Framework for Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks to establish multi-supplier Framework Agreements for Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services to support Inland Fisheries Ireland's (IFI) National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP). The framework will govern contracts awarded over its duration, covering price and capability for service provision. The services are aligned with the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) and IFI's project phases.

The framework is structured into four lots, with tenderers eligible to apply for one, a combination, or all:

• Lot 1: Civil/Structural/Hydraulic Engineering Services

• Assessment of structures (weirs, culverts, bridges, walls, embankments).

• Barrier mitigation options analysis, including cost analysis and Business Case preparation.

• Outline and detailed design of new or modified structures to facilitate fish passage.

• Technical design of fish passes (e.g., pool and boulder, rock ramp, Larinier, bypass channels).

• Hydraulic modelling and hydrology assessment.

• Flood Risk Assessments and Section 47 & 50 applications to the Office of Public Works (OPW).

• General Health & Safety duties, including PSDP (Project Safety Design Process) duties.

• Management of the planning process (consultation, submission, further information requests).

• Preparation of tender documentation and management of the tender process.

• Temporary works design for water-based infrastructure.

• Management of the construction stage as Employer's Representative.

• Site supervision/Resident Engineer roles.

• Preparation of presentations and banners for public consultation events.

• Lot 2: Environmental/Ecological Services

• Ecological surveys (terrestrial and aquatic habitats, mammals, bats, birds, invasive species).

• Specialist ecological surveys (e.g., bat activity, electrofishing, crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel, invertebrates).

• Habitat Directive Assessment/Appropriate Assessment Reporting (Screening, AA, Alternative Options, IROPI).

• Assessment and reporting under Article 6(1) and 6(2) of the Habitats Directive, including conservation measures.

• Ecological Impact Assessment Reports (EcIA) with mitigation recommendations.

• Ecological Clerk of Works site visits (pre-commencement, during works, post-works monitoring).

• Geomorphology Survey and Assessment, including feasibility and options for barrier mitigation and river restoration.

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening and EIAR.

• Water Framework Directive (WFD) Screening and Full Assessments.

• Archaeological and Underwater Archaeological Assessments.

• Architectural and Cultural Heritage Assessments.

• Management and procurement of specialist sub-consultants (e.g., ecologists, archaeologists, conservation architects, heritage specialists, landscape specialists, noise specialists).

• Lot 3 & 4: Integrated Consultancy Services (<€350K and >€350K respectively)

• Comprise all services detailed for Lots 1 and 2.

• Must follow CWMF Project Management Guidance.

• Individual project management requirements will vary based on project scale.

• Essential requirement: Demonstrable experience in fish pass and river restoration design, and hydromorphology/geomorphology expertise is mandatory for admission to these lots.

Services will be delivered throughout Ireland (26 Counties) and managed by IFI's Barrier Mitigation team. Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is expected.

3. Background & buyer context

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is responsible for promoting, supporting, and advising the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, and development of inland fisheries, including sea angling. A key policy driver is compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which mandates the protection and restoration of natural watercourses. The National Water Action Plan 2024 highlights the strategic importance of this.

IFI's National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP) addresses river fragmentation, a significant threat to freshwater ecosystems caused by artificial barriers like weirs, dams, and culverts. These barriers obstruct fish migration and damage habitats. The NBMP aims to develop assessment tools, conduct surveys, create a national database, improve ecological status, and provide guidance for restoration. Hydromorphological improvements, including barrier removal, are central to this effort. IFI has identified 73,000 potential barriers nationally, with 5,565 confirmed as impeding fish passage. Two funding rounds have been launched, with a third planned for September 2026, supporting numerous barrier projects. This framework procurement is part of IFI's strategy to establish multi-supplier agreements to deliver these barrier mitigation projects.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this framework, tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €400,000 for each and every claim (Lots 1-2); €600,000 for each and every claim (Lot 3); €1,000,000 for each and every claim (Lot 4).
• Professional Indemnity (Annual Aggregate): €500,000 (Lots 1-2); €700,000 (Lot 3); €1,500,000 (Lot 4).
• Certifications:
• Quality Management System (QMS) such as EN ISO 9001 is requested.
• Past experience:
• For Lots 3 & 4, demonstrable experience in fish pass and river restoration design, and hydromorphology/geomorphology expertise is essential.
• Specific minimum project experience requirements are detailed in Appendix A of the Instructions to Tenderers (ITT) for Project Team Members, including:
• At least 84 months post-graduate experience in Earth Science, Geology, or Environmental Science (Level 9 qualification).
• At least 60 months post-graduate experience in applied fluvial geomorphology.
• At least 36 months combined post-graduate experience in design or construction of river restoration or fish passage projects.
• At least 12 months experience in the design or construction of weirs, culverts, bridges, or embankments.
• At least 120 months post-graduate experience (Level 8).
• At least 60 months post-graduate experience (Level 8).
• At least 84 months post-graduate experience (Level 7).
• At least 12 months post-graduate experience.
• At least 6 months experience in the design or construction of water-based infrastructure.
• Personnel: Minimum experience levels for project team members are detailed in ITT Appendix A.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Services to be delivered throughout Ireland (26 Counties).

Tenderers relying on the capacity of other entities must demonstrate that these capacities will be available.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of contracts under this framework will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The evaluation will consider both quality and price.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria