Maintenance Water Quality Monitoring Kiosks

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 involves the establishment of a Single Party Framework for the maintenance of Water Quality Monitoring Kiosks operated by Teagasc. The contractor will be responsible for the regular servicing and maintenance of various water quality monitoring equipment across multiple locations. The scale of work includes:

• Servicing of Equipment:

• Lange Phosphax Sigma analysers: Servicing at 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 24-month intervals.

• Hach Nitratax SC probes: 12-month service, including replacement of parts as needed.

• Solitax probes: 6-month and 24-month service schedules, including inspections and seal replacements.

• Sample Delivery and Preparation Units:

• Regular servicing as per manufacturer specifications, including 12-month and 18-month schedules.

• Monitoring and Reporting:

• Conducting inspections and resetting counters on Nitratax, Solitax, and UVAS probes during scheduled services.

• Locations:

• Specific sites for servicing are not detailed but will include various Teagasc facilities.

The contractor must adhere to the manufacturers' service schedules and ensure compliance with all operational standards.

3. Background & buyer context

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is procuring these services to enhance its water quality monitoring capabilities. This initiative aligns with national policies aimed at improving agricultural sustainability and environmental protection. The procurement is part of a broader strategy to ensure that water quality monitoring is maintained at optimal levels. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor, indicating a potential opportunity for new entrants into this service area.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• 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.

Bidders must provide evidence of meeting these requirements upon request by the contracting authority.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on a balance between price and quality. No minimum scoring threshold is specified for individual criteria or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the named template with specified page limits.
• CVs: For key personnel, with a specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the named template provided.
• Case studies: Minimum of two, with a value range specified.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders, adhering to specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extension structure: Initial term of 2 years, with up to 2 extensions of 1 year each.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: The successful tenderer must designate a single entity responsible for the Services Contract.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks associated with this tender include:

• Lack of specified turnover requirements: This may indicate a low barrier to entry, but could also suggest a lack of clarity on the expected scale of work.
• No incumbent mentioned: This could imply a lack of continuity in service, which may affect the quality of maintenance if not managed properly.
• Limited information on SLAs/KPIs: The absence of clear performance metrics may lead to ambiguity in service expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate:

• Relevant experience in maintenance and servicing of water quality monitoring equipment.
• Adequate insurance coverage as specified.
• Ability to comply with the technical and operational requirements outlined in the tender.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing SMEs to collaborate with larger firms if necessary. The indicative bid-preparation effort is estimated at several days, depending on the complexity of the submission. The absence of an incumbent may signal an opportunity for new entrants, but bidders should prepare thoroughly to ensure compliance with all requirements.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: C4767 - Maintenance of Water Quality Monitoring Kiosks - RFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Services Contract