Invitation to Tender for Works to School Pitch at Finn Valley College, Drumboe Lower, Stranolar, Co. Donegal, F93 AE27

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 tender involves construction works for a school pitch at Finn Valley College, encompassing various activities necessary for the establishment of a functional sports facility. The contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Site Preparation: Conduct a minimum of nine test pits to a depth of 250 mm, excavated by hand.
• Drainage Installation: Each lateral drain shall have a minimum depth of 500 mm, ensuring proper water management.
• Concrete Works: Concrete pipe beds and haunches must have a minimum compressive strength of 30N/mm², complying with IS EN 206:2013 standards.
• Manhole Construction: Manholes must comply with IS EN 124 and BS 7903, with all covers rated to Class D400.
• Mortar Specifications: Use M30 mortar to IS EN 998 for setting manhole covers and frames, ensuring a minimum working time is adhered to.
• Compaction Requirements: Chambers shall be surrounded by a minimum of 150 mm compacted Clause 804 or Clause 808 material.
• Completion Timeline: The contractor must complete the works within a specified timeframe, with a defect liability period of 12 months post-completion.

The contractor must ensure that all works are executed in accordance with the relevant building regulations and standards, maintaining safety and quality throughout the project.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the Donegal Education and Training Board's initiative to enhance educational facilities in the region. The project aligns with national policies aimed at improving sports infrastructure in schools, thereby promoting physical education and student engagement in sports. The procurement is timely, responding to increased demand for quality sports facilities in educational institutions. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor for this project.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: A minimum of three comparable projects completed within the last five years, each with a value of at least €200,000.
• Personnel: Key personnel must include a project manager with a minimum of five years' experience in similar projects.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be located within 100 km of the project site.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The price/quality split follows the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle. A minimum score of 70% is required for the quality criterion to be considered for award.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A response document following the provided template, limited to 10 pages.
• CVs: CVs of key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must be submitted in the specified format using the provided template.
• Case studies: Three case studies of relevant projects, each valued between €200,000 and €500,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: A site visit is required on 15 June 2026; contact details for arrangements are provided in the tender documents.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders portal, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and Extension: The contract duration is set for six months, with potential extensions based on project requirements.
• Payment Terms: Payments will be made in stages, with interim payments based on completed milestones.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: The contractor must adhere to specified timelines and quality standards, with penalties for delays.
• Liquidated Damages: A penalty of €500 per day will apply for delays beyond the agreed completion date.
• Termination Clauses: The employer reserves the right to terminate the contract for non-compliance or failure to meet performance standards.
• IP Ownership: All intellectual property generated during the project will remain with the employer.
• Sub-contracting Rules: Sub-contracting is permitted with prior written consent from the employer.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Tight Timeline: The six-month completion timeline may be challenging, especially with weather-related delays.
• Insurance Requirements: High insurance coverage requirements may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Geographic Constraints: The requirement for bidders to be within 100 km of the site may restrict competition.
• Liquidated Damages: The specified penalties for delays could pose financial risks for contractors if unforeseen issues arise.

10. SME fit assessment

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

• A solid track record in similar projects, particularly in educational or sports facility construction.
• The capacity to meet insurance and turnover requirements.
• The ability to mobilize resources quickly to meet the tight timeline.
• Sub-contracting is allowed but requires prior consent from the employer, which may benefit SMEs lacking certain capabilities.

Bid preparation is estimated to require approximately 10-15 days, considering the need for detailed documentation and case studies. The presence of stringent eligibility criteria and the potential for incumbents to have an advantage may affect the probability of winning (Pwin) for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Short public works contract.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment
• Mandatory Requirements Schedule
• Pricing Schedule Template