Expert Services to Develop Baseline Data and Analysis to Demonstrate the Market Opportunities for Timber in Construction in Ireland

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

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves providing expert services to develop baseline data and analysis to illustrate market opportunities for timber in the construction sector in Ireland. The contractor will engage in various activities to gather and analyze data related to timber usage, production, and market dynamics.

Key activities include:

• Conducting an initial survey to assess current timber usage in construction, including timber elements and engineered wood products.
• Analyzing the volumes and types of timber currently utilized in the construction sector.
• Surveying builder merchants, import agents, timber frame manufacturers, architects, and developers to gather insights on purchasing decisions and preferences.
• Documenting the strength classes of timber used in construction, such as C16 and C24, and their implications on timber volume requirements.
• Producing a comprehensive report detailing findings, including charts and projections on timber availability and usage trends in the construction sector.
• Identifying barriers and preferences affecting the adoption of timber products in construction.
• Delivering a final report within six months of contract signing, summarizing the analysis and recommendations for market opportunities.

The contractor must ensure that the analysis is thorough and provides actionable insights for stakeholders in the timber and construction industries.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with the Irish government's strategic initiatives to promote sustainable construction practices and enhance the use of timber in building projects. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment seeks to bolster the timber sector's contribution to the economy, particularly in light of increasing demand for environmentally friendly building materials. The initiative is part of broader efforts to support the construction industry and improve resource efficiency. No incumbent contractor is mentioned, indicating an open opportunity for new bidders.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €100,000.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 limit on aggregated claims per insurance year.
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000 limit on aggregated claims per insurance year.
• Product Liability: Not applicable.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of two comparable projects within the last three years, demonstrating data collection and analysis capabilities in the construction or timber sectors.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must provide documentation to verify compliance with these criteria upon request.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on both price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template with a maximum of 10 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel involved in the project, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must be completed using the specified template.
• Case studies: Two relevant case studies demonstrating previous work in data collection and analysis, with contract values ranging from €20,000 to €50,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The initial contract duration is six months, with potential extensions not specified.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract, with specific conditions outlined in Appendix 5.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not explicitly stated, but timely delivery of the final report within six months is implied.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate the contract under certain conditions.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will belong to the Contracting Authority.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontracting is permitted, but the primary contractor must retain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €100,000 may limit participation from smaller firms, potentially favoring larger bidders.
• The absence of specified certifications could lead to ambiguity regarding required qualifications.
• The tight timeline for delivering the final report (within six months) may pose challenges for thorough data collection and analysis.
• Lack of clarity on potential contract extensions could affect long-term planning for bidders.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with relevant experience in data collection and analysis within the construction or timber sectors.

• Credible bidders: Firms with a minimum turnover of €100,000 and experience in similar projects can bid.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Allowed, enabling SMEs to collaborate with larger firms or other SMEs to meet requirements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Estimated at 10-15 days to prepare a compliant submission.
• Pwin signal: The absence of an incumbent may favor new entrants, but the requirement for proven experience in relevant sectors may limit opportunities for less experienced firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Final RFT Timber in Construction Study 08 Oct 2024.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement