Removal of asbestos containing material (ACM) in the service trench at HSE Cherry Orchard Hospital

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 to remove asbestos-containing material (ACM) from a service trench at HSE Cherry Orchard Hospital. The project duration is specified as 30 days. The work involves the removal of asbestos-containing paper and debris from pipework located within underground service ducts.

Key activities and requirements include:

• Asbestos Removal: The primary task is the safe and compliant removal of identified ACM from the service trench and associated pipework. This necessitates adherence to strict health and safety protocols.
• Compliance with Regulations: Contractors must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated statutory provisions, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, and specifically the At Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and 2025.
• Health and Safety Planning: A Preliminary Health and Safety Plan has been prepared by the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP). The appointed contractor will be required to develop and implement a construction stage safety and health plan. This includes risk assessments, method statements, and adherence to the hierarchy of risk control.
• Site Operations:
• Work will be conducted within a live hospital building.
• Access to the work area requires a permit from the hospital's maintenance department.
• Confined space procedures developed by the hospital must be followed and integrated into the contractor's method statement.
• A site decontamination unit will be set up.
• Segregation of the work area with 1000-gauge polyethylene is required.
• Removal of asbestos paper will be carried out under negative air pressure.
• A site clearance for re-occupation certificate must be obtained from an independent competent analyst upon completion.
• Waste Management: All asbestos waste must be transported off-site by licensed hauliers to a licensed facility, adhering to the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Appropriate disposal certificates must be obtained and forwarded to the PSDP.
• Service Isolation: All known services, including electrical supplies, must be isolated and certified by permit prior to work commencing. Confirmation of isolation must be sought by the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS).
• Traffic and Pedestrian Management: A traffic and pedestrian management plan must be implemented, detailing proposed routes and vehicle movements, considering sight lines and site occupancy.
• Documentation: Method statements and risk assessments must be compiled and submitted one week prior to the start of work. Copies of all C1 forms and final waste disposal certificates, along with site clearance for re-occupation certificates, must be submitted to the PSDP for inclusion in the Safety File.
• Site Rules: Contractors must comply with general site rules, including Safe Pass training, site induction, appropriate PPE, accident reporting, and adherence to safety signs.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to address the presence of asbestos-containing material (ACM) within a service trench at Cherry Orchard Hospital. The project falls under the HSE's Capital & Estates division. The need for this work arises from an identified asbestos survey indicating ACM in the pipework within the service trench. The project is managed under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, with OHSS acting as the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP). The procurement aims to ensure the safe and compliant removal of these hazardous materials within a live healthcare environment.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

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

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €300,000 per twelve-month period for the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6.5 million for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Employer's Liability: €13 million for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Note: Maximum excess levels for Public Liability and Employer's Liability insurance are €6,500.
• Certifications:
• Not specified for this tender.
• 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 award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided documentation. However, it is standard practice in public sector tenders that the contract will be awarded based on a combination of price and quality, typically following a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach. Bidders are expected to demonstrate technical competence, a robust approach to health and safety, and a competitive price. Specific weightings and scoring thresholds for individual criteria are not provided in the extract.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document:
• Must include method statements and risk assessments, compiled and submitted one week prior to the start of work.
• Must be available for inspection by the Client/PSDP representative.
• Must integrate confined space procedures developed by the hospital.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: A pricing schedule is provided as part of the tender pack.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Completed Suitability Assessment Questionnaire.
• Current eTax Clearance Certificate code.
• Formal confirmation from the tenderer's insurance company or broker regarding required insurance levels.
• Bona Fides declarations are implied through the questionnaire.
• Conflict of Interest declarations are implied through the questionnaire.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be returned via eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Length: The project duration is specified as 30 days.
• Payment Terms: Not specified in the provided documentation. Standard public sector payment terms typically apply.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided documentation.
• Liquidated Damages: A rate of €250 per day is mentioned in the "DO-NOT-USE-AS-BINDING" section, but its applicability as a binding term for this specific tender is not confirmed.
• Termination Clauses: A 21-day written notice period for termination is mentioned in the "Scale / volume phrases" section, but its contractual enforceability for this tender is not explicitly stated.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided documentation.
• Sub-contracting Rules: Not specified in the provided documentation.
• Parent-Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified in the provided documentation.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Live Hospital Environment: The work is situated within an operational hospital, requiring stringent control measures to prevent disruption and ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. This necessitates a high degree of coordination and communication.
• Confined Space Work: The service trench and ducts are identified as confined spaces, requiring specific procedures and equipment for safe entry and work.
• Asbestos Specifics: The inherent risks associated with ACM removal demand specialized expertise, licensing, and adherence to strict regulatory frameworks.
• Limited Project Duration: The 30-day timeframe for completion is relatively short for a project involving ACM removal, demanding efficient planning and execution.
• Unspecified Value: The absence of an estimated contract value means bidders must rely on the turnover requirement and their own costings to assess financial viability.
• Limited Documentation: Key contractual terms, award criteria, and specific project details are not fully elaborated in the provided extracts, requiring bidders to seek clarification or infer standard practices.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in asbestos removal and possess the necessary certifications, experience, and insurance to undertake hazardous material remediation within a healthcare setting.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a company with a proven track record in asbestos abatement, holding appropriate licenses and accreditations. They must demonstrate compliance with Irish health and safety legislation, particularly concerning asbestos. The minimum turnover requirement of €300,000 per year suggests that established, albeit potentially smaller, specialist firms are targeted.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit or encourage consortium bids or sub-contracting. However, given the specialist nature of asbestos removal, it is likely that the lead contractor will need to be fully accredited and capable of managing the entire process, potentially sub-contracting non-core elements if permitted.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid will require significant effort, estimated at 5-10 days. This includes developing detailed method statements, risk assessments, understanding the site-specific constraints, and completing the suitability questionnaire and pricing schedule.
• Pwin Signal: There is no explicit indication of an incumbent contractor. The HSE's requirement for a formal tender process suggests a competitive bidding environment. The primary Pwin signal would be a bidder's demonstrated expertise and compliance in asbestos removal, coupled with a competitive price.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: Invitation to tender ITTW2.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact:
• Client Contact: Terry Maher, 087-3965324
• PSDP Contact: Paul Foran, OHSS, (01) 6905907, [email protected]
• Key Attachments:
• Volume A Works Requirement
• Specification
• MSD Suitability Questionnaire
• PSDP Preliminary health and safety plan
• Pricing schedule