Proposed Playground at Knockmore Co Mayo

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 proposals for the design, supply, and installation of a children's playground at Knockmore, County Mayo. The project involves the creation of a new playground facility.

The scope of work includes:

• Design and Supply:
• One number multi-play unit (Europlay or equivalent approved).
• Two number Eurobina or similar approved/equivalent springers.
• Two number animal-themed adventure play pods (Cougar Climber and Hawk Nest) constructed of natural materials, rockwork, and rough timber construction.
• A post-and-rail timber fence with finials.
• Equipment must meet a minimum 10-year structural warranty.
• The equipment must meet EN 1176 Parts 1 to 7 standards.
• Installation:
• Installation of all supplied playground equipment.
• Installation of associated safety surfacing.
• Construction of a timber fence.
• Ancillary Works:
• The project design, supply, and installation of one number children's playground.
• The playground area is specified as 1200m².
• The project requires a minimum of one number playground inspection conducted by a registered playground inspector.
• The project requires a minimum of ten-year structural warrant.
• Compliance and Documentation:
• Tenders must include compliance with EN 1176 Parts 1 to 7.
• A Safety Statement in the format outlined by the HSA is required.
• A general Health and Safety policy document appropriate to a Health and Safety led Construction Management function is required.
• An outline of the management organisational structure regarding health and safety is required.
• Standard method statements relevant to projects of similar size, nature, and complexity are required.
• Details of arrangements for continuing Health and Safety training of PSCS personnel are required.
• Details of the company’s procedures for disseminating up-to-date health and safety developments are required.
• Details of the company’s arrangements for the co-ordination of information between different contractors, suppliers, and designers are required.
• Details of the methodology for the dissemination of health and safety information for the design and construction stage are required.
• A declaration that the applicant can meet minimum health and safety standards in regard to Educational and Professional Qualifications is required.
• A declaration that the applicant can meet the minimum standard for Technical Equipment is required.
• A declaration that the applicant can meet the minimum standard for Economic and Financial Standing is required.
• A declaration on oath/solemn declaration regarding grounds specified in Article 54 of Directive 2004/17/EC or Article 45 and 51 of Directive 2004/18/EC is required.

3. Background & buyer context

Mayo County Council is procuring the design, supply, and installation of a new playground at Knockmore, County Mayo. This initiative aligns with local community development and provision of recreational facilities. The tender documents indicate a focus on safety compliance, with extensive requirements related to health and safety management and qualifications. The project is being tendered under standard public procurement procedures, requiring adherence to EU directives and Irish regulations. No specific programme or policy is explicitly cited as the driver, but the project supports the provision of public amenities.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: A minimum average yearly turnover of €300,000 excluding VAT, based on the previous three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability Insurance: €13.5 million for any one event.
• Public Liability Insurance: €6.5 million.
• Product Liability Insurance: €1 million.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1 million.
• Certifications:
• Compliance with EN 1176 Parts 1 to 7 is mandatory for equipment.
• A Safety Statement in the format outlined by the HSA is required.
• Past experience:
• A minimum of one number multi-play unit (Europlay or similar approved/equivalent).
• A minimum of two number Eurobina or similar approved/equivalent springers.
• A minimum of two number animal-themed adventure play pods (Cougar Climber and Hawk Nest) constructed of natural materials, rockwork, and rough timber construction.
• A minimum of one number playground inspection conducted by a registered playground inspector.
• A minimum of ten-year structural warrant for equipment.
• Bidders must provide certificates of satisfactory execution/service delivery for previous projects of a similar nature.
• Personnel:
• The applicant must demonstrate they can meet minimum health and safety standards in regard to Educational and Professional Qualifications.
• The applicant must demonstrate they can meet minimum standards for Technicians or Technical Bodies responsible for Quality Control.
• The applicant must demonstrate they can meet minimum standards for Technical Equipment.
• The applicant must demonstrate they can meet minimum standards for Economic and Financial Standing.
• 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 tender process will involve evaluating submissions based on suitability and compliance with the specified requirements. The evaluation will likely consider:

• Technical Merit: The quality, suitability, and compliance of the proposed playground equipment and design with standards such as EN 1176.
• Health and Safety: Demonstrated compliance with all health and safety regulations, policies, and procedures, including the quality of the Safety Statement and training arrangements.
• Experience and Track Record: Evidence of successful completion of similar projects, as demonstrated through certificates of satisfactory execution.
• Financial Standing: The economic and financial standing of the applicant.
• Price: The overall cost of the proposed works.

The tender process will follow a MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) approach, where price and quality are considered. Specific pass/fail thresholds for individual criteria are not detailed.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Suitability Questionnaire: Completed QW1, QW2, and QW3 forms, including appendices.
• Declarations:
• Appendix H: Declaration of meeting minimum Health and Safety Standards (Educational and Professional Qualifications).
• Appendix C4: Health and Safety Compliance Declaration – Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (if applicable).
• Appendix C5: Health and Safety Compliance Declaration – Contractor/ Specialist as Designer (if applicable).
• Appendix C2: Health and Safety Compliance Declaration by Contractor as Designer/PSDP/SC Appointment (if applicable).
• Appendix C1: Health and Safety Declaration – Contractor or PSCS Appointments (if applicable).
• Appendix C3: Health and Safety Compliance Declaration – Contractor/ Specialist (if applicable).
• Appendix A2-2: Applicant’s Personal Situation Declaration (Bona Fides).
• Appendix F: Declaration of meeting Minimum Standard for Technical Equipment.
• Appendix D: Declaration of meeting Minimum Standard for Economic and Financial Standing.
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works/Works and Services with Certificates of Satisfactory Execution.
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution – Works Only (for each relevant project).
• Appendix B3: Certificate of Satisfactory Delivery of Services (for relevant services).
• Pricing Schedule: Not explicitly detailed in the provided documents, but a financial proposal will be required.
• Method Statements and Risk Assessments: Standard method statements and risk assessments relevant to the project's size, nature, and complexity.
• Safety Statement: A copy of the company's current general health and safety policy and relevant management organisational structure.
• CVs: Not explicitly mentioned, but likely required for key personnel.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders. Specific format rules are not detailed.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Length: Not specified.
• Extension Structure: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not specified, but standard public sector payment terms (e.g., within 30 days of valid claim) are generally expected.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified, but quality of installation and compliance with safety standards will be critical.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination Clauses: Standard termination clauses for breach of contract or insolvency are expected.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified, but likely permitted with approval.
• Performance Bond/Guarantee: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Extensive Health and Safety Documentation: The tender places a significant emphasis on health and safety compliance, requiring numerous declarations and detailed documentation. Bidders must ensure they can fully meet these requirements.
• Specific Equipment Requirements: The tender specifies particular types of playground equipment (e.g., Europlay, Eurobina, Cougar Climber, Hawk Nest). Bidders must ensure they can supply these exact items or approved equivalents.
• Lack of Detailed Award Criteria: While MEAT is implied, the absence of specific scoring weights for quality criteria makes it difficult to gauge the relative importance of technical aspects versus price.
• Unspecified Value and Contract Length: The lack of an estimated value and contract duration makes it challenging for bidders to assess the scale and potential profitability of the project.
• Tight Submission Window: The tender was issued on 12 August 2026 with a submission deadline of 1 September 2026, allowing approximately three weeks for preparation.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to attract experienced contractors with a strong focus on health and safety compliance and specific playground equipment expertise.

• Credible Bidders: Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in playground installation and have robust health and safety management systems in place are well-suited. Companies with a proven track record in delivering similar projects, evidenced by satisfactory execution certificates, will be competitive.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents do not explicitly prohibit consortiums or sub-contracting. However, the extensive declarations required from the main applicant suggest that lead bidders must meet the core criteria themselves. Sub-contracting for specific elements may be permissible but would require careful management to ensure compliance across the entire supply chain.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the detailed health and safety declarations, suitability questionnaires, and the need to source specific equipment, bid preparation could require 10-20 days of effort for a company familiar with public procurement processes.
• Pwin Signal: The tender does not indicate a strong incumbent advantage as it is for a new playground. The emphasis on specific equipment and detailed compliance suggests that firms with established supply chains for these items and a strong H&S record will have an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [07 Invitation to Tender Letter.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided documents.
• Contact Email/Portal: Not specified in provided documents.
• Key Attachments:
• [QW2_Appendix_H.dot] APPENDIX H: Declaration that Applicant can meet Minimum Health and Safety Standards
• [QW2_Appendix_C4.dot] APPENDIX C4: HEALTH AND SAFETY COMPLIANCE DECLARATION – PROJECT SUPERVISOR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION STAGE
• [QW1_Appendix_A2-2.doc] APPENDIX A: APPLICANT’S PERSONAL SITUATION DECLARATION
• [QW2_Appendix_B1.dot] APPENDIX B1: LIST OF PREVIOUS WORKS/WORKS AND SERVICES FOR WHICH THERE IS A CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTORY EXECUTION/SERVICE DELIVERY