Galway City Council Bridge Remediation Salmon Weir Bridge

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 bridge remediation works on the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway City. The project involves structural repairs and refurbishment of the existing bridge. The contract duration for completion of the works is approximately 16 weeks.

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Structural Repairs: Undertaking necessary repairs to the bridge structure. This may involve concrete repair, masonry work, and steelwork.
• Corrosion Protection: Application of corrosion protection systems to steel elements, requiring contractors certified to EN ISO 9001:2008 for quality management.
• Concrete Works: Specific concrete works are detailed, including ST2 mix concrete backfilling to within 50mm of the existing surface. The use of concrete admixtures must comply with IS EN 934-2.
• Steel Reinforcement: Works involving steel reinforcement must comply with IS EN 4449 & IS EN 10080, IS EN 4482 & IS EN 10080, IS EN 4483 & IS EN 10080.
• Environmental Protection: Strict environmental controls are mandated, including:
• No mixing of concrete within 50m of any watercourse.
• Chainsaws not to be used within 10m of a watercourse without prior agreement.
• No piles or other potential pollutants within 50m of watercourse banks.
• Fuelling of machinery to be undertaken a minimum of 50m from the stream.
• Quality Management: Contractors must adhere to relevant standards, including EN ISO 9001:2008 for corrosion protection systems.
• Design Integration: The contract may involve novated design documents (Volume D), indicating that some design elements may be provided or finalised by the contractor.
• Project Supervision: The contractor may be appointed as the Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for bridge remediation works on the Salmon Weir Bridge, managed by Galway City Council. The project falls under the broader Galway Bridge Rehabilitations initiative. While specific policy drivers are not detailed, such infrastructure projects typically align with national or regional strategies for maintaining and upgrading essential public infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and supporting local economic activity. The tender documents are based on standard Irish public procurement templates, including ITT-W2 v3.1, indicating adherence to current government procurement guidelines. No incumbent contractor is explicitly mentioned for this specific bridge remediation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 arising from bridge refurbishment works.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property only: €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 annual aggregate limit. The maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Certification to EN ISO 9001:2008 for quality management related to the application of corrosion protection systems is required for steelwork.
• Past experience:
• Must have satisfactorily completed bridge rehabilitation works with a value exceeding €250,000 (excluding VAT).
• Must have undertaken the role of PSCS previously in civil engineering works projects of greater than €250,000 (excluding VAT).
• Personnel:
• Must have a minimum of 5 technical staff (including supervisory staff) employed at any one time over the past 3 years.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The specific weighting between price and quality is not detailed in the provided extract. However, the evaluation process will assess suitability criteria and then award criteria. Bidders must comply with all mandatory requirements to be considered for evaluation. The tender documents mention that the Contracting Authority will assess which tender is either the lowest price or the most economically advantageous.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. The submission will consist of:

• Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B): Executed as indicated in the Particulars.
• SAQ Responses: Suitability Assessment Questionnaire responses.
• Pricing Document (Volume C): Completed in full, excluding VAT unless otherwise stated. A read-only PDF copy is required, with native file formats potentially requested post-tender.
• Works Proposals: Containing information specified in Appendix 1 to the Instructions.
• Additional Information: As specified in Appendix 2 to the Instructions.
• Declarations: Including Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Specialist Information: Letters of agreement from named Specialists, if applicable.
• Project Supervisor Information: Details of the proposed Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage, if applicable.

Tenders must be in English, and any original documents in other languages must include an accurate translation. No qualifications to the tender are permitted.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Formation: The contract is formed by the issue of a Letter of Acceptance, followed by the execution of an Agreement.
• Contract Documents: The contract will comprise the Agreement, Letter of Acceptance, Conditions of Contract, Works Requirements (Volume A), Form of Tender and Schedule (Volume B), Pricing Document (Volume C), Novated Design Documents (Volume D), Works Proposals, and any post-tender clarifications.
• Payment Terms: Not specified in the provided extract.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Termination: Standard termination clauses are implied by reference to Conditions of Contract, but specific details are not provided.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Sub-contracting: The use of Specialists is permitted and requires specific documentation.
• Performance Bond/Guarantee: A performance bond may be required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value Disclosure: The estimated contract value is not disclosed, which is unusual for a public works tender of this nature and may indicate a lack of transparency or a very broad range of potential costs.
• Deadline: The submission deadline is over two years from the latest tender issue date (April 2026), which is an exceptionally long period and may suggest potential for significant changes to project scope or requirements before submission.
• Novated Design Documents: The inclusion of "Novated Design Documents (Volume D)" suggests that the contractor may be required to take on or finalise design elements, which can introduce complexity and risk if not managed carefully.
• Open Procedure: While standard, an open procedure for a project of this nature might attract a wide range of bidders, necessitating robust evaluation criteria to ensure quality.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as an Open Procedure for Works Contractors, meaning any eligible company can bid. However, the specific requirements suggest a focus on experienced civil engineering contractors.

• Credible bidders: Companies with a proven track record in bridge rehabilitation and structural repair, holding the required insurance levels and demonstrating a minimum annual turnover of €500,000 in this specific area. Experience as a PSCS on projects over €250,000 is also a key indicator.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents mention "Joint Ventures" and "Specialists," indicating that consortium bids are permissible. The use of named Specialists for specific elements of work is also anticipated.
• Bid-prep effort: Given the detailed requirements for insurance, experience, and the submission format (multiple volumes, SAQ, Works Proposals), bid preparation is likely to require significant effort, potentially 10-20 working days for a well-prepared SME.
• Pwin signal: The long lead time to the deadline and the lack of disclosed value make it difficult to assess incumbent strength or specific competitive dynamics. The use of standard government templates suggests a competitive process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): [Instruction to Tenderers (Salmon Weir Bridge).pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Queries must be raised in writing via email, using the means of communication stated in the Particulars (not specified in extract). Supplemental information will be issued on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Volume A: Works Requirements
• Volume B: Form of Tender and Schedule
• Volume C: Pricing Document
• Appendix 1: Works Proposals requirements
• Appendix 2: Additional information requirements