Supply and Installation of 12 marine-grade steel safety ladders at Arklow Harbour

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 contract involves the supply and installation of 12 marine-grade steel safety ladders at Arklow Harbour. The contractor will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of the project, from procurement of materials to the final installation and testing of the ladders.

Key activities include:

• Design and Engineering: Develop detailed design specifications for the safety ladders, ensuring compliance with relevant safety standards.
• Material Procurement: Source marine-grade steel and other necessary materials, ensuring they meet specified quality standards.
• Fabrication: Manufacture the ladders according to the approved designs, adhering to IS EN 1090-2 standards for execution class 2.
• Installation: Install the ladders at designated locations within Arklow Harbour, ensuring structural integrity and safety compliance.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct inspections and tests to ensure that the ladders meet the required specifications and safety standards.
• Documentation: Provide all necessary documentation, including certificates of satisfactory execution and compliance with health and safety regulations.

The project must be completed within a specified timeframe, with a focus on quality and adherence to safety protocols.

3. Background & buyer context

Wicklow County Council initiated this procurement to enhance safety measures at Arklow Harbour. The installation of marine-grade steel safety ladders aligns with local government policies aimed at improving infrastructure and public safety in coastal areas. The project is part of a broader initiative to upgrade facilities and ensure compliance with modern safety standards. The urgency of this procurement is driven by increasing maritime activities and the need for enhanced safety measures for workers and visitors at the harbour.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1.5 million.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of €1.5 million.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €6.5 million.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €6.5 million.
• Certifications: Compliance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent safety management systems.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least 3 comparable projects completed within the last 5 years, demonstrating similar complexity and scale.
• Personnel: Key personnel must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant roles.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be located within 50 km of Arklow Harbour.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, focusing on the best price-quality ratio. A minimum score of 70% is required for the quality criterion to qualify for further evaluation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A detailed response document outlining the approach to the project, limited to 20 pages.
• CVs: Curriculum vitae for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: A completed pricing template detailing costs associated with the project.
• Case studies: Evidence of 3 previous projects of similar value and complexity.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Attendance at a site visit is required on 2026-06-15.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: The contract duration is set for 6 months, with potential extensions based on project requirements.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon completion of milestones, with a retention of 5% until final acceptance.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Adherence to project timelines and quality standards will be monitored, with penalties for delays.
• Liquidated damages: A rate of €150 per day will apply for delays beyond the agreed completion date.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated for non-performance or failure to meet safety standards.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property generated during the project will remain with Wicklow County Council.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted, but the primary contractor remains fully responsible for all work.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €1.5 million may exclude smaller firms, limiting competition.
• Geographic constraint: The requirement for bidders to be within 50 km of Arklow Harbour may restrict participation from capable firms outside this radius.
• Tight timeline: The project completion deadline is set for 6 months, which may be challenging given potential weather-related delays.
• Safety compliance: The emphasis on health and safety regulations may necessitate additional resources for compliance, impacting bid pricing.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the following characteristics:

• Credible bidders: Firms with experience in marine construction or similar projects, holding necessary certifications and insurance.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: Bidders may form consortia or subcontract portions of the work, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
• Bid-prep effort: Preparation may require approximately 10-15 days, considering the documentation and compliance requirements.
• Pwin signal: The presence of an incumbent contractor may influence the likelihood of winning, as established relationships may provide an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Supply_and_Installation_of_12_marine-grade_steel_safety_ladders_at_Arklow_Harbour.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix D1 — Letter of Undertaking Bond
• Appendix C — Bankers Letter
• Appendix B1 — List of Previous Works Projects