Provision of Air Emissions Monitoring Programme (AEMP)

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks to procure a national programme of air emissions compliance monitoring at EPA-licensed sites across Ireland. The contract will be awarded to a minimum of two separate contractors, each undertaking approximately 40 monitoring visits annually. The total estimated value for the three-year programme is €1.3 million, excluding VAT. The programme is scheduled to run from January 2027 to December 2029.

The scope of work is divided into two main phases:

Phase 1: Develop Work Programme and Conduct Reconnaissance Visits

• Task 1.a: Preparation of detailed Annual Work Programme: Contractors will prepare an Annual Work Programme for agreement with the EPA. This programme must detail the approach, breakdown of tasks, named staff and resources, health and safety documentation, quality control procedures, and financial arrangements. A key deliverable is the documented Annual Work Programme.
• Task 1.b: Complete a programme of reconnaissance visits: Contractors will conduct reconnaissance ("recci") visits at selected sites to identify emission points, assess H&S issues, gather information on stack gas conditions, and identify potential monitoring challenges. This phase requires the production of Reconnaissance Reports, incorporating a documented Site-Specific Protocol (SSP) for each site.

Phase 2: Delivery of air monitoring visits

• Task 2.a: Conduct a nationwide programme of monitoring visits: Contractors will undertake a minimum of 40 sampling visits annually to selected EPA-licensed sites. The actual number of visits may be up to approximately 70 per contractor. Monitoring will be conducted according to a Site-Specific Protocol (SSP) agreed with the EPA, and visits are generally unannounced. Field teams must consist of at least two appropriately trained personnel.
• Task 2.b: Conduct specified laboratory analysis: Contractors must ensure that their laboratory(ies) are accredited to ISO 17025 for the required range of analyses. This includes analysis of collected air samples.
• Task 2.c: Produce individual monitoring reports: For each visit, contractors will collate data, assess compliance with licence limit values, and produce draft monitoring reports in accordance with EPA guidance (AG2). These reports will be reviewed by the EPA, amended as necessary, and a final signed electronic copy submitted.
• Task 2.d: Maintain a Programme Progress Tracker and contribute to EPA Database: Contractors will maintain an EPA-provided Excel workbook to track progress on site visits, report submissions, and other relevant details. A full set of monitoring and analytical results must be submitted annually in a format compatible with the EPA’s database.
• Task 2.e: Answer all queries from the EPA: Contractors must respond to queries from the EPA and licensees within specified timeframes (2 business days for simple queries, with a defined timescale for complex issues).
• Task 2.f: Undertake review meetings and submit progress reports: Key contractor staff will meet regularly with the EPA to discuss progress, site issues, and invoicing. Monthly progress reports summarising activities will be submitted, forming the basis for invoicing.

The contract requires a dedicated Project Manager and Project Administrator to oversee operations, ensure timely delivery, and manage data.

3. Background & buyer context

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is Ireland's primary environmental regulator, established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. Its mandate includes environmental licensing, enforcement, monitoring, and reporting. The EPA operates an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001 since 2010.

This procurement is driven by the EPA's statutory responsibility to regulate industrial and waste installations and to ensure compliance with environmental law. Over 1,200 licenses have been granted, with more than 300 involving scheduled emissions to atmosphere requiring periodic monitoring. The Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the EPA conducts an annual programme of independent monitoring to verify operator self-monitoring reliability and provide public confidence. This tender seeks to procure this independent air emissions monitoring programme for the period 2027-2029. The EPA aims to award a minimum of two separate contracts to ensure resilience and manage potential conflicts of interest.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: The tendering party must have demonstrated a turnover exceeding €100,000 during one or each of the last three years, or pro-rata if more recently established.
• Insurance: Confirmation of the following insurances being in place is required:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million per claim.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million per claim.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million per claim.
• Professional Indemnity: €1.2 million per claim.
• Environmental Liability Impairment: €6.5 million per claim.
• Certifications: Candidates must hold ISO 17025 accreditation. The scope of accreditation must include, as a minimum, specific parameters such as Total particulates, NOX, SO2, CO, CO2, VOC (by FID), velocity, temperature, oxygen, moisture, HCl, HF, ammonia, formaldehyde, mercury, metals, speciated organics, dioxins, and odour. Accreditation must be awarded by a country that is a member of the European Co-operation for Accreditation.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement for appropriately trained field personnel.
• Geographic / facility constraints: The contract covers a nationwide programme across Ireland. Laboratories used must be accredited to ISO 17025.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT), determined by a combination of quality and price.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria