Climate Summer Works: Roof replacements and energy efficiency upgrades at St. Joseph’s Secondary School and the adjacent former Convent Building in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry.

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 roof replacements and energy efficiency upgrades at St. Joseph’s Secondary School and the adjacent former Convent Building in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry. The estimated value of the contract is €1,600,000.00. The works encompass both structural and energy-focused improvements to existing buildings.

The constituent activities and deliverables include:

• Roof Replacements: This involves the removal of existing roofing materials and the installation of new systems. The specific materials and methods will be detailed in the Works Requirements. This will likely include work on concrete, timber, and profiled metal decks, requiring suitable waterproofing membranes. Standards such as BS EN 13956:2012, BS 8000-0:2014, BS 8000-4:1989, BS 8217:2005, and European Standard EN 13165:2012 are referenced, indicating a requirement for compliance with specified construction and material standards. Fixing methods must adhere to standards like BS EN 1991-1-4:2005.
• Energy Efficiency Upgrades: While specific details are not fully elaborated in the provided metadata, this category typically includes measures to reduce energy consumption and improve thermal performance. This could involve insulation upgrades, window replacements, or HVAC system improvements, though the primary focus appears to be on the building envelope through roof works.
• Compliance and Certification: The contractor must ensure all works comply with relevant Building Control Regulations and Irish Building Regulations. This includes providing a final Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate upon completion. The contractor will also be responsible for obtaining all necessary Consents (planning permission, permits, etc.) not already obtained by the Employer.
• Project Management and Site Operations: The contractor is responsible for managing all site operations, including safety, health, and welfare in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations. This includes appointing a Project Supervisor for the construction stage if required by the Schedule.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Works must meet specified standards of workmanship and quality. This includes undertaking required tests and rectifying any defects identified during the defects period.
• Documentation: The contractor must provide Contractor’s Documents, including drawings, specifications, manuals, and reports, as required by the Contract and Works Requirements. This includes providing documents for the safety file before Substantial Completion.

The project involves two distinct but adjacent buildings: St. Joseph’s Secondary School and the former Convent Building. The scope covers the replacement of roofs and associated energy efficiency improvements across both structures.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is driven by the need to address climate-related issues through building upgrades. The project title, "Climate Summer Works," indicates a strategic focus on improving the environmental performance and resilience of educational facilities. St. Joseph's Secondary School is the procuring entity, acting as the Employer. The works are situated at the school's premises in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, and include the adjacent former Convent Building, suggesting a consolidation or repurposing of facilities. The project aligns with broader government or educational sector initiatives aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in public buildings. No incumbent contractor is explicitly mentioned, but the tender is for a new contract to undertake these specific works.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Average annual turnover of €1,000,000 (excluding VAT) in the General Construction/Civil Engineering category for each of the last three financial years.
• Combined total turnover for all members of a consortium must meet this minimum.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess €10,000 for property only.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 on an annual aggregate limit. The maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000. This cover must be maintained until six years after the date of the completion certificate.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• A minimum of three relevant project references must be submitted.
• Applicants must demonstrate successful completion of at least one project meeting key characteristics of similar nature, scale, and complexity, with a capital value in excess of €1,600,000 (excluding VAT).
• All minimum experience requirements must have been met within the past seven years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• 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, public works contracts in Ireland typically follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality, along with any minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall, would be detailed in the full tender documents.

6. Submission requirements

The specific submission requirements are not fully detailed in the provided metadata. However, based on standard public procurement practices and the referenced contract documents, bidders will likely need to submit:

• Completed Tender Response: This would include technical proposals, method statements, and responses to specific evaluation criteria.
• Pricing Schedule: A detailed breakdown of costs, likely in a specified format.
• CVs: For key personnel, demonstrating relevant experience.
• Case Studies/References: To substantiate past experience claims, likely detailing projects of similar scale and complexity.
• Declarations: Including but not limited to:
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) or equivalent suitability questionnaire.
• Bona Fides declarations.
• Tax clearance certificates.
• Declarations regarding conflicts of interest.
• Insurance Documentation: Evidence of meeting the required insurance levels.
• Performance Bond: If required, as per Schedule, part 1E.

The submission will be made via the eTenders platform. Specific templates, page limits, and formatting rules would be provided in the full tender documentation.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be governed by the Public Works Contract for Minor Works (PW-CF5 v2.9 25/11/2025). Key terms include:

• Term & Extension: Not specified in the metadata.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments will be made based on the progress of works. A retention sum will be applied. Final payment follows the submission of a final statement and certification. Interest is payable on late payments.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the metadata, but quality of workmanship, adherence to programme, and safety compliance are implicit requirements.
• Liquidated Damages: Clause 9.8 details provisions for liquidated damages for failure to achieve Substantial Completion by the specified date.
• Termination: The contract allows for termination by the Employer in case of contractor default (Clause 12.1) or at the Employer's election (Clause 12.5). Termination by the Contractor is also provided for under specific circumstances (Clause 12.4).
• IP Ownership: Rights in Contractor's Documents are addressed in Clause 6.4.
• Sub-contracting: Subcontractors are permitted, with specific provisions regarding their appointment and liability (Clause 5.4).
• Performance Bond/Guarantees: A performance bond may be required before the Starting Date, as specified in Schedule, part 1E (Clause 1.5).

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value vs. Turnover: The estimated contract value of €1.6 million is significantly higher than the minimum annual turnover requirement of €1 million. This suggests the tender is accessible to medium-sized firms rather than very small businesses, but the turnover requirement is not excessively high relative to the contract value.
• Insurance Requirements: The insurance levels, particularly Public Liability (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability (€13m), are substantial. The Professional Indemnity insurance requirement of €6.5m aggregate, maintained for six years post-completion, is also significant and may be a barrier for smaller, less experienced firms.
• Contract Form: The use of the standard Public Works Contract for Minor Works (PW-CF5 v2.9) indicates a structured, regulated procurement process. This contract form is comprehensive and includes detailed clauses on risk, liability, and dispute resolution.
• Project Supervisor Role: The potential for the contractor to be appointed as Project Supervisor for the construction stage (Clause 2.4) adds a layer of responsibility and requires specific competence and insurance.
• Building Regulations Focus: The explicit mention of Building Control Regulations, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and associated standards (e.g., BS EN, DIN EN) highlights the importance of compliance and technical competence.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely best suited for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with established experience in general construction and building envelope works, particularly roofing and energy efficiency upgrades.

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a proven track record in similar-scale public or educational building projects, demonstrating turnover of at least €1 million annually in relevant construction work, and capable of meeting the significant insurance requirements (€6.5m PL, €13m EL, €6.5m PI). Experience in working with standard public works contracts would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract allows for joint ventures and consortia, meaning SMEs can band together to meet the turnover and experience requirements. Sub-contracting is also permitted, allowing SMEs to bid and then engage specialists for specific elements if needed.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid for a public works contract of this value, with detailed insurance and experience requirements, would likely require significant effort. This could range from 15 to 30 working days for a dedicated bid team, including time for site visits, clarification requests, pricing, and document preparation.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is for a specific set of works at a named educational institution. Without information on previous tenders or incumbent status, it is difficult to assess the Pwin signal. However, the clear scope and standard contract form suggest a competitive process. The substantial insurance requirements might filter out some smaller SMEs.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in metadata.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in metadata.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified in metadata.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF5_Agreement_A2_09-12-2019.docx
• PW-CF5_Contract_v2.9_25-11-2025.pdf
• Works Requirements (document name not specified)
• Pricing Document (document name not specified)
• Works Proposals (document name not specified)