Mobilizing financial and commercial advisors for a major rail O&M bid
The right expertise at the decisive moment.
From engagement to advisors deployed
Keolis, one of the world’s leading public transport operators, engaged Arpus to provide financial, commercial, and subject matter expertise for a significant rail operations and maintenance bid in Saudi Arabia — requiring rapid mobilization of senior advisory talent.
Keolis needed to assemble a team of senior financial and commercial advisors within weeks to support a high-value rail O&M bid — a timeline that traditional consulting procurement could not accommodate.
Rail operations and maintenance contracts in Saudi Arabia represent some of the most significant transportation commitments in the GCC. With the Kingdom investing billions in new rail infrastructure — including metro systems, intercity rail, and freight networks — the O&M contracts that follow are multi-billion riyal, multi-decade commitments.
Keolis, a global leader in rail operations with a presence across four continents, was pursuing one such contract. The bid required deep financial modelling, commercial structuring, and subject matter expertise specific to the Saudi transportation regulatory environment — capabilities that needed to be deployed within weeks, not months.
“The bid deadline was non-negotiable. We needed senior advisors who understood Saudi rail economics, not a team of analysts who would need months to get up to speed.”
— Bid Director
Traditional consulting firms quoted 6–8 week mobilization timelines. The bid required advisory support within two weeks. This was the challenge that led Keolis to Arpus.
We deployed senior financial and commercial advisors within two weeks, providing the specialized expertise Keolis needed to submit a winning bid.
Rapid Mobilization
Identified, vetted, and deployed senior advisors with direct rail O&M experience within 10 business days — including financial modellers with Saudi transportation sector expertise.
Financial Modelling
Built the bid financial model covering lifecycle costing, revenue assumptions, risk-adjusted pricing, foreign exchange exposure, and sensitivity analysis for a multi-decade contract term.
Commercial Structuring
Advised on contract structuring, performance guarantees, penalty regimes, subcontracting strategy, and local content compliance to optimize the commercial proposition.
Bid Submission Support
Provided end-to-end support through the bid submission process including response drafting, clarification management, and presentation preparation for the evaluation committee.
The project was successfully awarded to Keolis, with the client providing a positive testimonial on the quality and speed of Arpus’s advisory contribution.
From engagement to advisors deployed
Bid success — project awarded
“Arpus mobilized faster than anyone else we spoke to, and the quality of the team was exceptional. They weren’t just advisors — they became an integral part of our bid team.”
Managing Director, Middle EastKeolis
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