PROVISION OF RADON TESTING OF PROPERTIES

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 requires the provision of radon testing services for properties within Galway County Council's jurisdiction. The contractor will be responsible for conducting measurements to assess radon levels in homes and workplaces. The scale of the operation is indicated by the estimated contract value of €120,000.

Key activities and requirements include:

• Radon Measurement: Conducting radon exposure continuously over a period of not less than 3 months and no greater than 12 months. Detectors must be left in place for this duration.
• Measurement Period: The measurement period should be at least 3 months and less than 12 months to avoid seasonal adjustment issues. Where the measurement period is less than 12 months, seasonal adjustment factors must be applied.
• Detector Placement: Detectors are to be placed in homes and workplaces. Specific guidance on placement is provided in the "Protocol for the Measurement of Radon in Homes and Workplaces (EPA, 2019)".
• Reporting: Results must be reported, with specific additional information required for results between 200 and 800 Bq/m³ and between 800 and 2,000 Bq/m³. The number and location of detectors used must be documented.
• Compliance: The investigation must comply with S.I. No 391/2008 (Sections 4, 5, 6, 8) and the EPA's 2019 protocol.
• Contractual Framework: The work falls under an "Investigation Contract" (PW-CF7 v1.7) which outlines general conditions for starting, completing, and managing the investigation, including contractor's proposals, programme of works, and resource allocation.
• Site Access and Operations: The contractor is responsible for securing the site, ensuring the safety of persons on site, and protecting nearby areas from hazards. They must also avoid causing nuisance or inconvenience to the public and occupiers.
• Data Handling: Personal data must be processed in accordance with GDPR and relevant data protection laws. The contractor must implement appropriate security measures and notify the employer of any data breaches within 24 hours. Data transfers outside the EEA require prior written consent.
• Personnel: Contractor's personnel must be suitably qualified, trained, and experienced. The contractor is liable for their acts and omissions.
• Subcontracting: The contractor may not subcontract the whole investigation. Subcontracting parts requires the Employer's Representative's consent, unless allowed by the Scope.

3. Background & buyer context

Galway County Council (GCC) is procuring these radon testing services to address public health concerns related to radon exposure in residential and workplace environments. The procurement is initiated to ensure compliance with relevant Irish legislation, specifically S.I. No 391/2008, which mandates the measurement and mitigation of radon. While no specific national programme is explicitly cited, this initiative aligns with general public health and housing standards promoted by government bodies. The contract is issued under the standard PW-CF7 Investigation Contract framework, indicating a structured approach to managing such service provision. No incumbent contractor is explicitly mentioned.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• 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.

Additional mandatory requirements include:

• Tax Clearance: Bidders must provide their Access Number and Tax Reference Number to facilitate online verification of their tax status.
• Submission Format: Tenders must include the number and type of paper and/or electronic copies as stated in the tender documents.
• Health and Safety: Standard GCC Health and Safety contractor requirements must be furnished within 10 days of request.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided extracts. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, which balances price and quality. Specific weightings for technical merit, price, and any other qualitative factors would be detailed in the full tender documentation. Any minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall would also be specified in the tender documents.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following documentation:

• Tender and Schedule (FTS7 v1.6): This is the primary submission document.
• Pricing Document (Volume C): Containing the contractor's pricing for the services.
• Program of Works: Outlining the proposed timescale and allocated resources.
• Contractor's Proposals: Including programme, methods of working, management arrangements, and quality assurance procedures.
• Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire: To be completed by the bidder.
• GCC Works Requirements: Details of specific requirements from Galway County Council.
• Preliminary Health and Safety Plan:
• SF79 Service Provider Assessment of Competency form:
• Declarations: Including Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations are typically required. The ESPD (European Single Procurement Document) is standard for EU public procurement.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders. Specific format rules for electronic submission would be detailed in the Instructions to Tenderers.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Duration: The contract length is not specified. The PW-CF7 contract is for an "Investigation" and may be task-based or time-limited.
• Payment Terms: Payment is made in instalments as scheduled. The contractor submits a payment claim notice, the Employer's Representative certifies the amount due within 14 days, and the Employer pays within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
• Price Adjustments: The Price will not be adjusted except as expressly provided. Changes to the Scope instructed by the Employer's Representative will result in Price adjustments, either by agreed quotation or assessment by the Employer's Representative.
• Liquidated Damages/Penalties: If a Task is not completed within its Performance Period, the Price will be reduced at a specified rate until completion.
• Termination: The contract can be terminated if a suspension lasts longer than 3 months and the Employer does not permit the Contractor to proceed. Specific termination clauses are detailed in Section 14 of the PW-CF7 contract.
• IP Ownership: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts, but typically remains with the contractor unless specified otherwise.
• Subcontracting: The contractor may not subcontract the whole investigation. Subcontracting parts requires the Employer's Representative's consent, unless allowed by the Scope.
• Performance Bond/Guarantees: A performance bond may be required if stated in the Schedule, executed by the Contractor and an approved surety.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Lack of Detailed Criteria: The absence of specified eligibility, selection, and award criteria in the provided extracts is a significant red flag. Bidders will need to rely heavily on the full tender documents for these crucial details.
• Unspecified Contract Length and Value Breakdown: The total estimated value is provided, but there is no breakdown per lot or indication of the contract's duration. This makes it difficult to assess the scale of work per annum or over the contract term.
• Reliance on External Protocols: The requirement to comply with the EPA's 2019 protocol and specific S.I. regulations means bidders must have a thorough understanding of these external documents.
• Potential for Scope Changes: The contract allows for instructions changing the Scope, which could impact pricing and performance periods. Bidders must factor in the potential for such changes and the process for agreeing adjustments.
• Tight Payment Certification: The 14-day window for the Employer's Representative to respond to a payment claim notice is relatively short, requiring efficient processing from the buyer's side.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender appears to be structured for specialist service providers in the field of environmental testing, specifically radon measurement.

• Who can credibly bid: A small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) with demonstrated expertise in radon testing, familiarity with Irish environmental regulations (S.I. No 391/2008, EPA protocols), and the capacity to deploy measurement devices for periods of 3-12 months would be a suitable bidder. Experience in conducting similar investigations for public sector bodies or in residential/workplace settings would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Subcontracting: The contractor cannot subcontract the whole investigation. Subcontracting parts requires consent, suggesting a preference for the prime contractor to deliver the core service. Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned but would likely be permissible if structured correctly, with one entity taking lead responsibility.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Given the need to understand specific protocols, regulations, and the PW-CF7 contract, bid preparation could require 10-20 days of effort for a company familiar with public procurement and the subject matter. This includes developing proposals, pricing, and ensuring compliance with all submission requirements.
• Pwin signal: The tender is open to competition as no incumbent is named and specific selection criteria are not yet detailed. The €120,000 value suggests it is accessible to SMEs. The primary Pwin signal will come from the quality of the technical proposal and competitive pricing, alongside demonstrated compliance with all mandatory requirements.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): [Invitation to Tender (PMP02-2026).pdf], [PW-CF7_Contract PMP02-2026_v1.7_25-11-2025.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Tommy Carney, Executive Engineer - Housing, Galway County Council. Queries should be directed through the eTenders platform.
• Most important attachments:
• Invitation to Tender (PMP02-2026).pdf
• PW-CF7_Contract PMP02-2026_v1.7_25-11-2025.pdf (Investigation Contract Conditions)
• Volume A: Tender and Schedule (FTS7 v1.6)
• Volume B: Pricing Document
• Volume C: Instruction to Tenderers (ITT-W3 v2.0)
• Volume D: Protocol for the Measurement of Radon in Homes and Workplaces (EPA, 2019)