Refurbishment of locker facility and associated works at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway

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 the refurbishment of a locker facility and associated works at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway. The project involves construction and refurbishment activities within an existing military facility.

The scope of work includes:

• Locker Room Refurbishment: This is the primary focus, encompassing the upgrade and modernisation of locker facilities. Specific details regarding the extent of refurbishment are not fully detailed in the provided metadata but will involve construction works.
• Associated Works: This category is broad and suggests that the project may extend beyond the locker rooms to include other related construction or repair activities within the Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa site.
• Floor Details: Specific floor details are referenced in the provided documents, including "NEW CONC. FLOOR DETAIL" and "INSULATION TO EXISTING SUSPENDED TIMBER FLOOR DETAIL". This indicates work on ground floor slabs, insulation between timber joists, and the installation of radon membranes and various insulation types (cork board, PIR insulation).
• Materials and Standards: The work will require adherence to specific material specifications and construction standards, including IS EN standards for cement, concrete, blocks, and masonry. Adhesives must comply with EN 204 durability class D3. Timber described as treated with preservative requires two coats of treatment. Concrete placement requires a minimum temperature of 5°C.
• Site Access and Duration: Contractors will be allowed to occupy and use the site within 10 days from the date of contract award.
• Health and Safety: A significant emphasis is placed on Health and Safety compliance, requiring adherence to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated Construction Regulations 2013. This includes the provision of safety statements, risk assessments, method statements, and evidence of staff training.

The project area for the locker rooms is specified as 770 m².

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by the Department of Defence for works at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway. The specific strategic drivers or policy initiatives behind this refurbishment are not detailed in the provided metadata. However, it falls within the general remit of maintaining and upgrading Defence Forces infrastructure. The project is identified as a Type 1 project, indicating an estimated value below €1,000,000 (excluding VAT). The tender documents reference the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, highlighting the regulatory environment for public works projects in Ireland.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Average annual turnover of €0.5 million in construction work over the period specified in the qualification criteria.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess of €10,000 for property damage only. No excess permitted for death, injury, or illness.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident. No permitted excess.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover to be not less than the total contract amount plus 30%. The maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of the tenderer's annual turnover or €5,000. Cover is provided on an annual aggregate basis.
• Contractors All Risk Insurance: Minimum cover of not less than the Contract Sum plus 30%.
• Certifications:
• ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent for safety management system is acceptable.
• Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent for safety management system purposes.
• Past experience:
• At least 3 no. individual separate projects of works similar in nature, size, and complexity, successfully completed within the past 5 years, while working as a main contractor. Projects must have reached substantial completion by the tender submission date.
• Personnel:
• Contracts Manager: If no formal qualifications, must have at least 10 years' experience in the Building Trade, including at least 5 years in a management role.
• Foreman (Site Manager): If no formal qualifications, must have at least 10 years' experience in the Building Trade, including at least 5 years as a Foreman.
• Health and Safety Personnel: Must have a Degree/diploma or equivalent H&S training, or at least 3 years' experience as a Health and Safety Manager/Site Safety Officer on building construction projects.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata. However, the tender process will likely follow standard public procurement procedures, which typically involve a balance of price and quality. Given the nature of construction works, quality considerations would include technical capability, health and safety compliance, and past performance. The specific weighting for price versus quality (MEAT - Most Economically Advantageous Tender) is not stated.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This is the primary submission document, comprising Part 2 (Applicant Details and Declaration) and relevant Health and Safety Supplements (e.g., 3.4.1).
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects, detailing up to 3 reference projects.
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution for each reference project.
• Appendix C: Bankers Letter confirming financial standing.
• Curricula Vitae (CVs): For management staff and personnel, detailing relevant qualifications, experience, and roles on past projects. Page limits for CVs are not specified.
• Health and Safety Documentation: Including Safety Statement, risk assessments, method statements, and evidence of staff training.
• Declarations: Including ESPD (European Single Procurement Document) or Appendix A, declarations regarding registrable interests, conflicts of interest, data subject consent, and compliance with sanctions regulations (Russia, Foreign Subsidies, IPI measures).
• Pricing Schedule: Format and template not specified.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified.
• Submission Portal: Bids must be submitted via eTenders.gov.ie. Specific format rules for electronic submission are not detailed.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Duration: The contract duration is not specified. However, insurance cover is required from the Start Date to the Defects Certificate Date, and potentially thereafter if the contractor returns to the site.
• Payment Terms: Not specified. Standard prompt payment regulations for public contracts will apply.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination Clauses: A 21-day written notice period to terminate is mentioned in relation to insurance cover.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover Requirement: The €0.5 million average annual turnover requirement is relatively low for a construction project, potentially indicating a smaller scale or a desire to encourage SME participation. However, it is a binding requirement.
• Insurance Cover: The requirement for Contractors All Risk insurance to be "No less than Contract Sum amount plus a minimum of 30%" is a standard but significant financial commitment. The Professional Indemnity insurance excess calculation (greater of 2% of turnover or €5,000) needs careful review by bidders.
• Health and Safety Focus: The extensive Health and Safety documentation requirements (3.4.1 HS criteria) indicate a high level of scrutiny in this area, which is typical for public works but requires thorough preparation.
• Lack of Specificity: Key details such as contract value, duration, and specific award criteria weighting are not disclosed in the metadata, requiring bidders to consult the full tender documents.
• Project Value Band: Identified as a Type 1 project (<€1,000,000 excluding VAT), this suggests the overall contract value will be within this range, which should be cross-referenced with the insurance requirements.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender appears structured to be accessible to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector.

• Credible Bidders: A small to medium-sized construction firm with a proven track record in refurbishment projects, strong health and safety management systems (potentially ISO 45001 certified or Safe-T-Cert accredited), and the capacity to meet the insurance requirements would be a credible bidder. The €0.5 million turnover requirement is manageable for many SMEs.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Part 2 explicitly allows for applicants to be a Consortium or Joint Venture and to rely on the capacity of other entities (including subcontractors). This opens the door for SMEs to partner or sub-contract to meet specific criteria.
• Bid-Prep Effort: The effort to prepare a bid will be moderate to high, primarily driven by the detailed SAQ, extensive Health and Safety documentation, and the requirement for 3 detailed reference projects with certificates. An estimate of 10-20 days of focused effort for a competent SME, potentially involving external consultants for H&S or quality assurance, is reasonable.
• Pwin Signal: The tender does not explicitly indicate an incumbent. The relatively low turnover requirement and the allowance for consortia suggest an intention to foster competition. The absence of a stated high value or complex technical challenge points towards a standard refurbishment project where multiple competent firms could realistically bid.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• [QW-Part-2-v1.1-18-11-2024.docx]
• [3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx]
• [Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx]
• [Schedule of Insurance Requirements.pdf]
• [Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter.docx]
• [5th June 2026 No.7 Locker Room Upgrade 2024-March 2026-7.Fl.Details.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in metadata.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Via the eTenders platform.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) - Part 2
• Health and Safety Competence Supplement (3.4.1)
• Schedule of Insurance Requirements