Engineering Inspection of Construction of New Car Park

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 requires a qualified consulting engineer to provide periodic inspection, review, and certification services for the construction of a new car park at the James Stephens Park. The engineer will act on behalf of Ballina Stephenites GAA Club to ensure the works comply with the approved design, specification, and industry standards.

The engineer's duties encompass:

• Pre-Start Review: Assessment of the contractor's proposed materials and method statements before construction commences.
• Periodic Site Inspections: Conducting approximately four to five site visits during the construction phase to inspect progress and workmanship.
• Inspection Notes: Preparing concise written records for each site visit.
• Interim Reporting: Preparing one interim report to support a phase payment, confirming compliance with the contract specification and applicable standards.
• Final Inspection and Certification: Preparing a final report confirming that the works have been completed to the required standard, complying with the contract specification and applicable standards.

The construction works involve:

• Stripping 1,709.4m² of existing stone road and grass.
• Installing six rainwater gullies with 100mm PVC piping to an attenuation tank.
• Connecting storm water gullies to a new storm drain, including associated pipework, gully pots, and steel grates.
• Laying Clause 804 over the entire 1,709.4m² area, along with kerbing.
• Laying 1,669.3m² of stone mastic asphalt.
• Line marking on the finished stone mastic asphalt.

The standard of workmanship and materials will be assessed against:

• Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Specification for Road Works, Series 700 (Road Pavements) & Series 900 (Materials).
• BS EN 13108 – Bituminous mixtures.
• BS 594987:2015 – Asphalt for roads and other paved areas (laying and compaction).
• Health & Safety Legislation and Construction Regulations 2013 (as amended).
• The approved design drawings and specifications for the project.

The engineer must be competent under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (as amended) and act in a supporting capacity to the PSDP/PSCS where appropriate. The estimated duration for construction is one to two months, with the engineer's commission extending slightly beyond this for pre-start review and post-completion certification.

3. Background & buyer context

Ballina Stephenites GAA Club is procuring engineering inspection services for the construction of a new car park at their grounds, Stephenites Ground, Lord Edward St, Carrowcushlaun West, Ballina, Co. Mayo. The project involves the construction of a new car park on a green area at the back of the clubhouse. The procurement is being conducted under an open procedure for professional services, below EU thresholds. The appointed engineer will act as the Contracting Authority's representative to ensure the quality and compliance of the construction works. No specific programme or policy drivers are stated, beyond the club's requirement for this infrastructure development. There is no mention of an incumbent provider.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered a suitable and valid bid, tenderers must meet the following mandatory conditions:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Evidence of Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance cover is required. Specific monetary values for these insurances are not stated in the provided text.
• Certifications:
• Registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with Engineers Ireland or an equivalent professional body.
• Past experience: A minimum of five years' relevant post-qualification experience in civil engineering inspection, pavement or car park surfacing.
• Personnel:
• A degree in civil or structural engineering (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent).
• Registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with Engineers Ireland or an equivalent professional body.
• Geographic / facility constraints: The bidder must have an office located within 30 minutes travel time by car from the work site.

Failure to adhere to any of these conditions will result in the tender being immediately invalid.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation of quotations will be based on price and technical merit. The award criterion is the lowest substantially compliant bid. This indicates that while technical compliance is a prerequisite, the lowest price among compliant bids will be selected.

The specific weighting between price and quality is not detailed, but the award is explicitly stated as the "lowest substantially compliant bid," suggesting price is the primary determinant after technical suitability is confirmed.

6. Submission requirements

Tender submissions must consist of a written quotation and supporting documentation. The quotation must clearly detail the proposed works, including net cost, applicable VAT, and total cost inclusive of VAT.

The submission must include:

• Quotation: A written document clearly titled "Quotation" containing:
• Quotation reference number (if applicable).
• Name, address, and contact details of the tenderer.
• Date of issue.
• Clear details of the proposed works.
• Itemised individual elements of the works with a total net cost.
• Applicable VAT rate and amount, shown separately.
• Total cost inclusive of VAT.
• Signature (electronic signature acceptable).
• Tax Clearance: Valid Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) and Tax Clearance Access Number (TCAN).
• Insurance Evidence: Proof of Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance cover.
• Declarations: Not explicitly detailed, but Tax Clearance implies bona fide status.

The quotation must be addressed to Ballina Stephenites GAA Club, James Stephens Park, Lord Edward St, Carrowcushlaun West, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 E622.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be a Public Services Contract. Specific details on contract length beyond the estimated 1-2 months for construction plus certification are not provided. Payment terms are not detailed, though an interim report is required to support a phase payment. No specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are mentioned. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not specified. Termination clauses, intellectual property ownership, sub-contracting rules, and parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are not detailed in the provided text. Standard clauses related to GDPR, FOI, and prompt payments are assumed but not explicitly stated as key terms for this brief.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The primary unusual aspect of this tender is its low estimated value (€11,000.00) combined with the requirement for a Chartered Engineer and specific post-qualification experience. This may deter larger engineering firms who typically operate at higher fee thresholds. The geographic constraint, requiring an office within 30 minutes of the site, further narrows the potential bidder pool to local engineering consultants. The award criterion of "lowest substantially compliant bid" places significant emphasis on price, which could lead to competitive pricing but may also raise concerns about the depth of service provided if not carefully managed by the buyer. The lack of detailed contract terms (SLAs, penalties, etc.) suggests a simpler, more direct appointment, but also leaves room for potential ambiguity if issues arise.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in civil engineering inspection. A credible bidder would be an individual Chartered Engineer (CEng) or a small engineering consultancy firm. The requirement for a Chartered Engineer with a minimum of five years' relevant experience, coupled with the need for an office within a 30-minute drive of Ballina, Co. Mayo, defines the target profile. Consortium bidding or sub-contracting is not explicitly mentioned, suggesting direct engagement is preferred. The bid preparation effort is likely to be moderate, focusing on a clear quotation, tax clearance, and proof of insurance and qualifications. Given the low value and specific local requirement, the "Pwin" (probability of winning) signal is difficult to assess without knowing the local market, but it is unlikely to attract large national firms. The tender appears genuinely open to suitably qualified local engineers or small firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Engineering Inspection of New Car Park.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email / clarification portal: [email protected] or 086-3086047
• Most important attachments:
• Request for Tender document
• Figures showing car park location and size