PEACEPLUS The Nest Building Works

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 demolition and transformative building works at "The Nest" located at Quay Street, Sligo. The project involves the demolition of two existing storage buildings and subsequent construction to transform the site. The contract duration is specified as 365 days.

The constituent activities and deliverables include:

• Demolition: Removal of two existing storage buildings.
• Construction: Transformative works at The Nest, Quay Street, Sligo, F91 K79P. This encompasses a range of building and structural works, materials, workmanship, and construction methods as detailed in Volume A of the tender documents.
• Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Works: The tender includes M&E installations. These are defined by a performance specification, requiring the contractor to undertake detailed design, coordination, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and certification of all M&E systems. Compliance with building regulations, statutory requirements, relevant standards, and manufacturer requirements is mandatory. Specialist design input, calculations, drawings, submissions, and certification are required for complete and operational installations.
• Finishes: Detailed specifications for finishes are provided in the "Schedule of Finishes" document, covering floors, ceilings, walls, architraves, skirting, and window boards for various internal areas including studios, control rooms, halls, airlocks, lobbies, and WCs.
• Sanitaryware: Installation of sanitaryware as per the "Sanitaryware Schedule," including WCs, washbasins, grab rails, and kitchen fittings. All sanitaryware must meet specified standards and certifications, including European Water Label Scheme and Water Regulations Advisory Scheme.
• Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS): The contractor is to be appointed as the PSCS, responsible for overseeing health and safety during the construction phase.
• Pricing Document: A detailed "Pricing Document" with a costed breakdown of all work elements is required and will form part of the contract.

The works will be executed under the Public Works Short Form of Contract – PW-CF6 v1.14.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for transformative works at "The Nest," a site located at Quay Street, Sligo. Sligo County Council is the contracting authority. The project involves the demolition of existing structures and the construction of new facilities. The tender is being issued under the Public Works Short Form of Contract, indicating a project of a specific scale and complexity managed by the Office of Government Procurement. The project's value is estimated at €400,000. The tender documents were prepared by MFA Consulting Engineers Limited.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• General Construction/Residential Construction: €200,000.00 yearly turnover arising from the area of work.
• For contracts involving multiple dwellings, the required turnover increases by €200,000 for each additional house. For example, two houses require €400,000 turnover, and three houses require €600,000.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000.00 for any one accident. Maximum excess of €6,500.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000.00 for any one accident. Maximum excess of €6,500.
• Insurance of the Works and goods and materials for the Works: Maximum excess of €1,000.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover is proportionate to the project size, with a default level of €1.5m. The maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of the tenderer's annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: A minimum of 3 comparable residential or new build construction projects, each valued in excess of €250,000, completed within the past five years. Client and referees for each project must be provided.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• 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 extract. However, the tender is for a fixed-price contract. The evaluation will likely follow standard public procurement practices, assessing both the technical merit and the price of the submitted tenders. The "Form of Tender" states that the Employer is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender received. The contract is a fixed-price contract.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Form of Tender: Completed and signed, including the lump sum offer in words and figures, excluding VAT.
• Pricing Document: A detailed document including a costed breakdown of all elements of works. This document will form part of the contract.
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This includes QW1 (Information for Tenderers, Project Particulars), QW2 (Applicant Details and Declaration), Appendix A (Applicant Self Declaration), and any appendices required by QW1.
• List of Previous Works Projects: As per Appendix B1, a list of completed projects similar in nature and complexity to the works required, organised by precedence and supported by Certificates of Satisfactory Execution (Appendix B2).
• Letter of Undertaking re. Bond: From a surety confirming their ability to issue a performance bond if the tender is successful.
• Declarations: Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations are implicitly required as part of the SAQ process.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Attendance is required prior to tender submission.
• Submission Portal: Tenders are to be submitted via eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Public Works Short Form of Contract – PW-CF6 v1.14. This is a fixed-price contract.
• Contract Length: 365 days, starting from the contract's effective date.
• Payment Terms: Monthly interim payments of 90% of the value of works completed and materials delivered. 95% of the price is paid after the Employer certifies substantial completion. Payment is due within 20 working days of the Employer receiving the invoice for the certified sum.
• Liquidated Damages: €500 per day for delays.
• Defects Liability Period: Between 12 and 13 months after the date of substantial completion.
• Performance Bond: Not required.
• Termination: If the Employer terminates and appoints another contractor within 12 months, 4% of the unpaid portion of the Price may apply.
• Liability Cap: The contractor's liability to the Employer shall not exceed a stated amount, currently indicated as €[xxxx] ([xxxxx] euro). If no sum is stated, the applicable amount equals the Price.
• Price Variation: Clause 18 applies, with "All Materials" category using Table 1A and a Permitted Increase Threshold of 5%.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Fixed-Price Contract: This structure places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor. Any unforeseen issues or price fluctuations in materials or labour will impact the contractor's profit margin.
• M&E Performance Specification: The contractor is fully responsible for the detailed design of M&E systems, which adds a significant design risk and requires specialist expertise beyond standard construction.
• Mandatory Site Visit: While standard, the strict requirement for attendance before submission is a gatekeeping measure.
• Turnover Calculation for Multiple Dwellings: The progressive increase in turnover requirement for multiple dwellings suggests a potential for this project to be part of a larger programme, although only two storage buildings are noted for demolition.
• Unspecified Contract Value: While the estimated value is €400,000, the "Form of Tender" requires the lump sum to be stated in words and figures, and the contract liability cap is noted as €[xxxx] ([xxxxx] euro), which is not yet filled in.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrable experience in general or residential construction. The estimated value of €400,000 falls within the typical range for SME projects. The requirement for 3 previous projects valued over €250,000 indicates a need for established firms, not start-ups. Consortium bidding or subcontracting is not explicitly mentioned as prohibited, which could allow SMEs to partner to meet experience requirements. The bid preparation effort would be moderate, requiring detailed pricing and SAQ completion, including past project evidence. The fixed-price nature and the M&E design responsibility are key considerations for SMEs assessing their risk appetite and technical capability.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [0690 - Tender and Schedule - The Nest.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided documents.
• Contact: Not specified in provided documents. Queries are to be issued via the eTenders portal.
• Key Attachments:
• Volume B – Form of Tender and Schedule
• Volume A1 – Specification - Description of Works and Contract Requirements
• Volume A2 – Specification - Materials, Workmanship and Methods of Construction
• Schedule of Finishes
• Sanitaryware Schedule