Restoration of Ulster Canal Phases 3.1 and 3.2 - Construction phase
Deadline
10 Aug
10 Aug 2026
Deadline
10 Aug
Restoration of Ulster Canal Phases 3.1 and 3.2 focusing on construction activities.
Restoration of Ulster Canal Phases 3.1 and 3.2 focusing on construction activities.
Bidder profile
Suitable for medium to large construction firms with experience in waterway restoration and capacity to meet insurance requirements.
Risks & flags
- Geographic constraint
- High insurance requirement
- Uncertain award criteria
Briefing
AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.
1. At a glance
| Buyer | Waterways Ireland_225 |
|---|---|
| Title | Restoration of Ulster Canal Phases 3.1 and 3.2 - Construction phase |
| CPV / category | Not stated |
| Estimated value | Not disclosed |
| Per-year | Not stated |
| Procedure type | Not stated |
| Lots | Not stated |
| Location | Monaghan side of the border, within 300m of the Canal |
| Contract length | Not stated |
| Submission deadline | 2026-06-19T14:00:00+00:00 |
| Go-live / start | Not stated |
2. Scope of Work
The tender involves the restoration of the Ulster Canal, specifically Phases 3.1 and 3.2, focusing on construction activities. The project aims to enhance the canal's infrastructure and ecological value. The contractor will engage in various activities to achieve these objectives:
- Construction Activities: Involves realignment and works to alter water levels, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
- Geotechnical Work: Adherence to BS EN 1997-2:2007 and related standards for geotechnical investigation and testing.
- Environmental Management: Implementation of an Invasive Species Management Plan (ISMP) if works are conducted within 7m of Japanese Knotweed or Rhododendron.
- Site Management: Ensuring all construction activities are located a minimum of 10m from the river bank.
- Insurance Requirements: Main Contractor must hold Professional Indemnity insurance with a minimum cover of €5M.
- Volume and Scale: Estimated dredging at 15 locations along the Finn River.
- Temporary Structures: Erection of temporary barriers with a minimum height of 2m around construction sites.
- Ecological Considerations: Compliance with ecological impact assessments and mitigation measures as outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
3. Background & buyer context
The restoration of the Ulster Canal is a strategic initiative by Waterways Ireland, aiming to revitalize a historically significant waterway. This project aligns with broader governmental efforts to enhance regional connectivity and promote sustainable tourism. The canal restoration is part of a larger cross-border collaboration between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government, reflecting commitments to regional development and environmental stewardship. The project is timely, given the increasing focus on ecological conservation and heritage preservation in the area.
4. Eligibility & selection criteria
- Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
- Insurance:
- Professional Indemnity: €5M for the Main Contractor.
- Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
- Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
- Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
- Geographic / facility constraints: Work must be conducted on the Monaghan side of the border, within 300m of the Canal.
5. Award criteria & scoring
| Criterion | Weight (%) | Sub-criteria | Pass/fail thresholds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Quality | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Price | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
The tender uses the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, but specific weights and thresholds are not disclosed.
6. Submission requirements
- Method statement / response document: Not specified.
- CVs: Not specified.
- Pricing schedule: Not specified.
- Case studies: Not specified.
- Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
- Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
- Submission portal: eTenders; specific format rules not stated.
7. Key dates & process
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| RFT issued | Not specified |
| Clarification deadline | Not specified |
| Mandatory site visit | Not specified |
| Tender deadline | 2026-06-19 14:00:00 |
| Expected award | Not specified |
| Contract start | Not specified |
| Go-live / mobilisation | Not specified |
8. Contract terms that matter
- Term + extension structure: Not specified.
- Payment terms: Not specified.
- Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
- Liquidated damages: €1,100 per day for delay in completion.
- Termination clauses: Not specified.
- IP ownership: Not specified.
- Sub-contracting rules: Not specified.
- Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.
9. Risks, red flags & unusuals
The tender specifies a geographic constraint, limiting the work to the Monaghan side of the border, within 300m of the Canal, which may restrict the bidder pool. The requirement for a €5M Professional Indemnity insurance could be a barrier for smaller firms. The lack of detailed award criteria and scoring weights introduces uncertainty in bid preparation. The project’s dependency on cross-border collaboration may pose risks related to political and funding stability.
10. SME fit assessment
This tender is suitable for medium to large construction firms with experience in waterway restoration and the capacity to meet the €5M Professional Indemnity insurance requirement. Smaller firms may find it challenging to meet the insurance and geographic constraints. Consortiums or sub-contracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but could be a viable approach for SMEs. Bid preparation is likely to require significant effort, given the complexity and scale of the project. The presence of an incumbent or sole-supplier framework is not indicated, suggesting an open competition.
11. Where to dig deeper
- Source RFT filename(s): Not specified.
- eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
- Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified.
- Important attachments:
- "Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix C.pdf"
- "10 of 10 App D - Existing Ground Investigations.zip"
- "10 of 10 App H - Ecological.zip"
Can you bid?
Professional indemnity insurance
€5,000,000
Named standards / methodologies
Scoring
Most Economically Advantageous Tender
Documents (78)
Proposed Hydrological Design-Operation.pdf
868.4 KB · Specification
LSBUD-251001-38894714.pdf
124.1 KB · RFT / Invitation to Tender
DW210628 2D-Gortnacarrow SE.pdf
1.3 MB · Pricing / BOQ / Schedule of Rates
DW210628 2D-Gortnacarrow SW.pdf
2.0 MB · Pricing / BOQ / Schedule of Rates
DW210628 2D-Wattle Bridge.pdf
747.5 KB · Pricing / BOQ / Schedule of Rates
DW251110-West 1-1000.pdf
695.1 KB · Pricing / BOQ / Schedule of Rates
1 of 10 Contract Data Part One C01.pdf
775.8 KB · Contract / Agreement / Terms
2011 Glover 10-500-15.pdf
3.3 MB · Form / Declaration / Certificate
LSBUD-251001-38894743.pdf
123.8 KB · Form / Declaration / Certificate
10 of 10 App C - Services Drawings and Records.zip
21.3 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
295291 - NIW Service Markup.pdf
1.2 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW210628 2D-Gortnacarrow NE.pdf
982.6 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW210628 2D-Gortnacarrow NW.pdf
1.3 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW210702-Layout1.pdf
654.5 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW210702-Layout2.pdf
782.6 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251027 Rev1-Layout1.pdf
7.0 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251027 Rev1-Layout2.pdf
32.5 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251027 Rev1-Layout3.pdf
10.0 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251027 Rev1-Layout4.pdf
10.2 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251027 Rev1-Layout5.pdf
32.0 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251027 Rev1-Layout6.pdf
36.6 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251110-East 1-1000.pdf
818.1 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
DW251110-Overview 1-2000.pdf
906.6 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
IN1-25-15500 Map.pdf
524.0 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
IW-AGG-2018-000-Sewer Network.pdf
2.6 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
IW-AGG-2018-000-Water Network.pdf
2.6 MB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
plot.log
2.4 KB · Drawing / Plan / Layout
1. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 1 Part I.pdf
3.8 MB · Other
10 of 10 App A - Topographical Survey.zip
133.9 MB · Other
10 of 10 App B - Bathymetric Survey.zip
3.7 MB · Other
10 of 10 App F - Archaeological and Historic Investigations.zip
15.6 MB · Other
10 of 10 App G - EIS.zip
140.8 MB · Other
10 of 10 App H - Ecological.zip
19.3 MB · Other
10 of 10 App I -Drainage and Hydrological Studies.zip
46.8 MB · Other
2. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 1 Part II.pdf
2.2 MB · Other
2011 Glover 10-500-02.pdf
1.7 MB · Other
2011 Glover 10-500-03.pdf
4.8 MB · Other
2011 Glover 10-500-04.pdf
4.5 MB · Other
2011 Glover 10-500-16.pdf
2.0 MB · Other
2021 Hanmar 21-091.pdf
11.3 MB · Other
2025 Causeway Geotech 25-1502.pdf
96.7 MB · Other
2026 APW.pdf
3.9 MB · Other
3. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 1 Part III.pdf
10.4 MB · Other
4. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 1 Part IV.pdf
562.6 KB · Other
Binded.pdf
74.8 MB · Other
EIS Vol 1 Part III.pdf
10.4 MB · Other
EMP.pdf
3.1 MB · Other
firmus response email.pdf
1.0 MB · Other
FRA 5104719-61-DG-004.pdf
49.1 MB · Other
Operational Management Plan.pdf
220.5 KB · Other
Smooth Newt Mitigation Plan.pdf
5.4 MB · Other
Summary of 2026 Ecological Assessment.docx
21.0 KB · Other
Summary of 2026 Ecological Assessment.pdf
11.5 MB · Other
Ulster Canal EIS NTS.pdf
2.5 MB · Other
10 of 10 App D - Existing Ground Investigations.zip
121.6 MB · Appendix / Annex
10. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix C.pdf
8.3 MB · Appendix / Annex
11. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix D.pdf
6.6 MB · Appendix / Annex
12. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix D Figures.pdf
11.8 MB · Appendix / Annex
13. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix E.pdf
4.6 MB · Appendix / Annex
14. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix F.pdf
4.1 MB · Appendix / Annex
15. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix G.pdf
2.8 MB · Appendix / Annex
2011 Glover 10-500-App H.pdf
236.0 KB · Appendix / Annex
5. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 1 References.pdf
125.4 KB · Appendix / Annex
6. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix_Cover.pdf
2.4 MB · Appendix / Annex
7. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix A.pdf
3.3 MB · Appendix / Annex
8. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix B1.pdf
5.0 MB · Appendix / Annex
9. Ulster Canal EIS Vol 2 Appendix B2.pdf
11.7 MB · Appendix / Annex
Cavan County Council Response.pdf
928.8 KB · Clarification / Addendum
EIS Vol 2 Appendix F.pdf
4.1 MB · Appendix / Annex
GNI(UK)253900PC.pdf
98.7 KB · Clarification / Addendum
IN1-25-15500 Letter.pdf
173.2 KB · Clarification / Addendum
LSBUD-251001-38894779.pdf
124.6 KB · Tender Response Template
LSBUD-251001-38894848.pdf
124.2 KB · Tender Response Template
Mutual Energy Response Email.pdf
989.1 KB · Clarification / Addendum
NIE Map.pdf
9.7 MB
Phoenix gas response.pdf
968.6 KB · Clarification / Addendum
Services Response Register.pdf
550.1 KB · Tender Response Template
SGN Response email.pdf
1.2 MB · Clarification / Addendum
Original notice text
Ulster Canal Restoration Phase 3 is a cross jurisdictional project with works in both Northern Ireland and Ireland. When complete, Ulster Canal Restoration Phase 3 will connect the navigations of the previously constructed phases of the Ulster Canal Restoration and provide a navigable link from the Erne Navigation via the restored Ulster Canal to Clones. This competition is for the procurement of a Construction Team in respect of Phases 3.1 and 3.2 only, which extends from Castle Saunderson to Gortnacarrow. The works consist largely of the following: • Construction of a new navigation arch at Wattlebridge • Construction of a new bridge at A3 Gortnacarrow • Local realignment of roads • Construction of a marina and lock chamber • Construction of accommodation bridge • construction of 300m of new canal • Dredging of the River Finn • Associated Mechanical and Electrical engineering Works • Landscaping and parking provision
AI analysis updated 1 month, 1 week ago
Deadline
10 Aug
Buyer
Waterways IrelandLocation
Monaghan side of the border, within 300m of the Canal
Procedure
Open
eTenders ID
8030809
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