Call for Tender for the Supply of a Seaweed Direct Seeding Machine and Supporting Services

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 |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| Bord Iascaigh Mhara - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (BIM) Call for Tender for the Supply of a Seaweed Direct Seeding Machine and Supporting Services 43000000 €75,000 not stated Open not stated Ireland not stated 2026-06-19 11:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the supply of a Seaweed Direct Seeding Machine along with supporting services. The contractor is expected to deliver a machine that meets specific operational requirements and provide ongoing maintenance and support throughout the contract duration. The scale of the project is limited to a single machine, with an estimated maintenance requirement of five days over the contract period.

The key activities include:

• Supply of Equipment: Delivery of a Seaweed Direct Seeding Machine that meets specified technical and operational standards.
• Installation: Setting up the machine at the designated location as specified by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
• Training: Providing training for personnel on the operation and maintenance of the machine.
• Maintenance Services: Offering maintenance and support services estimated at five days over the duration of the contract.
• Documentation: Supplying all necessary documentation, including user manuals and maintenance guides.
• Compliance: Ensuring that all equipment and services comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

The contractor must demonstrate the ability to deliver the machine within the specified timeframe and provide adequate support services thereafter.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being procured as part of Bord Iascaigh Mhara's initiative to enhance seaweed cultivation practices in Ireland. The procurement aligns with national policies aimed at promoting sustainable aquaculture and marine resource management. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to support the Irish seafood sector and improve the efficiency of seaweed farming. There is no mention of an incumbent supplier for this contract.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• 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.

Bidders must confirm their ability to obtain the required insurances by the commencement of the contract.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best price-quality ratio. There are no minimum scoring thresholds specified for individual criteria or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: A detailed response using the provided template, with a maximum of 10 pages.
• CVs: CVs for key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: A completed pricing schedule using the specified template.
• Case studies: Two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with project values between €10,000 and €50,000.
• Declarations: Completed declarations including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, following the specified format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extension structure: The contract duration is not specified, but it may include provisions for extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon receipt of valid invoices, subject to compliance with contract terms.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The client reserves the right to terminate the contract for non-compliance or failure to deliver services as specified.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property rights related to the services provided will vest in Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Insurance Requirements: The high insurance requirements may limit the pool of eligible bidders, particularly smaller firms.
• Limited Scope: The contract is for a single machine, which may not attract larger suppliers who typically seek larger contracts.
• Lack of Detailed Criteria: The absence of specific past experience or certification requirements may lead to a wide range of submissions, complicating the evaluation process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialize in equipment supply and maintenance for the aquaculture sector. Viable bidders should have:

• Relevant experience in supplying similar machinery or services.
• The capacity to meet the insurance requirements.
• The ability to provide training and maintenance services.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but may be permissible. Preparation for the bid may require approximately 5-10 days of effort, depending on the firm's existing capabilities and experience. The presence of high insurance requirements may indicate a competitive environment, but the lack of detailed eligibility criteria may open opportunities for various bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Annex 4 - Services Contract (BIM 2026-19).pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: Not specified.
• Important attachments:
• "Annex 4 - Services Contract (BIM 2026-19).pdf"
• "Method Statement Template"
• "Pricing Schedule Template"