Provision for Design Consultancy Services for New Learning and Development Centre Nenagh Co. Tipperary

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

This tender seeks design consultancy services for a new Learning and Development Centre in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The estimated value of the contract is €400,000. The services will be procured using an Open Procedure, with tenders to be submitted via the eTenders portal.

The scope of work encompasses the full design process for the new centre. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Lead Design Consultant services: This role will likely involve overall project management of the design team, coordination of all design disciplines, and ensuring the project meets the client's requirements and relevant standards.
• Architectural Design: Development of the building's aesthetic, functional, and spatial design.
• Structural and Civil Engineering Design: Design of the building's structural integrity and site infrastructure.
• Building Services, Mechanical & Electrical Design: Design of the building's internal systems, including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
• Quantity Surveying: Cost estimation, tendering advice, and contract administration related to the construction works.
• Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP): Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations during the design phase, as mandated by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.
• Assigned Certifier: Acting as the Assigned Certifier under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, responsible for certifying compliance with building regulations.
• Design Certificate: Signing the Design Certificate in accordance with the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

The tender documents specify that hourly rates are to be tendered. The contract will be based on the Conditions of Engagement for Consultancy Services. The project involves consideration of structural options, including steel, concrete, and timber, with a focus on selecting systems based on lowest whole-life carbon and maximizing the use of recycled materials where appropriate. The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender.

3. Background & buyer context

Tipperary County Council is procuring these design consultancy services for the development of a new Learning and Development Centre in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The project aligns with the Council's strategic objectives for infrastructure development and service provision. While specific policy drivers are not detailed in the provided metadata, such projects typically support local economic development, educational advancement, and community facilities. The procurement is being conducted under the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) framework for Consultancy Services, utilising an Open Procedure. The estimated capital value for tender assessment purposes is €5,000,000.00.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered eligible for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €1,500,000 on each and every claim basis, and €2,000,000 on an annual aggregate basis for the Lead Design Consultant. For other specialist skill providers, minimum €1,000,000 on each and every claim basis for Building, Structural & Civil Design, Quantity Surveyor, Building Services, Mechanical & Electrical Design Engineer, and Project Supervisor Design Process.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• 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.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender. The award criteria and their weighting are not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata. However, the tender documents indicate that the assessment will consider both suitability and the economic advantage of the tender. The process involves an initial suitability assessment, followed by the evaluation of compliant tenders based on defined award criteria, which will include price and quality elements. The notional capital value of €5,000,000.00 will be used for tender assessment purposes, particularly for fee percentage tenders.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders web portal. The submission must include:

• Form of Tender: Completed and signed, with attached Schedules A and B.
• Detailed breakdown of tender price: This should include the total estimate broken down into man-hours and associated hourly rates, or a single overall percentage fee if permitted. Hourly rates are to include all associated costs, profits, and overheads.
• Quality submission: Detailed response meeting the requirements set out in the Particulars.
• Suitability Assessment Submission: Completed questionnaire demonstrating the bidder's eligibility.

Applicants must not make amendments or alterations to the provided Schedules A and B. Tenders must be written in English. All sums must be in Euros, to two decimal places, and exclude VAT unless otherwise stated.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Conditions of Engagement for Consultancy Services. Payment terms are not specified. Key Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided metadata. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not mentioned. Termination clauses are not specified. Intellectual property ownership is not detailed. Sub-contracting rules require sub-consultants to provide collateral warranties to the Contracting Authority, and the lead consultant's sub-contracts must reflect the Conditions of Engagement. A parent company guarantee or bond requirement is not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies hourly rates for services, which can introduce variability in final costs if not managed effectively. The notional capital value of €5,000,000.00 for assessment purposes, compared to the contract value of €400,000.00, suggests a potential for significant additional services or a broad scope for future phases, which is not fully defined. The requirement for specific roles like Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Assigned Certifier means bidders must have the appropriate qualifications and potentially specific registrations. The tender documents are extensive, requiring careful review of all schedules and conditions of engagement.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in multi-disciplinary design consultancy. Bidders should possess strong capabilities in architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering design, alongside quantity surveying and health and safety coordination (PSDP). The requirement for specific insurance levels, particularly Professional Indemnity at €1.5m/€2m, may be a barrier for very small or newly established firms. Consortium bids are permitted, allowing smaller firms to combine expertise to meet requirements. The bid preparation effort is estimated to be moderate, requiring detailed technical and pricing submissions. The absence of a stated incumbent or previous supplier suggests the market is open.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: NenaghLDC ITT_S2b_Services_Open_THR_v2.0-04-11-2024.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Via the eTenders portal
• Most important attachments:
• Instruction to Tenderers
• Conditions of Engagement
• Form of Tender and Schedules A and B