Request for Tender for the Control of Rhododendron ponticum in Wild Nephin National Park - Autumn 2026 (Treanlaur, Newport, Co. Mayo)

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ | :------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :------------------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage Request for Tender for the Control of Rhododendron ponticum in Wild Nephin National Park - Autumn 2026 (Treanlaur, Newport, Co. Mayo) Not stated €100,000 Not stated Open Procedure 1 Co. Mayo, Ireland 6 months 2026-09-11 17:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, seeks tenders for the control of Rhododendron ponticum. The services are to be delivered in Wild Nephin National Park, specifically in the Treanlaur area of Newport, Co. Mayo. The contract duration is six months, with an estimated expenditure of €100,000 (excluding VAT) over this term.

The core activity involves the application of Glyphosate using treatment methods appropriate for local conditions. The specific area requiring treatment is approximately 7.05 hectares. The services must be completed by November 30, 2026. Pricing submitted by tenderers must be inclusive of all labour and materials.

Key components of the scope include:

• Location: Treanlaur, Newport, Co. Mayo.
• Target Species: Rhododendron ponticum.
• Treatment Area: Approximately 7.05 hectares.
• Methodology: Glyphosate application, employing methods suitable for the specific site conditions.
• Completion Deadline: By November 30, 2026.
• Contract Duration: Six months.
• Pricing Inclusions: Labour, materials, shipping, packaging, delivery, ancillary costs, and all other expenses. Prices are to be quoted in Euro, exclusive of VAT.
• Reporting: Tenderers must outline their approach to liaison and reporting to the NPWS.
• Health and Safety: Management of Health and Safety for personnel and the public is a requirement, including the preparation of a Risk Assessment before commencing the contract.
• Project Plan: Tenderers must provide a project plan detailing key tasks and time requirements.

The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the Term for two further periods, each of up to three months, subject to legal obligations.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), a division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The NPWS is responsible for the management and conservation of Ireland's natural heritage, including its national parks. Wild Nephin National Park is a designated area for conservation.

The current tender addresses the need for invasive species control, specifically Rhododendron ponticum, within a defined section of the park. Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive plant species that can outcompete native flora and alter natural habitats. The timing of the tender, "Autumn 2026," indicates a seasonal approach to this management activity.

The estimated contract value of €100,000 suggests a project of moderate scale. The NPWS aims to encourage participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourages larger enterprises to consider how SMEs can be included in their proposals. The procurement follows an open procedure under EU and Irish regulations.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet specific criteria to be considered for evaluation. These are divided into Economic and Financial Standing and Technical and Professional Ability.

• Economic and Financial Standing:

• Tax Clearance: Tenderers must possess a current Tax Clearance Certificate, with evidence to be provided upon contract award. Compliance with social security and revenue obligations throughout the contract duration is mandatory.

• Insurance: Tenderers must provide evidence of insurance policies as specified in section 2.21. This includes:

• Employer's Liability: €12.7 million limit per claim.

• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit per claim.

• Product Liability: €500,000 per claim.

• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000 per claim.

• Alternative Documentation: If unable to provide specified documentation for valid reasons, alternative suitable documentation proving economic and financial capacity may be accepted at the Contracting Authority's discretion.

• Technical and Professional Ability:

• Workforce and Organisation: Tenderers must confirm access to appropriate resources and skills. This requires:

• An overview of the organisation's experience and capabilities for this contract.

• Numbers of personnel available for key roles.

• A list of available equipment, resources, and facilities.

• An organisation chart defining roles and responsibilities (including subcontractors).

• Previous Experience: Tenderers must demonstrate successful delivery of at least three comparable contracts (in scale, nature, quality, and complexity) within the three years preceding the tender deadline. Details of services provided, comparability to the RFT requirements, and client engagement methods must be outlined.

• Quality Assurance (Environmental Management and Health & Safety): Tenderers must demonstrate adequate measures for quality service delivery, including:

• Description of the Tenderer’s Environmental Management regime.

• Description of the Tenderer’s Health & Safety regime.

• Details of any third-party certifications.

All selection criteria are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender, determined by a combination of qualitative and cost criteria.

Qualitative Criteria (1 & 2): These will be assessed first. Tenderers must achieve the minimum qualifying threshold for both Award Criteria 1 and 2 to proceed to the cost evaluation.

• Expertise and Skills (30%): Assessed based on:
• CVs of key personnel (Contract Manager, site manager/team leaders).
• On-site personnel and equipment/resources required for the project plan.
• Valid certifications/training for personnel and equipment.
• Approach (40%): Assessed based on:
• Contract management approach, including designated Contract Manager, liaison, and reporting to NPWS.
• Health and Safety management for personnel and the public, including a Risk Assessment.
• Project Plan outlining key tasks and time requirements.

Cost Criteria (3): This criterion accounts for 30% of the total marks. Pricing must be inclusive of labour and materials and submitted using the provided Appendix 2 Pricing Schedule.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders.gov.ie portal.

• Submission Method: Via the electronic postbox on www.etenders.gov.ie only. Tenders submitted by any other means will not be accepted.
• Format: All electronic documents must be in a readable format, such as PDF, and must not be corrupt.
• File Size Limit: Maximum of 4GB for total combined documents.
• Submission Deadline: Tenders must be received no later than 17:00 on September 11, 2026. Late tenders will not be considered.
• Language: Tenders must be submitted in English.
• Tenderer's Statement: A scanned, signed copy of the Tenderer's Statement (Appendix 3), printed on the tenderer's letterhead, must be returned. Signatures must be legible.
• Pricing Schedule: Appendix 2 must be completed.
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD): An e-ESPD must be completed and submitted.
• Declarations:
• Appendix 4: European Single Procurement Document (ESPD).
• Appendix 5: Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer.
• Consortia/Subcontractors: If a group of undertakings submits a tender, a single nominated entity must represent all members. Details of all members and their roles are required.
• Queries: All queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie by 17:00 on September 2, 2026.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The contract is for a fixed term of six months.
• Extensions: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the Term for two further periods, each of up to three months, subject to legal obligations.
• Pricing: All prices quoted must be all-inclusive (labour, materials, etc.), expressed in Euro, and exclusive of VAT. Prices must remain valid for the duration of the Term. Currency variations over the contract term are borne by the Tenderer.
• Payment: Payments are subject to and made in accordance with the Services Contract at Appendix 6. Invoices are deemed accepted if no queries are raised within 14 days.
• Termination: The contract can be terminated at 14 days' notice. Remedial actions for breaches are required within 30 days of written request.
• Sub-contracting: Tenderers must designate a single entity (Prime Contractor) responsible for the contract, irrespective of subcontracting.
• Insurance: The successful Tenderer must hold specified insurance levels throughout the contract term.
• Environmental, Social, and Labour Law: Compliance with all applicable EU and national laws, collective agreements, and international standards is mandatory.
• Data Protection: Tenderers must comply with all applicable national and EU data protection laws.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Tight Completion Deadline: The requirement for services to be completed by November 30, 2026, within a six-month contract term, may present a risk if the award is delayed or if unforeseen site conditions arise.
• Seasonal Work: The tender specifies "Autumn 2026," indicating a specific operational window. Delays in the procurement process could impact the ability to complete the work within this window.
• Estimated Value vs. Contract Term: The estimated value of €100,000 for a six-month contract, with potential extensions, is a key figure. Tenderers should ensure their pricing reflects this.
• Open Procedure with Specific Location: While an open procedure is used, the specific location and nature of the work (invasive species control in a national park) may naturally limit the pool of highly specialised and experienced bidders.
• Insurance Requirements: The specified insurance limits, particularly Public Liability (€6.5 million) and Professional Indemnity (€1 million), are substantial for a contract of this estimated value and may be a barrier for smaller, less established firms.
• Pass/Fail Selection Criteria: The use of Pass/Fail for Technical and Professional Ability criteria means that failure to meet any one of these requirements will result in exclusion, leaving no room for negotiation or partial scoring.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to be accessible to SMEs, but with specific requirements that necessitate careful consideration.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a company with demonstrable experience in invasive species control, particularly using chemical application methods like Glyphosate. They must possess the necessary environmental and health & safety accreditations and robust management systems. The insurance requirements are significant and may necessitate a larger or well-established SME.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender explicitly allows for groups of undertakings (consortia) and the use of subcontractors. This provides an avenue for SMEs to participate, potentially by partnering with other firms to meet the insurance or experience requirements, or for larger firms to include SMEs in their proposals.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid will likely require significant effort. This includes:
• Completing the e-ESPD and other declarations.
• Developing a detailed Project Plan and approach to management and H&S.
• Gathering evidence for previous experience (at least three comparable contracts).
• Compiling CVs for key personnel.
• Ensuring all insurance and tax clearance documentation is in order.
• A reasonable estimate for bid preparation could range from 10 to 20 working days for a dedicated team, depending on the availability of existing documentation and the complexity of the required plans.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is open, but the specific technical requirements, insurance levels, and the need for at least three comparable projects in the last three years suggest that bidders with a proven track record in similar environmental management contracts will have a stronger position. The NPWS's stated aim to encourage SME participation, alongside the allowance for consortia, indicates a desire for a competitive field.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: RFT Control of Rhododendron ponticum in Wild Nephin National Park (Treanlaur) Autumn 2026.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact Email/Portal: Queries must be directed via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 6: Services Contract