CON1787 Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Prefabricated Modular Design Mobile Research Units (x2Nos), and Provision of Portable Inverter Generators for Mobile Research Units.

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 University of Galway requires the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of two prefabricated modular design mobile research units and associated portable inverter generators. This project is supported by EU Horizon funding and aims to enhance the capacity of the School of Geography to conduct remote field operations, including monitoring, laboratory measurements, outreach, and project management.

Key Activities:

• Design & Fabrication: Off-site construction of two mobile units using refurbished or demo containers, no older than three years.
• Transport & Installation: Delivery to specified sites in County Offaly and County Galway, including stabilization of units.
• Commissioning & Integration: Testing of internal systems, including hybrid power inputs and compostable toilets.
• Training & Handover: On-site training for University staff on system operations and maintenance.

Specific Deliverables:

• Unit 1: Demonstration Station:

• Dimensions: Approximately 12m x 5m x 2.6m.

• Designed for small group meetings, instruction, and public outreach.

• Equipped with a kitchen unit, seating for 8-12 students, and a compostable toilet.

• Unit 2: Mobile Laboratory:

• Dimensions: Approximately 6m x 2.5m x 2.6m.

• Intended for equipment storage and laboratory activities.

• Includes a kitchen unit and a compostable toilet.

Additional Requirements:

• Both units must be modular to allow future integration of additional units.
• Must be structurally sound, corrosion-resistant, and suitable for extended outdoor deployment in Irish weather conditions.
• A minimum warranty period of 12 months is required for all aspects of the units.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement aligns with the University of Galway's strategic goals to enhance research capabilities in environmental change and cultural heritage. The project is part of the All Ireland Peatland Centre of Excellence (APEX) initiative, which aims to foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The University has a strong track record in externally funded research and is recognized for its contributions to various fields, including climate science and archaeology. This tender is being issued to support ongoing research activities and to ensure the availability of necessary infrastructure for the 2026 field season.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.

• Insurance:

• Employers Liability: Level Required: €13m (Ireland) or minimum local equivalent.

• Products Liability: Level Required: €6.5M.

• Public Liability: Level Required: €6.5M any one accident/unlimited any one period.

• Motor Insurance: Third-party cover with a property damage limit of €6.5 million per claim.

• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.

• Past experience: Minimum of 2 comparable projects within the last five years.

• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.

• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle. A minimum scoring threshold may apply, but specifics are not detailed in the documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template with a maximum of 15 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, maximum of 2 pages per CV.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Minimum of 2, with values ranging from €40,000 to €60,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with all documents to be submitted as PDF files.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term & Extension Structure: Initial contract with potential for additional drawdown requirements within 18 months post-award.
• Payment Terms: Not specified.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Must meet quality standards for structural integrity, environmental compliance, and operational readiness.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination Clauses: Not specified.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting Rules: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The requirement for a minimum of 2 comparable projects may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The use of refurbished containers may pose challenges in meeting the warranty and compliance requirements.
• The tight timeline for delivery and commissioning by November 2026 may be challenging, especially considering potential supply chain issues.
• The lack of specified insurance and turnover requirements may create uncertainty for bidders regarding eligibility.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should have:

• Experience in supplying modular structures and portable generators.
• Relevant certifications and insurance coverage as specified.
• The capability to manage logistics for delivery and installation at remote sites.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but may be viable depending on the capabilities of the bidding firms. The indicative bid-preparation effort is estimated at 10-15 days, considering the complexity of the requirements. The presence of an incumbent or previous suppliers may signal a competitive landscape, but the tender is open to new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CON1787 RFT FA V3 Final.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 Tender Response Document (TRD) - Lot 1
• Appendix 2 Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 Terms and conditions of Contract