On June 3rd, 2025, the Ministry of Economy issued Resolution N° 29/2025, launching the National and International Public Tender for the concession of the Eastern and Connection Sections of the Federal Concessions Network – Stage 1 (the “Tender”). In addition, approval was granted for the general and specific terms and conditions, the general and specific technical specifications, and the draft concession agreement (collectively, the “Tender Documents”).
Below are the key aspects of the call:
1. General Conditions of the Tender
The Tender will follow a multi-stage process. Bids must be submitted through the Contra.Ar system, and the deadline for submission is August 5th, 2025.
Each bidder may submit only one bid per section. No individual or entity, nor their affiliates or controlling companies, may participate in more than one bid for the same section.
2. Eligibility Conditions for Bidders
Eligible bidders include individuals or legal entities: (i) domiciled, headquartered, or registered in the Argentine Republic, or (ii) with main offices abroad and no local branch, provided they are registered in the Contrat.Ar System.
Prior to signing the concession agreement, the successful bidder must incorporate a corporation (sociedad anónima) whose sole corporate purpose will be to execute the concession agreement throughout its duration.
3. Economic Offer
The economic offer must consist of the toll amount the bidder proposes to collect if awarded the contract, calculated as of June 2025, and must not exceed the maximum tariff set for each section.
The tariff cap is ARS $ 3,057.85 for the Eastern Section and ARS $ 2,892.56 for the Connection Section. The Tender Documents establish the mechanisms for toll adjustments during the concession term.
Bidders may offer a toll below the maximum rate, in which case the concession term will be 20 years. Alternatively, bidders may offer the capped tariff, with a concession term not exceeding 30 years.
4. Bid Maintenance Guarantee
Each bidder must submit a bid maintenance guarantee, payable on first demand, valid for 120 calendar days from the opening of the envelopes of Stage 1.
Accepted forms for this guarantee include: (i) bank deposit; (ii) bank guarantee; (iii) stand-by letter of credit; (iv) surety bond approved by the Superintendence of Insurance of the Nation (Resolution No. 157/2025); or (v) deposits in Acquisition Value Units (UVAs).
The bid maintenance guarantee amount is ARS $ 3,600,000,000 for the Eastern Section and ARS $ 1,000,000,000 for the Connection Section.
5. Purpose of the Concession
The purpose of the concession agreement includes:
- Execution of works on the concessioned section;
- Preparation of executive projects for works to be carried out on the federal concessions network;
- Toll-based administration and operation of the concessioned sections; and
- Execution of complementary developments.
6. Concession Revenues
The concessionaire will receive revenue from: (i) tolls paid by users; (ii) the operation of service areas, complementary services, and residual properties; and (iii) any other income related to the concession.
7. Performance and Contract Compliance Guarantees
Upon signing the concession agreement, the concessionaire must provide the following guarantees:
7.1. Performance Guarantee
The amount is ARS $ 30,000,000,000 for the Eastern Section and ARS $ 4,000,000,000 for the Connection Section. This amount will be adjusted in accordance with the tariff update formula provided in the Tender Documents and must remain in effect until completion of the works.
7.2. Contract Compliance Guarantee
The amount is ARS $ 15,000,000,000 for the Eastern Section and ARS $ 2,000,000,000 for the Connection Section. This guarantee must remain in effect until all obligations under the contract are fulfilled and will be subject to adjustments as set forth in the Tender Documents.
7.3. Forms of Guarantee
The guarantees may be provided through: (i) a surety bond approved by the Superintendence of Insurance of the Nation (Resolution No. 157/2025); or (ii) deposits in UVAs.
8. Rights in Favor of Lenders
To facilitate project financing, the concession agreement allows the concessionaire, subject to the grantor’s prior authorization, to grant the following rights and guarantees in favor of financing entities:
- Pledge, assignment, or fiduciary assignment of up to 70% of the rights arising from the concession agreement; or
- Pledge, assignment, or fiduciary assignment of its shares and/or economic and political rights.
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For additional information, please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Javier Constanzó, Daiana Perrone, Macarena Becerra Martínez, and/or Sol Villegas Leiva.