Invitation to Tender for Cork Container Terminal - Straddle Carrier Position Determination System

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 implementation of a Position Determination System (PDS) for the straddle carriers operating at the Cork Container Terminal (CCT). The PDS aims to enhance the accuracy of yard positioning, improve vessel planning, and optimize equipment and labor efficiency. The project will support the terminal's anticipated growth in traffic volumes, which is expected to increase from 152,000 TEU in 2023 to a maximum of 300,000 TEU annually.

Key activities include:

• Installation of PDS: Retrofit of PDS equipment on a fleet of 12 straddle carriers.
• Integration with Terminal Operating System (TOS): The PDS must interface with the existing TOS provided by Softpak, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange.
• Accuracy Requirements: The system must provide yard slot and tier container grid locations with a minimum accuracy of 95%.
• Operational Workflows: The PDS will manage yard movements, including geo-fenced zones for various operational areas such as wash bays and truck interchange bays.
• User Interface: The system should allow admin users to modify yard grid labels and provide alerts for entering specific zones.
• Data Reporting: An admin tool must be included to extract yard locations and coordinates for troubleshooting and future layout changes.

The project will be executed in a single phase, with all principal requirements delivered simultaneously. A pre-installation site survey will be conducted to confirm grid locations and signal strength for hardware installations.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement is driven by the Port of Cork Company's (PoCC) mandate to enhance port capacity and infrastructure in response to increasing trade volumes. The Cork Container Terminal, operational since 2021, is positioned to handle significant growth in container traffic. This initiative aligns with the Irish Government's National Ports Policy, which designates the Port of Cork as a "Core Port" under the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The terminal's recent expansion, including a €89 million investment, underscores the strategic importance of this project.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 for each of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Professional Indemnity: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: At least two similar projects in container terminal-based position determination systems within the last five 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 evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best balance of price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Use the specified template for pricing.
• Case studies: Provide at least two case studies of similar projects, with values ranging from €100,000 to €500,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All documents must be uploaded to the eTenders website.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: The contract will be for an initial five-year period, with options for extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon submission of VAT invoices, detailing working hours and supporting documentation.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: The system must maintain 99.9% availability during operational hours.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €500,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Integration complexity: The requirement for seamless integration with the existing TOS may pose challenges for bidders without prior experience in similar systems.
• Tight timelines: The go-live date is not specified, which may lead to pressure on bidders to deliver within a constrained timeframe.
• Limited geographic scope: The project may favor incumbents familiar with the terminal's operations and layout.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in IT and software solutions for container terminals. Viable bidders should have:

• A minimum of five years of trading history in the port equipment or software sector.
• Experience in integrating systems with existing TOS software.
• The capacity to manage the project within the specified timelines.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but may be permissible if they meet the eligibility criteria. Bid preparation is estimated to require several weeks of effort, including time for site surveys and proposal development. The presence of an incumbent may signal a competitive environment, but the tender is open to firms with the requisite experience and capabilities.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: POCC Straddle Carrier Position Determination System ITT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix A – Pricing Schedule Form of Tender
• Appendix B – Self Declaration
• Appendix E – Service Level Agreement