RFT for Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of a High-Temperature AFP/ATL Upgrade Package for TU Dublin

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 contract requires the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a High-Temperature Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) and Automated Tape Laying (ATL) upgrade package for Technological University Dublin's (TU Dublin) existing robotic filament winder platform. This upgrade must enable the processing of both thermoset and thermoplastic tapes, as well as fibre preforms.

The scope of work encompasses the following key activities:

• Supply of Goods: Provision of the AFP/ATL upgrade package, including all necessary hardware, software, and components.
• Delivery: Transportation of the upgrade package to TU Dublin's designated facility.
• Installation: Integration of the new AFP/ATL system with the existing robotic filament winder platform. This includes physical installation and any necessary modifications to the existing setup.
• Commissioning: Testing and verification of the installed system to ensure it meets all specified performance requirements. This phase will confirm the system's capability to process thermoset and thermoplastic tapes and fibre preforms at high temperatures.
• Software Requirements: The system must include software capable of managing the AFP/ATL processes, including path generation, material management, and process monitoring. Specific software requirements are detailed in Appendix 1.
• Technical Capabilities: The upgrade must support high-temperature processing. The system must be capable of handling thermoset and thermoplastic tapes, as well as fibre preforms.
• Optional Add-ons: Tenderers must detail any optional add-ons for the instrument in Appendix 2 (Pricing Schedule). TU Dublin reserves the right to purchase these should funding become available.
• Additional Item: TU Dublin reserves the right to purchase up to one additional item within 18 months of the award notification date.

The contract term is for one year, with the possibility of up to four one-year extensions, making a maximum aggregate contract duration of five years.

3. Background & buyer context

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is procuring this High-Temperature AFP/ATL Upgrade Package to enhance its existing robotic filament winder platform. This procurement aligns with TU Dublin's commitment to providing a practice-based learning environment for its 28,500 students, enabling them to engage with advanced manufacturing technologies. The upgrade is intended to expand the university's capabilities in composite materials processing, supporting research and educational activities. The procurement is conducted under an open procedure, adhering to EU and Irish public procurement regulations.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet specific criteria to be considered for evaluation. These are pass/fail requirements.

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 Million per claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5 Million per claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: €6.5 Million per claim or series of claims. Tenderers must confirm they will hold these insurances for the contract term and are aware of no exclusions that would materially impact coverage.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender, beyond general compliance with environmental, health, safety, and data protection legislation.
• Past experience: Applicants must provide contact details and information for three referees to whom they have provided similar goods and services.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers must also confirm compliance with Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003, and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Health & Safety compliance with relevant legislation is also required.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), determined by a combination of quality and cost.

Tenderers must achieve a minimum of 60% on all qualitative award criteria (Technical Merit, After Sales, Delivery, Environmental & Sustainability) to avoid elimination. Only tenders meeting this threshold will be evaluated for Ultimate Cost. The lowest ultimate cost will receive the maximum score for that criterion. A tie-break mechanism is in place, favouring the tender with the highest score in the highest weighted criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform.

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must use Appendix 1: Tender Response Document to structure their response, detailing how they meet the requirements.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Appendix 2 must be completed, detailing all costs, including shipping, packaging, delivery, and ancillary costs. Prices must be in Euro, exclusive of VAT.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD) must be completed electronically.
• Tenderer’s Statement (Appendix 3) must be signed and returned on letterhead.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4) may be required.
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number are required for online verification.
• Declaration of independent tender preparation.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: www.etenders.gov.ie. Tenders must be uploaded and submitted via the electronic postbox. A maximum of 4GB is allowed per submission. Tenders must be in English.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: One year, with an option for up to four additional one-year extensions, not exceeding five years in aggregate.
• Payment terms: Payment will generally be made net 15 days from the agreed date of delivery to TU Dublin.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in detail, but performance will be evaluated against award criteria including Technical Merit, After Sales, and Delivery.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Standard termination rights for breach are implied, but not detailed in the provided extract.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Tenderers may subcontract, but if relying on a subcontractor's capacity for selection criteria, a separate eESPD must be submitted for that subcontractor. The Prime Contractor is responsible for the overall contract.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Estimated Value of €0: The estimated expenditure is stated as €0 (excl. VAT). This is unusual and may indicate a framework call-off, a pilot project, or that TU Dublin intends to purchase optional add-ons or additional items rather than a core package. Tenderers must clarify expected usage and potential order volumes.
• Optional Add-ons and Additional Item: TU Dublin explicitly reserves the right to purchase optional add-ons and one additional item within 18 months. This introduces uncertainty regarding the total contract value and scope.
• Minimum Scoring Thresholds: The requirement for a minimum 60% score on all qualitative award criteria (excluding cost) is a significant hurdle. Failure to meet this on any single criterion will lead to disqualification, regardless of overall performance.
• No Lowest Price Acceptance: TU Dublin explicitly states it is not bound to accept the lowest priced tender. The award is based on MEAT, with cost being only one component.
• Data Protection Compliance: Tenderers must ensure all data subjects whose personal data is provided have consented to its processing by TU Dublin and other parties involved in the tender process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to a range of suppliers, but the technical nature of the AFP/ATL upgrade package suggests a need for specialised expertise.

• Who can credibly bid: Companies with proven experience in supplying, installing, and commissioning advanced composite manufacturing equipment, specifically AFP/ATL systems, and with expertise in robotic integration and high-temperature processing. This includes manufacturers or specialised integrators of such equipment.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Allowed. SMEs are encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises. Larger enterprises are encouraged to include SMEs in their proposals. If a subcontractor's capacity is relied upon for selection criteria, they must submit a separate eESPD.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Moderate to high. Preparing a compliant tender will require detailed technical responses, accurate pricing for a complex system, and thorough completion of the eESPD and other declarations. Estimating 10-20 days for a well-resourced bid.
• Pwin signal: Not strongly indicated. The €0 estimated value and the emphasis on technical merit suggest TU Dublin is prioritising capability over immediate cost. The open procedure and encouragement of consortia suggest a desire for broad market engagement, rather than favouring an incumbent.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): NCTR2695 - RFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Goods Contract