Supply of Air Traffic Controller (ATC) chairs for The Irish Air Navigation Service

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :-------------------------- | :---------------------------------- | :------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | The Irish Air Navigation Service Air Traffic Controller (ATC) chairs Not stated €200,000.00 Not stated Not stated 1 Ireland Not stated 2026-10-09T11:00:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks the supply of Air Traffic Controller (ATC) chairs. The contract will involve the provision of goods that meet specific functional and quality specifications. The scale of the requirement is indicated by the potential for up to 50 units to be supplied. The contract is structured around the delivery of these chairs, with the contractor responsible for their manufacture, distribution, and delivery to the purchaser's premises.

Key activities and specifications include:

• Supply of Goods: The contractor shall sell and the purchaser shall purchase the Goods as detailed in Schedule B, which outlines the nature, quantity, quality, time of delivery, and functional specifications.
• Delivery: Goods are to be delivered to locations specified by the purchaser in Ireland, without limit to the number of locations. Delivery includes unloading, stacking, or installation by the contractor's staff at the purchaser's premises.
• Marking and Packaging: Goods must be packed and marked in a proper manner, in accordance with purchaser instructions, statutory requirements, and carrier/manufacturer needs. Specific marking requirements include the Purchase Order number and net, gross, and tar weights. Hazardous goods require prominent warnings.
• Compliance: The contractor must comply with all applicable laws, including environmental, social, and labour law, as well as Health and Safety laws and regulations (Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Acts, 1989 and 2005).
• Quality Standards: Goods must conform to the specification and any approved samples. The contractor must adhere to good industry practice. Bidders are required to provide details of conformance to the ISO 9000 series or equivalent standards. Specifically, the chairs must meet BS EN 1021: 2006 parts 1 & 2 for the assessment of ignitability of upholstered furniture.
• Inspection and Testing: The purchaser may inspect or test the goods during manufacture or upon completion at the contractor's premises. The contractor must provide reasonable assistance free of charge.
• Guarantee: The contractor guarantees the goods for a specified period (to be confirmed in the contract) against faulty materials or workmanship. Defects must be remedied by repair or replacement.
• Risk and Title: Goods remain at the contractor's risk until delivered. Title passes to the purchaser upon payment.

The contract is for the supply of goods, not services. The purchaser reserves the right to extend the contract term.

3. Background & buyer context

The Irish Air Navigation Service (AirNav Ireland) was incorporated on 2 February 2023, pursuant to the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022. It operates as a commercial state-sponsored body with responsibility for providing Air Traffic services in Irish controlled airspace. The establishment of AirNav Ireland followed a State decision and is a rebranding/restructuring from previous entities, with documentation issued before 1 May 2023 referencing the "Irish Air Navigation Service" being deemed to reference "AirNav Ireland". This procurement is for essential operational equipment, specifically Air Traffic Controller (ATC) chairs, to support its core functions. The context suggests a need for updated or replacement equipment to maintain operational efficiency and safety standards within the air navigation service.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €400,000.00.
• Most recent accounts must not be older than 12 months from the tender submission date.
• Insurance: The contractor must hold the following insurances for the duration of the contract:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000 (thirteen million) in respect of any one claim or series of connected occurrences.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 (six million five hundred thousand) in respect of any one claim or series of connected occurrences.
• Product Liability: €6,500,000 (six million five hundred thousand) in respect of any one claim and in the annual aggregate.
• Professional Indemnity: €2,600,000 (two million six hundred thousand) in respect of any one claim or series of connected occurrences.
• All insurances must provide thirty (30) days' prior notice to the Purchaser of cancellation.
• Employer's Liability, Public Liability, and Product Liability insurances must contain an indemnity to principal clause in favour of the Purchaser.
• Certifications:
• Bidders must provide details of conformance (if any) to the ISO 9000 series or any other equivalent standard or system.
• Goods must conform to BS EN 1021: 2006 parts 1 & 2.
• 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 are not explicitly detailed with scoring weights in the provided text. However, the contract structure implies that the award will be based on the submitted tender response and the terms offered, evaluated against the requirements of the Request for Tenders (RFT) and the incorporated contract documents. The contract states that the Contractor shall sell and the Purchaser shall purchase "in accordance with this Contract" the Goods described in Schedule B, implying a need for the submission to fully meet the specification. Price will be a significant factor, alongside the contractor's ability to meet all technical, quality, and insurance requirements.

The contract is awarded based on the RFT and the Submission, indicating a comprehensive evaluation of the bidder's proposal against the stated requirements.

6. Submission requirements

While specific submission templates are not detailed in the provided text, the contract structure implies the following will be required:

• Response Document: A submission detailing how the bidder will meet the RFT requirements, including specifications outlined in Schedule B.
• Pricing Schedule: A schedule detailing the charges for the Goods, as stipulated in Schedule C. Prices quoted must remain valid for 180 days from the Tender Deadline.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification of tax status.
• Details of conformance to ISO 9000 series or equivalent standards.
• Insurance Details: Confirmation of holding the required insurance policies.
• Accounts: Most recent accounts, not older than 12 months from the date of tender submission.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

RFT issued Clarification deadline Mandatory site visit Tender deadline Expected award Contract start Go-live / mobilisation | :---------------- | :--------------------- | :------------------- | :------------------------ | :------------- | :----------- | :--------------------- | Not stated By 2026-10-02 12:00 Not specified 2026-10-09 12:00 Not stated Not stated Not stated

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The contract takes effect on the Effective Date and expires on a specified date unless terminated or extended. The Purchaser reserves the right to extend the term by periods of up to a specified number of months, with a maximum number of such extensions permitted by law.
• Payment Terms: Invoices are payable 30 days after receipt. Payment is subject to contractor compliance with contract provisions, furnishing valid invoices, and possession of a current Tax Clearance Certificate. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 apply.
• Liquidated Damages: For late delivery, the Purchaser may deduct 0.5% per week or part thereof of the value of the relevant invoice or order, up to a maximum of 10% of the Charges for the relevant Goods. If the threshold is met, the Purchaser can claim further remedies or terminate the contract.
• Termination: The contract may be terminated by either party with 14 days' notice in certain circumstances, or immediately by the Purchaser if liquidated damages thresholds are met.
• Indemnity: The contractor indemnifies the Purchaser against losses arising from negligence, breach of contract, or failure to exercise skill and diligence.
• Confidentiality: Strict obligations apply regarding the disclosure and use of confidential information obtained under the contract, including compliance with Section 33 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022. These obligations survive contract termination.
• Data Protection: The contractor acts as a Data Processor for the Purchaser (Data Controller) and must comply with all applicable Data Protection Laws, including GDPR. This includes processing data only on written instructions, implementing appropriate security measures, and reporting data compromises.
• Sub-contracting: The contractor is the prime contractor and assumes full responsibility for subcontractors. Subcontractors must have insurances noting indemnity to the contractor and purchaser.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover Requirement: The minimum turnover requirement of €400,000.00 is significantly higher than the estimated contract value of €200,000.00. This could be a barrier for smaller specialist suppliers and may indicate a desire for established suppliers with a proven track record, or it could be a standard threshold applied across multiple procurements by the buyer.
• Insurance Levels: The insurance requirements, particularly Professional Indemnity at €2,600,000, are substantial relative to the contract value. This suggests the buyer places a high value on risk mitigation and may be seeking suppliers with significant financial capacity and robust insurance arrangements.
• Contractual Priority: The contract document itself, along with its Schedules A to D, takes precedence over the RFT and the Submission in case of conflict. This means the detailed terms and conditions within the contract are paramount.
• No Minimum Purchase Obligation: The contractor warrants that the purchaser is under no obligation to purchase any minimum number or value of Goods, meaning the €200,000.00 is an estimate and actual spend could be lower.
• BS EN 1021 Compliance: The specific requirement for BS EN 1021: 2006 parts 1 & 2 for ignitability of upholstered furniture is a detailed technical specification that bidders must confirm compliance with.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely best suited for established suppliers of office or specialist furniture who can meet the significant insurance and turnover requirements.

• Who can credibly bid: Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a turnover exceeding €400,000 annually and the capacity to secure substantial insurance cover (€13m Employer's Liability, €6.5m Public/Product Liability, €2.6m Professional Indemnity) are the primary target. The specific technical requirement for BS EN 1021: 2006 parts 1 & 2 means specialist manufacturers or distributors of compliant furniture are best positioned.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract states the contractor is the "prime contractor" and assumes full responsibility for subcontractors. While not explicitly forbidden, the high insurance and turnover thresholds suggest a preference for a single, capable entity rather than a consortium of smaller firms unless that consortium can collectively meet the financial and insurance gates. Sub-contracting is permitted, but the prime contractor remains liable.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Bid preparation would likely involve gathering financial statements, confirming insurance policies, detailing product specifications against BS EN 1021, and preparing pricing. This could require 5-10 days of focused effort for a company already familiar with public procurement.
• Pwin signal: The significant disparity between the estimated value (€200,000) and the minimum turnover (€400,000) and insurance requirements suggests this tender is not designed for very small or new entrants. The buyer appears to be prioritising established suppliers with proven financial stability and risk management capabilities.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [Appendix 4 Airnav Goods Contract.doc]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: www.etenders.gov.ie messaging facility.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [Appendix 4 Airnav Goods Contract.doc] (The core contract document)
• Schedule B (Specification of Goods)
• Schedule C (Charges)