Design, Supply and Installation of Children's Playground at Kerry Pike

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 design, supply, and installation of a children's playground located in the northern section of Ballycannon Park GAA grounds in Kerry Pike, Cork City. The project covers an area of approximately 885 square meters and aims to create an inclusive, safe, and engaging play environment for children of all ages, particularly toddlers and pre-teens.

Key activities include:

• Designing the Playground: The contractor must create a layout that incorporates universal design principles, ensuring accessibility for all children.
• Site Preparation: This includes site clearance, leveling, grading, and ensuring proper drainage to prevent flooding.
• Installation of Playground Equipment: High-quality equipment must be installed, including swings, climbing units, and sensory play elements, all compliant with IS EN 1176 standards.
• Surfacing: The playground surface must be wetpour, conforming to IS EN 1177, and designed to minimize opportunities for anti-social behavior.
• Fencing: Installation of a perimeter fence approximately 143 meters long and 1.20 meters high, with a self-closing gate, to ensure safety.
• Maintenance: A 24-month maintenance period post-installation, including monthly inspections, is required.

The contractor must ensure that all materials used are durable and resistant to vandalism, with a preference for steel over timber in the construction of equipment.

3. Background & buyer context

Cork City Council is procuring this playground project to enhance local recreational facilities and promote community well-being. The initiative aligns with the council's broader objectives to improve public amenities and support healthy lifestyles among children and families. The project is part of ongoing efforts to develop inclusive play spaces that cater to diverse community needs. 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 €600,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Environmental Liability: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Compliance with relevant ISO standards (e.g., ISO 14001) and adherence to health and safety legislation.
• Past experience: Minimum of 2 comparable projects completed within the last 5 years, demonstrating similar scope and complexity.
• Personnel: At least one project supervisor with a minimum of 5 years' experience in playground design and installation.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be based within the EU/EEA.

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 the best price-quality ratio.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A detailed response document following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: At least 2 examples of similar projects, with values ranging from €100,000 to €500,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Site visit: Attendance at a mandatory site visit is required; details will be provided upon request.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via eTenders, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Contract length: 12 months with potential extensions based on performance.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon completion of milestones, with a minimum amount for interim payments set at €0.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Monthly inspections during the 24-month maintenance period.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified, but delays may incur penalties.
• Termination clauses: The council reserves the right to terminate the contract for reasons including non-compliance or failure to meet safety standards.
• IP ownership: All designs and materials produced under the contract will remain the property of Cork City Council.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the main contractor must retain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover requirement: The minimum turnover threshold may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be based within the EU/EEA, potentially excluding local firms outside this area.
• Maintenance obligations: The 24-month maintenance period may require additional resources and commitment from the contractor.
• Safety compliance: Strict adherence to safety standards (IS EN 1176) may pose challenges for firms unfamiliar with playground installations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with relevant experience in playground design and installation. Viable bidders should have:

• Experience in similar projects, ideally with a focus on inclusive play environments.
• The capacity to meet insurance and turnover requirements.
• The ability to form consortia or subcontract as needed to fulfill technical and financial criteria.
• An estimated bid preparation effort of approximately 10-15 days.

The presence of a competitive landscape and the absence of a named incumbent suggest a moderate Pwin signal, with opportunities for SMEs to differentiate through innovative design and community engagement.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: REVA.01. Request for Tender Contract Open Procedure (RFT) 2022 (1).pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: 24CCC043
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix A — Tender Submission Requirements
• Appendix B — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix C — Health and Safety Requirements