Proposed Brine and Salt Storage Equipment

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 the supply and installation of proposed brine and salt storage equipment, including a high-speed salt saturator, at the existing Carlow County Council Road Maintenance Facility in Powerstown, Co. Carlow. The works will be procured using an Open Procedure under the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6).

The specific components and activities required include:

• Brine Solution Mixing Plant: The plant must be capable of mixing a minimum of 12,000 litres of 22% brine solution per hour without operator input.
• Salt Silo: A salt silo constructed from GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is required, with a minimum storage capacity of 40 cubic metres of salt.
• High-Speed Salt Saturator: This equipment is a key component for the brine production process.
• Installation and Commissioning: The contractor will be responsible for the installation of all supplied equipment at the specified facility.
• Warranty: All parts and operating systems must be covered by a minimum of a 2-year warranty. Any additional yearly service requirements must be clearly listed, including associated costs, for the first two years.
• Site Preparation: Minimum clearance of 250mm above the proposed concrete yard is required for installation.

The contract will be formed by the Tender Acceptance, post-tender clarifications, the Conditions of the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6), documents describing the Works (Volume A), the completed Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B), and the completed pricing document (Volume C). A Performance Bond may be required.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by Carlow County Council to enhance its road maintenance capabilities. The acquisition of brine and salt storage equipment, including a high-speed salt saturator, is intended to improve the efficiency and capacity of the Council's road treatment operations, particularly during winter weather events. The project is situated at the existing Carlow County Council Road Maintenance Facility in Powerstown, Co. Carlow. No specific programme or policy is explicitly referenced in the provided documentation, but the acquisition aligns with general public service provision and infrastructure maintenance objectives.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered eligible for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• 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.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award will be based on the lowest price. The specific weighting between price and quality is not detailed in the provided documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted in accordance with the following requirements:

• Method statement / response document: Not specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: A completed pricing document (Volume C) is required, which may take the form of a Schedule of Rates or a Bill of Quantities. This document must be submitted as a read-only PDF copy. If requested, a native file and/or .csv format may also be required.
• Case studies: Not specified.
• Declarations:
• Completed Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).
• Bona Fides declaration (implied by submission requirements).
• Tax clearance verification (Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number required).
• Conflict of Interest declaration.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: Electronic submission via the eTenders platform is the required method. Tenderers must ensure sufficient time for upload and a reliable connection.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6).
• Term: Not specified.
• Extension: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Payment is due within 30 days of receiving the Contractor's invoice.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination: Not specified.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified.
• Performance Bond: May be required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The most significant unusual aspect of this tender is the submission deadline of July 20, 2026. This is an exceptionally long lead time for a procurement of this nature, suggesting potential delays in the project commencement or a placeholder date. The absence of specific details regarding the estimated value, contract length, and detailed selection/award criteria within the provided "Instruction to Tenderers" document is also notable. This lack of detail may require bidders to make assumptions or seek extensive clarification, increasing bid preparation effort and risk. The requirement for a 2-year warranty on all parts and operating systems, with associated service costs clearly listed for the first two years, indicates a focus on initial operational support.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in mechanical engineering, fabrication, and installation of industrial equipment, specifically related to fluid handling and storage.

• Credible Bidders: Firms specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of brine production systems, salt storage solutions, or similar process equipment for municipal or industrial applications would be well-positioned. Experience with GRP construction and high-capacity mixing systems would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit or encourage consortium bids or sub-contracting. However, the requirement for a single tender submission per tenderer suggests that if a consortium is formed, it must act as a single entity.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the lack of detailed specifications and the long lead time, bid preparation effort could be moderate to high. Significant time may be required for clarifying scope, developing technical proposals, and preparing pricing, potentially ranging from 10-20 days for a focused bid.
• Pwin Signal: The long submission deadline and the absence of specific value or detailed criteria suggest this tender may be in an early planning stage or subject to external factors. Without an incumbent named or a clear indication of prior procurement history, it is difficult to assess the Pwin signal. The open procedure and short form contract suggest a competitive process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: ITTW4_Open_Procedure_Short_Form_v2.0_18-11-2024.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Via the means of communication stated in the Particulars (not provided in extract).
• Most Important Attachments:
• Documents describing the Works (Volume A)
• Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B)
• Pricing Document (Volume C)