Multi-Party Framework Agreement for Engineering Consultancy and PSDP Services

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 provision of engineering consultancy and Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) services for building services projects undertaken by Cork City Council. The framework will cover the period from 2026 to 2030, with a potential extension of up to 12 months. The services required are broad, encompassing all aspects of engineering consultancy and PSDP duties for a range of building projects.

The constituent activities and requirements for the appointed Framework Members include:

• Engineering Consultancy Services: This covers a wide spectrum of engineering disciplines relevant to building services. While specific disciplines are not exhaustively listed, the context implies services such as structural engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering, civil engineering, and potentially specialist areas like fire safety engineering.
• Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP): This involves fulfilling the statutory duties of a PSDP as defined by Irish health and safety legislation. This includes managing and coordinating the design process to ensure safety compliance, identifying and mitigating risks during the design phase, and preparing relevant safety documentation.
• Framework Management: Appointed members will operate within a multi-party framework, meaning multiple suppliers will be appointed. The framework agreement outlines procedures for awarding individual call-off contracts, either through mini-competitions or a cascade method based on pre-determined rankings.
• Project Lifecycle Support: Services will be required for projects from inception through to completion, including design, tendering, construction supervision, and post-construction phases.
• Documentation and Compliance: This includes the preparation and submission of all necessary design documentation, safety files, and compliance certificates. Adherence to BIM Level 2 standards is a stated requirement for service deliverable packages.
• Reporting and Liaison: Framework Members will be required to nominate a contract manager, liaise regularly with the Contracting Authority, and participate in performance reviews. Quarterly reporting on environmental measures implemented is also mandated.
• Personnel Requirements: Nominated personnel must possess appropriate qualifications and experience. Any proposed replacements must be of equal or better standing and require the Contracting Authority's agreement.

The framework agreement itself is a sample document provided for information, outlining the terms and conditions under which individual call-off contracts will be awarded. The actual scope of services for any specific project will be detailed in individual Call-Off Requests or Supplementary Requests for Tender.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement exercise is being conducted by Cork City Council to establish a multi-party framework agreement for engineering consultancy and PSDP services. The framework is intended to cover the period from 2026 to 2030, with a potential extension. The establishment of this framework aligns with standard public procurement practices for securing professional services efficiently over a defined period. The context suggests a need for ongoing access to specialist engineering expertise for the Council's building projects. No specific programme or policy is explicitly cited as the driver, but it falls within the general remit of public sector infrastructure development and management. The sample framework agreement provided indicates that the Contracting Authority is Cork City Council and that the tender competition was advertised on eTenders.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 in any of the three preceding financial years.
• For consortia, the combined total turnover of all members must meet this minimum.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1,250,000 on an "Each and Every claim" basis and €1,500,000 on an "Annual Aggregate" basis for the Principal Service Provider. Specialist Skill Providers (Fire Safety Compliance Specialist, Structural Engineer, Architect, PSDP) require a minimum of €1,250,000 on an "Each and Every claim" basis, with no annual aggregate specified for these specialist roles.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €2,600,000 in respect of any one accident. The maximum excess for property damage is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• Applicants must provide evidence of past projects through "Certificates of Satisfactory Execution."
• A table is provided for listing up to 21 previous projects. The specific number or value of comparable projects required is not explicitly stated as a minimum gate, but the format implies a significant number of projects will be reviewed.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of call-off contracts under this framework will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The specific award criteria, weightings, and thresholds will be detailed in individual Supplementary Requests for Tender for each mini-competition. The sample framework agreement indicates that the criteria will be selected from a list of options suitable for a call-off contract, and that each Supplementary Request for Tender will set out the precise criteria, scope, and weightings. For the initial framework establishment, the award criteria are not detailed in the provided extract, but it is implied that MEAT will be the overarching principle.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following as part of their tender response:

• Method statement / response document: Not explicitly named, but implied by the need to respond to criteria and provide evidence.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Not specified for this tender.
• Case studies: The "Appendix B1: List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution" requires applicants to list up to 21 previous projects, with associated certificates. This serves as evidence of past experience.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number are required for online verification.
• Bona Fides declarations are implied by standard procurement practice.
• Conflict of Interest declarations are required as per Clause 6.1 of the Sample Framework Agreement.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules are not detailed in the extract.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term + extension: The Framework Agreement is for 4 years (2026-2030), with an option to extend by up to 12 months. Contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond the framework expiry date.
• Payment terms: Payments are to be made within 30 days after the Consultant supplies a valid invoice.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Contracts under the framework may be subject to a Service Level Agreement (SLA) detailing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as outlined in a specific schedule (Schedule xx).
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extract, but the "Ranking Relegation Procedure" (Cascade Only) implies consequences for poor performance or repeated non-acceptance of call-off requests.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority can terminate the framework agreement with 3 months' written notice, or immediately without liability under specific circumstances (material breach, failure to perform, insolvency, etc.). Framework Members can terminate with 6 months' written notice. Termination of the framework does not affect existing call-off contracts.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: The Framework Member may appoint third-party processors for personal data, but remains fully liable for their actions. Sub-contracting for services is not explicitly detailed.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Multi-party framework with cascade: The framework will appoint multiple members, and call-off contracts may be awarded via a cascade method based on a pre-determined ranking. This ranking can be updated annually via mini-competition, and Framework Members can be relegated for poor performance or repeated non-acceptance of call-off requests. This creates a dynamic environment where initial ranking is important but can change.
• Unspecified value: The estimated value of the framework is not disclosed, making it difficult to gauge the potential spend.
• Sample Framework Agreement: The provided "Sample Framework Agreement" is for information only, and bidders are asked to indicate any objections to its terms within their tender. This means the final contract terms may differ, and bidders need to review this document carefully.
• No explicit minimum project experience: While a list of 21 previous projects is requested, there is no explicit minimum number or value of comparable projects stated as a hard gate, which could lead to a broad range of applicant capabilities.
• Tight deadline for submission: The submission deadline is July 20, 2026, which is a significant period away, but bidders should note this date for planning.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a multi-party framework agreement, suggesting it is open to a range of suppliers, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), provided they meet the stringent eligibility criteria.

• Who can credibly bid: A credible bidder would be an engineering consultancy or PSDP firm with a proven track record in building services projects. The minimum turnover requirement of €500,000 per year indicates that very small, newly established firms may struggle to meet this threshold. Firms must also possess the required insurance levels, particularly the €1.25m Professional Indemnity cover for specialist roles.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: The tender explicitly mentions that "Combined total turnover for all members of a grouping/consortium must meet the minimum turnover," indicating that consortia are permitted and encouraged to meet the requirements. Sub-contracting for services is not explicitly detailed but is implied by the nature of multi-party frameworks and the potential for specialist roles.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a bid for a framework agreement of this nature, especially with the requirement for detailed project evidence and adherence to a sample framework agreement, would likely require significant effort. Estimating 10-20 days of dedicated work for a competent bid team is reasonable, covering proposal writing, evidence gathering, and legal review of the framework terms.
• Pwin signal: The use of a multi-party framework with a cascade procedure suggests that Cork City Council aims to secure a range of providers and potentially avoid a single incumbent advantage. However, the ranking system and potential for annual mini-competitions to update rankings mean that initial performance and responsiveness will be critical for securing call-off contracts. The absence of a disclosed value and the broad scope mean that the actual spend per provider is uncertain.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not explicitly provided in the extract.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified in the extract.
• Most important attachments:
• [5. Appendix_B1_QC1_and_QC2_09-02-2022 (2).docx] APPENDIX B1: LIST OF PREVIOUS PROJECTS/CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTORY EXECUTION
• [8. Sample Framework Agreement (For Information Only).docx] Sample Multi-Party Framework Agreement