Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for Engineering Consultancy Services for Transport Projects

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-supplier framework agreement for the provision of engineering consultancy services for transport projects. The framework will cover a range of services required by Westmeath County Council. The estimated value of the framework is less than €10 million over a maximum of a four-year period, commencing in 2026. The initial contract under this framework is for the Cornamaddy to Coosan Link Road Project in Athlone, with a duration of 15 months.

The scope of services includes, but is not limited to:

• Design and Planning:
• Preparation of client briefs and output specifications.
• Development of designs and specifications for transport infrastructure projects.
• Providing input for the client's estimates and budgetary control.
• Acting as Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) where required.
• Project Management and Supervision:
• Management of transport projects from inception to completion.
• Coordination of services with other consultants and project stakeholders.
• Supervision of construction works, including site access and resident staff provision.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant standards, including EN 17210:2021&LC:2021 for accessibility and usability.
• Technical Consultancy:
• Providing expert advice on various aspects of transport engineering.
• Conducting site investigations and assessments.
• Developing solutions for transport infrastructure challenges.
• Contractual and Administrative Support:
• Responding to client communications, comments, and queries.
• Assisting with the negotiation of agreements.
• Providing information for audits and inspections related to data protection.
• Managing intellectual property rights and confidentiality.

The framework is designed to be flexible, allowing the client to issue permissions to start services for different stages or sub-stages of projects at various times. The contract also outlines provisions for suspension of services, prolongation relief, and client-instructed changes to the scope of work.

3. Background & buyer context

Westmeath County Council is procuring these engineering consultancy services to support its transport infrastructure development and maintenance activities. The framework agreement is intended to cover projects with an estimated value of less than €10 million over the period 2026-2030. This procurement aligns with the council's ongoing efforts to enhance local transport networks. The initial contract under this framework is specifically for the Cornamaddy to Coosan Link Road Project in Athlone. The establishment of a multi-supplier framework aims to ensure a pool of qualified consultants is available to meet the council's diverse engineering needs efficiently.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must provide evidence of an average annual turnover relating to Engineering Consultancy Services of €500,000 (exclusive of VAT) for each of the three years: 2023, 2024, and 2025. For consortia, the combined total turnover of all members must meet this minimum.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1,250,000 on each and every claim basis, and €1,500,000 on an annual aggregate basis.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Past experience: Bidders must demonstrate experience through a list of previous projects of a similar nature. While a specific number is not stated, the format provided allows for up to 28 projects. For consortia, a minimum of five cumulative reference projects from all members are required. At least one project must have had a construction value of not less than €1 million (exclusive of VAT).
• Personnel: Specific roles require minimum experience:
• Chartered Engineer (IEI) or equivalent with a minimum of ten (10) years post-graduate experience on similar projects.
• Environmental Engineer or Environmental Scientist (Level 8) or equivalent with a minimum of ten (10) years post-graduate experience on similar projects.
• Member of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) or the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent with a minimum of ten (10) years post-graduate experience on similar projects.
• Geotechnical Engineer with a minimum of 3 years of Geotechnical Engineering experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided documents. However, the tender is for a multi-supplier framework agreement, suggesting that multiple bidders may be selected based on their ability to meet the specified requirements. The contract value is stated as being less than €10 million, indicating a procurement likely falling under EU thresholds that would mandate specific award criteria disclosure. The evaluation will likely consider the quality of the proposed services and the pricing submitted by eligible bidders.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution: As detailed in Appendix B1, this includes project number, title, response to criteria, and a certificate. The format allows for up to 28 projects.
• Pricing Schedule: The format is specified in Appendix 2.
• Declarations: This includes the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Bona Fides declarations, Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Insurance Certificates: Evidence of required insurance cover.
• CVs: For key team members, detailing their qualifications and experience.
• Method Statement/Response Document: While not explicitly named as such, bidders must provide responses that demonstrate compliance with all tender requirements.
• Electronic Copies: One PDF copy of all documents is required.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be governed by Irish law. Key terms include:

• Term: An initial contract period of 15 months, with potential for extensions. The framework agreement itself is for a period from 2026 to 2030.
• Payment terms: Payment of amounts due will be made within 30 days after the consultant supplies a valid invoice, provided a current tax clearance certificate is held. Fees may be adjusted for inflation, subject to certain conditions.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided documents, but performance is expected to be at the skill, care, diligence, efficiency, and professional conduct level expected of a consultant with suitable qualifications and experience.
• Liquidated damages: Not explicitly detailed.
• Termination: The client may terminate for cause (substantial breach), insolvency, or at will. The consultant may terminate for substantial breach by the client. Specific notice periods apply for different termination scenarios.
• IP ownership: The consultant grants the client a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, irrevocable, assignable licence to reproduce and use consultant's documents. For specific documents in Schedule A, an absolute assignment of all rights to the client is provided.
• Sub-contracting: Sub-contracting is permitted only with client agreement. The consultant remains responsible for sub-consultants' acts and omissions.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Estimated Value vs. Framework Structure: The tender specifies an "estimated value less than €10 million" for the framework over four years. However, it also mentions an "Initial Contract for the Cornamaddy to Coosan Link Road Project" with a 15-month duration. The relationship between the framework value and the initial contract value, and how subsequent projects will be commissioned under the framework, requires clarification.
• Multi-Supplier Framework: While described as a multi-supplier framework, the exact number of suppliers to be appointed is not stated. This could impact competition and the volume of work available to individual suppliers.
• Limited Detail on Award Criteria: The absence of specific award criteria and scoring weights makes it difficult for bidders to understand how their proposals will be evaluated beyond meeting the minimum eligibility requirements.
• Turnover Requirement: The €500,000 average annual turnover requirement, while not exceptionally high, is specific to "Engineering Consultancy Services," requiring bidders to demonstrate this directly.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a multi-supplier framework, indicating an intention to engage with several providers. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a strong track record in engineering consultancy for transport projects are likely to be well-suited, provided they meet the financial and experience criteria.

• Credible Bidders: SMEs with demonstrable average annual turnover of €500,000 in engineering consultancy services over the last three years, possessing the required insurance levels, and with at least one significant past project (over €1 million construction value) are credible bidders. Firms with chartered engineers and relevant environmental or planning expertise will be competitive.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender allows for consortia, which can enable SMEs to pool resources and experience to meet the requirements. Sub-contracting is also permitted, allowing SMEs to bid and potentially sub-contract specific elements of the service to other specialists.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid, including gathering project evidence, insurance details, and personnel CVs, could require 5-10 days of effort for an experienced SME.
• Pwin Signal: The multi-supplier nature suggests a competitive process. The absence of an incumbent being named and the focus on a framework for multiple projects indicate an openness to new entrants. However, the specific value threshold and the initial project could favour firms with established relationships or specific expertise in that type of work.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [1.1 Invitation to Tender.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Clarifications must be submitted by 2026-09-24. Contact details are not explicitly provided in the extract but would typically be via the eTenders platform.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [1.1 Invitation to Tender.pdf]
• [2.4 Appendix_B1_QC1_and_QC2_09-02-2022.docx] (List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution)
• [3.4 Standard Conditions of Engagement.pdf]