Replacement Architectural Services for Additional Accommodation at Balla National School

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|-----------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------|------------------| Balla National School Replacement Architectural Services for Additional Accommodation at Balla National School 71200000 - Architectural services not disclosed not stated Open not stated Balla, Castlebar, Co Mayo not stated 2024-11-07T13:00:00+00:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves providing architectural services for the additional accommodation at Balla National School. The project is designated as Type 2a, indicating a moderate complexity level. The contractor will be responsible for stages 2a to 5 of the architectural planning process, having already completed stage 1.

Key activities include:

• Reviewing Stage 1 Submission: Assess and incorporate any revised temporary accommodation and phasing requirements.
• Preparing Addendum Stage 2B Report: This includes an up-to-date pre-tender cost check.
• Shortlisting Contractors: Undertake the selection of suitably qualified building contractors in compliance with the Department of Education and Skills (DoES) Design Team Procedures.
• Project Management: Oversee the project from stages 2a to 5, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
• Documentation: Provide necessary documentation as per the DoES Schedule of Stage Services for Construction Consultants (Revision 5, Jan 2018).
• Site Development: The project includes the construction of:
• 1 Classroom (80 m²)
• 1 Special Education Teaching (SET) Room (15 m²)
• 2 Classroom Special Educational Needs (SEN) Base (359 m²)
• Secure hard and soft play area (100 m²)
• Sensory Garden (100 m²)
• 6 parking spaces

The total gross floor area for the project is approximately 597 m², including circulation and internal walls. The scope may be adjusted at the discretion of the Contracting Authority, allowing for potential increases or decreases in accommodation.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated to replace the architectural services previously provided by a resigned architect for the additional accommodation at Balla National School. The project aligns with the Department of Education and Skills' ongoing efforts to enhance educational facilities in line with current educational needs. The school operates under the patronage of the Archbishop of Tuam, and the project is part of a broader initiative to improve educational infrastructure across the region.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €200,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Bidders must demonstrate experience in at least 3 comparable projects within the last 5 years, with a minimum project value of €1,000,000.
• Personnel: The Project Director must have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in architecture or related fields.
• Geographic constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle. The scoring criteria are as follows:

A minimum scoring threshold of 70% is required for the technical merit criterion to qualify for further evaluation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A response document following the prescribed template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages per CV.
• Pricing schedule: Must be submitted using the provided template.
• Case studies: At least 3 case studies of similar projects, with values ranging from €1,000,000 to €2,000,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Scheduled for October 22, 2024, from 1 PM to 3:30 PM.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders portal.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term structure: The contract will follow the Standard Conditions of Engagement for Consultancy Services.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made at agreed intervals, with specific milestones tied to project stages.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Adherence to timelines for each project stage will be monitored.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate the contract with appropriate notice.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property generated during the project will be owned by the Contracting Authority.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted, subject to prior approval from the Contracting Authority.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Incumbent advantage: The previous architect's resignation may create a perception of bias towards firms familiar with the existing project documentation.
• Tight timelines: The project has a defined schedule, with potential penalties for delays.
• Complexity of integration: The need to review and potentially revise previous work may pose challenges for new bidders unfamiliar with the project history.
• Limited competition: The specific insurance and turnover requirements may restrict the pool of eligible bidders.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in educational projects. Eligible bidders should have:

• A proven track record in architectural services, particularly in school projects.
• The capacity to meet insurance and turnover requirements.
• The ability to manage the project complexity associated with stages 2a to 5.

Consortium bidding is allowed, enabling smaller firms to collaborate and meet the requirements collectively. Preparation for the bid may require approximately 10-15 days of effort, depending on the firm's existing resources and experience. The presence of an incumbent may signal a competitive landscape, but the opportunity remains open for capable firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Letter of Invitation ARCHITECT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Project Brief
• DoES Form of Tender (and Tender Proposal Form) for Consultants - Minor (Architect/Design Team Leader & Assigned Certifier) - 2018
• DoES Schedule of Stage Services for Construction Consultants (Revision 5, Jan 2018)