Cleveragh Active Travel Scheme

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 concerns the construction of the Cleveragh Active Travel Scheme in Sligo. The project involves significant civil engineering and traffic management works along Cleveragh Drive. The contract duration is specified as 8 months, with an intended commencement date of October 2026 and completion by May 2027.

The scope of works includes:

• Construction of a two-way cycle track: A dedicated lane for cyclists will be built.
• Footway widening and improvement works: Existing footpaths will be widened and upgraded.
• New pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities: Safe crossings will be installed for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Raised traffic calming features: Ramps or other measures will be implemented to reduce vehicle speeds.
• New road markings and signage: Updated and new road markings and signage will be installed.
• Public lighting installation and upgrades: Existing public lighting will be upgraded, and new installations made.
• Junction tightening works: Junctions will be modified to improve safety and traffic flow.
• Landscaping works: Environmental and aesthetic improvements will be undertaken.
• Cycle parking facilities: Designated areas for bicycle parking will be created.
• Associated pavement, drainage, kerbing and utility works: This encompasses all necessary groundwork, including pavement construction, drainage systems, kerbing, and coordination with utility providers.
• Temporary traffic management throughout the construction period: Comprehensive traffic management plans will be required to ensure safety and maintain traffic flow during all phases of construction.

The works are divided into five estimated phases:

• Phase 1 (Month 1–2): Site establishment, traffic management installation, site clearance, vegetation removal, and utility investigations.
• Phase 2 (Month 2–4): Drainage works, kerbing, footway construction, and public lighting ducting/service installations.
• Phase 3 (Month 4–6): Cycle track construction, junction improvement works, and crossing construction.
• Phase 4 (Month 6–7): Traffic calming measures, signage and road marking installation, and public lighting installation.
• Phase 5 (Month 7–8): Landscaping, final surfacing, testing, commissioning, and demobilisation.

The works are located on Cleveragh Drive, Sligo Town, Co. Sligo, along an approximate length of 1000 metres. The required working width varies between 2.5–4.0 metres by phase, with an unobstructed road width of approximately 3.5m to be maintained. A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h is recommended through active work zones.

3. Background & buyer context

Sligo County Council is procuring this active travel scheme to enhance sustainable transport infrastructure within the town. The project, identified by Job No. SO/23/0016, aligns with national and local objectives for promoting cycling and walking. The works are situated along Cleveragh Drive, a local urban road with an estimated 80 vehicles per hour and less than 5% HGVs. The project is being managed by Sligo County Council in their capacity as Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and potentially Project Supervisor for Construction Stage (PSCS). The preliminary health and safety plan indicates that the works are adjacent to live accommodation, a busy road network, and recreational facilities, necessitating careful planning and execution.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 for any one accident. Maximum excess for public liability is €6,500.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event. Maximum excess for employer's liability is €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of cover is not explicitly stated, but the default level is €1.5m. The maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of the tenderer's annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent is required.
• Tax clearance status must be verifiable online via Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number.
• Past experience: Bidders must provide a list of completed projects similar in nature and complexity to the works required. Certificates of Satisfactory Execution are required for these projects. The specific number, size, or period for past experience is not explicitly stated in the provided text.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided documentation. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland are awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which considers a combination of price and quality. The weighting between price and quality, along with specific sub-criteria and pass/fail thresholds, would be detailed in the full tender documents.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Not specified for this tender.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Not specified for this tender.
• Case studies: Bidders must provide a list of completed projects similar in nature and complexity to the works required, with corresponding Certificates of Satisfactory Execution.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• A Letter of Undertaking from a Surety confirming authorisation to act as a surety and that bond facilities are in place.
• A Banker's Letter confirming banking relationships and facility details.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders. Specific format rules for electronic copies are mentioned, requiring the number and type of electronic copies as stated in the Particulars.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract length: 8 Months, with an intended start date of October 2026.
• Payment terms: Not specified.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified.
• Performance Bond: A performance bond may be required, with the surety confirming authorisation and bond facilities. The amount is to be not more than a specified percentage of the eventual contract sum.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value not disclosed: The absence of an estimated contract value makes it difficult for bidders to gauge the scale and complexity accurately for their own risk assessment and resource allocation.
• Limited detail on award criteria: The lack of specific award criteria and scoring weights means bidders cannot tailor their proposals to meet defined quality expectations beyond the minimum requirements.
• Reliance on preliminary documents: The tender relies heavily on preliminary documents (Preliminary Health & Safety Plan, Preliminary TTMP) which the appointed PSCS must develop further. This places a significant responsibility on the PSCS to interpret and build upon the initial plans.
• Potential for incumbent advantage: While not explicitly stated, the nature of local authority infrastructure projects can sometimes favour established local contractors with existing relationships and knowledge of council procedures.
• Insurance excess calculation: The Professional Indemnity Insurance excess is tied to the tenderer's annual turnover, which can be a variable factor for smaller businesses.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrable experience in civil engineering, roadworks, and traffic management. The contract duration of 8 months and the scope of works suggest a project of moderate scale.

• Viable bidder profile: A firm with a proven track record in delivering similar road infrastructure projects, possessing the necessary safety certifications (ISO 45001 or equivalent), and capable of meeting the specified insurance requirements. Experience in developing and implementing detailed traffic management plans is crucial.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit or encourage consortia or sub-contracting. Bidders should clarify this if it is a significant consideration.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Bid preparation will likely require significant effort, particularly in developing detailed proposals for traffic management, health and safety, and demonstrating past experience with supporting documentation. This could range from 10-20 days for a well-prepared SME.
• Pwin signal: The tender is open, with no clear indication of an incumbent. The primary Pwin signals will be the bidder's ability to meet the insurance requirements, demonstrate relevant experience, and present a compelling approach to health and safety and traffic management.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not specified in provided text.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Clarifications should be submitted via the eTenders portal as per standard procedure.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 3(b)(ii) Preliminary Traffic Management Plan
• SMS Appendix 3(a) (Preliminary Health and Safety Plan).doc
• Appendix B1 List of Previous Works Projects
• Appendix C Bankers Letter
• Appendix D1 QW1 Letter of Undertaking Bond