DCC Contract for Construction of the Coolock to Clontarf Active Travel Scheme Section 2 – Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue

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

This tender seeks a contractor for the construction of the Coolock to Clontarf Active Travel Scheme, specifically Section 2, covering the route from Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue. The project involves significant civil engineering and public realm works to enhance active travel infrastructure.

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Road Construction and Resurfacing: Works will involve the construction and resurfacing of roads, including carriageway works. Specific details mention the proposed retention and removal of existing duct chambers (JB4, JB2, JB1) and traffic signal ducts.
• Paving and Soft Landscaping: The scheme requires the installation of natural stone paving and soft landscaping elements.
• Drainage and Utilities: Works will include the management and modification of existing underground services, such as duct chambers and traffic signal ducting.
• Public Realm Enhancements: The project encompasses general civil engineering and public realm improvements to create a safer and more accessible environment for active travel.
• Health and Safety Compliance: All works must be carried out in compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This includes demonstrating competence in health and safety management, having appropriate qualifications for management and personnel, and maintaining a safety management system compliant with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.

The project is categorised as a Type 2 project, with an estimated value between €1,000,000 and €10,000,000 (Excluding VAT).

3. Background & buyer context

Dublin City Council is procuring this active travel scheme as part of its broader commitment to improving sustainable transport infrastructure. The Coolock to Clontarf Active Travel Scheme is a significant project aimed at enhancing cycling and walking facilities within the city. This procurement aligns with national and local government strategies to promote active mobility, reduce carbon emissions, and improve public health. The specific section being tendered, Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue, represents a key segment of the overall scheme, requiring dedicated construction works to achieve the desired outcomes. No incumbent contractor is mentioned in the provided documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €4,000,000 in the General Construction/Civil Engineering category.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €2,000,000.
• Certifications:
• Safety Management System: Must be in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent. Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent.
• Past experience:
• Demonstrate successful completion of at least one street works project including natural stone paving and soft landscaping over a minimum of 2,500 sq m within the past 7 years.
• Provide Certificates of Satisfactory Execution for previous projects, corresponding to project numbers listed in Appendix B1.
• Personnel:
• Management staff with appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience relevant to the Works.
• Personnel with appropriate educational and professional qualifications and experience relevant to the Works.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided extract. However, the tender process follows an open procedure, implying a competitive evaluation. Based on standard public procurement practices for works contracts, the award will likely be based on a combination of price and quality, adhering to the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle. Quality aspects would typically encompass technical capability, health and safety competence, and relevant experience, while price would relate to the submitted tender sum. Specific minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall are not stated.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following:

• Method statement / response document: Completed Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (QW2) and Health and Safety Supplement (3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1.docx).
• CVs: Curricula vitae of management staff and personnel, detailing qualifications and experience.
• Pricing schedule: Not explicitly detailed in the extract, but a tender sum will be required.
• Case studies: Certificates of Satisfactory Execution for previous projects (Appendix B2) and a list of previous works (Appendix B1). A minimum of one street works project with natural stone paving and soft landscaping over 2,500 sq m within the past 7 years is required.
• Declarations:
• Completed Appendix A (Grounds for Exclusion).
• Tax clearance details (Tax/PPS Number and Pin/Access Number).
• Declaration of Bona Fides.
• Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Bids must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules are not detailed in the extract.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract length: Not specified in the provided documentation.
• Extension structure: Not specified.
• Payment terms: Not specified.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Appendix D2 (QW2) indicates that a Performance Bond may be required, with a confirmation letter from a surety company stating their ability to issue a bond up to a specified amount, subject to satisfactory application and within 4 weeks of receipt.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies a minimum average annual turnover of €4,000,000 for a project with an estimated value of €6,130,000. This turnover requirement is substantial relative to the project value, potentially favouring larger, established firms. The requirement for specific past experience in street works with natural stone paving and soft landscaping over a minimum of 2,500 sq m, coupled with the need for Certificates of Satisfactory Execution, means bidders must have a demonstrable track record in these precise areas. The detailed health and safety competence requirements, including ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent, add another layer of compliance that may be challenging for smaller, less resourced firms.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely best suited for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with established experience in civil engineering and public realm construction, particularly those with a strong health and safety management system and a proven track record in street works, paving, and landscaping.

• Credible bidders: Firms with an annual turnover of at least €4,000,000 and a history of successfully delivering projects of similar scale and complexity, evidenced by satisfactory completion certificates. Experience in managing health and safety compliance to ISO 45001:2018 standards is essential.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: The documentation does not explicitly prohibit consortium bids or sub-contracting. However, the turnover requirement for a consortium is stated to be met by the combined total turnover of its members.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing the comprehensive documentation, including detailed health and safety submissions, past performance certificates, and financial information, would likely require significant effort, potentially several weeks of dedicated work for a small team.
• Pwin signal: The substantial turnover requirement and the detailed technical and H&S criteria suggest a competitive tender process. The absence of an incumbent mention implies an open market. However, the specific nature of the required experience could favour firms that have recently completed similar projects for Dublin City Council or other Irish local authorities.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not specified in the provided extract.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Most important attachments:
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (QW2)
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Project Execution
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1.docx (Health and Safety Supplement)
• Appendix A: Grounds for Exclusion