C1207 - Category 5 - Climate Action and Science Labs - including Gas Works at Newport College Eircode V94 A3W4

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 construction and installation of climate action and science laboratories at Newport College, including gas works. The project aims to enhance educational facilities in line with environmental sustainability goals. The contractor will be responsible for the following activities:

• Construction of Laboratories: Build dedicated climate action and science labs, ensuring compliance with educational and environmental standards.
• Gas Works: Install gas systems necessary for laboratory operations, adhering to safety regulations.
• Environmental Compliance: Utilize materials and methods that align with the Green Public Procurement Policy, including low carbon construction materials.
• Documentation: Complete all necessary documentation for compliance with the SEAI Triple E Register and provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for materials used.
• Waste Management: Implement a Resource and Waste Management Plan, identifying waste streams and management routes.
• Energy Efficiency: Ensure all systems installed meet high energy efficiency standards as per the SEAI guidelines.
• Project Management: Coordinate with Tipperary ETB and other stakeholders to ensure timely completion of the project within the specified timeframe.

The contractor must also ensure that all materials procured carry CE marking and Declaration of Performance, and that a minimum of 30% clinker replacement is applied in concrete products.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Tipperary Education and Training Board's commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure while promoting sustainability. The project is part of a broader initiative to modernize educational facilities in response to the Government's Climate Action Plan, which prioritizes construction decarbonization. The urgency for this procurement stems from the need to upgrade existing facilities to meet contemporary educational standards and environmental regulations. The incumbent contractor is not specified in the documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1.5 million for the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6.5 million for any one claim.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13 million for any one event.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €2 million for any one accident.
• Certifications: Must hold relevant certifications, including compliance with ISO standards and registration with relevant bodies such as CORU and Safe-T-Cert.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable projects completed in the last five years, demonstrating similar size and complexity.
• Personnel: The project supervisor must have a minimum of five years’ experience in a supervisory role.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be based within 50 km of Newport College.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The price/quality split is 40/60. Bidders must achieve a minimum score of 50% in the quality assessment to be considered for the award.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A detailed response document following the provided template, limited to 20 pages.
• CVs: CVs of key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Completed pricing schedule using the specified template.
• Case studies: At least three case studies of previous projects, with values ranging from €200,000 to €1 million.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Bidders must attend a site visit on [insert date], with prior arrangements made through the consulting engineer.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via eTenders in PDF format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extensions: The contract duration is not specified, but extensions may be granted based on project requirements.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon completion of specified milestones, with a retention of 5% until final completion.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Timely completion of works, adherence to safety standards, and compliance with environmental regulations are critical performance indicators.
• Liquidated damages: A penalty of €300 per day will apply for delays beyond the agreed completion date.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated if the contractor fails to meet performance standards or breaches contract terms.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the project will belong to Tipperary ETB.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted but must be disclosed and approved by the buyer.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns specific to this tender include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €1.5 million may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Geographic constraint: The requirement for bidders to be within 50 km of Newport College could restrict competition.
• Environmental compliance: The need for adherence to stringent environmental standards may pose challenges for firms without prior experience in green procurement.
• Tight timelines: The project may have a tight completion schedule, with significant penalties for delays, which could impact bidders' ability to deliver.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in educational construction projects and a focus on sustainability. Viable bidders should have:

• Relevant certifications and insurance coverage.
• Experience in delivering comparable projects within the specified turnover range.
• Capability to manage environmental compliance and waste management effectively.

Consortium bidding is allowed, which may enable smaller firms to collaborate and meet the requirements. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at 10-15 days, considering the documentation and compliance requirements. The presence of stringent eligibility criteria may signal a competitive bidding environment, particularly if incumbents have a strong track record.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: C1207 - Category 5 - Climate Action and Science Labs - including Gas Works at Newport College
• eTenders CFT ID: not stated
• Contact email: not stated
• Important attachments:
• Appendix H - Green Public Procurement Templates
• Schedule of Maintenance & Warranties & Demonstrations
• Contract Conditions Document