Fabrication, Installation and Commissioning of Four New Containers in the BIM Marine Safety Training Centre on Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co. Cork

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 (BIM) Fabrication, Installation and Commissioning of Four New Containers in the BIM Marine Safety Training Centre on Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co. Cork Not stated €90,000.00 Not stated Not stated Not stated Castletownbere, Co. Cork, Ireland Not stated 2026-09-04 11:00:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of four new containers at the BIM Marine Safety Training Centre located on Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co. Cork. The estimated value for this procurement is €90,000.00. The contract involves the provision of specific goods as detailed in the Request for Tender (RFT) and the successful tenderer's submission.

The contractor's responsibilities encompass the entire lifecycle of the containers, from initial fabrication through to final commissioning and handover. Key activities and requirements include:

• Fabrication: The contractor will be responsible for manufacturing four new containers to meet specified dimensions, materials, and quality standards. The exact specifications for these containers are detailed within the RFT documentation, likely in Schedule B of the Goods Contract.
• Installation: This involves the physical placement and securing of the fabricated containers at the designated site on Dinish Island. The contractor must ensure the installation adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations and site-specific requirements.
• Commissioning: Upon installation, the containers must be commissioned to ensure they are fully functional and meet all performance criteria as outlined in the Specification. This may involve testing, checks, and final adjustments.
• Compliance: The contractor must provide the Goods in accordance with the Submission and/or Specification, the RFT, the Client’s directions, and the terms of the Agreement. This includes complying with all local security and health and safety arrangements notified by the Client.
• Industry Standards: The contractor must adhere to good industry practice and all applicable laws, including environmental, social, and labour law obligations established by EU law and national law.
• Personnel: The contractor is responsible for the employment, remuneration, taxes, immigration, and work permits of all personnel involved in fulfilling the contract. Key Personnel, as specified in the submission, must be available for the Term of the Agreement, with provisions for replacement if necessary.
• Site Visit: A mandatory site visit is scheduled between Monday, 24th August 2026, and Wednesday, 26th August 2026. Tenderers must arrange appointments for this visit, which will commence at the National Fisheries College of Ireland, Castletownbere, Co. Cork, P75 EW24.

The contract documents specify that the RFT, including any clarifications, and the contractor's submission, including any clarifications, are incorporated by reference into the final agreement.

3. Background & buyer context

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's Seafood Development Agency, is procuring the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of four new containers. This procurement is for the BIM Marine Safety Training Centre located on Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co. Cork. The centre provides essential training for the maritime sector. The need for these new containers is not explicitly stated as part of a larger programme or policy initiative within the provided documents, but it directly supports the operational capacity and training facilities of the Marine Safety Training Centre. The procurement is being conducted via the eTenders platform, indicating adherence to public procurement regulations. No incumbent contractor is mentioned in the provided text.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, bidders must meet specific eligibility and selection criteria. These are designed to ensure that only capable and financially sound organisations are awarded the contract.

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Bidders must confirm they have or will obtain the following insurances by the contract commencement:
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Product Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: €13,000,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Key Personnel assigned to the contract must be available for the Term of the Agreement. Replacement personnel must have equivalent experience and expertise, subject to the Client's absolute discretion regarding suitability.
• Geographic / facility constraints: The work is to be performed at the BIM Marine Safety Training Centre on Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co. Cork.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism for this tender are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland are awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which balances price and quality. Without specific details on weighting or sub-criteria, it is assumed that the evaluation will consider the technical merit of the proposed solution, the contractor's ability to meet the specifications, and the overall price. The contract documents state that the RFT and the bidder's submission are incorporated by reference, implying that the evaluation will be against the requirements set out in these documents.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit a comprehensive response to the tender. The specific format and content of the submission are detailed within the RFT documents. Key submission requirements include:

• Method statement / response document: The RFT will specify the format and any page limits for the technical and commercial response.
• CVs: If Key Personnel are specified, CVs detailing their experience may be required.
• Pricing schedule: A detailed pricing schedule, likely in a specified template, must be submitted. The estimated value is €90,000.00.
• Declarations: Standard declarations, such as the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Bona Fides, Tax Clearance Certificate, and Conflict of Interest declarations, will be mandatory.
• Mandatory site visit: Tenderers must attend a mandatory site visit between 24th August 2026 and 26th August 2026. A Site Visit Request Form must be completed and returned via eTenders by Friday, 21st August 2026, 12:00 IST. A maximum of two persons per tenderer can attend.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made through the eTenders platform.

The contract will be awarded based on the RFT and the successful bidder's submission, which will be incorporated into the final agreement.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be governed by the Goods Contract (Annex 4) and the RFT. Key terms include:

• Term + extension: The agreement takes effect on the Effective Date and expires on a date to be inserted. The Client reserves the right to extend the Term for up to [INSERT NUMBER] months, with a maximum of [NUMBER] such extensions permitted, subject to legal obligations.
• Payment terms: Payment of Charges (plus VAT) is subject to the Contractor's compliance with the agreement, submission of valid invoices, and possession of a current Tax Clearance Certificate. Invoices are payable within 14 days of acceptance, with queries to be raised within 14 days of receipt. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 apply.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Time of delivery is of the essence. Failure to deliver within the specified time may result in termination and recovery of excess prices.
• Liquidated damages: If the contractor fails to deliver within agreed dates or lead times, BIM may deduct 10% per week of late delivery, up to a maximum of 100% of the Charges for the relevant Goods. If this threshold is met, BIM can claim further damages and terminate the agreement.
• Termination clauses: Either party can terminate with one month's written notice. Termination can occur immediately without liability if a party commits a serious breach and fails to remedy it within 30 days, or if a party becomes insolvent. BIM can also terminate if exclusion grounds under Article 57 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU apply to the contractor.
• IP ownership: All Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in materials produced for the agreement vest in BIM. BIM grants the contractor a royalty-free licence to use BIM's pre-existing IPR for the Term.
• Sub-contracting rules: The contractor is the prime contractor and assumes full responsibility, including for subcontractors. Subcontractors must comply with the agreement terms.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Mandatory Site Visit: The site visit is mandatory and must be arranged by appointment between 24th and 26th August 2026, with a strict deadline for requesting attendance by 21st August 2026. This requires prompt action from potential bidders.
• Estimated Value vs. Contract Length: The estimated value of €90,000.00 is relatively low, but the contract length and potential extension periods are not specified. This could imply a short-term project or a framework with potential for future call-offs, but the lack of detail requires clarification.
• Incorporation of Documents: The RFT, RFT Clarifications, and the Contractor's Submission (including clarifications) are all incorporated by reference into the final agreement. This means bidders must be precise in their submissions, as these will form legally binding parts of the contract.
• Liquidated Damages Threshold: The potential for liquidated damages up to 100% of the contract value for late delivery is a significant risk for contractors. This highlights the critical importance of adhering to delivery timelines.
• Client's Absolute Discretion: The Client has "absolute discretion" regarding the suitability of any proposed Replacement Personnel, which could pose a risk if a key person needs to be replaced.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with specific fabrication and installation capabilities.

• Who can credibly bid: A credible bidder would be a company with proven experience in fabricating and installing containerised structures or similar modular units. They must demonstrate the capacity to meet the specified insurance requirements (€6.5m Public Liability, €6.5m Product Liability, €13m Employer's Liability). Experience in marine or safety training centre environments would be advantageous but not explicitly required.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting, but the contractor is designated as the "prime contractor" with full responsibility. Any sub-contracting would need to be managed carefully to ensure compliance with the overall agreement.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Given the mandatory site visit, the need to detail fabrication and installation plans, and the insurance requirements, bid preparation could require 10-20 days of effort for a company familiar with public procurement. This includes site visit arrangements, technical proposal development, and pricing.
• Pwin signal: The estimated value of €90,000.00 suggests a project of moderate size. The lack of specific past experience requirements or named incumbents means the field is likely open. However, the strict insurance requirements and the potential for liquidated damages indicate a need for a well-resourced and organised bidder. The mandatory site visit and the incorporation of the submission into the contract suggest that BIM is looking for a well-prepared and committed bidder.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not explicitly listed, but implied by Annexes.
• eTenders CFT ID: Reference: 2026-30
• Contact email: [email protected] (for site visit coordination)
• Most important attachments:
• Annex 6 - Site Visit Request Form (BIM 2026-30).docx
• Annex 4 - Goods Contract (BIM 2026-30).pdf
• The main RFT document (title not specified in provided text).