Provision of Services for Preparation of Integrated Source Protection Plan for Kilmeena Group Water Scheme Society Limited (Kilmeena GWS)

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 contractor will provide services to develop an Integrated Source Protection Plan (ISPP) for the Kilmeena Group Water Scheme (GWS). The ISPP aims to safeguard the water source and ensure the provision of safe drinking water. The scope encompasses a comprehensive assessment of the water source catchment, identification of potential risks, and the development of a plan to mitigate these risks.

Key activities and deliverables include:

• Catchment Assessment:
• Detailed characterisation of the water source catchment area.
• Analysis of geological and hydrogeological conditions, including identifying fissures and caves in limestone areas.
• Review of existing data, including monitored data from Ballin Lough between 2007 and 2012, and sampling data from 2000-2001.
• Assessment of land use within the catchment, including agricultural practices and potential sources of contamination.
• Evaluation of surface water and groundwater interactions.
• Risk Identification and Assessment:
• Identification of potential pollution sources and contaminants within the catchment.
• Assessment of the vulnerability of the water source to contamination from various activities, including agricultural fertiliser and organic fertiliser spreading, and the application of soiled water.
• Analysis of historical water quality data, including turbidity, chlorophyll, nitrate, and conductivity, to identify trends and potential issues.
• Evaluation of the mesotrophic/eutrophic status of Ballin Lough between 2007 and 2012.
• Development of the Integrated Source Protection Plan:
• Formulation of specific measures and actions to protect the water source.
• Development of guidelines for land use management within the catchment, including buffer zones for fertiliser application near watercourses, lakes, and abstraction points.
• Establishment of monitoring protocols for water quality and potential risk factors.
• Creation of an emergency response plan for contamination incidents.
• The final ISPP must be completed within 12 months of the award of this contract.
• Reporting and Documentation:
• Provision of regular progress reports to the Client.
• Submission of the final Integrated Source Protection Plan.
• All materials produced for the agreement, including reports, data, and manuals, will vest in the Client.

The contractor is expected to act with due care, skill, and diligence, and comply with all applicable laws and industry best practices.

3. Background & buyer context

Kilmeena Group Water Scheme Co-Operative Society Limited is procuring these services to address the requirement for an Integrated Source Protection Plan (ISPP). This procurement aligns with the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 99/2023), which mandate such plans for water sources. Historical data from Mayo County Council regarding Ballin Lough, sampled between 2000 and 2012, indicates a mesotrophic/eutrophic status and highlights concerns regarding water quality parameters like turbidity and nitrate. The development of this ISPP is a proactive measure to ensure the long-term protection of the Kilmeena GWS water source and the provision of safe drinking water to its consumers.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €1,500,000 Bidders must confirm their ability to upgrade to these levels if successful.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• A minimum of 5 years' practical expertise in catchment science, attained from an accredited academic institution, is required for at least one key personnel.
• A minimum of 10 years' demonstrated expertise in catchment science, attained from an accredited academic institution, is required for at least one key personnel.
• Personnel:
• Key personnel assigned to the Services must be available for the Term of the Agreement.
• Replacement Personnel must have equivalent experience and expertise.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided documentation. The contract will be awarded based on the best submission, which implies a combination of quality and price, consistent with the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle. Specific weighting or scoring thresholds for individual criteria are not stated.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Response Document: The RFT and Submission Clarifications are incorporated by reference into the Agreement. Specific templates or page limits are not detailed in the provided text.
• CVs: Details regarding specific roles, page counts, or experience levels for CVs are not explicitly stated, beyond the minimum experience requirements for key personnel in catchment science.
• Pricing Schedule: Schedule C of the Agreement details the "Charges" to be paid, but the format of the pricing schedule submission is not specified.
• Case Studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (dated 04/06/21) confirming no exclusion grounds under Regulation 57 apply.
• Tax Clearance Certificate is required for payment.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: References to eTenders are made, indicating the submission will likely be through this platform.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Agreement commences on the Effective Date and expires on a date to be specified, unless terminated or extended. The Client may extend the Term for periods of up to one month, with a maximum of six such extensions.
• Payment Terms: Invoicing arrangements are to be agreed. Payment is subject to Contractor compliance, valid invoices, and the Client possessing the Contractor's Tax Clearance Certificate. Invoices are deemed accepted if no queries are raised within 14 calendar days. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 apply.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Service levels and performance indicators are to be set out in Schedule D, which is not provided.
• Liquidated Damages: Not used in the provided text, but a placeholder for weekly/daily deductions for late delivery up to a threshold is present.
• Termination: Either party may terminate with one month's written notice. Immediate termination is possible for serious breaches (if not remedied within 30 days), insolvency, conflict of interest, or if exclusion grounds under Regulation 57 apply.
• IP Ownership: All Intellectual Property Rights in the Materials (reports, data, manuals) produced for the Agreement vest in the Client.
• Sub-contracting: The Contractor is the prime contractor and assumes full responsibility for its subcontractors. The Client can require the replacement of a subcontractor if exclusion grounds apply.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Contract Length Ambiguity: While the ISPP must be completed within 12 months, the contract term allows for multiple one-month extensions, creating potential uncertainty in the overall duration.
• Unspecified Award Criteria: The absence of detailed award criteria and scoring makes it difficult for bidders to understand how their submissions will be evaluated beyond the initial eligibility checks.
• Limited Historical Data: The provided historical data for Ballin Lough is from 2000-2012. The relevance and sufficiency of this data for a current ISPP need to be assessed by bidders.
• Unspecified Value: The lack of an estimated contract value makes it challenging for bidders to gauge the scale and potential profitability of the engagement.
• Potential for TUPE: The inclusion of TUPE Regulations suggests a possibility of a service provision change, which bidders must be aware of.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with specialised expertise in environmental consulting, hydrogeology, and catchment management.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would possess a strong track record in developing source protection plans, with demonstrable experience in water quality assessment, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance within the water sector. Key personnel with significant practical expertise in catchment science are essential.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract allows the Contractor to appoint subcontractors, suggesting that a consortium approach or the use of specialist subcontractors is permissible and potentially encouraged to meet the full scope of work.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid would likely require significant effort, potentially 10-20 days, involving technical proposal development, pricing, and compilation of supporting documentation, especially given the need to demonstrate specific expertise and insurance levels.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is open to competition, with no explicit indication of an incumbent provider. The primary drivers for success will be the quality of the proposed ISPP, the expertise of the personnel, and competitive pricing. The requirement for specific insurance levels and experienced personnel are standard for this type of consultancy.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [Blank_GWS_ISPP_Contract_for_Services.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact Email/Portal: References to eTenders messaging facility for clarifications.
• Key Attachments:
• Schedule B: Specification of Services
• Schedule C: Charges
• Schedule D: Service Levels and Performance Indicators
• Appendix 6: Confidentiality Agreement