Ulster Canal Restoration - Phase 3.3 - Clonoony to Derrynure - Consultancy Team Services

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

The tender seeks a consultancy team for the Ulster Canal Restoration, Phase 3.3, covering Clonoony to Derrynure. This phase involves comprehensive consultancy services to support the restoration of a section of the canal. The consultancy team will be responsible for a range of activities essential to the project's success.

• Project Management: Oversee the entire consultancy process, ensuring alignment with project timelines and objectives.
• Design Services: Develop detailed designs for the canal restoration, including structural and environmental considerations.
• Environmental Assessments: Conduct environmental impact assessments and propose mitigation strategies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with relevant Irish and EU regulations, including the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate communication and coordination with local authorities, community groups, and other stakeholders.
• Reporting: Provide regular progress reports and updates to Waterways Ireland, including any deviations from the project plan.
• Quality Assurance: Implement quality control measures to ensure all work meets the specified standards.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Budget Management: Monitor project expenditures and ensure adherence to the financial plan.
• Site Supervision: Oversee on-site activities to ensure compliance with design specifications and safety standards.

The consultancy services are structured into several stages, including preliminary design, detailed design, tender action, construction supervision, and handover.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is part of the broader Ulster Canal Restoration initiative, a significant infrastructure project aimed at revitalizing the historic waterway. The project is supported by both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government, reflecting its strategic importance. Waterways Ireland, the contracting authority, is tasked with managing and developing inland navigable waterways across the island of Ireland. The restoration of the Ulster Canal is a key component of their mandate to enhance regional connectivity and promote tourism. The current phase, Clonoony to Derrynure, is critical for linking previously restored sections and ensuring the continuity of the canal.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €13,500,000
• Employers’ Liability: €13,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000
• 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 evaluation follows the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle, with a 70/30 split between quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Named template, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Format as per Document 8 - Pricing Schedule.
• Case studies: Not specified.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with no specific format rules mentioned.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is structured with no specified term or extension options. Payment terms are not detailed, but the contract includes a liability cap of €13,500,000. Key performance indicators and service level agreements are not specified. The contract allows for termination under specific conditions, including regulatory breaches. Intellectual property rights grant the client a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the consultant's designs. Sub-contracting is permitted, but no parent-company guarantee or bond is required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies high insurance requirements, which may limit participation to larger firms. The lack of a disclosed contract value and detailed budget management requirements could pose financial planning challenges. The geographic scope, while not explicitly constrained, implies a focus on firms familiar with the local context. The absence of detailed past experience criteria may lead to a wide range of bidders, potentially complicating the evaluation process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for mid-sized consultancy firms with experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and the ability to meet high insurance requirements. While consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned, the scope suggests that collaboration could be beneficial. Bid preparation is likely to require significant effort, potentially spanning several weeks. The presence of an incumbent or sole-supplier framework is not indicated, suggesting an open competitive field.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: "04. WWI- P3.3 - CT - Tender and Schedule.pdf"
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not provided
• Important attachments: "Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment", "Mandatory Requirements Schedule"