Consultancy Services for Old Cross Square to N12 Link Road

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

The contract involves providing consultancy services for the design and statutory processes related to the Old Cross Square to N12 Link Road project. This project aims to enhance transport access to a designated commercial development area of 87 hectares in Monaghan, facilitating future growth and infrastructure development.

Key activities include:

• Design Services: Preparation of detailed designs for the road link, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Statutory Processes: Management of all necessary statutory approvals, including planning permissions and environmental assessments.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaising with local authorities, community stakeholders, and other relevant parties to gather input and address concerns.
• Feasibility Studies: Conducting assessments to evaluate the viability of proposed designs and modifications.
• Project Management: Overseeing the project timeline, budget, and resource allocation to ensure successful delivery.
• Reporting: Regular progress reporting to Monaghan County Council, including updates on milestones and challenges encountered.

The project is expected to follow a phased approach, with initial focus on feasibility studies leading to detailed design and statutory approvals. The consultancy will also involve collaboration with engineering specialists to ensure all technical aspects are addressed.

3. Background & buyer context

Monaghan County Council initiated this procurement to support the Roosky Masterplan, adopted on April 4, 2022, which outlines strategic infrastructure improvements in the region. This project aligns with broader government objectives to enhance transport connectivity and stimulate economic development in Monaghan. The council has a history of engaging consultancy services for similar infrastructure projects, indicating a structured approach to development. The incumbent service provider is not specified in the tender documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,250,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: €13,000,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €2,000,000
• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) are required.
• Past experience: Minimum of 3 comparable projects completed in the last 5 years, each valued at €1,000,000 or more.
• Personnel: At least one registered engineer with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Bidders must be located within 50 km of Monaghan.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel (maximum of 4).
• Pricing schedule: Complete the specified pricing template.
• Case studies: Provide 3 case studies of relevant projects, each valued between €1,000,000 and €5,000,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: A site visit is required; details will be provided upon request.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Initial contract term of 12 months with an option for a 12-month extension based on performance.
• Payment terms: Monthly invoicing based on milestones achieved, subject to approval by Monaghan County Council.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Timely completion of design phases, adherence to budget, and quality of deliverables.
• Liquidated damages: A penalty of 5% of the contract value for each week of delay beyond agreed timelines.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate the contract with 30 days' notice for non-performance.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will be owned by Monaghan County Council.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted but requires prior written approval from the council.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €1,250,000 may exclude smaller firms, limiting competition.
• Geographic constraints: The requirement for bidders to be within 50 km of Monaghan may restrict participation from capable firms outside this radius.
• Tight timelines: The expected go-live date is set for October 1, 2026, which may pressure bidders to mobilize quickly.
• Incumbent advantage: The lack of specified incumbent may suggest that previous providers have established relationships that could influence the evaluation process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with relevant experience in engineering consultancy. Viable bidders should have:

• A proven track record in similar infrastructure projects.
• The capacity to meet insurance and turnover requirements.
• The ability to engage in consortiums or subcontracting to fulfill specific expertise needs.
• An estimated bid preparation effort of approximately 10-15 days, including gathering documentation and preparing submissions.
• A moderate Pwin signal, as the absence of an incumbent may level the playing field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: QC2-Part-1_v3.2-25-11-2025.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix A Old X Sq. to Annahagh-A4 Plan.pdf
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution
• QC2-Part-1_v3.2-25-11-2025.docx