The Wave Stage 3 opens its next procurement path as the fleet and operations package moves toward market.
Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has issued a Forward Procurement Notice for the Fleet, Operations and Maintenance package for The Wave Stage 3 (Metro), giving prospective participants advance notice that an Invitation to Offer process is intended to commence in the coming weeks.
The notice is an important commercial step for the Sunshine Coast transport program because the package reaches beyond vehicle supply. TMR’s project material says the FOM scope is likely to include design and manufacture of the metro-style fleet, design and construction of a depot, and the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the service once it begins.
The formal tender is not yet open. The Forward Procurement Notice is preliminary information for the market and does not oblige TMR to proceed, so BBI is treating this as a procurement-readiness signal rather than a contract award or live bid invitation.
TMR has moved the FOM package from market sounding to a forward procurement notice
Earlier in 2026, TMR conducted market sounding with fleet manufacturers and suppliers, operators, and depot design-and-construct specialists. The department said that process confirmed high levels of industry interest and was intended to test market capability, technology options, risk, innovation and delivery approaches.
The new Forward Procurement Notice is the next visible procurement signal. It tells prospective participants that TMR intends to commence an Invitation to Offer process in the coming weeks and provides preliminary information so the market can prepare. Importantly, the notice states that a response is not required and that it is not itself a formal market approach.
That distinction matters for BBI’s contractor audience. The market has been put on notice, but there is not yet a live FOM bid process to describe as open. The stronger signal is that teams interested in fleet supply, depot delivery and long-term operations now have a more immediate procurement clock to monitor.
The package combines fleet supply, depot infrastructure and long-term operations
A system package rather than a simple vehicle purchase
TMR says the FOM package is likely to include design and manufacture of the metro-style vehicle fleet, design and construction of the depot facility used to house and maintain those vehicles, and the day-to-day running of the service once operations commence.
The project team has also used market sounding to examine propulsion and charging systems, accessibility features, Intelligent Transport Systems, passenger experience and operational efficiency. That points to a multidisciplinary package spanning rolling fleet technology, depot systems, controls, communications, asset management and service operations.
The final commercial structure, quantities, vehicle technology, contract value and detailed technical requirements should not be assumed before the formal procurement documents are released.
Stage 3 is planned as a high-capacity, high-frequency public transport service between Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya and Sunshine Coast Airport via Mountain Creek and Maroochydore CBD. TMR describes the project as part of The Wave, the wider transport initiative linked to the Brisbane 2032 delivery program and long-term Sunshine Coast growth.
The next gate is the formal Invitation to Offer, while civil alliance selection runs in parallel
FPN now; formal FOM approach intended next
The procurement sequence has now progressed through industry market sounding to the Forward Procurement Notice. The notice says TMR intends to commence the Invitation to Offer process in the coming weeks. The timing of later evaluation, preferred-proponent steps and contract award remains to be confirmed through the formal process.
In parallel, TMR is procuring Civil Infrastructure Program alliance delivery partners for Stage 3 and the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade. Three consortia are shortlisted: Kinection, SunCoast Connect and WaveLink. TMR expects two Program Alliance delivery partners to be selected in late 2026.
The commercial opportunity extends across fleet, depot, systems and service capability
OEMs and operators are only part of the potential delivery ecosystem
The published FOM description directly identifies fleet manufacture, depot design and construction, service operations and vehicle maintenance. Around those core functions, a project of this type can create interfaces for charging or propulsion systems, ITS, communications, control systems, workshop equipment, asset-management technology, cleaning, facilities services and specialist technical support.
Those surrounding areas are a capability lens rather than a tender list. BBI has not identified public confirmation that TMR has released individual subpackages for these activities. Their relevance will depend on the final FOM delivery model and the supply chains assembled by the successful participant.
TMR is encouraging suppliers and businesses interested in The Wave to register for project updates and industry engagement. The department says details can be shared with successful contractors once they are onboard, reinforcing the importance of early supply-chain visibility.
The FOM procurement sits beside a major civil program heading toward alliance selection
The Stage 3 civil works are being advanced through the integrated Civil Infrastructure Program with the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade. TMR has shortlisted Kinection Consortium — Acciona, Bielby, Fulton Hogan, Aurecon and SMEC; SunCoast Connect Consortium — CPB Contractors, Seymour Whyte, JF Hull, BMD, AECOM and GHD; and WaveLink Consortium — John Holland, SEE Civil, WSP and Jacobs.
TMR says two Program Alliance delivery partners are expected to be appointed in late 2026, with main construction targeted to commence in 2027. That means the FOM market process is emerging while the physical corridor and station delivery team is also being formed.
For industry, the key interface is integration. Fleet dimensions and performance, depot requirements, charging or propulsion technology, passenger systems, ITS and operating requirements ultimately need to align with stations, corridor infrastructure and civil interfaces. The procurement model therefore matters not only to vehicle and operations specialists but also to engineering, systems and infrastructure businesses watching the wider program.
Confirmed now versus what remains ahead
- TMR has issued a Forward Procurement Notice for the Stage 3 FOM package.
- TMR intends to commence an Invitation to Offer process in the coming weeks.
- The FOM scope is likely to cover fleet design/manufacture, depot design/construction, operations and maintenance.
- Stage 3 links Birtinya with Sunshine Coast Airport via Mountain Creek and Maroochydore.
- Three consortia are shortlisted for the Civil Infrastructure Program.
- Two civil Program Alliance partners are expected to be selected in late 2026.
- Formal FOM Invitation to Offer opening.
- Final FOM commercial structure and technical requirements.
- Bidder and consortium participation.
- Preferred proponent and FOM contract award.
- Final vehicle technology and fleet quantities.
- Downstream supplier and subcontractor packages.
- Main Stage 3 civil construction from 2027.
What contractors and suppliers should watch next
Project Watch identifies project signals and capability areas to monitor. The BBI Directory helps project teams and contractors find businesses operating across Queensland.
Sources and primary references
- Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads — The Wave suppliers and industry
- Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads — Stage 3 high-capacity, high-frequency service and FOM market sounding
- Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads — The Wave Stage 3 project page
- Tender listing reproducing the Queensland procurement notice — Forward Procurement Notice, The Wave Stage 3 FOM package