The EBRD-backed Skopje Bus Rapid Transit Project in North Macedonia has entered a new procurement stage.
On 16 September 2026, the EBRD Client E-Procurement Portal (ECEPP) published the prequalification for the Line 1 works. EngiFind has subsequently reviewed the full prequalification procurement documentation available through ECEPP, including Sections I–VI and the associated application forms.
Key Procurement Information
- Contract: Design and construction of BRT Line 1, including Novo Lisiche and Gjorche Petrov Depots
- Procurement type: Works
- Procedure: Open Tender, Two Stage, with PQQ
- Contract structure: One contract, no lots
- PQQ deadline: 2 November 2026, 12:00 UK Time
- EBRD Project ID: 51752
- Implementing entity: City of Skopje
- Contract form: FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Plant and Design-Build, 1st Edition, 1999 Yellow Book
The procurement is currently at the prequalification stage. Only participants that successfully pass prequalification will be eligible to participate in the follow-up tender process.
Project Overview
The GrCF2: Skopje Bus Rapid Transit Project is being implemented under the EBRD Green Cities Framework.
According to the 2026 procurement information, the overall project has an estimated value of approximately EUR 71.3 million, comprising around EUR 70 million in capital expenditure and EUR 1.3 million in technical cooperation funding.
The wider programme includes BRT infrastructure, depot facilities, low-floor BRT vehicles, ticketing, passenger information and traffic-control systems.
EUR 71.3 million refers to the estimated value of the overall Skopje BRT programme. It is not the published contract value of the current Line 1 Design-Build contract.
The current PQQ documentation does not state the final contract award value.
Current Design-Build Scope
The current contract covers the design and construction of the east–west BRT Line 1, together with depot and associated urban infrastructure works.
The main scope includes:
- approximately 12.81 km of BRT Line 1 between Gjorche Petrov and Novo Lisiche;
- BRT stations and terminal facilities;
- upgrading of the existing Gjorche Petrov Depot;
- construction of the new Novo Lisiche Depot;
- traffic surveys and engineering studies;
- preliminary and detailed design;
- utility relocation and new utility works;
- traffic signals and bus-priority systems;
- landscaping and environmental works; and
- bridge assessment and associated works.
The Requirements also address the United Nations Bridge. Structural and traffic assessments are to determine whether replacement, widening or reconstruction will be required as part of the contract.
The PQQ documentation estimates that the combined design and construction period will require at least 30 months.
Novo Lisiche and Gjorche Petrov Depots
Novo Lisiche Depot
Novo Lisiche is planned as the main new depot at the eastern end of Line 1.
The works include facilities associated with BRT operations, maintenance, washing, fuelling, staff functions and utilities.
Gjorche Petrov Depot
The existing Gjorche Petrov bus depot at the western end of the corridor will be upgraded to support the future BRT operation.
Both depots form part of the current Design-Build contract.
Technical Design Basis
The 2026 Requirements provide a more specific technical basis than earlier project documentation.
For the current Works contract, BRT Line 1 is to be designed around 18 m hybrid CNG buses.
This is a design basis for the infrastructure contract and does not mean that the buses themselves are being procured under the current Works PQQ.
Traffic signal and vehicle-priority systems are also required to be compatible with Skopje's existing UTOPIA traffic-management system.
Qualification Framework
The full PQQ sets specific qualification requirements covering several areas.
These include:
- financial capacity and historical financial performance;
- available financial resources;
- general construction experience;
- urban transport Design-Build management experience;
- specific experience in urban roads, stations, depots and bridges;
- environmental, social, health and safety management capability;
- proposed personnel;
- JV / consortium / association participation;
- subcontractor qualifications; and
- local design and construction licensing.
Certain specific technical experience may be demonstrated through proposed subcontractors responsible for the relevant scope of work, subject to the requirements of the PQQ.
Detailed financial thresholds, contract-value requirements and JVCA member criteria are summarised in the EngiFind Member Project Brief.
International Participation and JVCA
The procurement is generally open to firms from any country unless otherwise restricted in the procurement documentation.
Participants may apply individually or through a Joint Venture, Consortium or Association (JVCA).
Under the PQQ rules:
- JVCA members are jointly and severally liable;
- the JVCA must appoint a Lead Partner;
- a company may participate individually and as a JVCA member during prequalification;
- after prequalification, the same legal entity may generally participate in only one follow-up proposal for the contract; and
- changes to a prequalified JVCA after the prequalification result require written approval from the Client.
Subcontractors are not treated as Participants and may appear in more than one application, although certain subcontractors are subject to qualification requirements.
Anticipated Procurement Schedule
The PQQ Data Sheet provides the following indicative schedule:
November 2026 Expected prequalification results.
January 2027 Anticipated Invitation to Tender.
February 2027 Anticipated Stage 1 submission.
May 2027 Anticipated Stage 2 submission.
July 2027 Anticipated contract award.
These dates are indicative and remain subject to the formal ECEPP procurement process, clarifications and amendments.
Wider Skopje BRT Programme
The current PQQ relates to the Line 1 Design-Build Works contract.
The wider Skopje BRT programme also includes:
- low-floor BRT vehicles;
- ticketing systems;
- passenger information systems; and
- traffic-control system upgrades.
As of 23 September 2026, EngiFind has not identified a current standalone Goods procurement notice for the BRT vehicles.
Future procurement arrangements for vehicles and system packages should therefore be followed through subsequent ECEPP notices.
EngiFind Member Project Brief
EngiFind has prepared a detailed project brief based on the EBRD/ECEPP project information and the full prequalification procurement documentation:
Skopje BRT Project – International Cooperation Opportunity Brief
The member brief provides further details on:
- project financing and contract structure;
- Design-Build scope and technical requirements;
- financial qualification thresholds;
- general and specific project experience requirements;
- JVCA and Lead Partner criteria;
- subcontractor qualification requirements;
- ESHS requirements;
- local licensing requirements;
- application documentation and procedures;
- the anticipated 2026–2027 procurement schedule; and
- the main EBRD/ECEPP and PQQ source documents.
The full project brief is available to EngiFind members for international market and project research.
Information Sources
Information checked: 23 September 2026
Main sources include:
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- EBRD Client E-Procurement Portal (ECEPP)
- Prequalification Procurement Document, Sections I–VI
- City of Skopje public project materials
Procurement documents may be updated through clarifications, addenda or amendments. Current requirements, deadlines and subsequent tender arrangements should be verified against the latest documents published through ECEPP.