Upgrade to Science Labs and Climate Action Works at St Colmans CC Midleton

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :-------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------ | :------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | Cork Education and Training Board CASWS26 St Colmans CC Midleton Co Cork - Upgrade to Science Labs and Climate Action Works Not stated €800,000 Not stated Not stated Not stated Cork, Ireland Not stated 2026-08-18T11:00:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks a contractor to undertake upgrade works to science laboratories and climate action initiatives at St. Colman's Community College in Midleton, County Cork. The estimated value of the contract is €800,000. The scope of work encompasses the refurbishment of existing science laboratory facilities and the implementation of climate action measures.

Key activities and components of the work include:

• Science Lab Upgrades: This involves the modernisation and enhancement of existing science laboratory spaces. Specifics of the upgrade are not detailed in the provided metadata but will likely include structural, mechanical, electrical, and finishes work to bring facilities up to current educational and safety standards. This may involve:
• Demolition and removal of existing fixtures and fittings.
• Installation of new laboratory benches, fume cupboards, and services (gas, water, electricity, data).
• Upgrades to ventilation and extraction systems to meet safety regulations, potentially referencing standards such as BS EN 14175 for fume cupboards.
• Refurbishment of flooring, walls, and ceilings.
• Provision of new lighting and power distribution.
• Climate Action Works: This component of the project focuses on implementing measures to improve the environmental performance and sustainability of the college. The exact nature of these works is not specified but could include:
• Energy efficiency improvements (e.g., insulation upgrades, window replacements, LED lighting).
• Installation of renewable energy systems (e.g., solar panels).
• Water conservation measures.
• Waste management improvements.
• Enhancements to building fabric to reduce carbon footprint.
• Ancillary Works: This will include all associated enabling works, site preparation, waste disposal, and making good to existing structures and finishes.
• Compliance and Certification: The contractor will be responsible for ensuring all works comply with relevant Building Control Regulations, health and safety legislation, and any specific standards cited in the tender documents, such as EN 14470-1 and EN 14470-2 for safety cabinets.
• Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS): The contractor will likely be required to fulfil the role of PSCS, managing health and safety throughout the construction phase.
• Quality Management: Adherence to quality management systems, potentially referencing ISO 9001, will be expected.

The contract is based on the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15, dated 25th November 2025.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) for St. Colman's Community College in Midleton, County Cork. The project aims to upgrade essential educational facilities by modernising science laboratories and to address environmental sustainability through climate action works. This aligns with broader educational policy objectives focused on providing contemporary learning environments and with national and international drives towards climate action and sustainability within public buildings. The specific context for the science lab upgrade suggests a need to modernise facilities to support current teaching methodologies and scientific advancements. The inclusion of climate action works indicates a commitment by the ETB and the school to reduce their environmental impact and potentially achieve cost savings through improved energy efficiency. The procurement is being conducted under the Short Public Works Contract framework, indicating a project of a certain scale and complexity managed by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered eligible for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000 for any one event. Maximum level of excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event. Maximum level of excess is €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum indemnity of €1.5 million for the Works Contractor and PSCS. The maximum permissible excess on Professional Indemnity Insurance is the greater of 2% of the tenderer’s annual turnover or €5,000.
• Insurance of the Works and goods and materials for the Works: Maximum level of excess is €10,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender, beyond general compliance with Building Control Regulations and potentially ISO 9001 as a minimum for quality management.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender, but bidders will be required to list previous similar projects.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender, but the contract requires a Suitably Qualified Structural Engineer who is a member of Engineers Ireland.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided metadata. However, for public sector tenders of this nature, the award is typically based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which balances price and quality. Quality aspects often include technical merit, methodology, experience, and proposed personnel. Price is usually a significant component. Specific scoring weights and sub-criteria would be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Pricing Schedule: Format and template to be provided in the tender documents.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD).
• Bona Fides declarations.
• Tax clearance information.
• Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Letter of Undertaking/Bond: A Letter of Undertaking from a surety company (Appendix D2) is required, confirming their ability to issue a performance bond if the tender is successful. The bond amount is not specified in the provided text.
• Banker's Letter: A Banker's Letter (Appendix C) is required, providing details of the applicant's lending facilities.
• List of Previous Works Projects: A list of completed projects similar in nature and complexity to the works required, organised in order of precedence and accompanied by certificates (Appendix B1).
• Method Statement / Response Document: Not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata, but a comprehensive response addressing all tender requirements is expected.
• CVs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata.
• Case Studies: Not explicitly detailed in the metadata.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules for electronic submission will be detailed in the full tender documentation.

7. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15, dated 25th November 2025.
• Contract Commencement: The contract comes into effect upon written acceptance of the contractor's tender.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments are made as scheduled, with a final payment after the Defects Certificate is issued. Payment claims require a notice from the contractor, followed by a certificate from the Employer's Representative. The Employer shall pay the invoiced amount within the period stated in the Schedule.
• Liquidated Damages: Applicable if the contractor fails to substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion, at the rate specified in the Schedule.
• Termination: The contract outlines conditions for termination, including if a suspension of works lasts longer than 3 months and the Employer does not grant permission to proceed.
• Insurance: Comprehensive insurance requirements are detailed, including Public Liability, Employer's Liability, and Professional Indemnity.
• Performance Bond: If required by the Schedule, a performance bond must be provided within 7 days of tender acceptance.
• Sub-contracting: The contractor may engage sub-processors for data processing with prior written notice to the Employer. General sub-contracting rules will be in the full contract.
• Intellectual Property: Not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata.
• Data Protection: The contractor must comply with Data Protection Law, including GDPR, and process Personal Data only in accordance with the contract.

8. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value vs. Insurance: The estimated contract value of €800,000 is significantly lower than the mandatory Public Liability (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability (€13m) insurance cover required. This suggests a high level of risk aversion by the procuring authority or a standard template applied across various contract values.
• Short Public Works Contract: The use of the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6) implies a streamlined process, but also potentially less flexibility for the contractor regarding variations and claims compared to longer forms of contract.
• Unspecified Details: Key project specifics, such as the exact scope of the science lab upgrades and climate action works, are not detailed in the metadata. This necessitates a thorough review of the full tender documents to understand the full technical requirements.
• Tight Insurance Excess: The maximum excess levels for Public Liability (€6,500) and Employer's Liability (€6,500) are relatively low, meaning the contractor bears a smaller portion of the initial claim cost, but the high overall cover is still substantial.
• Performance Bond Requirement: The potential requirement for a performance bond, to be provided within 7 days of acceptance, could be a logistical challenge for some bidders if not prepared in advance.

9. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven experience in educational facility upgrades and/or climate action construction projects.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a construction company with a track record in refurbishing public buildings, specifically schools or similar educational institutions. Experience in laboratory fit-outs, including specialist services, would be advantageous. Companies with demonstrable expertise in energy efficiency or renewable energy installations would be well-positioned for the climate action component.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. SMEs may consider forming consortia to meet the insurance requirements or to pool expertise. Sub-contracting specialist elements (e.g., laboratory services, specific climate action technologies) is a common practice and likely permissible.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a bid for this tender would likely require 10-20 days of effort for a small business. This includes understanding the scope, preparing technical proposals, gathering insurance and financial documentation, and completing the pricing schedule and declarations. The need for specific appendices like the Banker's Letter and Surety Letter adds to this effort.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is unlikely to be dominated by a single incumbent, as it involves specific upgrades at a particular school. The use of the Short Public Works Contract suggests a competitive process. The primary challenge for SMEs will be meeting the substantial insurance requirements.

10. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): CASWS26 St Colmans CC Midleton Co Cork - Upgrade to Science Labs and Climate Action Works
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Details would be available on the eTenders platform.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025 (Conditions of Contract)
• Appendix_D2_QW2_Letter_of_Undertaking_Bond.docx (Surety Letter template)
• Appendix-C-Bankers-Letter (1).docx (Banker's Letter template)
• Appendix-B1-List-of-Previous-Works-Projects-which-is-CEE (1).docx (Previous Works template)