Summer Works 2026 - St. Finians Community College - Proposed Science and Prep Room and Store

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 to undertake construction works at St. Finians Community College. The project involves the proposed construction of a science preparation room and associated store. The contract will be governed by the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15.

The constituent activities and requirements include:

• Construction of a Science Preparation Room and Store: This is the primary deliverable, involving the building of new facilities.
• Compliance with Contractual Obligations: The contractor must construct and complete the Works at its own expense, complying with the contract, the Employer’s Representative’s written instructions, and applicable law.
• Site Management: The contractor is responsible for the safety and stability of the Works and all operations on the Site. This includes securing the Site, keeping it in good order, and ensuring the safety of persons on the Site and protecting nearby areas from hazards.
• Use of Quality Goods and Materials: All goods and materials used must be of good quality and suitable for their intended purpose.
• Setting Out the Works: The contractor must set out the Works by reference to specified points, lines, and levels, verifying their accuracy.
• Access and Inspection: The contractor must ensure access to the Site and other relevant locations for inspection, testing, and observation by the Employer, Employer’s Representative, and Assigned Certifier.
• Notification for Inspection: The contractor must inform the Employer’s Representative and Assigned Certifier before any part of the Works is covered or materials are made difficult to inspect, providing an opportunity for inspection.
• Uncovering and Rectification: The Employer’s Representative may instruct the contractor to uncover, dismantle, re-cover, or re-erect work, or test and inspect it. The contractor must also remove and replace non-compliant Works or goods.
• Suspension of Works: The contractor must comply with instructions to suspend all or part of the Works, protecting and securing the affected areas, and maintaining insurances.
• Discovery of Items of Interest: If fossils, antiquities, or human remains are discovered, the contractor must not disturb them, preserve them, and notify the Employer’s Representative.
• Access Routes and Services: The contractor is responsible for the suitability and maintenance of access routes to and through the Site, and for obtaining required facilities, power, water, and other services.
• Completion and Defects: The contractor must substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion. Following substantial completion, the contractor must promptly complete any outstanding work. The Employer’s Representative will issue a Defects Certificate.
• Payment: Payment will be made in instalments based on interim payments, a percentage upon substantial completion, and the balance after the Defects Certificate is issued. Payment claim notices and invoicing procedures are detailed.
• Contractor's Personnel: The contractor must ensure its personnel are suitably qualified, trained, and experienced. The contractor is liable for their acts and omissions. Personnel may be removed from Site by instruction of the Employer's Representative.
• Subcontracting: The contractor may not subcontract the whole of the Works. Subcontracting parts of the Works requires the Employer’s Representative’s consent unless already provided for in the contract.
• Pay and Conditions of Employment: The contractor must ensure rates of pay and conditions of employment comply with applicable law and are at least as favourable as those in relevant sectoral employment orders or registered employment agreements.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement falls under the "Summer Works" programme, a recurring initiative for educational institutions. The Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) is the procuring authority. The project is situated at St. Finians Community College. The specific need for a new science preparation room and store indicates a requirement to enhance or expand existing science facilities within the college. The procurement is being conducted under the Short Public Works Contract framework, suggesting a project of a defined scale and complexity suitable for this contract type.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

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

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 for any one event.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• 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.

Bidders must declare that they have, or will obtain prior to appointment, the specified insurance cover.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided text. The tender documents will specify how bids will be evaluated once eligibility is established. Typically, public works tenders in Ireland are awarded based on a combination of price and quality, often referred to as the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The specific weighting for each criterion and any minimum scoring thresholds would be outlined in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

The specific submission requirements are not detailed in the provided text. However, based on standard public works tender processes, bidders will likely be required to submit:

• A completed tender response document, potentially using a specified template.
• Details of proposed personnel, including CVs for key roles.
• A detailed pricing schedule.
• Relevant case studies demonstrating past performance.
• Mandatory declarations, such as a European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), bona fide declarations, tax clearance certificates, and conflict of interest declarations.
• Confirmation of insurance cover.
• Any other documents or information requested in the full Request for Tender (RFT).

The submission will be made via the eTenders platform.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is based on the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15. Key terms include:

• Contract Term: The contract comes into effect upon written acceptance of the tender. The Time for Completion is stated in the Schedule or other contract documents, subject to extensions.
• Payment Terms: Payments are made in instalments: interim payments, a percentage upon substantial completion, and the balance after the Defects Certificate. Payment claim notices and invoicing procedures are specified, with payment due within the period stated in the Schedule. Interest applies to late payments.
• Liquidated Damages: If the Works are not substantially completed within the Time for Completion, the contractor must pay liquidated damages at the rate specified in the Schedule.
• Termination: The contract includes provisions for termination, though specific grounds and procedures are not detailed here.
• Insurance: The contractor must maintain Public Liability Insurance (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability Insurance (€13m).
• Performance Bond: A performance bond may be required, as stated in the Schedule, to be provided within 7 days of tender acceptance.
• Subcontracting: The contractor cannot subcontract the whole of the Works. Subcontracting parts requires the Employer's Representative's consent.
• Price Variation: The Price will change only as expressly provided in the contract. Adjustments can occur due to Compensation Events or changes in law affecting duties or PRSI.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The primary unusual aspect is the submission deadline of September 7, 2026, which is significantly in the future relative to typical tender issuance dates. This suggests the tender documents may be a preliminary release or that the project timeline is long-term. The absence of a disclosed estimated value is common for smaller public works but requires bidders to assess their own capacity and pricing strategy without a benchmark. The reliance on the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15 indicates a standard, albeit potentially less complex, contractual framework.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized construction firms with experience in educational or public sector building projects. The scope, involving the construction of a science preparation room and store, suggests a need for general building and fit-out capabilities.

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a proven track record in delivering similar-sized construction projects, particularly within the education sector, would be well-positioned. Experience with the Short Public Works Contract would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Subcontracting: The contract prohibits subcontracting the whole of the Works, but subcontracting parts is permissible with the Employer's Representative's consent. This allows for flexibility, but the main contractor must retain overall responsibility. Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned but are generally permissible in public procurement if structured correctly.
• Bid-Prep Effort: The effort required will depend on the bidder's existing templates and experience with the Short Public Works Contract. For a firm familiar with these processes, bid preparation might take several days. For a new entrant, it could be more extensive.
• Pwin Signal: Without specific details on the incumbent or previous contractors, it is difficult to assess the Pwin signal. The future submission deadline might indicate a longer lead time for planning, potentially allowing more firms to prepare. The absence of a disclosed value means bidders must rely on their own cost estimation capabilities.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided text.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf (Conditions of Contract)