Ballycoolin Bus Depot Design and Build

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 Principal Service Provider to undertake the design and build of a bus depot at Ballycoolin. The contract encompasses the full lifecycle from detailed design through to construction and commissioning. The estimated value of the contract is €8,000,000.

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

• Design: Development of detailed architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical designs for the bus depot. This includes ensuring designs comply with all relevant building regulations, safety standards, and operational requirements for a modern bus depot. BIM Level 2 Maturity (PAS 1192-2 / BS EN ISO 19650) compatibility is a requirement for design services.
• Construction: Execution of all civil engineering and building works necessary for the construction of the bus depot. This will involve site preparation, foundation works, structural erection, building envelope construction, and internal fit-out.
• Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Services: Installation and commissioning of all M&E systems, including but not limited to, power distribution, lighting, HVAC, water supply, drainage, and communication systems.
• Ancillary Works: This may include external works such as hardstanding, drainage, landscaping, and utility connections.
• Health and Safety Management: Implementation and adherence to all safety regulations, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This involves developing and maintaining Safety and Health Plans for specific projects.
• Quality Assurance: Implementation of measures for ensuring quality throughout the design and construction phases, including adherence to ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent for safety management systems.
• Commissioning and Handover: Testing, commissioning, and handover of the completed facility to the National Transport Authority.

The project requires the contractor to demonstrate competence in managing health and safety, with specific requirements for educational and professional qualifications for management and personnel, a proven track record in previous works, and robust quality assurance measures.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the Ballycoolin Bus Depot Project, managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA is the statutory body responsible for implementing and regulating public transport in Ireland. The development of new or upgraded infrastructure, such as this bus depot, aligns with the NTA's strategic objectives to enhance public transport capacity, efficiency, and service delivery across the country. The project is part of the NTA's ongoing investment in public transport infrastructure to support national policy goals related to sustainable mobility, reduced carbon emissions, and improved urban and regional connectivity. 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 €60,000,000 in General Construction for the three most recently completed financial years.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €6.5 million on an Each and Every claim basis and €6 million on an Annual Aggregate basis. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Public Liability Insurance: €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Certifications:
• Safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent for the safety management system criterion.
• ISO 14001 certification or an in-house EMS focusing on environmental commitments is required for Mechanical and Electrical Engineers and Architects.
• Past experience:
• Proven track record in the role of Managing Director on a minimum of two building projects, each with a capital value in excess of €50 million.
• A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience operating at Managing Director level within the construction industry.
• Evidence of completed works over the past seven (7) years that are similar in nature and complexity to the Works. Applicants must provide Safety and Health Plans for two (2) of these projects.
• Personnel:
• Health and Safety Manager must have a minimum of 10 years’ experience acting in this capacity on building construction projects.
• Management staff and personnel must possess appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience relevant to the Works, including Health and Safety qualifications and training.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided extract. However, the process is described as a Restricted Procedure, indicating that a suitability assessment will be conducted based on the Qualification Criteria outlined in Section 3 of the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). All health and safety selection criteria are pass/fail. Bidders must meet the relevant minimum standards for each qualification criterion. The final award will likely be based on a combination of quality and price, following standard public procurement practices for design and build contracts, typically evaluated under a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) framework.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit a Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) response. The specific components of the submission include:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Completed in accordance with the instructions and requirements outlined in the document.
• Health and Safety Supplements: Applicants must complete Health and Safety Supplement 3.4.1 (Contractor/Reserved Specialist).
• Curricula Vitae (CVs): For management staff and personnel, detailing relevant qualifications, training, experience on similar projects, and roles held. CVs should indicate educational and professional qualifications, Health and Safety training, and CPD.
• List of Previous Projects: Completed via Appendix B1 (List of Previous Projects) with corresponding Certificates of Satisfactory Execution (Appendix B2).
• Safety and Health Plans: For two (2) of the projects included in Appendix B1.
• Safety Management System Evidence: Details of the safety management system, or third-party certification (e.g., ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent, Safe-T-Cert).
• Organisational Structure: A document setting out the Applicant’s organisational structure.
• Declarations: Including declarations related to health and safety competence, quality assurance, and any conflicts of interest.
• Tax Clearance: Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number will be required for online verification by the Contracting Authority prior to award.
• BIM Capabilities: Evidence of BIM Level 2 Maturity (PAS 1192-2 / BS EN ISO 19650) compatibility.

The submission must be made via the eTenders portal. Specific format rules for attachments or document limits are not detailed in the provided extract.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Public Works Contracts framework, likely PW-CF2 (Building Works designed by the Contractor) given the design and build nature. Key terms to note include:

• Contract Length: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Payment Terms: Standard public sector payment terms apply, likely adhering to prompt payment legislation.
• SLAs/KPIs: Specific Service Level Agreements or Key Performance Indicators are not detailed in the extract but will be defined in the full contract documents.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the extract.
• Termination Clauses: Standard termination clauses for breach of contract or convenience are expected.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the extract.
• Sub-contracting: Rules regarding sub-contracting will be detailed in the full contract.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified in the extract, but may be required for performance or advance payment.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The primary risk for bidders lies in the significant turnover requirement (€60 million average annual turnover) for a project with an estimated value of €8 million. This suggests a potential mismatch in scale, possibly indicating a preference for larger, established firms or a need for consortia. The requirement for BIM Level 2 Maturity is a standard but critical technical prerequisite. The health and safety requirements are extensive and presented as pass/fail, demanding meticulous attention to detail in submissions. The absence of a specified contract length and go-live date introduces uncertainty for planning.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely geared towards larger construction firms or consortia due to the high average annual turnover requirement of €60 million. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) may find it challenging to meet this threshold individually.

• Credible Bidders: Established main contractors with a strong track record in general construction, significant financial capacity, and experience in delivering projects of similar scale and complexity. Firms with existing ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certifications and proven BIM Level 2 capabilities are well-positioned.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The structure of the tender does not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. SMEs could potentially participate by forming consortia with other firms to meet the turnover and experience requirements, or by acting as specialist sub-contractors to a lead contractor.
• Bid-Prep Effort: Given the detailed SAQ, health and safety documentation, and experience evidence required, bid preparation effort is estimated to be substantial, likely requiring several weeks of dedicated work by a team.
• Pwin Signal: The high turnover requirement and the nature of a design and build project for a public transport authority suggest a competitive but potentially incumbent-friendly environment if a specific firm has prior experience with the NTA or similar large-scale infrastructure projects. The pass/fail health and safety criteria also represent a significant hurdle.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): BCD_QW1_SAQ_for_Contractors (Issued R1).docx, BCD 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Via the eTenders portal.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
• Health and Safety Supplement 3.4.1 (Contractor/Reserved Specialist)
• Appendix B1 – List of Previous Projects
• Appendix B2 – Certificate of Satisfactory Execution