Smart Racking Solution

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 the provision of a Smart Racking Solution for the Irish Air Navigation Service, aimed at enhancing the storage of engineering spares within constrained internal spaces. The contractor is responsible for designing, supplying, and installing a high-density, secure, and efficient storage system that ensures safety, reliability, maintainability, and long-term operational support.

Key activities include:

• System Design: Develop a racking system capable of being built to a minimum height of 6 meters.
• Installation: Implement two independent racking units side by side.
• User Capacity: Ensure the system allows for two users to connect simultaneously.
• Maintenance Support: Provide ongoing support and maintenance for the installed system.
• Compliance: Adhere to safety and operational standards set by international aviation authorities, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
• Documentation: Supply all necessary documentation related to the system's specifications, installation procedures, and maintenance guidelines.

The contractor must ensure that the system meets the operational needs of various AirNav Ireland locations, including the Dublin Area Control Centre, Shannon Area Control Centre, and Cork Airport Control Tower.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of the Smart Racking Solution is part of AirNav Ireland's initiative to enhance its operational efficiency and storage capabilities. AirNav Ireland, established on February 2, 2023, following the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022, is a semi-State company responsible for air traffic management in Irish-controlled airspace. The strategic driver for this procurement is to improve the management of engineering spares, which is critical for maintaining operational readiness and safety in air traffic management.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €400,000.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000
• Certifications: Evidence of conformance to ISO 9000 series or equivalent standards.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects completed within the last five years.
• Personnel: Key personnel must have relevant experience in the field of racking systems.
• Geographic constraints: Not specified for this tender.

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.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A detailed response document following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Resumes for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Completed using the specified template.
• Case studies: Three examples of relevant projects, with values ranging from €50,000 to €150,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Attendance is required on May 27, 2026; confirmation via email to [email protected] is necessary.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The initial contract duration is 36 months, with potential extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the contract conditions, with specific milestones to be defined.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance indicators related to system uptime and maintenance response times will be established.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified, but penalties may apply for non-compliance with delivery timelines.
• Termination clauses: Conditions under which the contract may be terminated for non-performance or breach of terms.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will remain with AirNav Ireland.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted but requires prior approval from the Contracting Authority.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The minimum turnover requirement of €400,000 may limit participation from smaller firms, potentially favoring larger incumbents.
• The mandatory site visit may disadvantage bidders unable to attend, impacting their ability to submit compliant tenders.
• The contract duration and extension clauses may create uncertainty regarding long-term commitments and financial planning for bidders.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should possess:

• Relevant experience in racking systems and engineering spare parts management.
• The capacity to meet the minimum turnover requirement of €400,000.
• Appropriate insurance coverage as specified.
• The ability to comply with the mandatory site visit requirement.

Consortium bidding is allowed, enabling smaller firms to partner with others to meet the criteria. Preparation for the bid may require approximately 10-15 days of effort, including documentation and site visit arrangements. The presence of established firms in the sector may indicate a competitive landscape, but the tender is open to capable SMEs.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Open Tender Goods and Services Racking System.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 4 — Contract Terms and Conditions