N4 Active Travel Collooney to Castlebaldwin Ground Investigations

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 ground investigation services for the N4 Active Travel Collooney to Castlebaldwin project. The contractor will be responsible for conducting detailed site investigations to inform the design and construction of active travel infrastructure along this route. The scope encompasses a range of geotechnical and geo-environmental activities.

Key activities include:

• Ground Investigation: This is the primary focus, involving the systematic exploration of subsurface conditions. Specific requirements include:
• Cable percussion holes with a minimum diameter of 200mm.
• A minimum of 150mm diameter casing for boreholes.
• Sampling and in-situ testing to IS EN 933 standards, conducted by a Professional Geologist.
• Site Operations: The contractor must manage all site operations safely and efficiently. This includes:
• Securing the site and preventing unauthorised access.
• Maintaining the site in good order and free from obstructions.
• Ensuring the safety of persons on site and protecting nearby areas from hazards.
• Minimising nuisance or inconvenience to the public and users of adjacent land, roads, or footpaths.
• Avoiding damage to the site or surrounding property unless unavoidable.
• Reporting and Documentation: The contractor will be required to provide comprehensive reports on the investigation findings. This includes:
• Providing information and samples to the Employer for inspection, testing, and observation.
• Notifying the Employer’s Representative in good time before any part of the works is covered or materials are packed, to allow for inspection.
• Complying with instructions regarding the uncovering, dismantling, re-covering, or re-erecting of work for testing or inspection.
• Personnel and Management: The contractor must ensure all personnel are suitably qualified, trained, and experienced. They must also implement their proposed programme, arrangements, methods of working, and quality assurance procedures.
• Co-operation: The contractor must cooperate with the Employer and its representatives, and any other contractors working on the site.
• Discovery of Artefacts: In the event of discovering national monuments, archaeological objects, or human remains, the contractor must not disturb them, must take steps to preserve them, and promptly notify the Employer.

The contract is based on the PW-CF7 Investigation Contract Conditions, v1.7, dated 25th November 2025.

3. Background & buyer context

Sligo County Council is procuring these ground investigation services as part of the N4 Active Travel Collooney to Castlebaldwin project. This initiative aligns with national and regional strategies to enhance active travel infrastructure, promoting sustainable transport options and improving connectivity. The project is likely funded through government schemes or grants focused on active travel and infrastructure development. The procurement is being conducted under standard public sector tendering procedures, adhering to EU and Irish procurement regulations. The contract is based on the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation's PW-CF7 Investigation Contract template.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum Yearly Turnover arising from the area of work specified: Ground / Site Investigation: €300,000.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess for property only: €10,000.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess: €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit annual aggregate €6,500,000. Maximum permissible excess on Professional Indemnity Insurance in any one claim is the greater of 2% of the Tenderer’s annual turnover or €5,000. A separate requirement states a minimum level of €1,500,000 for the Works Contractor.
• Certifications:
• Safety Management System in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Accreditation to IS EN ISO 9001 and IS EN ISO 14001.
• Past experience:
• Must have undertaken the role of PSCS (Project Supervisor for Construction Stage) on a minimum of 3 contracts over the past 5 years with a capital cost in excess of €100,000 that involved at least 4 of a specified list of items (not detailed in the provided extract).
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in ground investigation contracts.
• Must have completed a minimum of 3 contracts over the past 5 years with a capital cost in excess of €100,000.
• Personnel:
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience is required for certain roles (specific roles not detailed in the provided extract).
• 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 award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided extract. However, the tender documents indicate that evaluation will be based on a combination of quality and price. The selection criteria (eligibility) must be met as a prerequisite to evaluation. The contract conditions state that if no percentage is specified for certain insurance excesses, 10% applies.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following:

• Completed Tender Form: Including pricing schedule.
• Contractor’s Proposals: This should include:
• The Contractor’s programme for the investigation.
• A general description of the Contractor’s arrangements and methods of working.
• A general description of the Contractor’s management arrangements.
• A description of the Contractor’s quality assurance procedures.
• Any other information required by the Scope.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD).
• Bona Fides declarations.
• Tax clearance certificates.
• Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Evidence of Insurance: As required under clause 12.8 of the contract conditions.
• List of Previous Works Projects: As per Appendix B1, detailing completed projects similar in nature and complexity. Certificates of Satisfactory Execution (Appendix B2) are also required.
• Performance Bond and PSCS Appointment: If required by the Schedule, within 7 days of acceptance of tender.
• Number and type of copies: Stated in the Invitation to Tender document.

The submission must be made via the eTenders platform by the specified deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Length: Not explicitly stated, but the contract comes into effect upon written acceptance of the tender and the contractor must complete the investigation according to the contract.
• Payment Terms: Payments are made in instalments as scheduled. The contractor issues a payment claim notice, the Employer’s Representative certifies the amount due within 14 days, and the Employer pays within 30 days of receiving the invoice. Interest applies for late payments as per EU Regulations.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance Periods for Tasks are defined in the Tasks Table. Failure to complete within the Performance Period results in a Price reduction.
• Liquidated Damages/Penalties: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extract, but a Price reduction applies for delayed task completion.
• Termination: The Employer may terminate the contractor's obligation to complete the investigation under specific circumstances, such as prolonged suspension of work.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Sub-contracting: The contractor may not subcontract the whole investigation. Subcontracting parts requires the Employer’s Representative’s consent, unless allowed or required by the Scope.
• Performance Bond/Guarantee: May be required as stated in the Schedule, executed by the Contractor and an approved surety.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover Requirement vs. Contract Value: The stated minimum annual turnover of €300,000 for ground investigation work is relatively low compared to typical public sector contracts of this nature, potentially indicating a smaller scope or a desire to attract smaller firms. However, the absence of an estimated contract value makes direct comparison difficult.
• Insurance Requirements: The Professional Indemnity Insurance requirement of an annual aggregate of €6,500,000 is substantial. The clause regarding the permissible excess (greater of 2% of turnover or €5,000) could be a significant cost factor for smaller bidders if their turnover is high.
• PSCS Experience: The requirement for PSCS experience on 3 contracts over 5 years with a capital cost exceeding €100,000, involving at least 4 specific items, may limit the pool of eligible bidders if those items are highly specialised.
• Contract Template: The use of the PW-CF7 Investigation Contract Conditions, v1.7, indicates a standard government-issued template, which generally implies well-defined terms but may also contain clauses that are less flexible for bespoke situations.
• Weather Event Clause: Clause 4.6 details specific weather event criteria for time extensions, referencing Met Éireann data and specific measurement types (rainfall, temperature, wind speed). This provides a defined mechanism but requires careful understanding for programme management.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely open to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in ground investigation services. A viable bidder would need to demonstrate:

• Specialised Expertise: Proven experience in ground investigation, including specific techniques like cable percussion drilling and adherence to relevant EN standards.
• Financial Standing: The ability to meet the €300,000 annual turnover requirement in ground investigation and secure substantial insurance cover, particularly Professional Indemnity.
• Safety & Quality Management: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications are mandatory, which can be a significant hurdle for very small businesses.
• PSCS Experience: Demonstrating the required PSCS experience on relevant projects is crucial.

Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract states the contractor may not subcontract the whole investigation. Subcontracting parts requires consent unless allowed by the Scope. This suggests that while sub-contracting is possible, the lead bidder must retain significant control and responsibility. Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned but are generally permissible under open procedures if structured correctly.

Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid, especially with the detailed Contractor's Proposals, past experience documentation (Appendix B1/B2), and insurance evidence, could require 10-20 days of effort for a firm with established processes.

Pwin Signal: The tender is structured as a single lot, and the specific nature of ground investigation suggests that incumbent advantage might be less pronounced than in construction. However, firms with existing relationships with Sligo County Council or those familiar with the specific project area might have an edge. The mandatory certifications and insurance levels are significant barriers, potentially favouring established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [1.0 N4ATCCP Site Investigation_Invitation to Tender.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in provided documents.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not surfaced in provided documents.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [PW-CF7_Contract_v1.7_25-11-2025.pdf] (Investigation Contract Conditions)
• [Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx] (List of Previous Works Projects)
• [1.0 N4ATCCP Site Investigation_Invitation to Tender.pdf] (Invitation to Tender)