Cahernahallia Bridge and Blackboy Weir Barrier Mitigation Project

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 consultancy services for the Cahernahallia Bridge and Blackboy Weir Barrier Mitigation Project. The project's objective is to address barriers to fish migration at these locations. The scope of work involves a suitability assessment to identify qualified applicants who will then proceed to tender evaluation. The services required are consultancy-based, focusing on project particulars, submission requirements, and suitability assessment criteria.

The constituent activities and deliverables include:

• Project Particulars: Detailing the key features of the service provision, including Principal Services, Specialist Skills, and known particular risks.
• Submission Requirements: Outlining the format and content for the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Submission, which includes Part 2 of the Questionnaire, a self-declaration (ESPD or Appendix A), and supporting documentation.
• Suitability Assessment Criteria: Defining the minimum standards applicants must meet to pass the suitability assessment on a Pass/Fail basis. Applicants failing to meet these criteria will be eliminated.
• Data Processing Agreement: A Data Processing Agreement is required, governing the processing of personal data by the appointed processor on behalf of Inland Fisheries Ireland. This includes:
• Viewing of private barrier landowners and public bodies employee names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers for the barrier mitigation project.
• Viewing data, reports, and drawings from Inland Fisheries Ireland.
• Processing personal data strictly within the agreed contract duration, from May 1st, 2026, to the end of the contract period.
• Processing identity data (first names, last names) and contact data (address, email, telephone number, relationships with stakeholders).
• Ensuring secure data storage with restricted access, not copying or retaining data on personal IT equipment, and treating all data as confidential.
• Implementing appropriate organisational and technological measures to ensure data security, including pseudonymisation, encryption, and regular security assessments.
• Notifying the Data Controller of any Personal Data breach as soon as possible.
• Assisting the Data Controller in deleting or returning personal data after the contract ends, unless legally required to retain it.
• Allowing for audits and inspections by the Data Controller or a mandated auditor.
• Assisting the Data Controller in responding to Data Subject rights requests.
• Specific Site Data: Data related to Cahernahallia Bridge indicates it is a large double arch masonry bridge with a downstream drop, measuring 10.8m width, 8m length, and a 0.7m drop height. It is noted that no fish pass is provided, and it presents moderate risk to salmon adults and eels, and impassable risk to eels, shad, sea lamprey, river lamprey, pike, and cyprinids.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted under an Open Procedure, as detailed in the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Part 1. The process aims to identify suitable applicants who will then be invited to tender for the Cahernahallia Bridge and Blackboy Weir Barrier Mitigation Project. The project falls under the remit of Inland Fisheries Ireland, an agency responsible for the protection and conservation of Ireland's freshwater fish stocks and their habitats. The procurement documents reference the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), indicating adherence to public sector construction procurement best practices. The project's focus on barrier mitigation suggests a strategic driver related to improving aquatic ecosystem connectivity and supporting fish populations.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered suitable:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum of €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess of €10,000 for property only.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum of €13,000,000 per accident. No excess permitted.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Applicants must provide Certificates of Satisfactory Execution for previous projects of a similar nature. The format allows for up to 28 project entries. The specific number or value of required projects is not explicitly stated as a minimum threshold, but the provision for 28 certificates implies a need for substantial relevant experience.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not detailed in the provided extract. However, the process involves a two-stage approach:

1. Suitability Assessment: This is conducted on a Pass/Fail basis. Applicants must meet the minimum standards set out in Section 3 of the SAQ to proceed. Failure at this stage results in elimination from the competition.
2. Tender Evaluation: Qualified applicants will proceed to tender evaluation, where the contract will be awarded. The specific criteria and scoring for this stage are not provided in the current documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Applicants must complete and submit the following documents as the SAQ Submission:

• Part 2 of the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire: This section requires information on the Tenderer's organisation and any entities relied upon for qualification criteria.
• Self-declaration: Either a European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) or Appendix A, as specified in the Project Particulars, if grounds for exclusion under Regulation 57 of SI 284/2016 apply.
• Supporting documentation: Any evidence or other supporting documentation required by the Questionnaire.
• Certificates of Satisfactory Execution: For previous projects of a similar nature. The provided format allows for up to 28 project entries.
• Data Processing Agreement: A signed Data Processing Agreement is a mandatory requirement.

The ESPD, if required, must include Parts II, III, IVα, and V. Part IVα is completed by selecting "YES" to confirm meeting qualification criteria. Tenderers may use an existing ESPD if their circumstances have not changed. All submitted evidence must be current up to the SAQ submission date.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Duration: The Data Processing Agreement specifies a duration from May 1st, 2026, to the end of the contract period. The overall contract length is not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not specified.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for the consultancy services. Data processing obligations include implementing appropriate security measures, notifying breaches, and assisting with data subject rights.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination: The Data Processing Agreement can be terminated for breach by either party.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: The Data Processor shall not engage another processor without prior written authorisation from the Data Controller. If sub-contractors are engaged, the Data Processor must obtain guarantees from them regarding data protection compliance, and the Data Processor remains fully liable for sub-processor performance.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Suitability Assessment Focus: The tender is structured as a Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) under an Open Procedure. This means the initial stage is a Pass/Fail gate, and only qualified applicants will proceed to the tender evaluation. This can be a risk for bidders who invest significant effort in a full tender response without first confirming their suitability.
• Data Processing Agreement: A detailed Data Processing Agreement is a mandatory component of the submission. This requires careful review and understanding of GDPR and Irish data protection legislation, as the processor assumes significant liability for data handling.
• Tight Go-Live for Data Processing: The Data Processing Agreement specifies a start date of May 1st, 2026, for data processing activities. This date is prior to the tender submission deadline of September 28th, 2026, suggesting that the contract award and commencement of data processing activities may be expedited or that the data processing agreement is a prerequisite for tender submission. This timing requires clarification.
• Lack of Specific Project Value for Experience: While numerous slots for previous project certificates are provided, there is no explicit minimum value or number of projects required, making it difficult to gauge the precise scale of experience sought beyond a general indication.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to first qualify applicants based on their suitability. A small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) could credibly bid if they possess strong consultancy capabilities in environmental project management, data handling, and stakeholder engagement, particularly within the fisheries or environmental sector.

• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortiums and joint ventures are explicitly mentioned as acceptable applicant types. Sub-contracting is also permitted, particularly for specialist skills, but the primary applicant remains liable for the sub-contractor's performance, especially concerning data protection.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: The primary effort will be in completing the SAQ, including detailing past projects and ensuring compliance with the Data Processing Agreement. This could require 5-10 days of focused effort for a firm with relevant experience and pre-prepared documentation.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is under an Open Procedure, suggesting it is intended to be competitive. However, the detailed requirements for the Data Processing Agreement and the specific nature of barrier mitigation consultancy may favour firms with demonstrated experience in these areas. The incumbent's identity is not specified, but firms with prior experience with Inland Fisheries Ireland or similar environmental agencies may have an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): NBMP_0832002.01.01.02.007_QC2_Part_1.pdf, NBMP_XX.XX.XX.XXX.AGR, I BAST Cahernahallia Bridge Apron.xlsx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified.
• Most Important Attachments:
• NBMP_0832002.01.01.02.007_QC2_Part_1.pdf (Suitability Assessment Questionnaire Part 1)
• Template_Data_Processing_Agreement.pdf
• Appendix-B1-QC1-and-QC2.docx (List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution)