Ballyseedy Wood Amenity Trail Phase III

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 construction of Phase III of the Ballyseedy Wood Amenity Trail. The project involves the development of a new amenity walkway, incorporating both timber boardwalk and bitumen sections, designed to enhance public access and recreational use of the Ballyseedy Wood area. The scale of the works is not explicitly quantified by area or volume in the provided metadata, but it is understood to be a civil engineering construction project.

The constituent activities and components of the works include:

• Amenity Walkway Construction: The primary deliverable is a new amenity walkway. This walkway will comprise a combination of timber boardwalk and bitumen sections.
• Timber Boardwalk Elements: This will involve timber decking, supported on timber cross members. Specific timber types and treatments are referenced, including treated redwood timber decking and hot-dip galvanised steelwork to IS EN ISO 1461 for structural components.
• Bitumen Sections: These sections will provide a smooth, level transition from the timber boardwalk.
• Bridge Structure: A bridge structure is to be constructed, featuring a 3m wide timber deck surface and two guide rails on each side.
• Fencing: Installation of timber fencing, with specified heights of 3m and 4m.
• Materials and Standards: Construction will adhere to specified standards, including IS EN 13242 & Clause 503 of Series 500 TII for aggregate, IS EN 10025 for steel grades (S275), and IS EN 206-1 for concrete.
• Site Integration: The trail is located near a housing estate and will be separated from it by a timber fence.
• Environmental Considerations: Restrictions include not using materials within 100mm of tree and plant stems. The project is situated within 15km of nine Natura 2000 and two Ramsar sites, requiring characterisation of these sites and ensuring their integrity is not adversely impacted.
• Ancillary Works: This may include the installation of non-illuminated and illuminated signage, with specific size constraints (not exceeding 0.25 m² or 0.50 m²).

The contract is based on the Public Works Contract for Minor Building and Civil Engineering Works designed by the Employer (PW-CF5 v2.9).

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for Phase III of the Ballyseedy Wood Amenity Trail development. The project aligns with local authority initiatives to enhance public amenities and recreational facilities within County Kerry. While specific policy drivers are not detailed, such projects typically support objectives related to tourism, public health, and environmental access. The previous phases of the amenity trail development would have established the context for this current phase. The procurement is being conducted by Kerry County Council, a local government body responsible for public services in the region.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover Requirement: A minimum average annual turnover of €600,000 arising from civil engineering construction work.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property damage only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 per accident. No excess is permitted.
• Motor Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: A minimum indemnity limit of €1,500,000 annual aggregate limit is required for the Works Contractor. An additional €0.5m cover is required specifically for the design of joints. The maximum permissible excess on Professional Indemnity Insurance is the greater of 2% of the tenderer's annual turnover or €5,000. For Temporary Works Designers, a minimum indemnity limit of €1,500,000 and a maximum excess of €5,000 applies, with a €10,000 amount withheld prior to Temporary Works commencing on site.
• Certifications: A safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent is required.
• Past Experience: Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of 7 years of experience on civil engineering projects. The tender documents require a list of previous works projects similar in nature and complexity to the works required. Specific details on the number or value of these projects are not provided in the metadata.
• Personnel:
• The project director must have at least 10 years of experience in civil engineering works.
• The site agent must have at least 10 years of experience in civil engineering works and relevant site experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Designated conservation sites and Natura 2000 sites within a 15km radius of the proposal site will be characterised.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided metadata. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland are awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which balances price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality, and the sub-criteria for quality assessment, would be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• List of Previous Works Projects: Organised in order of precedence, using the format provided in Appendix B1. This list must include the Title of Project and Certificate of Satisfactory Execution (Appendix B2).
• Banker's Letter: A confirmation from the bidder's principal bank on bank-headed paper, detailing lending facilities and overdrafts, as per Appendix C.
• Declarations: Standard declarations related to bona fides, tax clearance, and absence of conflicts of interest are expected, likely via the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD).
• Pricing Schedule: A completed pricing schedule, likely in a format specified by the buyer.
• Method Statement/Response Document: A detailed response outlining the bidder's approach to the works, potentially including programme, methodology, and quality assurance plans. Specific page limits or templates are not detailed here.
• CVs: Curriculum Vitae for key personnel, particularly the Project Director and Site Agent, detailing their experience. Page count requirements are not specified.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform.

A mandatory site visit is not explicitly mentioned in the provided metadata.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Public Works Contract for Minor Building and Civil Engineering Works designed by the Employer (PW-CF5 v2.9). Key terms include:

• Contract Length: Not specified, but the works are to be achieved within 10 months of the starting date.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments will be made, with a retention mechanism likely in place. Final payment follows the submission of a final statement. Interest may be payable on late payments.
• Liquidated Damages: Clause 9.8 details provisions for liquidated damages for failure to complete on time.
• Termination: The contract allows for termination by the Employer on contractor default (Clause 12.1) or at the Employer's election (Clause 12.5). Termination by the Contractor is also provided for under specific circumstances (Clause 12.4).
• Sub-contracting: Subcontractors are permitted, with specific provisions outlined in Clause 5.4.
• Performance Bond: A performance bond may be required before the Starting Date, as specified in Schedule, part 1E.
• Insurance: Comprehensive insurance requirements are detailed, including Public Liability, Employer's Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Motor Insurance.
• Variations: Adjustments to the Contract Sum for single Change Orders are capped at €5,000 unless approved by the Employer.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Late Submission Deadline: The submission deadline of July 2026 is unusually far in the future for a minor works contract, suggesting potential for significant project delays or a very long procurement lead time.
• Unspecified Value: The absence of an estimated contract value is notable. While common for some public tenders, it makes it difficult for bidders to gauge the scale and complexity accurately without further detail.
• Public Works Contract: The use of the standard Public Works Contract for Minor Works (PW-CF5 v2.9) means bidders must be familiar with its specific clauses, particularly regarding payment, time, defects, and dispute resolution.
• Environmental Sensitivity: The proximity to Natura 2000 and Ramsar sites necessitates careful environmental management and reporting, which could add complexity and cost.
• Insurance Specificity: The detailed breakdown of Professional Indemnity insurance requirements, including specific cover for joint design, indicates a potential risk area that requires careful attention from bidders.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven experience in civil engineering construction, particularly in amenity trail development or similar landscape/infrastructure projects.

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a turnover of €600,000+ and a track record of delivering projects of comparable complexity and value would be well-positioned. Experience in timber construction and adherence to public works contract standards are essential.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The Public Works Contract for Minor Works (PW-CF5 v2.9) permits joint ventures and subcontracting (Clause 1.7 and 5.4), allowing SMEs to collaborate or bring in specialist expertise if needed.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid, including gathering detailed project references, financial information, and technical proposals, could require 10-20 days of effort for an experienced SME. Familiarity with the PW-CF5 contract would reduce this.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is open, with no explicit indication of an incumbent. The long lead time to the deadline might suggest a less urgent or more strategically planned procurement. The key differentiator will be demonstrated experience and competitive pricing within the framework of the PW-CF5 contract.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not explicitly provided in metadata.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in metadata.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Via the eTenders platform.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF5_Contract_v2.9_25-11-2025.pdf (Public Works Contract for Minor Works)
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx
• Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter.docx