Ballinasloe R446 Bridge Street to Harris Road Active Travel Scheme

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

This tender seeks a contractor to deliver the Ballinasloe R446 Bridge Street to Harris Road Active Travel Scheme. The scheme involves the design and construction of active travel infrastructure.

The constituent activities and requirements include:

• Scheme Design and Construction: Undertaking all necessary design and construction works for the active travel scheme. This includes road improvement and the creation of dedicated infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Urban Environment Focus: The project is situated within an urban environment. Bidders must demonstrate experience with similar schemes.
• Traffic Management: Extensive traffic management plans and approvals will be required. The contractor must manage traffic flow effectively throughout the construction period.
• Infrastructure Elements: The scheme will likely involve elements such as:
• Road surfacing and resurfacing.
• Installation of new road markings and potentially centreline adjustments.
• Construction of segregated cycle lanes and pedestrian walkways.
• Potential works on drainage, ducting, and chamber covers.
• Ancillary works related to street furniture, lighting, and landscaping.
• Health and Safety Management: The contractor will be responsible for acting as Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS), adhering to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This includes developing and implementing comprehensive health and safety plans, risk assessments, and method statements.
• Quality Assurance: Implementing measures for ensuring quality in construction, including adherence to relevant standards and specifications.
• Environmental Considerations: Managing construction activities to minimise environmental impact, particularly concerning proximity to existing structures and ground levels.
• Site Surveys: Conducting surveys on properties and structures within 10 meters of the site boundary.
• Reporting: Providing weekly labour records and progress reports.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by Galway County Council. The project, the Ballinasloe R446 Bridge Street to Harris Road Active Travel Scheme, aligns with national and local government objectives to promote sustainable transport and active travel. Such schemes are typically funded through national programmes aimed at improving cycling and walking infrastructure. The current procurement seeks to appoint a contractor to deliver these improvements, replacing any incumbent arrangements for this specific route or similar infrastructure works in the area. The strategic driver is to enhance public health, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the urban environment through the provision of safe and accessible active travel routes.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Area of Business/Work: General Construction/Civil Engineering
• Yearly Turnover: €5,000,000.00
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000 for any one event. Maximum excess of €10,000 in respect of property damage only.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of €1.5m. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of the Tenderer’s annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Safety Management System: In accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent. Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent.
• Past experience:
• Demonstrate completion of at least one Active Travel / Road Improvement Scheme in an urban environment with a length in excess of 1km.
• Demonstrate completion of at least one Active Travel / Road Improvement Scheme in an urban environment with a value in excess of €2.0m.
• Demonstrate completion of at least one Active Travel / Road Improvement Scheme in an urban environment where extensive Traffic Management Plan and Approvals were required.
• For PSCS role: List of previous PSCS appointments over the past 3 years (or 5 years for competition adequacy), on projects similar in nature and complexity.
• For Contractor role: List of previous works projects over the past 5 years (or 7 years for competition adequacy), on projects similar in nature and complexity.
• Personnel:
• Management Staff (HS): Evidence of appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience, with Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience relevant to the Works.
• Personnel (HS): Evidence of appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience, with Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience relevant to the Works.
• PSCS Role: Minimum of 5 years' experience in the role of H&S Coordinator. Minimum of 10 years' experience of fulfilling the role of PLO. Minimum of 15 years' experience post-graduation in the Civil Engineering Industry or equivalent.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided extract. However, the procurement process is structured around a two-stage evaluation: suitability assessment (pass/fail) followed by tender evaluation. The tender evaluation will likely follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. Quality aspects will be assessed based on the bidder's technical capability, health and safety competence, and proposed approach to the project. Price will be evaluated based on the submitted pricing schedule. Specific minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall are not detailed in the provided text.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This forms the basis of the initial qualification.
• Health and Safety Supplement: Specific sections must be completed for Contractor (3.4.1) and PSCS (3.4.2) roles, covering:
• Educational and Professional Qualifications (Management and Personnel).
• List of Works Carried Out (Contractor) / List of Technical Services Provided (PSCS).
• Measures for Ensuring Quality.
• Statement of Average Annual Numbers of Persons Employed.
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects (for Contractor role).
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution (for previous projects).
• Appendix B3: Certificate of Satisfactory Delivery of Services (for PSCS role).
• Appendix C: Bankers Letter.
• Appendix D1/D2: Letter of Undertaking/Bond from Surety.
• Pricing Schedule: Format to be specified in tender documents.
• Declarations: Including those related to health and safety policy, organisation, and compliance with relevant legislation.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified in the provided text.
• Submission Portal: Bids will be submitted via eTenders. Specific format rules are not detailed here.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Public Works Contract is implied.
• Performance Bond: A performance bond is required, with the amount not exceeding 12.5% of the eventual contract sum. A Letter of Undertaking from a surety is required as part of the submission.
• Payment Terms: Not explicitly detailed, but standard prompt payment directives for public sector contracts will apply. Interim payments are expected, with a minimum amount of €0.00 specified (except for retention release).
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the provided text.
• Termination Clauses: Not specified in the provided text.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided text.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified in the provided text.
• Parent Company Guarantee: Not specified in the provided text.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Health and Safety Focus: The tender places a significant emphasis on health and safety competence, with detailed requirements for both the Contractor and the PSCS role. This suggests a high-risk project environment or a strong focus on compliance by the contracting authority.
• Specific Project Experience: The requirement for experience in "Active Travel / Road Improvement Schemes in an urban environment" with specific length and value thresholds (€2.0m) narrows the field of eligible bidders.
• PSCS Role: The explicit requirement for PSCS competence, alongside the Contractor role, indicates a need for integrated safety management.
• Bonding Requirements: The need for a performance bond and a Letter of Undertaking from a surety indicates a requirement for financial security and risk mitigation for the contracting authority.
• Deadline: The submission deadline of September 2026 is distant, allowing ample time for preparation.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured for established civil engineering and construction firms with proven experience in road improvement and active travel projects.

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a turnover of at least €5 million annually, a track record of delivering urban road improvement schemes exceeding €2 million in value, and robust health and safety management systems (ISO 45001 or equivalent) are well-positioned. Experience in managing extensive traffic management plans is crucial.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. However, the stringent experience and qualification requirements for both the Contractor and PSCS roles suggest that lead bidders will need to demonstrate direct capability in these areas. Sub-contracting might be permissible for specific elements, but the core PSCS and primary construction responsibilities will likely need to be held by the main bidder.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the detailed health and safety requirements, the need for specific project evidence (Appendix B1/B3), and the financial documentation (banker's letter, surety undertaking), bid preparation could require 20-40 person-days for a competent firm. This includes gathering project certificates, compiling CVs, and completing the detailed HS sections.
• Pwin Signal: The detailed HS requirements and specific project experience criteria suggest a competitive tender. The distant deadline may indicate the contracting authority is seeking a broad pool of qualified bidders. There is no explicit indication of an incumbent or a sole-supplier framework.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in provided text.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified in provided text.
• Most Important Attachments:
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx (Health and Safety Competence of Contractor)
• 3.4.2-HS-PSCS_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx (Health and Safety Competence of PSCS)
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx (List of Previous Works Projects)