Establishment of a single supplier framework for the purchase of up to 30 Tractors in 2 lots

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 to establish a single-supplier framework agreement for the procurement of up to 30 tractors for Fingal County Council. The framework will operate over an unspecified term, with a maximum value of €3,000,000 (exclusive of VAT). The procurement is divided into two lots, detailing specific tractor configurations and associated equipment.

The contractor will be responsible for the sale and supply of tractors and associated goods as detailed in Schedule B of the Goods Contract. This includes:

• Lot 1:
• Tractors (Make/Model) - up to 15 units.
• Front loader - counter balance weights and mounting frame - up to 5 units.
• Standard Loading Bucket - up to 5 units.
• Pallet Forks - up to 5 units.
• Grass Tyres Front Rear - up to 10 units each.
• Air Suspension Seats - up to 5 units.
• Lot 2:
• Tractors (Make/Model) - up to 1 unit.
• Grass Tyres Front Rear - up to 1 unit each.
• Air Suspension Seats - up to 1 unit.

The contractor must supply the goods in accordance with the Specification, the Request for Tenders (RFT), the Client's directions, and the terms of the Agreement. This includes:

• Delivery at specified times, locations, and dates.
• Unloading, stacking, or installation of goods at the Client's premises.
• Proper packing and marking of goods, including contract number, weights, and clear marking of contents.
• Compliance with all applicable laws, including environmental, social, and labour law, as established by EU law, national law, collective agreements, and international conventions.
• Responsibility for employment, remuneration, taxes, immigration, and work permits of all personnel.
• Acting as prime contractor, assuming full responsibility for all obligations and liability for subcontractors.
• Providing goods that correspond to the description in the Submission and Specification, and ensuring manufacturing processes comply with representations made in the Submission.
• Guaranteeing goods for a specified period against faulty materials or workmanship, with prompt remedy of defects through repair or replacement.
• Providing instruction of the Client's personnel in the use and maintenance of the goods where indicated in the Specification.

The contractor must also comply with local security and health and safety arrangements, and implement any policies, guidelines, or project governance protocols issued by the Client.

3. Background & buyer context

Fingal County Council is undertaking this procurement to establish a framework agreement for the purchase of tractors. The RFT was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), indicating a procurement process conducted under EU public procurement regulations. The framework aims to provide a streamlined and efficient method for acquiring up to 30 tractors across two distinct lots, catering to specific operational needs. The estimated maximum value of the framework over its lifetime is €3,000,000 (exclusive of VAT). The procurement is driven by the Council's requirement for these essential vehicles to support its operational activities.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, bidders must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement:
• A minimum average annual turnover of €600,000 for each of the three immediately preceding financial years, or pro-rata if more recently established. This applies to the tenderer and all associated parties.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Certifications:
• Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel:
• Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must also confirm that none of the exclusion grounds listed in Regulation 57 of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 apply to them.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided contract document. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, which balances price and quality. The specific weighting for price versus quality, and the sub-criteria for evaluating quality (e.g., technical merit, delivery, after-sales service), would be detailed in the full Request for Tenders (RFT) document. Any minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall would also be specified in the RFT.

6. Submission requirements

The provided contract document does not detail the specific submission requirements for the tender response. However, based on standard public procurement practices, bidders would typically be required to submit:

• A comprehensive response document addressing all technical and qualitative aspects of the tender.
• Detailed pricing schedules for each lot, outlining costs for tractors and associated equipment.
• Evidence of compliance with eligibility and selection criteria, including financial statements to demonstrate turnover and confirmation of insurance coverage.
• Declarations, such as a declaration of suitability and confirmation of no exclusion grounds.
• Details of any proposed subcontractors, if applicable.
• A completed response to any specific evaluation questionnaires or matrices provided in the RFT.

The submission method, specific templates, page limits, and any mandatory site visits or pre-submission meetings would be outlined in the full RFT document.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The framework agreement will have an unspecified initial term, with the Client reserving the right to extend it for a period or periods up to a maximum number of months, subject to legal obligations. Payment terms are detailed in Schedule C, with invoices payable by the Client upon resolution of queries or deemed acceptance, subject to the Contractor providing a valid invoice and current Tax Clearance Certificate. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 apply.

The Contractor is liable for losses arising from negligence, breach of contract, or failure to exercise skill and diligence. Neither party is liable for indirect losses, except in cases of fraud, personal injury, or death. The Contractor's aggregate liability is limited, either by the specified insurance limits or by the total charges paid or projected.

The Client may withhold a "Retention Amount" from payments if dissatisfied with performance, with this amount not exceeding a specified percentage of the charges. This is without prejudice to other remedies.

Termination clauses allow either party to terminate with written notice (one month for the Client, three months for the Contractor). Immediate termination is possible for serious breaches, insolvency, or bankruptcy. Force majeure events, if continuing for 14 calendar days, also permit termination with 14 days' notice.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The primary unusual aspect of this tender is the significant gap between the submission deadline (September 2026) and the likely date of the RFT issuance, which is not specified. This suggests a long lead time for the procurement process or a potential error in the provided metadata. The absence of specific details regarding award criteria, submission requirements, and contract length in the provided contract document means that bidders must rely heavily on the full RFT for critical information. The maximum value of €3,000,000 is stated as "exclusive of VAT," which is standard but requires careful pricing. The framework is for a "single supplier" for both lots, which limits competition significantly.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a single-supplier framework for two lots, which may limit direct bidding opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) unless they are the sole supplier capable of meeting the requirements. However, SMEs could potentially participate as subcontractors to a larger prime contractor. The minimum turnover requirement of €600,000 annually for three years suggests that very small or newly established businesses may find it challenging to meet the eligibility criteria. The bid preparation effort would be moderate to high, depending on the complexity of the technical proposals required for the tractor specifications and associated equipment. The "single supplier" nature of the framework, combined with the specified insurance levels, indicates a preference for established suppliers with robust financial standing and risk management capabilities.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [UPDATED FCC Goods Contract and Confidentiality Agreement (ojeu-nonojeu)) .pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified
• Most important attachments:
• Goods Contract
• Schedule B (Goods Specification)
• Schedule C (Charges)