Strandhill Emergency Works 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

The procurement is for emergency coastal works at Strandhill, County Sligo. The contract will be based on the Short Public Works Contract (FTS6 v1.7). The contractor will be appointed as both the Works Contractor and the Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS).

The scope of work includes:

• Completion of Works: The contractor is to complete the "Strandhill Emergency Coastal Works" for a lump sum, as defined in the contract documents.
• Project Supervisor for Construction Stage (PSCS): The contractor will also accept appointment as PSCS if appointed by the Employer. This role involves fulfilling duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.
• Contractual Framework: The works will be governed by the Short Public Works Contract, with specific documents including Volume A (Documents describing the Works), Volume B (Tender and Schedule), and Volume C (Pricing Document).
• Time for Completion: The Works are to be completed within 60 days, starting from the date the Contract comes into effect.
• Performance Bond: A performance bond is required, amounting to 10% of the accepted tender price until substantial completion, and 5% thereafter.
• Liquidated Damages: A rate of €500 per day will apply for liquidated damages.
• Interim Payments: Monthly payments will be made, covering 90% of the value of works completed and materials delivered to the site.
• Final Payment: 95% of the Price will be paid after the Employer certifies the Works as substantially complete.
• Time for Payment: Payments are due within 10 working days after the Employer receives an invoice for the certified sum.
• Insurance Requirements: Specific minimum indemnity limits are stipulated for Public Liability (€6,500,000 per event) and Employer's Liability (€13,000,000 per event) insurance. Maximum excess levels are also defined.
• Price Variation: Table 1A ("All Materials" category only) applies for price variation, with a Permitted Increase Threshold of 5%.
• Weather Station: The designated weather station for the project is Markee.
• Defects Certificate: The Defects Certificate will be issued between 6 and 7 months after the Works are certified substantially complete.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for emergency coastal works at Strandhill, County Sligo. The project falls under the remit of Sligo County Council. The need for these works is indicated by the term "Emergency Works Scheme," suggesting a response to an immediate or urgent coastal erosion or damage issue. The contract is to be executed under the Short Public Works Contract, a standard form for public works projects in Ireland. The appointment of a Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) is a statutory requirement under Irish health and safety legislation, and in this instance, the contractor will also assume this role. The project is managed by Tetra Tech Consulting Ltd as the Employer's Representative.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover Requirement: A minimum average annual turnover of €1.5m arising from the General Construction/Civil Engineering category of work.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000 for any one event. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event. Maximum excess is €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of €1.5m for Works Contractor and PSCS. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Health and Safety: Evidence of technical capability and competence in line with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This includes appropriate qualifications, training, and experience for management and personnel.
• Quality Management: For Type 3 projects, evidence of a safety management system complying with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent, or certified membership of Safe-T-Cert, may be accepted.
• Past Experience: Evidence of completed works projects over the past 5 years (or 7 years where necessary for competition) that are similar in nature and complexity to the Works. This requires completion of Appendix B1 (List of Previous Projects) and Appendix B2 (Certificate of Satisfactory Execution). For Health and Safety competence, specific requirements for Safety and Health Plans from previous projects may apply.
• Personnel: Management staff and personnel must possess appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience, along with relevant Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience.
• 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 documents. However, the process involves a qualification stage where bidders must meet the specified eligibility and selection criteria. For Health and Safety competence, all criteria are stated as pass/fail. The contract will be awarded based on the submitted tender, which includes a lump sum offer for the Works. The selection of the successful tender will likely consider the overall price and the bidder's ability to meet all contractual and regulatory requirements.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Form of Tender: A completed Form of Tender, including the lump sum offer for the Works, excluding VAT.
• Project Supervisor Appointment: Offer to accept appointment as Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage, if required.
• Pricing Document: Volume C - Pricing Document.
• Insurance Details: Evidence of Public Liability, Employer's Liability, and Professional Indemnity insurance meeting the specified minimum indemnity limits and maximum excess levels.
• Health and Safety Documentation:
• Evidence of technical capability and competence as per Section 3.4.1 (HS) of the Health and Safety Supplement.
• Curricula Vitae (CVs) for management staff and personnel, detailing qualifications, training, experience, and roles on similar projects.
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects.
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution for previous projects.
• Safety and Health Plans from previous projects (if specified as an additional requirement).
• Evidence of a safety management system (e.g., ISO 45001:2018, Safe-T-Cert).
• Safety Statement in the format outlined by the Health and Safety Authority, addressing specific requirements and minimum standards.
• Banker's Letter: Appendix C - Banker's Letter on applicant headed paper, authorising the bank to provide financial information.
• Declarations: Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations are implicitly required as part of standard public procurement processes, though not explicitly listed as separate attachments in the provided extract.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules for electronic submissions are not detailed in the extract.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Form: Short Public Works Contract (FTS6 v1.7).
• Term: Completion within 60 days of contract commencement.
• Payment: Monthly interim payments (90% of certified value), with 95% paid upon substantial completion. Payment within 10 working days of invoice receipt.
• Performance Bond: 10% of Price until substantial completion, 5% thereafter.
• Liquidated Damages: €500 per day.
• Termination: Clause 12.2 allows for termination, with a payment of 4% of the unpaid portion of the Price if another contractor is appointed within 12 months.
• Insurance: Public Liability (€6.5m per event), Employer's Liability (€13m per event), Professional Indemnity (€1.5m).
• Price Variation: Permitted Increase Threshold of 5%.
• Project Supervisor Role: Contractor appointed as PSCS.
• Dispute Resolution: Institution of Engineers of Ireland for conciliator appointment, Chairperson of the Panel of Adjudicators for adjudicator appointment.
• Contractor's Liability: Capped at a figure to be inserted in the contract (default is the Price).

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Emergency Works Designation: The "Emergency Works Scheme" designation implies urgency. While the tender deadline is in October 2026, the nature of emergency works can sometimes lead to accelerated timelines or unforeseen site conditions.
• Dual Role: The requirement for the contractor to also act as Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) consolidates responsibility but also increases the bidder's scope and potential liability. Bidders must be competent in both roles.
• Short Public Works Contract: This form of contract is typically used for smaller, less complex projects. However, the insurance requirements, particularly for Employer's Liability (€13m), are substantial and may indicate a higher risk profile or scale than typically associated with this contract form.
• Performance Bond: The requirement for a performance bond is standard, but its percentage (10% reducing to 5%) is a key financial commitment for the contractor.
• Unspecified Value: The absence of an estimated contract value means bidders must rely on the turnover requirement and insurance levels to gauge the project's scale.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a strong track record in general construction and civil engineering, particularly those experienced in coastal works or similar infrastructure projects. The key requirements for SMEs would be:

• Financial Capacity: Demonstrating an average annual turnover of €1.5m in general construction/civil engineering.
• Insurance: Securing the specified insurance levels, especially the €13m Employer's Liability cover, may be a significant hurdle for very small firms.
• Technical & HS Competence: Proven experience in similar projects and robust health and safety management systems are essential. The dual role of Contractor and PSCS requires demonstrated competence in both areas.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. SMEs may consider forming consortia to meet the insurance and experience requirements, or sub-contracting specific elements if permitted.
• Bid Preparation Effort: The effort will be moderate to high, primarily due to the detailed health and safety documentation, previous project evidence (Appendices B1/B2), and the need to demonstrate competence in both construction and PSCS roles.

The tender appears open to firms that can meet the financial and technical thresholds, with a particular emphasis on health and safety compliance.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• [Volume B - Tender & Schedule.pdf]
• [3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx]
• [MF_1.22_Project_Supervisor_09-04-2020 (1).docx]
• [Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter.docx]
• [Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided documents.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified in provided documents.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Volume B - Tender & Schedule.pdf (contains contract terms, dates, insurance, damages)
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx (detailed Health and Safety competence requirements)
• Appendix B1/B2 (Previous Projects and Certificates of Satisfactory Execution)