2026 48 Single party FWA for Culinary Arts Equipment

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 single-party Framework Agreement (FWA) for the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of culinary arts equipment for Dunboyne College of Further Education and Training, Athboy Campus. The estimated total value of purchases under this framework is between €150,000 and €216,000 (ex. VAT) over its lifetime. There is no guaranteed expenditure. The framework is for a maximum of two years, with an option to extend for an additional two years, subject to performance, business needs, and budgetary constraints. Contracts awarded during the framework term may extend beyond its expiry.

The scope includes:

• Supply of Culinary Arts Equipment: This encompasses a range of commercial-grade equipment. Specific minimum requirements include:
• A minimum of four (4) gas rings/burners.
• A commercial-grade ware washing machine.
• A commercial-grade extraction canopy of approximately 1200mm width or suitably sized to accommodate the equipment served.
• Delivery: Equipment must be delivered to Dunboyne College of Further Education and Training, Athboy Campus.
• Installation: The successful tenderer will be responsible for the installation of the supplied equipment.
• Commissioning: The equipment must be commissioned to ensure full operational status.
• Warranty: A minimum of a five-year warranty package is required for each item. This warranty must cover technical support, software updates (where applicable), maintenance support, and continued access to supplier support services.
• Pricing: Prices quoted will be fixed for the initial 12 months from the effective date of the contract. Following this period, LMETB will draw down from the framework on a request-for-quote basis, with pricing benchmarked against market values at the time of order.
• Account Management: The tenderer must nominate an Account Manager and provide a system for the management of queries and complaints.

The framework may be utilised by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and other designated Framework Clients (Education and Training Boards). Call-off contracts will be awarded via Call-Off Requests, which may involve direct appointment or a supplementary tender from the Framework Member if original tender competition did not specifically address a particular need.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement establishes a single-party Framework Agreement for culinary arts equipment for Dunboyne College of Further Education and Training, Athboy Campus. The tender is conducted by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB). The framework is intended to streamline the procurement of necessary equipment for the college's culinary arts program. The estimated value of the framework is €150,000 to €216,000 (ex. VAT), with no guaranteed expenditure. The framework is designed to be utilised by LMETB and potentially other Education and Training Boards. The procurement follows an open procedure.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that turnover exceeded €250,000.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Product Liability (goods only): €6.5m
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• 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 text. However, the tender documents state that tenderers must comply with minimum requirements and achieve minimum marks allocated to each qualitative sub-criterion. A minimum of 70% of total marks may be awarded for a "very good" description in a scoring band. The contract will be awarded based on the best price-quality ratio.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers are required to submit the following:

• Tenderer’s Statement: Completed on headed notepaper and signed by an authorised signatory, as per Appendix 3.
• Pricing Schedule: As detailed in Schedule 1 of the Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions. Prices must remain valid for 12 months from the tender deadline.
• Insurance Evidence: Evidence of insurances in place as per qualification/tender stage, detailed in Schedule 2.
• Resource Allocation Table: As detailed in Schedule 2.
• Declarations: Including but not limited to:
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer.
• Confidentiality Agreement (Appendix 7).
• Statutory Compliance.
• Bona Fides.
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number.
• Declaration regarding prohibited economic operators (Regulation (EU) No 833/2014).
• Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions: Tenderers must review Appendix 5 but are not required to sign it as part of the submission.
• Services Contract Terms and Conditions: Tenderers must review Appendix 6 but are not required to sign it as part of the submission.
• Call-Off Contract Terms and Conditions: Tenderers must review Schedule 3 but are not required to sign it as part of the submission.
• Call-Off Request: Tenderers must review Schedule 4 but are not required to sign it as part of the submission.

The submission must be made via the eTenders portal.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Framework Agreement is for a maximum of two years, with an option to extend for two further years, subject to performance, business needs, and budgetary constraints.
• Payment: Not specified beyond pricing being fixed for the initial 12 months.
• SLAs/KPIs: Call-Off Contracts may be subject to a Service Level Agreement outlining Key Performance Indicators.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination: The Client can terminate the Framework Agreement with 14 days' written notice. Termination can be immediate without liability for damages if the Member commits a material breach, fails to perform obligations, offers corrupt gifts, becomes insolvent, or if other specified events occur. Termination of the Framework Agreement does not affect existing Call-Off Contracts.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Assignment of the Framework Agreement or Call-Off Contracts requires written permission from the Client.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Single-Party Framework: This is a single-party framework, meaning only one supplier will be appointed. This limits competition for call-off contracts to the appointed member.
• Indicative Value vs. EU Threshold: The estimated value (€150,000 to €216,000) is close to the EU threshold of €216,000. While stated as indicative, this proximity suggests the potential for the full value to be realised.
• Pricing Mechanism Post-12 Months: After the initial 12-month fixed pricing period, LMETB will use a request-for-quote basis, benchmarking against market values. This introduces price variability for future call-offs.
• No Guaranteed Expenditure: Tenderers should note that there is no guaranteed minimum spend under the framework.
• Potential for Supplementary Tenders: While direct appointment is possible, the Client may invite supplementary tenders from the Framework Member if the original tender did not fully address specific needs.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a single-party Framework Agreement, meaning only one supplier will be appointed to fulfil all requirements under the framework. This structure may favour established suppliers with the capacity to meet all minimum requirements and provide a comprehensive five-year warranty package.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would likely be a specialist supplier of commercial culinary arts equipment with a proven track record, sufficient financial standing to meet the €250,000 turnover requirement, and the ability to offer a robust five-year warranty.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit sub-contracting, but the single-party nature of the FWA suggests a preference for a single entity taking overall responsibility.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid, including detailing equipment specifications, warranty provisions, and meeting insurance requirements, could require 5-10 days of effort for a specialist supplier.
• Pwin Signal: The single-party nature of the framework and the requirement for a comprehensive warranty suggest that the incumbent or a supplier with a strong existing relationship or product offering may have an advantage. The specific minimum requirements for gas rings, ware washing machines, and extraction canopies will also shape the competitive landscape.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• 2026 48 Culinary Arts Equipment - Appendix 5_FW_Single_FWA_Terms.docx
• Appendix 3 - Tenderer's Statement.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: [email protected] (for general LMETB contact, clarification portal not specified).
• Most Important Attachments:
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 5: Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions
• Schedule 1: Form of Tender (referenced within Appendix 5)