T.041.2026 Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for requests to participate in a Competition to award a Contract for the development, manufacture, provision and maintenance of Body Armour

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

The contract encompasses the development, manufacture, provision, and maintenance of body armour for An Garda Síochána. The scale of the project is significant, with a total estimated value of €50 million over a potential ten-year period. The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the body armour meets specified performance standards and compliance with relevant regulations.

Key activities include:

• Development: Design and prototype body armour that meets operational requirements.
• Manufacture: Production of body armour in compliance with EN 20471 standards for visibility and other relevant safety standards.
• Provision: Delivery of body armour to over 700 Garda locations across Ireland.
• Maintenance: Ongoing support and maintenance for the body armour, including addressing manufacturing defects for a minimum of 24 months.
• Testing: Conduct independent tests to verify compliance with specified performance requirements, including tensile strengths and colourfastness.
• User Comfort Assessment: Regular assessments to ensure user comfort and operational suitability.

The contractor must also provide a detailed exit plan within six months of the contract's commencement, ensuring a smooth transition at the end of the contract term.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated to enhance the operational capabilities of An Garda Síochána, aligning with national security and public safety objectives. The contract is part of a broader strategy to modernize equipment and improve the safety of Garda personnel. The decision to procure new body armour follows a review of existing equipment and operational needs. No incumbent supplier is specified in the documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €15,000,000 (excluding VAT) from the provision of body armour over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000 limit for any one claim.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 limit for any one claim.
• Product Liability: €13,000,000 limit for any one claim.
• Certifications: Compliance with ISO standards relevant to manufacturing and safety.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable projects in the last five years, demonstrating experience in body armour or similar protective equipment.
• Personnel: Key personnel must have a minimum of five years’ experience in relevant roles.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be able to deliver to Garda locations across Ireland.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, balancing price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A response document following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Detailed CVs for key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Completed using the specified template, detailing costs.
• Case studies: At least three case studies of relevant projects, with values ranging from €1 million to €10 million.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified, but bidders should prepare for potential requirements.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The contract duration is not explicitly stated, but it may extend up to ten years.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon delivery and acceptance of body armour, with specific milestones outlined in the contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance indicators will include delivery timelines, compliance with specifications, and maintenance response times.
• Liquidated damages: Penalties for late delivery or failure to meet performance standards may apply.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated with 14 days’ notice under specific conditions.
• IP ownership: Intellectual property rights for developed designs will remain with An Garda Síochána.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontracting is permitted but must be disclosed in the tender response.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• High turnover threshold: The requirement for a minimum average annual turnover of €15 million may limit participation to larger firms.
• Insurance limits: The specified insurance limits may pose challenges for smaller bidders.
• Geographic delivery: The requirement to deliver to over 700 Garda locations may complicate logistics for some bidders.
• Testing and compliance: The need for independent testing to meet EN standards may require additional resources and time.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) considering this tender should assess the following:

• Credible bidders: Firms with a strong background in manufacturing protective equipment, particularly those with relevant certifications and experience.
• Consortiums: Bidders may form consortiums to meet the financial and technical requirements, which can enhance competitiveness.
• Bid preparation effort: Preparing a bid may require several weeks of effort, including gathering documentation and case studies.
• Pwin signal: The strength of incumbents and the scale of the contract may indicate a lower probability of win for new entrants without prior experience in similar contracts.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: T.041.2026 Attachment 1 RTP Document Tactical Body Armour.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Summary of Requirements
• Appendix 2 — Candidate’s Statement
• Appendix 3 — Declaration of Personal Circumstances