South Dublin County Council Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Surveys (RDAS) Services

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 Framework Agreement for the provision of refurbishment/demolition asbestos surveys (RDAS) services for South Dublin County Council's housing stock. The framework will cover the identification and assessment of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within residential properties to inform subsequent refurbishment or demolition works.

The scope of services includes:

• Domestic Bulk RDAS Surveys: A minimum of 50 domestic dwellings are required for Term 1 (12 Months). These surveys are for properties requiring refurbishment or demolition.
• Survey Methodology: The contractor will be responsible for conducting comprehensive surveys to identify the presence, location, and condition of asbestos-containing materials. This involves intrusive inspections where necessary and appropriate.
• Reporting: Detailed reports will be required for each survey, outlining findings, risk assessments, and recommendations for management or removal of ACMs.
• Compliance: Services must adhere to all relevant Irish Health and Safety Authority (HSA) regulations and guidance concerning asbestos management and surveying.
• Framework Operation: The framework agreement is for a maximum period of four years. Contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond its life. The estimated total value of purchases under the framework is between €190,000 and €210,000. The Client reserves the right to extend the value of spend under the framework by 10% without further competitive procedures.

3. Background & buyer context

South Dublin County Council is procuring these services to manage asbestos risks within its local authority housing stock. The need arises from planned refurbishment and demolition activities across its properties. This procurement fits within the Council's broader asset management and health and safety obligations. The tender process follows an open procedure, as advertised on etenders.gov.ie and potentially the Official Journal of the European Union. The Framework Agreement with a Single Operator is intended to streamline the procurement of these specialist survey services over a defined period.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that turnover exceeded €200,000 per annum in each of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1.3 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Access to minimum levels of manpower and skills, supported by an organisation chart.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Services are for the South Dublin County Council area.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of contracts under this framework will be based on the principle of the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). The specific scoring mechanism and weighting are not detailed in the provided extract. However, the tender documents indicate that the lowest cost tender that also meets all minimum qualitative award criteria will receive the maximum score for that criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit their responses via the eTenders electronic tenderbox. The submission must be uploaded as a ZIP FILE. Specific requirements include:

• Method statement / response document: Not specified for this tender.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Details to be inserted from the completed Form of Tender or refer to the Form of Tender in Schedule 1.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Tenderers must complete Appendix 5 demonstrating they meet minimum technical capacity requirements. This includes declarations regarding personal circumstances, confidentiality, statutory compliance, and a tenderer's statement. Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number are required for verification.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: eTenders.gov.ie. Tenderers must ensure sufficient time for upload before the deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term + extension: The Framework Agreement has a maximum period of four years. Contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond its life. The Client may extend the value of spend under the framework by 10%.
• Payment terms: Not specified for this tender.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Client can terminate the Framework Member's appointment with 30 days' notice for material breach, failure to perform, or if certain insolvency events occur. The Client can also terminate the Framework Agreement with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontractors may be used, but they must be made aware of confidentiality obligations.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender establishes a Framework Agreement with a Single Operator. This structure, combined with the relatively low estimated total framework value (€190,000-€210,000), suggests a potential preference for an incumbent or a firm with a very specific, established relationship with the Council, or that the Council anticipates a limited number of specific projects. The requirement for a minimum of 50 domestic dwellings for Term 1 (12 Months) provides a concrete initial volume, but the overall spend is not guaranteed. The Framework Agreement terms allow the Client to operate outside the framework if value-for-money is not achieved, which could impact the anticipated spend.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely most suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in asbestos surveying, particularly those with experience working with local authorities or public sector housing.

• Who can credibly bid: A firm with demonstrated experience in domestic asbestos surveys, holding the required insurances, and a turnover exceeding €200,000 per annum. The ability to provide detailed survey reports and meet potential site access requirements within the South Dublin area is crucial.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: The Framework Agreement terms allow for the use of subcontractors, provided they are made aware of confidentiality obligations. This opens possibilities for smaller firms to collaborate or for larger firms to subcontract specific elements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Estimating bid preparation effort is difficult without the full suite of tender documents. However, gathering insurance evidence, financial statements for turnover verification, and preparing any required technical capacity statements would likely require several days of focused effort.
• Pwin signal: The single-operator framework structure and the specific nature of asbestos surveying suggest that incumbent providers or firms with a strong track record in this niche within the Dublin region may have an advantage. The estimated framework value is modest, indicating a focus on specific, potentially smaller-scale projects rather than large-scale demolition programmes.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): [SDCC Invitation to Tender memo.pdf], [Appendix 9 FWA Single Party Terms and Conditions Jan 2022.docx], [Appendix 7 Confidentiality Agreement Services.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: CFT 3983
• Contact email or clarification portal: [email protected] (for eTenders assistance)
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 9 FWA Single Party Terms and Conditions Jan 2022.docx (Framework Agreement terms)
• Appendix 7 Confidentiality Agreement Services.docx (Confidentiality terms)
• [Specific Form of Tender/Pricing Schedule - not explicitly named but referenced]