WCCC26 542 Multi-Party Framework for a Stonemason

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This procurement establishes a multi-party framework agreement for conservation stonemasonry, plastering, and apprentice services. The framework will be established with three service providers. Individual contracts, referred to as Call-Off Contracts, will be awarded from this framework. The works encompass two primary areas: maintenance involving masonry and plasterwork consolidation, and more extensive conservation, consolidation, repair, and reconstruction of masonry and plasterwork.

The scope includes:

• Types of Works: Maintenance and conservation of walls constructed from ashlar stone, rubble stone, brick, and timber. This involves addressing varying conditions from very poor to solid, with a focus on structural integrity and historic fabric preservation.
• Specific Locations: Works may be undertaken at identified sites including the Clock Tower, Blackfriars Abbey, and Metal Man Beacons, Tramore, as well as other council projects requiring these services.
• Investigative Works: Identifying the precise condition of building fabric elements and establishing work priorities.
• Temporary Works: Temporary propping may be required to facilitate access and repair.
• Construction Method Statement: A detailed method statement will be required prior to commencement, subject to review by the Conservation Architect and WC&CC Conservation Officer.
• Treatment and Replacement of Damaged Fabric: Works are categorised into structural failure, compromised structure, and repair requirements. The approach prioritises minimal intervention to render elements safe and sound, avoiding cosmetic treatment. This includes the removal of modern materials to reveal historic fabric.
• Repair of Lime Mortar and Masonry Work: This involves re-pointing using hydraulic lime mortar (NHL2 standard), with specific attention to ratios of lime to aggregate and material handling.
• Health & Safety: Strict adherence to safety protocols for handling materials, including protective clothing, gloves, eye protection, and dust masks.
• Work Sequence: Commencement involves visual inspection, propping, and photographic recording. Opening-up works will be executed by hand tools under expert direction. Findings will be recorded, and works will be prioritised and specified. A project file and report will be maintained.
• On-Site Supervision: Weekly site meetings will review progress. Structural Engineer and H&S Advisor will conduct weekly inspections. Conservation Architect/WC&CC Conservation Officer will assess progress and archaeological consultant attendance.
• Coordination: Successful tenderers may be required to coordinate with other specialist trades on site.
• Qualifications: Specialists must be experienced in historic building conservation, hold relevant FETAC certifications (Brick Laying & Masonry, Plastering, or equivalent), and possess a minimum Level 7 qualification in Applied Conservation Skills.
• Contract Management: A dedicated contract manager is required, responsible for client relationships, performance reporting, dispute resolution, and suggesting improvements. This role is non-billable.

3. Background & buyer context

Waterford City and County Council is procuring these services through an open procedure to establish a multi-party framework agreement. This approach aims to leverage efficiencies and maximise cost savings over the framework's duration. The council intends to engage with three service providers for conservation stonemasonry, plastering, and apprentice services. The framework is designed to provide a pool of qualified contractors for various projects, from routine maintenance to more extensive conservation and repair works on historic buildings within the council's remit. The procurement is driven by the need for specialised skills in heritage conservation and repair.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered eligible for evaluation. These are assessed on a pass/fail basis.

• Turnover requirement:
• Turnover must have exceeded €50,000 in one of the last three years, or pro-rata for more recently established firms.
• The firm must have been in existence for at least 6 months.
• Confirmation of financial standing demonstrating the capacity to pay debts as they fall due, supported by a current statement of assets and liabilities.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: Not Applicable (N/A)
• Professional Indemnity: N/A
• Environmental Liability Impairment (EIL): N/A
• Cyber Liability: N/A
• Certifications:
• A recognised qualification in the Conservation of Historic Buildings (minimum Level 7 qualification in Applied Conservation Skills).
• FETAC Cert in Brick Laying & Masonry and/or FETAC Cert in Plastering or equivalent.
• Demonstrate compliance with relevant Health & Safety legislation.
• Demonstrate compliance with relevant Environmental legislation and guidelines.
• Demonstrate measures for quality service delivery, e.g., an externally certified system.
• Past experience:
• Experience working on historic buildings and protected structures.
• Experience in site co-ordination.
• Experience in preparation of elemental condition reports.
• Experience in the preparation of method statements.
• Experience in the training and demonstration of specialist skills.
• Personnel:
• Nominated dedicated contract manager responsible for contract duration.
• Qualified Stone Mason/Plasterer.
• Apprentice (if applicable to the specific call-off).
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Tenders will be evaluated against the award criteria after meeting the selection criteria. The contract will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The maximum total marks available are 10,000.

• Cost Scoring: The lowest cost tender meeting qualitative minimums receives maximum marks. Other tenders are scored proportionally.
• Qualitative & GPP Scoring: Responses are interpreted based on a scale from Outstanding (90-100%) to Poor (1-24%). Less than 50% in Qualitative or GPP is unacceptable.
• Tie-breaker: In case of a tie, the tender with the highest overall quality score wins. If quality scores are identical, the tender with the highest score on the highest weighted qualitative criterion wins.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders Postbox facility on www.etenders.gov.ie only.

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must provide information in the Tender Response Document (TRD).
• CVs: Current CVs for the individual Mason, Plasterer, and Apprentice are required as part of the qualitative assessment. Page limits are not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Tendered rates must include attendance of Mason, Plasterer, Apprentice, and all necessary tools and equipment. This forms the basis of the cost criterion.
• Case studies: Not explicitly required, but experience on historic buildings and protected structures is assessed qualitatively.
• Declarations:
• Declaration of Bona Fides (Art. 57 of Directive 2014/24/EU).
• Declaration regarding compliance with relevant statutory obligations (or equivalent legislation if established outside Ireland).
• Confirmation of tax compliance with Irish Revenue Commissioners or equivalent.
• Confirmation of financial standing.
• Confirmation of required insurances.
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) is accepted as evidence of compliance with Section 4.3.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders Postbox facility on www.etenders.gov.ie. Tenderers must click "Submit Response" and can modify their submission until the deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: Maximum of four (4) years. Contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond the expiry date.
• Payment terms: Not specified in detail, but late payment provisions are referenced.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not detailed in the provided extract, but satisfactory delivery of services is a core requirement.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority may terminate for material breach, failure to perform obligations, or if the Framework Member convenes a meeting for or proposes to enter into an arrangement for insolvency. Either party may terminate with 14 days' notice after a specified period (number of days not stated). Termination does not relieve the Framework Member of accrued obligations.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Tenderers may rely on the resources of other entities. If a consortium/joint venture is successful, legal personality will be required to enter the contract.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Low Estimated Value vs. Framework Structure: The maximum framework spend is €216,000 over four years, with individual call-off contracts estimated up to €50,000. This is a relatively low value for a multi-party framework, potentially indicating a limited pipeline of work or a preference for using external procurement routes for larger projects.
• Cascade Method Preference: For contracts up to €50,000, the cascade method is intended, meaning the first-ranked firm is approached first. This could disadvantage lower-ranked firms within the framework unless the first-ranked firm is unavailable. Mini-competitions may still be used below this value if deemed necessary.
• Right to Go Outside Framework: Waterford City and County Council explicitly reserves the right to procure services outside of this framework if it offers better value for money or if a conflict of interest arises. This reduces the guaranteed pipeline of work for framework members.
• Tender Validity Period: A tender validity period of 6 months is required from the submission deadline.
• Minimum Firm Existence: Firms must have been in existence for at least 6 months to be eligible.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a multi-party framework agreement for specialised conservation stonemasonry and plastering services.

• Who can credibly bid: Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrated expertise in historic building conservation are the primary target. Bidders must possess the required qualifications (Level 7 conservation, FETAC certifications), specific experience in heritage works, and the necessary insurances (€13m Employers Liability, €6.5m Public Liability). Firms must also meet the €50,000 turnover threshold.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Consortiums and joint ventures are permitted. SMEs are encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises to meet capacity requirements. If a consortium is successful, it must establish legal personality before contract award.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a compliant tender will require significant effort. This includes gathering evidence for qualifications, experience, insurance, financial standing, and developing detailed responses for the qualitative and GPP criteria. An estimate of 5-10 days of dedicated effort for a small business is reasonable, assuming existing documentation is readily available.
• Pwin signal: The framework is designed for three providers, suggesting a competitive but not overly saturated market for these specialised services. The preference for the cascade method for smaller contracts could favour the top-ranked bidder, indicating that demonstrating superior quality and cost in the initial tender is crucial for securing work. The council's right to procure outside the framework suggests that the overall volume of work may be variable.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Stonemason 26542.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
• Contact for queries: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Most important attachments:
• Framework Terms and Conditions (referenced for acceptance).
• Tender Response Document (TRD) (contains specific response templates and declarations).
• Appendices (not detailed, but likely contain further contractual terms or specifications).