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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 a contractor for rehabilitation works on the Archdeacon Duggan Bridge in Kinsale, Co. Cork. The bridge is a 13-span structure, 320.60m in length and 11.15m wide, comprising post-tensioned and pretensioned concrete beams, with concrete abutments and piers. The works aim to address structural defects and upgrade existing infrastructure.

The scope of work includes:

• Surface Removal and Replacement: Removal of existing road surfacing, kerbs, and paved footpaths. Installation of a new waterproofing membrane. Replacement of surfacing, kerbs, and footpaths.
• Joint Replacement: Replacement of all expansion joints, including cover plates. Resealing of joints in parapet edge panels.
• Markings: Provision of new road markings for the entire resurfaced area.
• Concrete Repair: Repair of concrete spalling on the underside of the bridge, including beams, deck, and piers.
• Drainage: Installation of new drainage gullies.
• Services Protection: Protection and wrapping of all existing services prior to footpath reinstatement.
• Ducts and Chambers: Installation of spare ducts and chambers.

The contractor will be responsible for ensuring the project is constructed safely and without risk to health, complying with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This includes developing and implementing a Safety and Health Plan for the construction phase, and liaising with the Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage. The full scope and contractor obligations are detailed in the Contract Documents and Drawings.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the rehabilitation of the Archdeacon Duggan Bridge, a significant piece of infrastructure located in Kinsale, Co. Cork. Cork County Council is the contracting authority. The project addresses identified defects and aims to ensure the continued safe use and maintenance of the bridge. The preliminary health and safety plan indicates that the project is being managed to comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, with O’Connor Sutton Cronin acting as the Project Supervisor for the Design Process and Designer. The project reference is C948.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average yearly turnover of €1.5m arising from General Construction/Civil Engineering/Works Specialist category.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000 for any one event. Maximum excess for property damage only: €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €250,000 annual aggregate limit for the Works Contractor and as PSCS. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent. Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent.
• Past experience:
• A minimum of three projects completed in the past 7 years involving:
• Bridge remediation works of a similar scale or nature.
• Bridge deck waterproofing and resurfacing of a similar scale or nature.
• Traffic and pedestrian management of a similar scale or nature.
• Contractor's Representative must have a minimum of 3 previous schemes in the past 7 years involving bridge remediation, bridge deck waterproofing/resurfacing, and traffic/pedestrian management of similar scale or nature.
• General Foreman must have a minimum of 10 years' experience and demonstrate previous experience on 3 projects in the past 7 years involving bridge rehabilitation, bridge deck waterproofing/resurfacing, and traffic/pedestrian management of similar scale or nature.
• Personnel:
• Management staff must possess appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience, with relevant Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience.
• Personnel CVs should detail qualifications, training, experience on similar projects, and roles held.
• 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 selection criteria are stated as pass/fail, particularly concerning Health and Safety competence. The evaluation process will likely involve assessing technical capability, relevant experience, and compliance with health and safety regulations. The final award will be based on a combination of quality and price, with specific weightings to be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This will include specific sections for Health and Safety competence (3.4.1a, 3.4.1b, 3.4.1c, 3.4.1d).
• Curricula Vitae (CVs): For management staff, Contractor's Representative, and General Foreman, detailing qualifications, experience, and roles on similar projects. CVs for personnel should not exceed a specified page limit (not stated).
• List of Previous Works Projects: To be completed using Appendix B1 (List of Previous Works Projects which is CEE) and Appendix B2 (Certificate of Satisfactory Execution). A minimum of three projects completed in the past 7 years, demonstrating experience in bridge remediation, waterproofing/resurfacing, and traffic management, are required.
• Safety and Health Plans: From a specified number of previous projects, detailing how health and safety management was implemented.
• Declarations:
• Declaration of compliance with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and related regulations.
• Declaration regarding Safety Statement and its contents.
• Declaration regarding Technicians or Technical Bodies for Quality Control.
• Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations are standard for public sector tenders.
• Letter of Undertaking (Bond): From a surety company confirming their ability to issue a performance bond, as per Appendix D1/D2.
• Pricing Schedule: Format and template to be provided in the tender documents.
• Submission Portal: Bids must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific formatting rules for electronic submissions will apply.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Length: Not specified, but the works are expected to take approximately 12 weeks to complete, plus 4 weeks for potential extensions or delays.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments are to be made with a minimum amount of €0.00, except for the release of retention. Payments are due within 21 days after receiving an invoice.
• Performance Bond: A performance bond will be required, with the amount to be not more than a specified percentage of the eventual contract sum, as detailed in criterion 3.3h of the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire. A letter of undertaking from a surety is required.
• Liquidated Damages: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts, but standard contractual clauses for delays are anticipated.
• Termination: Standard termination clauses for breach of contract or insolvency are expected.
• Sub-contracting: Rules regarding sub-contracting will be detailed in the full contract documents.
• Parent Company Guarantee: Not specified in the provided documents.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Health and Safety Focus: The tender places a significant emphasis on health and safety compliance, with detailed requirements for qualifications, experience, and management systems. Failure to meet these pass/fail criteria can lead to exclusion.
• Specific Experience Requirements: The detailed experience requirements for the Contractor's Representative and General Foreman, including specific project types and timeframes, may limit the pool of eligible candidates.
• Insurance Excess for PI: The Professional Indemnity Insurance excess is variable (greater of 2% of turnover or €5,000), which requires careful consideration by bidders to ensure compliance.
• Bonding Requirements: The requirement for a performance bond, with a letter of undertaking from a surety, adds an administrative and financial step for bidders.
• Deadline: The submission deadline is in October 2026, which is a considerable lead time from the current date.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to attract experienced civil engineering contractors with a proven track record in bridge rehabilitation and a strong commitment to health and safety.

• Who can credibly bid: Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrable experience in bridge works, turnover exceeding €1.5m annually in this sector, and robust health and safety management systems (ISO 45001 or equivalent) can bid. The specific experience requirements for key personnel (Contractor's Representative, General Foreman) mean that SMEs must have individuals with at least 7-10 years of relevant project history.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. However, the emphasis on specific personnel experience suggests that the lead contractor must directly possess this capability. Sub-contracting may be permissible for specific elements, but the primary responsibility for meeting the core requirements rests with the main bidder.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Bid preparation will be substantial due to the detailed health and safety documentation, evidence of past projects, and personnel qualifications required. An estimate of 15-20 working days for a competent SME is reasonable, assuming existing documentation is readily available.
• Pwin signal: The tender appears to be open to competition, with no explicit indication of an incumbent. The detailed technical and H&S requirements suggest that firms with established systems and experienced personnel will have an advantage. The long lead time to the deadline may also indicate a structured procurement process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Archdeacon Duggan Bridge Rehabilitation Works Contract.zip
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Most important attachments:
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.pdf (Health & Safety Supplement)
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx
• Appendix_D1_QW1_Letter_of_Undertaking_Bond.docx / Appendix_D2_QW2_Letter_of_Undertaking_Bond.docx