Engineering Consultancy Services for Specific Regional Road Improvement Schemes

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 engineering consultancy services for specific regional road improvement schemes in County Mayo. The contractor will be responsible for a range of activities associated with the planning, design, and execution of road improvement projects. The scale of work includes the R314 Killala Town and R315 Lahardaun to Crossmolina schemes.

Key activities include:

• Design Services: Preparation of detailed engineering designs for road improvements, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Site Assessments: Conducting site surveys and assessments to evaluate existing conditions and identify necessary improvements.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: Evaluating potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed road works and recommending mitigation measures.
• Public Consultation: Engaging with local communities and stakeholders to gather feedback and address concerns regarding the proposed improvements.
• Project Management: Overseeing the project from inception through to completion, ensuring timelines and budgets are adhered to.
• Reporting: Providing regular progress reports, financial reports, and payment schedules to the contracting authority.
• Compliance Checks: Ensuring all work complies with local, national, and EU regulations, including health and safety standards.

The contractor must also manage any necessary interactions with local authorities and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Mayo County Council's strategic objectives to enhance regional infrastructure and improve road safety. The initiative is part of a broader government policy aimed at upgrading national and regional road networks to support economic development and improve connectivity. The urgency for these improvements arises from increasing traffic volumes and the need for safer road conditions. The incumbent contractor is not specified in the documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €400,000 (exclusive of VAT) for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, specifically related to National Road Civil Engineering and Environmental design services consultancy.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €6,500,000 per accident.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €13,000,000 per accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of €1,250,000 per claim and €1,500,000 annual aggregate.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of a minimum of three comparable projects completed within the last five years, demonstrating similar scale, nature, and complexity.
• 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 evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the specified pricing template.
• Case studies: Provide 3 to 5 case studies of relevant projects, with values ranging from €200,000 to €1,000,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made through eTenders, adhering to the specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Not specified for this tender.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made based on milestones achieved, with detailed invoicing required.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The contracting authority reserves the right to terminate the contract for non-compliance or failure to meet project timelines.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will belong to the contracting authority.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted with prior approval from the contracting authority.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €400,000 may limit participation from smaller firms, as it is close to the expected contract value.
• Geographic constraints: No specific geographic constraints were mentioned, which may broaden the pool of potential bidders.
• Tight deadlines: The submission deadline is relatively soon, which may pressure bidders to prepare quickly.
• Incumbent advantage: If an incumbent exists, they may have an advantage due to familiarity with the project and local conditions.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialize in engineering consultancy, particularly in road improvement projects. Viable bidders should have:

• Relevant experience in civil engineering and environmental design.
• The capability to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• The potential to collaborate with sub-contractors if necessary, as sub-contracting is allowed with prior approval.
• An indicative bid-preparation effort of approximately 10-15 days, considering the documentation and compliance requirements.
• A moderate Pwin signal, as the absence of an incumbent may level the playing field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT-S2b-v1.6-09-02-2022.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix B1 — Suitability Assessment
• Appendix B3 — Relevant Projects
• Conditions of Engagement