Archaeological Consultancy Services for the Development of a new Post Primary School for Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, Ballygunner, Co Waterford

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 | :------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :------------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | Department of Education and Youth Archaeological Consultancy Services for the Development of a new Post Primary School for Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, Ballygunner, Co Waterford 71311000-3 (Consultancy services for construction projects) €80,000 not stated not stated 1 Co Waterford 18 months 2026-09-11 15:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks archaeological consultancy services for the development of a new post-primary school, Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, located at Ballygunner, Co Waterford. The contract is for an anticipated duration of 18 months. The consultant will be responsible for providing comprehensive archaeological services throughout the project lifecycle, from initial assessment to post-excavation analysis and reporting.

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

• Archaeological Assessment and Database: Conducting initial assessments and maintaining an archaeological database relevant to the project site. This involves reviewing historical data, including Ordnance Survey of Ireland photographs (1995-2013) and Google Earth imagery (2005-2023).
• Site Investigations: Performing archaeological test trenches, investigations, surveys, and excavations as required. This includes site setting out, inspection of surfaces and sub-soil conditions, and ensuring the correct positioning of all works.
• Health and Safety: Acting as a competent person under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, ensuring that any design of construction work is safe and complies with statutory provisions. The consultant is responsible for the safety and stability of all site operations.
• Site Management: Providing appropriate accommodation for staff and client representatives during on-site investigations. The consultant is responsible for site security, preventing unauthorized access, and protecting persons from hazards. This also includes maintaining the site in good order and free from unnecessary obstructions.
• Discovery Management: Promptly notifying the Client upon the discovery of any item, feature, or site of archaeological interest. The consultant must comply with any instructions from the Client regarding such discoveries.
• Reporting: Providing regular reports to the Client in draft form, making any reasonable changes requested. Reports must comply with the Guidelines for Authors of Reports on Archaeological Excavations published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and any further requirements specified.
• Coordination and Cooperation: Cooperating with the Client and other parties involved in the project, facilitating access and providing necessary information. This includes managing communications purposefully and effectively.
• Restoration and Reinstatement: Restoring all surfaces, lands, and fences to their original state upon completion of the work at the consultant's cost. This includes backfilling excavations, compacting and levelling ground, and reinstating pastures.
• Intellectual Property: Granting the Client a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, irrevocable licence to reproduce and use all consultant's documents and deliverables. In specific cases, an absolute assignment of intellectual property rights to the Client may occur.
• Data Protection: Processing Personal Data only in accordance with the Contract and Data Protection Law, implementing appropriate security measures, and notifying the Client of any data breaches.

The project site is described as a greenfield site of 5,735 sqm.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by the Department of Education and Youth. The project involves the development of a new post-primary school, Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge, in Ballygunner, Co Waterford. Archaeological consultancy services are required to ensure compliance with heritage protection legislation and to manage any archaeological findings during the construction phase of the new school. The tender falls within the broader remit of the Department of Education and Youth to provide educational infrastructure. The Standard Conditions of Engagement for Archaeological Services document, published by the Office of Government Procurement, forms the basis of the contract.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

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

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover over the past 3 years of €200,000.
• For companies established less than 3 years, a minimum average annual turnover over the past 2 years of €200,000.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1,250,000 on each and every claim basis, and €1,500,000 on an annual aggregate basis.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess of €10,000 for property damage.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Certifications:
• Minimum Level 8 degree in Archaeology.
• Minimum requirement is membership of the IAI Register or equivalent, with a detailed explanation substantiating equivalency if claimed.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel:
• An Archaeologist is required. Specific minimum experience levels for named roles are not detailed in the provided extract, beyond the degree requirement.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not explicitly detailed in the provided extract. However, the contract is based on the Standard Conditions of Engagement for Archaeological Services, which typically implies a balance between quality and price. The tender documents will specify the exact weighting and sub-criteria for evaluation. It is anticipated that the evaluation will consider the consultant's technical proposal, experience, methodology, and pricing.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Method statement / response document: Not specified in terms of template or page limits in the provided extract.
• CVs: For named roles, particularly the Archaeologist, detailing qualifications and experience. Page count limits are not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Not specified in terms of format or template in the provided extract.
• Case studies: Not specified in terms of number or value range.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Statement of suitability from Revenue Commissioners if not Irish.
• Bona Fides declarations are standard.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules for electronic submissions are not detailed in the extract.

7. Key dates & process

RFT issued Clarification deadline Mandatory site visit Tender deadline Expected award Contract start Go-live / mobilisation | :---------------- | :--------------------- | :------------------- | :------------------ | :------------- | :----------- | :--------------------- | not stated 2026-08-28 not stated 2026-09-11 15:00 not stated not stated not stated (Clarifications due 14 days before tender deadline) (Responses due 8 days before tender deadline)

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract length: Anticipated Service Contract Period is 18 months.
• Payment terms: Payment is due within 30 days after the Consultant supplies a valid invoice, provided a current tax clearance certificate is supplied.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be assessed by the Client, and results may be recorded in a central database, potentially influencing future competitions. Specific KPIs are not detailed in the extract.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extract, but the contract includes clauses on Consultant's liability and potential compensation for losses.
• Termination clauses: The Client may terminate the contract for cause (substantial breach), for specific insolvency events, or at will. Termination for cause requires a notice period of 14 to 28 days. Termination at will also requires a notice period of 14 to 28 days.
• IP ownership: The Consultant grants the Client a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, irrevocable licence to use all deliverables. For specific documents, an absolute assignment of intellectual property rights to the Client is required.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted only if agreed or requested by the Client. The Consultant remains responsible for the acts and omissions of sub-consultants. Sub-consultants must provide collateral warranties in favour of the Client.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover Requirement vs. Contract Value: The minimum average annual turnover requirement of €200,000 is significantly higher than the estimated contract value of €80,000. This could be a barrier for smaller, specialist firms and may indicate an incumbent-shaped requirement or a conservative approach by the buyer.
• Limited Detail on Award Criteria: The absence of specific award criteria and scoring weights in the provided extract means bidders must rely on the full tender documents for crucial evaluation information.
• Standard Conditions of Engagement: The contract is based on the Standard Conditions of Engagement for Archaeological Services, which are comprehensive and place significant responsibility on the consultant regarding site conditions, risks, and unforeseen circumstances. Bidders must be fully aware of these conditions, particularly Clause 10 (Adequacy of Amounts), which states the consultant is deemed to have satisfied itself regarding all site conditions and risks, and is not entitled to extra payment or time for matters arising from them.
• Data Protection Obligations: The detailed data protection clauses place significant compliance burdens on the consultant, requiring strict adherence to GDPR and prompt notification of any data breaches.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely best suited for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a strong specialisation in archaeological consultancy, particularly those with experience in educational infrastructure projects or similar greenfield developments.

• Who can credibly bid: A firm with a qualified archaeologist holding at least a Level 8 degree and IAI Register membership (or equivalent) is essential. The turnover requirement of €200,000 average annual turnover suggests that firms with a proven track record and a certain level of financial stability are targeted. While the contract value is €80,000, the turnover threshold indicates the buyer is looking for established entities.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Sub-contracting is permitted if agreed or requested by the Client. This allows smaller firms to potentially bid by bringing in specialist expertise if needed, provided the lead consultant meets the primary eligibility criteria. Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned but are generally permissible under public procurement rules if structured correctly.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Given the need to address detailed contractual terms (especially Clause 10), insurance requirements, and potentially develop a methodology for site investigation and reporting, bid preparation could require 5-10 days of effort for a focused SME.
• Pwin signal: The significant difference between the estimated value and the turnover requirement suggests that either the buyer anticipates potential variations or is seeking a highly experienced provider. The use of standard conditions of engagement implies a structured, albeit potentially demanding, contractual framework. There is no clear indication of an incumbent from the provided text.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [COE2_Archaeology_v1.5_30-09-2024.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Most important attachments:
• Standard Conditions of Engagement for Archaeological Services (COE-2 v 1.5)
• Schedule B (likely detailing Stages, Milestones, Fees, and Reporting Requirements)
• Particulars and Choices (Schedule A, defining terms and specific contract details)