RFT 11/24DL for a Capital Estate Review of Atlantic Technological University

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1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|-------------------------------|------------------| Atlantic Technological University RFT 11/24DL for a Capital Estate Review of Atlantic Technological University Legal & Financial Services not disclosed not stated Open not stated not stated 12:00 (Noon) on 31 October 2024 not stated

2. Scope of Work

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) seeks consultancy services for a comprehensive strategic assessment of its entire capital estate and the development of a preliminary business case. This initiative is part of ATU's ongoing efforts to enhance its facilities and infrastructure across its eight campuses, which span 260 km from Letterfrack, Co. Galway to Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• Conducting a strategic assessment of the capital estate, aligning with the Infrastructure Guidelines (December 2023).
• Developing a preliminary business case that outlines potential investments and improvements.
• Engaging with various stakeholders to gather data and insights relevant to the assessment.
• Employing sub-consultants with specialist skills as necessary to provide expertise in specific areas.
• Delivering reports and presentations to the ATU Steering Group at various stages of the project.

The project is structured into distinct phases, including:

1. Stage 1: Strategic Assessment - Evaluating current assets, identifying gaps, and assessing future needs.
2. Stage 2: Preliminary Business Case - Formulating a business case that includes financial appraisals and investment strategies.

The contract duration is set for eight months, with a possibility of a six-month extension based on performance and budget availability.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of consultancy services is driven by ATU's commitment to improving its infrastructure following its establishment on April 1, 2022, from the merger of three Institutes of Technology. This strategic initiative aligns with national educational policies aimed at enhancing higher education facilities. The university aims to address current deficits in its capital estate and prepare for future demands, particularly in student accommodation and facilities management.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €900,000 for the last three years related to real estate consultancy.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €250,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable projects completed in the last five years, involving strategic assessments and business cases for educational entities.
• Personnel: Access to a minimum of 4 Principals, 8 Senior/Associate Consultants, and 12 Consultants/Analysts.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, with a minimum scoring threshold of 60% for each qualitative criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, adhering to specified page limits.
• CVs: For key personnel, with a maximum of two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in the provided template.
• Case studies: Three examples of previous work, demonstrating relevant experience.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made electronically via eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: Eight months, with a potential extension of six months based on performance.
• Payment terms: Not specified in the documents.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Regular performance reports to the ATU Steering Group.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but details of sub-consultants must be provided.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• The turnover requirement of €900,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller SMEs.
• The contract's estimated value of €450,000 is indicative, with no guaranteed expenditure, which may affect financial planning for bidders.
• The lack of specified insurance requirements for certifications may create uncertainty for bidders regarding compliance.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for:

• Firms with experience in real estate consultancy, particularly those with a focus on educational institutions.
• Bidders must have the capacity to meet the personnel requirements, which may necessitate collaboration with other SMEs or larger firms.
• The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at several days, depending on the complexity of the submission.
• The presence of a significant turnover requirement may indicate a competitive environment, with potential incumbents likely having an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT 11-24 DL ATU Capital Estate Review.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Specification of Requirements, Appendix 2 — Tender Response Document, Appendix 3 — Pricing Schedule.