Supply Delivery and Installation of Furniture and Related Services

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 involves the supply, delivery, and installation of furniture and related services for the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS). The contractor will be responsible for providing a range of furniture items suitable for various operational needs within the IBTS facilities. The scale of the work encompasses multiple locations, primarily focusing on the National Blood Centre in Dublin.

Key activities include:

• Furniture Supply: Provision of office furniture, including desks, chairs, storage units, and meeting room furniture.
• Delivery: Transporting all furniture items to designated IBTS locations, ensuring timely arrival and handling.
• Installation: Assembling and installing furniture in accordance with specified layouts and safety standards.
• Aftercare Services: Offering maintenance support and availability of spare parts for a minimum of five years post-installation.
• Compliance with Standards: Adhering to relevant health and safety regulations during installation and ensuring all products meet specified quality standards.

The contractor must also manage logistics, coordinate with IBTS staff for installation schedules, and ensure minimal disruption to ongoing operations during the installation phase.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of furniture and related services is part of the IBTS's ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and improve working conditions for staff. This initiative aligns with broader government policies aimed at modernizing public sector facilities. The IBTS has a history of engaging with suppliers for similar services, and this tender is expected to build on previous experiences to ensure high-quality outcomes. The strategic driver for this procurement is to ensure that the IBTS facilities are equipped with functional and ergonomic furniture that supports the organization's mission.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13M for any one occurrence.
• Public Liability: €6.5M for any one occurrence.
• Product Liability: €6.5M for any one occurrence.
• Professional Indemnity: Not specified.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must provide evidence of compliance with these criteria as part of their submission.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria. The scoring will be based on the following:

Specific scoring thresholds or minimum requirements for each criterion are not detailed in the tender documents.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the named template with specified page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, adhering to page count limits.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing schedule using the named template.
• Case studies: Provide a minimum of two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with values ranging from €50,000 to €200,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Attendance is required; details provided in the tender documents.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via the eTenders platform, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extensions: The contract is for three years, with the possibility of two 12-month extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Goods Contract, with specific terms outlined in Appendix 5.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in detail.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontractors must be disclosed, and the Prime Contractor must maintain overall responsibility.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Mandatory site visit: Attendance is required, which may limit participation from bidders unable to attend.
• Insurance requirements: High indemnity limits may exclude smaller firms without adequate coverage.
• Lack of detailed criteria: The absence of specific turnover, experience, and certification requirements may lead to ambiguity in bidder qualifications.
• No specified contract value: The estimated value is not disclosed, which may create uncertainty regarding the financial viability of the contract.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate the necessary capacity to deliver the required services. Viable bidders should have:

• Experience in supplying and installing furniture, ideally within the public sector.
• The ability to meet insurance requirements.
• Capacity to manage logistics and installation across multiple locations.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing SMEs to collaborate with larger firms if needed. Bid preparation is expected to require several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal. The presence of high indemnity insurance requirements and the mandatory site visit may signal a competitive environment, potentially favoring established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: IBTS Furniture RFT and sample contract.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement