Refurbishments and Extension at Cape Clear Heritage Centre at Oileán Chléire, Co. Corcaigh

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 for refurbishments and an extension at the Cape Clear Heritage Centre on Oileán Chléire, Co. Corcaigh. The project involves construction works under an Open Procedure, utilising the PW-CF6 Short Public Works Contract.

The constituent activities and requirements include:

• Refurbishments: Undertaking necessary works to upgrade and modernise existing facilities within the heritage centre. Specific details of the refurbishment scope are contained within the tender documents describing the Works (Volume A).
• Extension: Constructing a new extension to the heritage centre. The application site comprises an overall site area of 0.581 hectares, with the proposed development extension floor area detailed within the tender documents.
• Construction Contract: The contract will be based on the PW-CF6 Short Public Works Contract.
• Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS): The contractor will be appointed as PSCS under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, if stated in the Schedule. If a nominee is not provided in the SAQ Response, the contractor will be taken to offer to act in this role itself and must be a competent individual or body corporate.
• Site Notice: A site notice must be erected, as per FLL 99.98.
• Wastewater Treatment: Installation of a concrete wastewater treatment system certified by EN12566/3 & NSAI SR66. This includes a TER3 Unit and percolation detail, with specific dimensions such as a distribution attenuation layer of 60sqm or 120sqm, and a raised layer of 75sqm.
• Materials: Specific material requirements are mentioned, including treated timber for flooring (laminate 200mm thick or timber effect vinyl), boards (100 x 19 x 2000mm), cross beams (100 x 19 x 2000mm), and timber batters (38x25mm), counter battens (50x38mm), ceiling joists (44x150mm), and coller beams (100x44mm). Fire-rated solid-core timber doors with viewing panels and hardware conforming to EN 1935 Grade 13 are also specified.
• Environmental Considerations: The tender includes documents such as an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report, Preliminary Construction Environmental Management Plan, Natura Impact Statement (NIS), and Site Characterisation Assessment Report.
• Proximity to Residences: There are 2 houses located within 250m of the development.

3. Background & buyer context

Údarás na Gaeltachta, the agency responsible for the development of the Gaeltacht, is procuring these works. The project aims to refurbish and extend the Cape Clear Heritage Centre on Oileán Chléire, Co. Corcaigh. This initiative aligns with broader objectives for the development and enhancement of cultural and community infrastructure within Gaeltacht areas. While no specific programme is explicitly named, such projects typically support local economic development, heritage preservation, and tourism. The procurement is being conducted under an Open Procedure, indicating a competitive process for works contracts.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000.00 arising from the area of work specified: General Construction/Civil Engineering.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum limit of €6,500,000.00 each and every accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum limit of €13,000,000.00 each and every accident. Maximum excess is €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover is proportionate to the size of the project, with a default level of €1.5m. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Applicants must demonstrate that they have successfully completed at least 3 comparable projects. Specific details on the size or complexity of these projects are not explicitly stated as a minimum requirement in the provided text.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the project location itself.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criterion is the lowest price. The tender process follows an Open Procedure for Works Contractors using the Short Public Works Contract. Evaluation will focus on assessing tenders to determine the lowest price. Specific scoring weights are not detailed, but the primary determinant for award will be the submitted price, provided the tender meets all mandatory suitability and compliance requirements.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. Key submission components include:

• Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B): Completed in accordance with the provided template.
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Completed in the format stated in the Particulars.
• Pricing Document (Volume C): This will be a Schedule of Rates or Bill of Quantities, either prepared by the Contracting Authority or the Tenderer, as specified in the Particulars. A read-only PDF copy must be submitted with the Tender.
• Additional Information: As specified in Appendix 2 to the Instructions.
• Declarations: Tenderers must provide Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: eTenders platform (etenders.gov.ie). Tenderers must allow sufficient time for upload and ensure a reliable connection.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the PW-CF6 Short Public Works Contract. Key terms include:

• Contract Length: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not specified.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate the competition or contract.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified.
• Performance Bond: May be required upon award.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The estimated value of €300,000.00 is relatively low for a public works contract, which might suggest a focus on specific local contractors or a simpler scope than typical large-scale projects. The requirement for a wastewater treatment system certified by EN12566/3 & NSAI SR66 indicates a specialised technical component. The remote island location of Oileán Chléire presents logistical challenges for material delivery and workforce access, which bidders must factor into their pricing and planning. The tender documents are issued by TOBIN on behalf of Údarás na Gaeltachta, with TOBIN holding copyright, which is a standard consultancy arrangement.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as an Open Procedure for Works Contractors using the Short Public Works Contract, with an estimated value of €300,000. This suggests it is accessible to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with general construction and civil engineering capabilities.

• Credible Bidders: SMEs with a demonstrated track record in general construction, civil engineering, and potentially experience with heritage or sensitive site refurbishments would be well-suited. Experience with specialised systems like EN12566/3 certified wastewater treatment is advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents mention joint ventures and consortia signing the Form of Tender, indicating these structures are permitted. Sub-contracting is not explicitly detailed but is generally permissible under standard contract terms, provided it is managed appropriately.
• Bid-Prep Effort: Given the scope and the need to complete SAQ, pricing documents, and potentially specific technical details for the wastewater system, bid preparation could require 5-10 days of focused effort for an experienced SME.
• Pwin Signal: The Open Procedure and the estimated value suggest a competitive market. There is no clear indication of an incumbent or a framework arrangement. The primary Pwin factor will be the competitiveness of the price, combined with meeting all mandatory requirements.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [12085-02 - ITT (Instructions to Tenderers).pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Queries must be raised in writing via the means of communication stated in the Particulars (not detailed in the provided text).
• Key Attachments:
• Instructions to Tenderers (ITT-W4 v2.0)
• Documents describing the Works (Volume A)
• Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B)
• Pricing Document (Volume C)