Germany – Real estate services – ST 26017 Wettbewerblicher Dialog Planung, Bau und Betrieb der Medical Science City im Rhein-Kreis Neuss

The Rhein-Kreis Neuss (Contracting Authority) intends to award a contract based on this invitation to tender for the design, construction, and operation of the Medical Science City (MSC) in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, which will serve as a model for the Federal Republic of Germany. The aim of the MSC is to promote, in particular, innovative start-ups from the academic environment (including the surrounding universities and university hospitals) and technology-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to support the entire development process of gene and cell-based therapy strategies (Gene and Cell-based Therapies, GCT). The MSC will provide access to state-of-the-art production facilities and specialized equipment essential for the development and production of GCT. In addition, it offers comprehensive services for start-ups and SMEs to support them in all phases of product development. As an integrative centre for biomedical research, development, and production, the MSC brings together all relevant actors in the value chain – universities/higher education institutions and their clinics, start-ups with innovative approaches, and the biomedical industry – in one location. The subject of this procurement is the planning, construction, and operation of the MSC on a site in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, with the contractor, regardless of their operational tasks, being obligated to transfer the use of the MSC to the Rhein-Kreis Neuss during the contract period. The operation to be provided by the contractor includes the selection and mediation of suitable users to the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, as well as all building-related services and works (including maintenance, upkeep, warehouse logistics, energy supply, IT infrastructure, validation, building services, GMP certification, and ensuring the laboratory infrastructure is up to date). The contractor will also provide services such as personnel services and material supply to support start-ups and SMEs in all phases of product development. These services are included in the usage package purchased by the start-ups and SMEs. In addition, the contractor may, in addition to the services included in the subsidised usage packages, establish a separate economic business unit for the sustainable use of the MSC by offering additional, non-subsidised services to start-ups and SMEs for a market-based fee. The contract period is 15 years. The MSC must be operational by September 2029. For all contractual services, including the grant of the right of use to the Rhein-Kreis Neuss, the contractor will receive a one-time payment of a maximum of EUR 155 million (net). The exact fixed price will be determined and announced during the dialogue phase. The contract will stipulate that the fixed price can be reduced if, during the construction and operation phase, the actual costs incurred result in a lower financial requirement. If the MSC is not operational by September 2029, no funding can be drawn and hence no remuneration can be paid to the operator. Bidders are therefore advised to take this timeframe into account in their planning from the outset. The project's aim is to establish a Medical Science City to enable and accelerate the transfer of research results into marketable products. The operator is responsible for the utilisation of the MSC, primarily by non-listed small enterprises, whose registration in the commercial register dates back no more than five years and who meet the requirements of Article 22(2) of the General Block Exemption Regulation (AGVO) (start-ups), as well as SMEs that meet the requirements of Annex I of the AGVO. They guarantee that these enterprises generate usage fees of at least EUR 1 million per year. If the amount received in one or more years falls below this threshold, the operator owes the Rhein-Kreis Neuss the difference. The difference becomes due three months after the end of the respective calendar year. If the usage fees exceed the Rhein-Kreis Neuss's own contribution, the Rhein-Kreis Neuss intends to invest the surpluses, at least in part, in consultation with the operator, in the non-economic part of the MSC to enhance the sustainability of the MSC. In such cases, the operator will receive an appropriate commission. After the 15 years have elapsed, the right of use will revert to the contractor. Thus, after the 15 years have elapsed, all usage fees earned by the contractor will be theirs. The project is funded by grants from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia using funds from the European Regional Development Fund EFRE/JTF Programme NRW 2021.2027. Further details can be found in the performance-related tender documents (in particular, the performance description (Annex B.1)).