PBKS GWS – A4 Contractor Procurement

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 contractor for the PBKS GWS – A4 Contractor Procurement project. The scope involves general construction and civil engineering works, with a focus on network upgrades and associated infrastructure.

Key activities and components include:

• Pipe Laying and Culvert Works:
• Repair of pipe culverts (SD/C/01).
• Repair of stone culverts (SD/C/02).
• Typical headworks at culvert ends (SD/C/03).
• Pipe under drain details for drains up to 1m deep (SD/C/04).
• Pipes laid under open/closed culverts or drains deeper than 1m (SD/C/05).
• Pipes laid under rivers (SD/C/06).
• Pipes laid over culverts (SD/C/07).
• Embankment and Fencing:
• Reforming of earth embankments (SD/E/01).
• Reforming of earth and stone embankments (SD/E/02).
• Installation of various fence types, including 3-rail concrete post & rail (SD/F/01), 3-rail timber post & rail (SD/F/02), 4-rail timber post & rail with sheep wire (SD/F/03), and temporary fencing (SD/F/04).
• Installation of typical cattle grids (SD/F/05).
• Installation of field gates (SD/F/06, SD/F/07).
• Water Network Components:
• Installation of HDPE/MDPE valves and chambers, including sluice valves, scour valves, fire hydrants, air valves, bulk water meters, and pressure/vacuum relief valves (SD/PE/01-18).
• Installation of uPVC valves and chambers with similar components (SD/P/01-18).
• Thrust block details (SD/GW/01).
• Reinstatement Works:
• Temporary and permanent reinstatement of longitudinal and transverse openings in surface-dressed rural roadways and unbound roadways (SD/R/02, SD/R/03, SD/R/05, SD/R/07).
• Permanent reinstatement of grass verges, medians, fields, and lawns (SD/R/14).
• Wall Reinstatement:
• Reinstatement of single and double dry stone walls (SD/W/01, SD/W/02).
• Reinstatement of single and double solid stone walls built with mortar (SD/W/03, SD/W/04).
• Reinstatement of solid concrete block walls (SD/W/05, SD/W/06).
• General Infrastructure:
• Marker post details (SD/RM/01).
• ESB meter box installation (SD/EP/01).
• Duct installation in pathways and grass areas (SD/RD/01).
• Hedge reinstatement, including blackthorn and hawthorn hedging, and semi-mature tree planting (SD/H/01, SD/H/02).

The works will adhere to the detailed standard drawings and specifications provided, covering various aspects of water infrastructure installation, repair, and associated civil engineering tasks.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the "PBKS GWS – A4 Contractor Procurement" project. The project falls under the remit of Mayo County Council. The specific policy or programme driving this procurement is not explicitly stated in the provided metadata. The tender documents reference standard details prepared by SDS (Structural Design Solutions) Ltd, indicating that the project involves civil engineering and infrastructure works, likely related to water services given the "GWS" (Group Water Scheme) designation. The reference to Ordnance Survey Ireland data and Mayo County Council's licence number suggests a focus on local infrastructure development or maintenance.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum yearly turnover of €250,000 arising from the area of work specified as General Construction/Civil Engineering.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000 for any one event. Maximum excess for property damage only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1,500,000 (default level, proportionate to project size). Maximum permissible excess on Professional Indemnity Insurance is the greater of 2% of the tenderer's annual turnover or €5,000 per claim.
• 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 and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided extract. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, which balances price and quality. The specific weighting for price, technical merit, and any other qualitative factors would be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

The specific submission requirements are not detailed in the provided extract. Bidders will typically be required to submit:

• A completed tender response document, adhering to any specified format and page limits.
• Detailed pricing schedules.
• Proof of insurance coverage meeting the specified minimums.
• Declarations, including the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), bona fide declarations, tax clearance certificates, and conflict of interest declarations.
• Curriculum Vitae (CVs) for key personnel, if specified.
• Case studies or evidence of relevant past experience, if required.
• A mandatory site visit may be required, with details to be provided in the full tender documents.
• Submissions will be made via the eTenders platform.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The provided extract does not detail specific contract terms. Standard public sector contract terms would apply, including provisions for:

• Contract duration and extensions: Not specified.
• Payment terms: Typically monthly, subject to certification and retention.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs) / Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Not specified.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Standard clauses for breach of contract or convenience would be expected.
• Intellectual Property (IP) ownership: Typically vests with the contracting authority for project-specific outputs.
• Sub-contracting: Rules regarding the use and approval of sub-contractors would apply.
• Performance Bonds/Guarantees: May be required, particularly for larger projects.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender documents do not explicitly highlight unusual risks or red flags. However, the detailed nature of the standard drawings (e.g., SD/C/01-08, SD/PE/01-18, SD/P/01-18) suggests that adherence to precise technical specifications is critical. The absence of a stated contract value or duration in the metadata is a common feature of tenders where these are determined by the successful bidder's pricing and scope definition. The reliance on detailed standard drawings prepared by a third party (SDS) implies that bidders must be adept at interpreting and implementing these specific technical requirements.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrated experience in general construction and civil engineering, particularly in water infrastructure. The minimum turnover requirement of €250,000 indicates that the procurement is accessible to smaller firms.

• Credible bidders: SMEs with a proven track record in civil works, pipe laying, culvert repair, and installation of water network components (valves, chambers, hydrants) are well-positioned. Experience in road reinstatement and embankment works would also be beneficial.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly state whether consortium bids or sub-contracting are permitted. This information would typically be clarified in the full tender instructions.
• Bid-prep effort: The effort required to prepare a bid will depend on the bidder's existing documentation and familiarity with similar projects. However, given the detailed technical specifications and standard drawings, significant effort will be needed to ensure compliance and accurate pricing. A rough estimate might range from 10-20 days of focused work for a well-prepared SME.
• Pwin signal: The tender is open to competition, with no clear incumbent or pre-qualified list mentioned. The success of an SME will depend on their ability to demonstrate compliance with the technical requirements and offer competitive pricing.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): [26053 - Standard Details.pdf] (This appears to be a key document, but the main RFT document name is not provided).
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not surfaced.
• Most important attachments:
• [26053 - Standard Details.pdf] (Contains detailed drawings for various civil engineering and water infrastructure components).