Multi-Party Framework Agreement for Suppliers of Concrete

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 multi-party framework agreement for the supply and delivery of concrete to Dublin City Council. The framework will be established with up to twelve economic operators. Contracts awarded under the framework will be for the delivery and collection of concrete.

The scope includes:

• Concrete Supply: Provision of ready-mixed concrete products.
• Delivery: Delivery to work sites located within the Dublin City Council Administrative Area. Delivery is expected within 15 hours of order placement.
• Collection (Ex Works): Materials to be collected from the supplier's batching plant by Dublin City Council vehicles.
• Quality Assurance: Tenderers must demonstrate a commitment to quality with an accredited quality system to ISO 9001, including Factory Production testing. Concrete products associated with harmonised standards must be CE marked with a Declaration of Performance. Certification of the Factory Production Control system by a notified body is required.
• Standards Compliance: Adherence to EN 206-1:2002 (or 2013) and EN 206:2013+A2:2021 standards.
• Operational Hours: Normal hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Saturdays are 8am to 1pm. Weeknights are 6pm to 11pm Monday to Friday.
• Discharge Time: Suppliers must account for a discharge time allowance of 15 minutes, plus 10 minutes per cubic metre delivered. No payment will be made for discharge times exceeding this allowance.
• Measurement: Ready-mixed concrete will be measured in cubic metres, with final measurement taken in situ. Delivery dockets are provisionally accepted, but adjustments will be made based on in situ measurement. Spot checks at public weighbridges are permitted.
• Vehicle Requirements: Vehicles must be capable of performing work without diminution of power. Drivers must be skilled, conversant with their vehicles, and remain in attendance. Vehicles must comply with the Road Traffic Act and Health and Safety Regulations, display valid registration and insurance discs, and be fitted with flashing/warning beacons and a non-disableable reverse alarm. Drivers must be provided with necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Contract Management: Nominated dedicated contract manager responsible for the main point of contact, satisfactory delivery, reporting, dispute resolution, and proactive suggestions for improvement and cost savings. Contract management activities are non-billable.
• Mini-Competitions: At least every 12 months, a mini-competition will be issued to framework members for specific contracts.

3. Background & buyer context

Dublin City Council is the local authority responsible for the social, economic, infrastructural, and cultural development of Dublin city. Its services span housing, roads, environmental protection, recreation, education, health, and welfare. The Council operates facilities across the city and beyond, with its headquarters at Wood Quay, Dublin 8. This procurement is part of the Council's ongoing efforts to ensure efficient and cost-effective procurement of essential supplies. The policy promotes fair participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following criteria on a pass/fail basis to be considered for the framework.

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that the tendering party turnover exceeded €100,000 during one of the last three years, or pro-rata if more recently established. The firm must have been in existence for at least 6 months.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: Not applicable
• Environmental Liability Impairment (EIL): Not applicable
• Cyber Liability: Not applicable
• Insurances must include an Indemnity to Principals clause or otherwise indemnify the Council. Insurances must be authorised for the Irish jurisdiction.
• Certifications:
• Accredited quality system to ISO 9001, including Factory Production testing.
• Accreditation to I.S. EN 206-1:2002 (or 2013) and EN 206:2013+A2:2021.
• CE marking and Declaration of Performance for concrete products associated with harmonised standards.
• Certification of Factory Production Control system by a notified body.
• Quarry source compliance with SI No. 566 of 2009, Section 261 of the Planning and Development Acts, and any necessary permits (e.g., discharge licence).
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate successful delivery of two previous comparable contracts. Details required include contract description, value, precise services supplied, management, and delivery schedules.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond delivery locations within the Dublin City Council Administrative Area.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The framework will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous compliant tender, determined solely by cost.

The lowest 12 priced/comparative cost tenders will be admitted to the framework. The scoring methodology for the cost criterion is detailed in Section 5.1 of the RFT, involving formulas for supply and delivery, supply ex works, and small loads.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie using the specified Tender Response Document (TRD).

• Method statement / response document: Tender Response Document (TRD) to be completed.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Pricing Schedule A 2026/7, A1 2026/7, B 2026/7, B1 2025/6 to be completed.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Declaration of Bona Fides (Article 57 of Directive 2014/24/EU).
• Declaration regarding compliance with relevant Statutory Obligations.
• Article 5k Declaration regarding EU Regulation 2022/576.
• Confirmation of tax compliance.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The framework agreement will be for a period of four (4) years. Contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond the expiry date of the agreement.
• Payment terms: Invoices to be submitted monthly for costs incurred in the preceding month. Invoices must quote a Dublin City Council purchase order number.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Supplier performance will be monitored, with quality of service, cost competitiveness, and turnaround time as main criteria. A probationary period of three months applies.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate any contract if matters outside its control render the arrangement uncompetitive. Termination can also occur if performance during the probationary period is unsatisfactory or if performance is unsatisfactory at subsequent 12-month reviews.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Tenderers may rely on the resources of other entities, but if successful, a grouping must establish legal personality.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• No guaranteed expenditure: The estimated value of €4,000,000 is indicative, and there is no guaranteed expenditure under the framework. Dublin City Council reserves the right to procure outside the framework.
• Lowest cost award: The sole award criterion is cost, which may favour high-volume, low-margin suppliers.
• Mini-competition structure: While a framework is established, individual contracts are awarded via mini-competitions, meaning initial framework ranking does not guarantee subsequent contract awards.
• Potential for incumbent advantage: While not explicitly stated, the nature of a framework agreement and the reliance on past experience could indirectly favour incumbent suppliers if they possess the required track record and pricing.
• Limited duration for initial contract: The first contract is anticipated to be for one year, subject to demand and budget, with subsequent contracts determined by performance and strategic appropriateness.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a multi-party framework, aiming to admit up to twelve suppliers. The award is based solely on the lowest comparative cost.

• Who can credibly bid: The primary requirement is the ability to supply concrete at the lowest cost while meeting stringent quality and technical standards (ISO 9001, EN standards). This suggests that established concrete suppliers with efficient production and logistics operations are best positioned. SMEs could potentially bid if they have a highly competitive cost structure and can demonstrate compliance with all technical and insurance requirements.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Consortiums are permitted, and if successful, must establish legal personality. Tenderers can rely on the resources of other entities to meet requirements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Significant effort will be required to complete the detailed technical specifications, quality assurance documentation, and pricing schedules accurately. Estimating this effort is difficult without knowing the bidder's existing systems, but it could range from 5-15 days for a well-prepared firm.
• Pwin signal: The sole award criterion being cost suggests that the incumbent or firms with the most efficient production and lowest overheads will have a strong advantage. The framework structure allows for multiple suppliers, indicating a desire for competition rather than a sole-supplier arrangement.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [RFT Framework for Supply of Concrete.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact for Queries: Via www.etenders.gov.ie only.
• Most important attachments:
• Tender Response Document (TRD)
• PRICING SCHEDULE A 2026/7 (and related schedules)
• Appendix [1] – Framework Terms and Conditions