Swim Products and Swimwear for Resale

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 the supply of swim products and swimwear for resale at the National Aquatic Centre, located within the Sport Ireland Campus. The successful contractor will provide a range of products that meet EU Water Safety guidelines and comply with the EU Directive 2001/95/EC on General Product Safety. The contract is valued at €121,000 over a two-year term, subject to performance and business needs.

Key activities include:

• Product Supply: Provision of swim products such as goggles, swim shorts, swimsuits, armbands, kickboards, and baby seats.
• Point of Sale Display: Supply and installation of a lockable display cabinet for products.
• Compliance: All products must meet relevant national and EU regulations, including CE marking.
• Sample Submission: Tenderers must provide samples of specified products for quality assessment.
• Quality Control: Tenderers must demonstrate quality control measures and provide certificates of conformity from recognized agencies.
• Delivery Management: The contractor must manage stock levels, lead times, and delivery schedules, accommodating seasonal variations in demand.
• Account Management: An appointed Account Manager will oversee service delivery and maintain communication with the Contracting Authority.

The facility operates 363 days a year, and the contractor must ensure product availability throughout this period.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Sport Ireland Facilities DAC's objective to enhance the offerings at the National Aquatic Centre, which serves both elite athletes and the local community. The decision to procure swim products and swimwear is driven by the need to provide quality merchandise that meets safety standards and enhances the customer experience at the facility. The contract aims to ensure a reliable supply of products that cater to the high public usage of the centre.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €121,000.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €12,700,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: not specified
• Professional Indemnity: €1,500,000 in the aggregate
• Certifications: Compliance with relevant EU directives and standards.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least two comparable contracts within the last three years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The price/quality split follows the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Complete the Tender Response Document (TRD) with no specific page limits stated.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Complete and sign the Pricing Schedule (Appendix 1).
• Case studies: Evidence of two comparable contracts.
• Declarations: Include Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Submit via eTenders, ensuring documents do not exceed 10MB.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: Initial term of 2 years, with a possible extension of up to 12 months.
• Payment terms: Invoices payable within 60 days of receipt.
• Performance monitoring: Supplier performance will be assessed based on cost competitiveness, quality of service, and turnaround time.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority may terminate the contract with 30 days' notice if performance issues arise.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks associated with this tender include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €121,000 is closely aligned with the contract value, which may limit competition.
• Sample requirements: The need for non-returnable samples may deter smaller bidders who cannot afford to provide multiple product samples.
• Seasonality: The contract's reliance on seasonal demand may impact revenue stability for the contractor.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate:

• Credible bidding capacity: Firms with experience in supplying swim products and swimwear, with the necessary insurance and turnover.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Not specified for this tender.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Estimated at several days to prepare comprehensive submissions.
• Pwin signal: The presence of established suppliers may indicate a competitive landscape, but the open procedure allows for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Swim Products Swimwear for Resale.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: CTR: 041024
• Contact email: Not specified; use eTenders for queries.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 – Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 2 – Form of Self-Declaration
• Appendix 3 – Draft Terms and Conditions