Upgrade of Mooring Ph. 2 at Knightstown Breakwater

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 a contractor for the upgrade of mooring facilities at Knightstown Breakwater, Phase 2. The project involves civil engineering works to enhance existing infrastructure. The scope includes the provision of all labour, materials, plant, and equipment necessary for the successful execution of the works.

Key activities and deliverables include:

• Mooring Upgrade: This is the primary objective, involving the physical improvement and enhancement of the mooring infrastructure at Knightstown Breakwater. Specific details of the upgrade, such as the type of mooring systems to be installed or upgraded, are not detailed in the provided documentation but will be specified in Volume A: Works Requirements.
• Civil Engineering Works: The project falls under the Civil Engineering category. This implies works such as construction, repair, or modification of marine structures, potentially involving concrete works, piling, dredging, or other related marine civil engineering activities.
• Site Compound: The contractor is responsible for establishing and managing a site compound. A layout for the site compound is referenced, indicating a requirement for planning and organisation of the construction site.
• Health and Safety: Compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations is mandatory. This includes implementing good hygiene practices as per HSE guidance.
• Environmental Compliance: Adherence to environmental protection laws and regulations is required.
• Quality Assurance: The contractor must ensure the quality of the works meets specified standards.
• Project Management: The contractor will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including programming, scheduling, and coordination of all activities.
• Reporting: Weekly Labour Records are required, indicating a need for regular progress and resource reporting.
• Completion: The works are to be completed within a specified timeframe, with a target for Substantial Completion to be tendered or stated in Schedule, Part 1.

The project is located at Knightstown, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, as indicated by Figure 2-1.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by Kerry County Council. The project, "Upgrade of Mooring Ph. 2 at Knightstown Breakwater," signifies a continuation or second phase of works aimed at improving maritime infrastructure. While specific policy drivers are not detailed, such projects typically align with local authority objectives for enhancing marine facilities, supporting local economies, and improving public access or services. The tender uses the Office of Government Procurement's standard "Instructions to Tenderers - Open Procedure for Works Contractors" document (ITT-W2 v3.0), indicating adherence to national public procurement guidelines. The previous phase (Ph. 1) is implied but not explicitly detailed.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, bidders must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000 arising from the Civil Engineering category of work. This is calculated over the period specified in the tender documents.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500,000 for any one event. Maximum excess for property damage only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Not specified for the Works Contractor and PSCS in the provided extract. The maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of the Tenderer’s annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Past experience:
• CVs must include details of experience for a minimum of three projects of a similar nature. Further details on the size and complexity of these projects are expected in the Suitability Questionnaire.
• Personnel: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified in the provided extract.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not fully detailed in the provided extract. However, the tender documents indicate that the evaluation process will determine which tender is either the lowest price or the most economically advantageous. The standard procedure for Open Procedure for Works Contractors implies a combination of price and quality, with the specific weighting and sub-criteria to be detailed in the full tender documentation. Any tender not complying with the instructions may be rejected.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit their bids in accordance with the instructions provided. Key submission components include:

• Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B): This must be completed in ink, signed by authorised personnel, and witnessed. Any amendments or alterations beyond completing the terms or using alternative signature blocks may lead to rejection.
• SAQ Responses: Suitability Assessment Questionnaire responses are required, including Health & Safety Supplements.
• Pricing Document (Volume C): This must be completed in ink, with all spaces filled. Blank spaces, 'nil', 'included', or dashes are not permitted. Amounts must be in euro to two decimal places. No additional items or alterations are permitted unless specified. A read-only PDF copy is required electronically. Native file and/or .csv formats may be requested post-submission.
• Works Proposals: These must contain information specified in Appendix 1 to the Instructions.
• Additional Information: Any additional information specified in Appendix 2 to the Instructions must be included.
• Specialists: Any required Specialists must be named in Schedule, Part 2E, and a letter of agreement from each must be provided.
• Declarations: Implicitly required through the SAQ and Form of Tender, including tax clearance verification.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform unless otherwise specified. Sufficient time must be allocated for upload.
• Language: Tenders and all accompanying information must be in English. Any original documents in other languages require an accurate translation.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be formed upon the issue of a Letter of Acceptance by Kerry County Council, followed by the execution of an Agreement. The contract will comprise: the Agreement, Letter of Acceptance, Conditions of Contract, Works Requirements (Volume A), Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B), completed Pricing Document (Volume C), and Works Proposals. Collateral warranties, a performance bond, or reliance guarantees may be required.

• Payment Terms: Not specified in the extract, but standard prompt payment directives apply. Minimum amount for interim payments is €0.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the extract.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the extract.
• Termination: Standard termination clauses as per the Conditions of Contract will apply.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the extract.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified in the extract.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Performance bond may be required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value Not Disclosed: The absence of an estimated contract value is common but means bidders must assess the scale based on the scope and turnover requirements.
• Open Procedure: This is a standard procurement route, but the lack of specific detail on the scope in the initial documents requires careful review of Volume A: Works Requirements.
• Phase 2 Project: This implies prior works have been completed, and understanding the scope and outcomes of Phase 1 could be beneficial, though not explicitly provided.
• Tender Validity: The tender validity period is to be stated in the Form of Tender (Volume B), and bidders must ensure they can meet this duration.
• Specialist Requirements: The process for proposing alternative specialists is detailed, indicating a potential need for specific expertise that may require early engagement with potential specialist subcontractors.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as an Open Procedure for Works Contractors, targeting firms with demonstrated capability in civil engineering.

• Viable Bidders: Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a strong track record in civil engineering, particularly marine works, could be suitable. The €1 million average annual turnover requirement in civil engineering suggests a need for established businesses rather than very small start-ups. Bidders must also possess the required insurance levels.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The ITT mentions joint ventures and consortia, indicating that collaboration is permitted. Sub-contracting is also implied through the requirements for naming specialists.
• Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant tender will require significant effort, likely several weeks, involving detailed technical proposals, pricing, and completion of suitability questionnaires.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is for a specific phase of works at a named location. Without information on previous tenderers or the incumbent, it is difficult to assess the Pwin. The open procedure suggests the market is open to new entrants, provided they meet the stringent eligibility criteria.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): [ITT 03 Jul Rev 01.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Queries must be raised in writing via email as stated in the Particulars. Monitor www.etenders.gov.ie for supplemental information.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Volume A: Works Requirements
• Volume B: Form of Tender and Schedule
• Volume C: Pricing Document
• Appendix 1: Works Proposals Specification
• Appendix 2: Additional Information Specification
• Suitability Questionnaire (QW2-Part-1 and 2, H&S Supplements 3.4.1 and 3.4.2)