introduction

Railway infrastructure requires specialised components to ensure safe and reliable train operations. Banedanmark, the Danish railway infrastructure manager, has established a framework for the supply of milled rail inserts (Fræsede Indpassere)—specialised components used in track construction and maintenance.

The framework, valued at up to DKK 80 million (approximately €10.7 million), has been awarded to Dena Stahlbau GmbH & Co. KG, a German steel construction company. The contract runs for four years, with options for two two-year extensions.

This procurement ensures that Banedanmark has access to high-quality railway track components for maintaining and developing Denmark's rail network.

Why This Contract Matters

Railway track components are essential for maintaining safe and efficient train operations. This framework ensures the supply of specialised milled rail inserts for Denmark's rail infrastructure.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports rail infrastructure: Provides essential track components
• Ensures rail safety: High-quality components for track construction
• Significant value: DKK 80 million framework
• Long-term supply: 4 years + 2 x 2-year options
• German supplier: Dena Stahlbau is a German company
• Competitive process: Two bids received
• Price-focused: Price-only evaluation

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 18 August 2026 (OJ S 158/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: 4dbe4668-9abe-4221-81f6-0bfd51ba604e-01
• Winner chosen: 1-10 October 2024
• Contract concluded: 31 October 2024 / 1 January 2025
• Coverage start date: 1 November 2024
• Coverage end date: 31 October 2028 (+ 2 x 2-year options)

Contract Overview

Banedanmark conducted an open procedure under the EU Sector Directive for this procurement. The framework covers the supply of milled rail inserts and related railway track components.

Key features include:

• Single lot: Milled rail inserts and accessories
• Duration: 1 November 2024 – 31 October 2028 (4 years)
• Options: 2 x 2-year extensions (max 8 years)
• Value: Up to DKK 80,000,000
• Evaluation: Price only
• Winner: Dena Stahlbau GmbH & Co. KG
• No subcontracting: Dena Stahlbau will deliver without subcontracting

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Banedanmark
Winning bidder	Dena Stahlbau GmbH & Co. KG
Contract subject	Milled rail inserts (CPV 34941000)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/25/EU
Maximum value (DKK)	DKK 80,000,000.00
Estimated value (DKK)	DKK 60,000,000.00
Awarded value (DKK)	DKK 31,965,687.00
Contract duration	4 years + 2 x 2-year options (max 8 years)
Bids received	2
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price only
Subcontracting	No
Supplier location	Germany

Project Scope

The framework covers the supply of milled rail inserts and related railway track components:

Products Covered

• Milled rail inserts: Specialised milled components for track construction
• Railway track materials: Rails, crossovers, and accessories
• Track construction materials: Components for railway infrastructure
• Railway equipment: Associated railway equipment

Contract Features

• Framework agreement: Without reopening of competition
• Duration: 4 years (1 November 2024 – 31 October 2028)
• Options: 2 x 2-year extensions (max 8 years)
• Performance: Delivery to Banedanmark's requirements

About the Contracting Authority

Banedanmark is the Danish railway infrastructure manager, responsible for operating, maintaining, and developing Denmark's rail network. The organisation ensures safe and efficient train operations across the country's railway system.

About the Winning Company

Dena Stahlbau GmbH & Co. KG is a medium-sized German steel construction company based in Osnabrück. The company specialises in steel construction, railway components, and milled rail inserts. Dena Stahlbau has expertise in manufacturing specialised railway track components for infrastructure projects. The company's winning bid of DKK 31,965,687 was the lowest of two tenders received.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure under the EU Sector Directive was used, applying to railway services.
• Competition: Two bids were received, representing a competitive field for a specialist railway component procurement.
• Evaluation criteria: Price only. The buyer selected the supplier based solely on price, with quality assured through technical specifications.
• Value for money: The winning bid (DKK 31.97 million) was below the highest bid (DKK 32.79 million), a saving of approximately 2.5%.
• German supplier: Dena Stahlbau is a German company, demonstrating cross-border supply in the European railway market.
• No subcontracting: Dena Stahlbau will deliver without subcontracting.
• Long-term framework: 4 years with 2 x 2-year options provides stability.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• Framework agreement without reopening of competition.
• Two bids were received.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• Disputes or review requests fall to Klagenævnet for Udbud.
• The winner is a German company.

Market & Industry Perspective

The European railway supply market is competitive, with specialised manufacturers across the continent. Railway track components require precision engineering and compliance with strict safety standards.

Key trends in this market include:

• Specialist manufacturing: Railway components require precision engineering
• Cross-border supply: Suppliers from across Europe compete
• Safety standards: Strict compliance with railway safety regulations
• Infrastructure investment: Rail networks are being maintained and upgraded
• Price focus: Price is a key evaluation criterion

Economic Significance

At up to DKK 80 million, this framework represents a significant procurement for Denmark's rail infrastructure. The contract ensures:

• Supply security: Access to essential track components
• Infrastructure maintenance: Supports rail network upkeep
• Cross-border trade: Supports German supplier
• Cost efficiency: Competitive procurement delivers value for money

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Contract extensions: Up to 2 x 2-year options
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered after 4-8 years
• Other railway components: Similar procurements for other track materials
• Other European infrastructure managers: Similar frameworks by other rail authorities

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this framework is awarded, future opportunities exist for railway component suppliers:

• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Other European infrastructure managers: Similar frameworks by other rail authorities
• Other railway components: Switches, crossings, and other track materials
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered in the future

What Businesses Should Watch

• Banedanmark's future procurement notices
• Other European railway infrastructure managers' tenders
• Changes to railway safety standards
• EU railway procurement regulations
• Infrastructure investment programmes

DenmarkTenders Procurement Intelligence

This railway component framework is a significant procurement for Banedanmark. Several features stand out:

• Scale: DKK 80 million over 4-8 years
• Price focus: Price-only evaluation
• Cross-border supply: German supplier winning Danish contract
• Specialist product: Milled rail inserts require specialist manufacturing
• Long-term framework: Up to 8 years with options

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price is the sole criterion
• Product quality: Meeting technical specifications
• European presence: Ability to supply across borders
• Specialist expertise: Capability in railway component manufacturing

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing—price is the sole criterion
• Ensure product quality meets technical specifications
• Develop European presence to supply cross-border
• Monitor other European rail infrastructure managers for similar opportunities
• Build specialist expertise in railway component manufacturing

Key Takeaways

• Banedanmark awarded a DKK 80 million railway component framework to Dena Stahlbau
• Products: Milled rail inserts and railway track components
• Duration: 4 years + 2 x 2-year options (max 8 years)
• Evaluation: Price only
• 2 bids received
• German supplier (Dena Stahlbau)
• No subcontracting
• No EU funding used

Conclusion

This railway component framework represents a significant procurement for Denmark's rail infrastructure. By awarding the contract to Dena Stahlbau, a German specialist manufacturer, Banedanmark ensures a reliable supply of high-quality milled rail inserts for its track construction and maintenance needs.

The price-only evaluation reflects the standardised nature of railway track components, with quality assured through technical specifications. The cross-border award demonstrates the integrated nature of the European railway supply market.

As Denmark continues to invest in its rail infrastructure, similar procurements will provide opportunities for railway component manufacturers with competitive pricing and specialist capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Banedanmark?

Ans: The Danish railway infrastructure manager, responsible for operating, maintaining, and developing Denmark's rail network.

Q: What is the value of the framework?

Ans: Up to DKK 80,000,000 (approximately €10.7 million).

Q: Who won the contract?

Ans: Dena Stahlbau GmbH & Co. KG, a German steel construction company.

Q: What are milled rail inserts?

Ans: Specialised milled components used in railway track construction and maintenance.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price only.

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 4 years with 2 x 2-year extension options (max 8 years).

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: Two bids were received.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 572156-2026, OJ S 158/2026, published 18 August 2026.