Presentation De La Salle College - Safe Routes to School - Bagenalstown, Co Carlow

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks a contractor for the "Presentation De La Salle College - Safe Routes to School" project in Bagenalstown, County Carlow. The project's primary objective is to enhance safe access to the college for students and staff. The scope of work involves construction and civil engineering activities to implement designated safe routes.

Key activities and deliverables include:

• Footpath Upgrade: Construction works involving the upgrade of existing footpaths.
• Road Resurfacing: Resurfacing of an existing road to improve surface quality and safety.
• Drainage Network: Works related to drainage network repairs, installation, and connections to manage surface water effectively.
• Traffic Management: Implementation of traffic management systems and measures of a similar scale or nature to ensure the safety of workers and the public during construction.
• Ancillary Civil Works: This may include, but is not limited to, the installation of street furniture, signage, and other associated civil engineering elements to support the safe routes initiative.
• Compliance with Standards: All works must comply with relevant Irish and European standards, including but not limited to IS/EN standards for materials and construction methods, and TII publications where applicable.
• Health and Safety: Strict adherence to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated Construction Regulations 2013 is mandatory. This includes the appointment of a Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) and adherence to all health and safety plans and risk assessments.
• Quality Assurance: Implementation of quality assurance measures to ensure the durability and safety of the completed works.

The project is categorised as a Type 1 project, indicating a value below €1,000,000 (Excluding VAT).

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by Carlow County Council. The project, "Presentation De La Salle College - Safe Routes to School," aligns with national and local government objectives to improve pedestrian safety, particularly for school children. Such initiatives are often supported by broader government programmes focused on active travel, sustainable transport, and enhancing community infrastructure. The project aims to provide a safer environment for students travelling to and from Presentation De La Salle College by upgrading existing infrastructure and implementing new safe access routes. The procurement follows standard public sector tendering procedures for works contracts.

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 indemnity limit of €6,500,000.00 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess: €6,500.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000.00 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess: €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum level of cover of €1.5M. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000. Cover is on an annual aggregate basis.
• Certifications:
• Safe-T-Cert certification is mentioned as potentially equivalent for safety management systems.
• ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent certification for safety management systems may be accepted.
• Past experience:
• Demonstrate competence and relevant experience by providing details of a minimum of three (maximum of 5) projects completed in the past 5 years.
• These projects must be of a similar scale or nature involving:
• Upgrade of footpaths and resurfacing of an existing road.
• Drainage network repairs, installation, and connections.
• Traffic management of a similar scale or nature.
• For specific roles:
• H&S Coordinator / Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS): Minimum 5 years experience as H&S Coordinator in Civil Engineering and minimum 3 to 5 previous schemes in the past 5 years as PSDP on a Civil Engineering/Infrastructure scheme of similar nature and scale.
• General Foreman: Minimum 10 years experience in the Civil Engineering industry.
• Personnel:
• H&S Coordinator / PSCS: Minimum 5 years experience in the role of H&S Coordinator in Civil Engineering.
• General Foreman: Minimum 10 years experience in the Civil Engineering industry.
• CVs for management staff should indicate relevant qualifications, experience on similar projects, and roles held. CVs are limited to a maximum of 2 A4 pages.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

This tender will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The award criteria will be a combination of quality and price. Specific scoring weights and sub-criteria are not detailed in the provided extract, but the process will evaluate bids against both technical merit and cost-effectiveness. Bidders must meet all mandatory eligibility and selection criteria to be considered for award.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following documentation:

• Form of Tender & Schedule: This document will contain the accepted tender and schedule details.
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This will include specific sections related to Health and Safety competence.
• 3.4.1a (HS) Educational and Professional Qualifications (Management): Evidence of management staff qualifications and experience.
• 3.4.1b (HS) Educational and Professional Qualifications (Personnel): Evidence of personnel qualifications and experience.
• 3.4.1c (HS) List of Works Carried Out: Details of previous projects (minimum 3, maximum 5) completed in the past 5 years, similar in nature and complexity. This requires completion of Appendix B1 (List of Previous Projects) and Appendix B2 (Certificate of Satisfactory Execution).
• 3.4.1d (HS) Measures for Ensuring Quality: Declaration of competence, resources, and a safety management system (ISO 45001:2018 or Safe-T-Cert may be accepted).
• 3.4.1e (HS) Average Annual Numbers of Persons Employed: Evidence covering the previous three years of average annual manpower and managerial staff involved in Health and Safety.
• Curricula Vitae (CVs): For management staff and key personnel, limited to a maximum of 2 A4 pages per CV. CVs must demonstrate required experience and qualifications.
• Letter of Undertaking/Bond: Appendix D1 or D2, on Surety's letterhead, confirming bond facilities.
• Banker's Letter: Appendix C, on bank's headed paper, confirming financial standing.
• Safety Statement: In the format outlined by the Health and Safety Authority, addressing requirements in Table 1.
• Declarations: Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, Conflict of Interest (likely within SAQ or ESPD).
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules for electronic submission are not detailed here.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15 (25th November 2025). Key terms include:

• Contract Term: Not specified, but the project involves construction works with a defined scope.
• Extension: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Standard public works contract payment mechanisms apply, likely involving interim payments based on progress and a final account settlement. Prompt payment provisions will apply.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extract, but performance will be measured against timely completion and adherence to contract specifications.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the extract, but standard provisions for delay may apply under the Short Public Works Contract.
• Termination: Standard termination clauses for breach of contract or other specified events will apply as per the PW-CF6 conditions.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: The Contractor may engage sub-processors, subject to prior written notice to the Employer and potential objection. Written contracts with equivalent clauses to those imposed on the Contractor are required.
• Performance Bond: If required by the Schedule, a performance bond may be necessary. Surety companies must be authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland or a recognised EU/EEA financial regulatory authority. Bonds can typically be issued within 4 weeks of a satisfactory application.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Health and Safety Focus: The tender places a significant emphasis on Health and Safety competence, with detailed requirements for the PSCS and other key personnel, including specific experience and qualifications. Failure to meet these HS criteria will result in exclusion.
• Short Public Works Contract: The use of the Short Public Works Contract form suggests a project of moderate complexity and value, but bidders should be familiar with its specific conditions, which differ from standard forms.
• Limited Past Experience Detail: While a minimum of 3 projects is required, the tender does not specify a minimum contract value for these past projects, which could allow for smaller projects to be submitted.
• No Explicit Turnover Requirement: The absence of a specific minimum annual turnover requirement might suggest a broader competition, but financial stability will still be assessed via the Banker's Letter.
• Insurance Excess: The maximum excess for Public Liability (€6,500) and Professional Indemnity (greater of 2% of turnover or €5,000) are key figures to note.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to be accessible to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that possess the requisite technical expertise and experience in civil engineering works, particularly those involving footpath upgrades, road resurfacing, and drainage.

• Who can credibly bid: SMEs with a proven track record in similar civil engineering projects, particularly those involving public realm improvements or infrastructure upgrades, are well-positioned. A strong emphasis on health and safety management and qualified personnel is essential. Firms holding Safe-T-Cert or ISO 45001 certification will have an advantage.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: While the contract allows for sub-contracting, the primary bidder must meet the core eligibility and experience criteria. Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned but are generally permissible in public procurement if structured correctly.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a compliant bid will require significant effort, likely in the range of 10-20 days. This includes gathering evidence for past projects, preparing CVs, completing the detailed Health and Safety sections of the SAQ, obtaining financial and surety letters, and compiling the tender submission.
• Pwin signal: The project value (€300,000) and the use of the Short Public Works Contract suggest a project of moderate scale. The absence of a specific incumbent mention or a framework agreement implies a competitive tender. The detailed health and safety requirements are a critical gate, favouring firms with robust HS management systems.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• [C1177-OCSC-Z1-XX-CD-C-0003-VOLB-A1-C01.pdf] (Volume B – Contract and Form of Tender & Schedule)
• [3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx] (Health and Safety Competence Supplement)
• [Appendix_D1_QW1_Letter_of_Undertaking_Bond.docx]
• [Appendix_D2_QW2_Letter_of_Undertaking_Bond.docx]
• [Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter.docx]
• [Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact Email/Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided text.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [C1177-OCSC-Z1-XX-CD-C-0003-VOLB-A1-C01.pdf] (Contract Conditions)
• [3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx] (Health and Safety Supplement)
• [Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx] (Previous Projects Template)