Climate Action SWS - Drumshanbo Science Lab Upgrade and Sustainability Works

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 concerns the upgrade of a science laboratory and associated sustainability works at Drumshanbo, under the Climate Action SWS initiative. The contract is for the construction and completion of these works.

The constituent activities and requirements include:

• Construction of Works: The contractor is responsible for constructing and completing the Works as described in the contract documents, at their own expense. This includes complying with the contract, instructions from the Employer's Representative, and applicable law.
• Site Management: The contractor must secure the Site, keep it in good order, free from obstructions, and ensure the safety of persons on the Site. They must also protect users, owners, and nearby areas from hazards and interference resulting from the Works.
• Setting Out: The contractor must set out the Works by reference to specified points, lines, and levels, verifying their accuracy.
• Access and Inspection: The contractor must ensure access for the Employer, Employer's Representative, Assigned Certifier, and authorised persons to inspect, test, and observe the Works, goods, and materials. They must also provide opportunities for inspection before work is covered or materials are packed.
• Uncovering and Rectification: The Employer's Representative may instruct the contractor to uncover, dismantle, re-cover, or re-erect work, or test and inspect it. Non-compliant Works, goods, or materials must be removed and replaced, or rectified as instructed.
• Material Suitability: Goods and materials selected or designed by the contractor must be suitable for their intended purpose and comply with the Building Control Regulations.
• Sustainability Works: The tender title indicates sustainability works are a component, aligning with the "Climate Action SWS" designation. Specific details of these works are not detailed in the provided text but are implied by the project title.
• Completion: The contractor must substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion. Outstanding work must be completed promptly after certification of substantial completion.
• BER Certification: A BER (Building Energy Rating) Certificate rating A3 must be achieved for post-primary schools. The provision of a BER Certificate is included in the Building Services Engineer’s scope. The BER assessor must follow SEAI/national calculation methodology. A BER Certificate is required for all new works projects.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement falls under the "Climate Action SWS" initiative, indicating a focus on environmental sustainability and climate action within public sector projects. The Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB) is the contracting authority. The project involves an upgrade to a science laboratory and associated sustainability works at Drumshanbo. The use of the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6 v1.15) suggests a project value within specific thresholds, likely below €1 million for Type 1 projects, aligning with the estimated value. The tender documents are based on standard templates from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13.0m for any one event. Maximum permissible excess is €6,500.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit is "CA Entry" (proportionate to project size, default €1.5m). Maximum permissible excess is €10,000 for property only.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of cover is "CA Entry" (proportionate to project size, default €1.5m). Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Insurance of the Works and goods/materials: Maximum excess is €1,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender, beyond general compliance with Building Control Regulations and standards like ISEN 13120, BS EN 1287, EN 14175.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The provided text does not detail specific award criteria or scoring mechanisms. It outlines the contract structure and conditions, but not the evaluation methodology for tenders. The contract is based on the Short Public Works Contract, which typically implies a single-stage tender process where the lowest compliant bid or a MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) approach is used, but specific weighting or scoring is absent from the provided extract.

6. Submission requirements

The provided text does not detail specific submission requirements such as method statements, CVs, pricing schedules, or case studies. It focuses on the contractual conditions. The standard Short Public Works Contract implies a tender submission will be required, but the specifics are not present in this extract.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6 v1.15).
• Term & Extension: The contract duration is defined by the "Time for Completion" and any extensions granted under clause 2.7. No specific term length or extension provisions beyond delay allowances are detailed.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments are made as scheduled. A percentage of the price is paid after substantial completion, and the balance after the Defects Certificate is issued. Payment claims are submitted by the contractor, with a response certificate from the Employer's Representative within 14 days. Invoices are paid within the period stated in the Schedule. Late payments incur interest as per the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided text.
• Liquidated Damages: Apply at the rate in the Schedule if the Works are not substantially completed within the Time for Completion. The rate is stated as €400 per day in the "DO-NOT-USE-AS-BINDING" section, but this is not a binding requirement for this specific tender.
• Termination: Clause 12 covers termination, but details are not provided in the extract. Clause 3.12 outlines consequences if a suspension lasts over 3 months, potentially leading to termination or omission of works.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided text.
• Sub-contracting: The contractor may not subcontract the whole of the Works. Subcontracting part of the Works requires the Employer's Representative's consent, unless already provided for in the contract.
• Performance Bond: Required if stated in the Schedule, to be provided within 7 days of acceptance of the tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• "CA Entry" for Insurance: The minimum levels for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance are stated as "CA Entry," with a note to state the minimum cover proportionate to the size of the project, defaulting to €1.5m. This requires the bidder to propose an appropriate level, which will be assessed by the buyer, introducing a degree of subjectivity in the selection criteria.
• Estimated Value vs. Contract Type: The estimated value of €260,000 aligns with the use of a Short Public Works Contract, which is typically for projects below €1 million. However, the specific scope of "sustainability works" is not detailed, which could lead to scope creep or interpretation issues if not clearly defined in the full tender documents.
• BER Certification Requirement: The mandatory A3 rating for post-primary schools is a specific technical requirement that bidders must be able to meet and demonstrate.
• Weather Event Definition: The detailed definition of a "weather event" based on Met Éireann data and percentiles is complex and could lead to disputes regarding time extensions if not clearly understood and managed.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in general building works, laboratory upgrades, and potentially sustainable building practices. The estimated value of €260,000 is within the range typically handled by SMEs.

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a track record in educational facility upgrades or similar public sector construction projects would be well-positioned. Experience with science lab fit-outs and knowledge of current building regulations, including energy efficiency standards (BER), would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Subcontracting parts of the works is permitted with consent. Bidding as a consortium is not explicitly mentioned but is generally possible in public procurement.
• Bid-Prep Effort: Estimating bid preparation effort is difficult without the full tender package. However, given the Short Public Works Contract format and the estimated value, it would likely range from 5 to 15 days for a focused bid, depending on the complexity of the sustainability elements and the clarity of the scope.
• Pwin Signal: The tender does not explicitly indicate an incumbent or a framework. The use of a standard contract and a clear estimated value suggests a competitive process. The "CA Entry" for insurance suggests the buyer is open to varying levels of cover based on the bidder's proposal, which could favour firms with a clear understanding of risk and appropriate insurance structuring.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Clarifications must be submitted by 06 August 2026. Contact details are not provided in this extract.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF6 v1.15 25-11-2025 (Conditions)
• Schedule (details specific to this contract, e.g., Time for Completion, Price, Insurance excess, performance bond requirements)