The new contract for the municipal crane, worth more than 5.6 million euros for the next five years, is now out to tender.

The Torrevieja City Council has launched a tender for a new contract for the removal and towing of vehicles from public roads, their impoundment and safekeeping, as well as the placement and removal of barriers and mobile signage within the municipality. The contract has a base bid price of €5,616,309.60 (VAT included), for a five-year term, with no possibility of extension , which translates to an annual budget of €1,123,261.92 (VAT included) . The service is scheduled to begin on January 18, 2027 , contingent upon the formalization of the contract, the availability of adequate and sufficient funding, and the termination of the current service. The five-year term will commence from the effective start date of the service.

Interested companies can submit their bids electronically through the Public Sector Procurement Platform until November 30th at 23:59.

The new contract encompasses a series of actions related to road safety, traffic management, and the use of public spaces. Its implementation will be carried out under the control and supervision of the Local Police and Urban Mobility Agents , who will determine the necessary interventions within their respective areas of responsibility.

In addition to removing illegally parked vehicles, the service will handle towing required due to accidents, abandonment, traffic violations, driving under the influence, lack of documentation, orders from the competent authority, roadworks, and other needs of general interest. It will also include moving legally parked vehicles when necessary due to events, emergencies, or municipal operations, under the terms established in the contract specifications.

The service will be provided continuously, 24 hours a day, every day of the year , throughout the entire municipality. The winning bidder must have at least five tow trucks and a trailer suitable for transporting motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, personal mobility vehicles, and other items requiring this type of transport.

The standard weekday service will consist of three tow trucks in the morning, three in the afternoon, and two at night . On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, two vehicles will be on duty each shift. Operating hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, and from midnight to 7:00 a.m.

During the summer season, from June 15 to September 15 , as well as during Holy Week, the staffing from Monday to Friday will be increased to five cranes in the morning shift and four in the afternoon shift , maintaining two during the night and on Saturday, Sunday and holiday shifts.

These staffing levels will be minimum requirements and must be maintained throughout each shift. The successful bidder will be responsible for resolving breakdowns, maintenance operations, or any other incidents affecting the vehicles, ensuring continuity of service. Furthermore, the tender specifications stipulate a maximum response time of ten minutes for the team to arrive at the required location , from the moment they receive notification from the Local Police or Traffic Officers, unless there is a duly justified reason for delay.

ONE SERVICE MANAGER AND 16 CRANE DRIVERS

Regarding personnel, a minimum of one service manager, who will also act as general manager, and 16 crane operator drivers are required. In addition, sufficient staff will be needed to permanently cover the administrative operations of the depot, including replacements for rest periods, vacations, leaves of absence, and sick leave, as well as any applicable subrogation obligations.

The City Council will make the Municipal Vehicle Pound, located on Avenida de los Nenúfares, s/n , available to the successful bidder. The company will assume its operational management, cleaning, upkeep and routine maintenance, as well as access control, reception, identification, registration, location, safekeeping and delivery of vehicles.

Vehicles can be returned 24 hours a day, year-round , once the identity and legal standing of the person requesting their return have been verified, along with compliance with the corresponding requirements. The successful bidder must also maintain the existing video surveillance system, consisting of ten cameras , and take the necessary measures to protect the vehicles during their storage.

To facilitate payment of fees, at least one automated payment machine integrated with the management software will be installed, allowing the use of coins, banknotes, and credit or debit cards, in addition to any electronic payment methods determined by the City Council. The Municipal Treasury will be solely responsible for collecting these fees.

The service will utilize a computer system connected to the Local Police Headquarters , providing real-time information on impounded vehicles, the location and reason for each action, the ordering officer, and the team involved. It will also record vehicle entries and exits from the impound lot, vehicle locations, and a complete history of actions.

Each towing and removal operation must be documented with a minimum of two digital photographs of the vehicle and the work site , plus at least one additional photograph upon its arrival at the impound lot. This documentation will be added to the electronic record and will be available for police review.

PLACEMENT, TRANSFER AND COLLECTION OF FENCES, SIGNS AND MARKERS FOR EVENTS ORGANIZED OR AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL

The contract also includes the placement, transport, and removal of barriers, signs, and beacons for events organized or authorized by the City Council, construction projects, traffic closures, and the demarcation of spaces. These resources will also be used in the event of floods, landslides, or other situations requiring the urgent restriction of vehicle or pedestrian access .

The minimum equipment will include 200 barriers, 100 mobile metal no-parking signs with their corresponding supports, 200 plastic signs, 80 flashing beacons, 25 New Jersey barriers or equivalent, 1,000 meters of warning tape, and 2,000 fasteners . In addition, at least eight vehicle immobilization devices will be available.

When it is necessary to move legally parked vehicles due to municipal activities, construction work, or other reasons of public interest, we will assist with prior signage at least 48 hours in advance , provided circumstances permit. Before implementing the restriction, a record will be kept of the parked vehicles for the purpose of applying the corresponding fees.

The company must maintain up-to-date records of all actions taken and the signage installed, review its necessity, and remove any signs that are no longer needed. It will also notify the Local Police of any vehicles that remain in the impound lot for more than two months, so that the City Council can take the appropriate action.