National Barrier Mitigation Programme - Topographical and Bathymetric Surveys

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 topographical and bathymetric survey services for various barrier mitigation projects across Ireland under the National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP). The primary objective is to gather detailed site information to inform the design and implementation of measures to improve fish passage at identified barriers.

The scope of work involves conducting surveys at numerous locations, categorised into eleven lots, each covering specific geographical areas:

• Lot 1: Donegal/Leitrim
• Lot 2: Mayo/Sligo
• Lot 3: Galway
• Lot 4: Clare/Limerick
• Lot 5: Cork/Waterford
• Lot 6: Wicklow
• Lot 7: Not specified
• Lot 8: Not specified
• Lot 9: Kildare/Offaly
• Lot 10: Not specified
• Lot 11: Louth/Cavan

The surveys will focus on a range of structures identified as barriers to fish migration. These include:

• Bridges and Bridge Aprons: Such as Cloontagh Bridge, Feenune Bridge, Lullybeg Bridge 1 & 2, and Athclare Bridge. These often present vertical drops or slopes hindering fish passage.
• Weirs: Including Ballintra River Weir, Bungosteen River Weir, Newmills Weir, Tullyhoner Weir, Largydonnell Gravel Trap, Brusna Weir, Curry Weir, Roxborough Weir, Rosnalee Weir, Milltown (Greese River) Weir, Ballygassan Weir, Athclare Bridge Weir, and White River Mill Weir. These structures vary in material (concrete, masonry, natural bedrock) and design (tiered, vertical, sloping).
• Culverts: Such as Carrowntober Culvert, Ballynure Culverts, and Glenart Culvert. These can impede passage due to velocity, drop height, or internal configuration.
• Fords: Like Crossmolina Ford, which can act as barriers due to their construction and flow characteristics.
• Sand Traps: Such as Kilmallock Sand Trap, which can also present passage issues.
• Old Fish Counters: Like Kilcolgan/Dunkellin Old Fish Counter, which are now redundant but still act as barriers.

For each identified barrier, the contractor will be required to perform topographical surveys to map the surrounding area and bathymetric surveys to map the underwater topography of the river or watercourse. The specific deliverables will include detailed survey data, likely in digital formats, to support the engineering design of mitigation measures. The appendices detail specific project locations, including coordinates and descriptions of the barriers, such as Cloontagh Bridge (600mm vertical drop), Ballintra River Weir (11.0m width, 1.4m height), and Newmills Weir (25.0m width, 1.0m drop height).

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement falls under Inland Fisheries Ireland's (IFI) National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP). The programme aims to address barriers that impede the migration of fish species, thereby restoring ecological connectivity and improving fish populations. The identified barriers, including weirs, bridges, culverts, and other structures, significantly impact migratory species such as salmon, trout, and lamprey by preventing access to upstream spawning and juvenile rearing habitats.

The NBMP aligns with broader national and EU environmental objectives related to biodiversity conservation and water quality. IFI, as the contracting authority, is responsible for the conservation, development, and improvement of salmon, trout, and coarse fish stocks and their habitats in Ireland. This tender is a crucial step in gathering the necessary data to plan and execute effective mitigation strategies for these barriers. The programme's focus on specific geographical areas across Ireland indicates a strategic, nationwide approach to fish passage improvement.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property damage is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 per accident. If no value is entered, the applicable amount is €2,600,000.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €600,000 on an Each and Every claim basis and €700,000 on an Annual Aggregate basis.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel:
• Personnel must possess a minimum Level 8 qualification recognised by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), or an equivalent qualification, in Geodetic Surveying, Geomatics, Geographic Science, or Civil Engineering.
• Personnel must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the installation and management of relevant systems.
• Personnel must have at least 84 months (7 years) post-graduate experience from Level 7 qualifications.
• Personnel must have at least 12 months post-graduate experience from Level 7 qualifications.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided tender documents. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, which balances price and quality. The specific weighting for price versus quality, and the sub-criteria for evaluating the quality aspects (such as technical approach, methodology, team experience, and understanding of the scope), would be detailed in the full tender documentation. Any minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall would also be specified in the tender pack.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Method statement / response document: Not specified for this tender.
• CVs: For named roles, with specific page count limits if applicable. Personnel must meet the minimum qualification and experience requirements outlined in the eligibility section.
• Pricing schedule: To be submitted in a specified format. The estimated value of the contract is €185,000.00.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Economic and Financial Standing Information (e.g., via ESPD).
• Bona Fides declarations.
• Tax clearance status.
• Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. Specific formatting rules for electronic submissions would be detailed in the tender pack.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract duration and any extension options are not specified in the provided documentation. Payment terms are typically governed by the Public Sector Standard Terms and Conditions, which usually include prompt payment clauses. Key Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed but would likely relate to the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of the survey data provided. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes for non-performance are not specified. Termination clauses would follow standard public sector contract provisions, allowing termination for breach or convenience under specified notice periods. Intellectual Property (IP) ownership would typically reside with the contracting authority, Inland Fisheries Ireland. Sub-contracting rules would be detailed in the full contract terms, often requiring prior approval for any sub-contracting. Parent company guarantees or performance bonds are not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender is structured into eleven lots, covering distinct geographical regions. While the overall estimated value is €185,000, the lot structure suggests that bidders may be able to tender for individual lots or a combination of lots. The specific value per lot is not stated, but the total value implies that individual lot values may be relatively modest. The submission deadline of September 2026, with an RFT issue date of August 2026, provides a reasonable timeframe for preparation. A key aspect is the detailed technical requirements for personnel qualifications, specifically Level 8 degrees in surveying or engineering fields, which may limit the pool of eligible candidates. The absence of specific criteria for past experience or turnover requirements, while potentially opening the tender to smaller firms, could also be a red flag if not adequately compensated by robust technical evaluation. The detailed descriptions of numerous barrier types across various counties highlight the complexity and geographical spread of the required surveys.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured into eleven lots, each covering specific geographical areas of Ireland. The estimated total value for all lots is €185,000. This suggests that individual lot values are likely to be relatively small. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in topographical and bathymetric surveying, particularly those with staff holding Level 8 qualifications in Geodetic Surveying, Geomatics, Geographic Science, or Civil Engineering, are well-suited to bid. The requirement for at least 84 months (7 years) of post-graduate experience for personnel is a significant criterion. Consortium bidding or sub-contracting may be permitted, which could allow smaller firms to combine capabilities or partner with others to meet the requirements. The bid preparation effort is likely to be moderate, focusing on demonstrating technical competence and personnel qualifications, given the absence of complex methodology requirements. The tender appears open to SMEs, especially if they can demonstrate the required personnel experience and qualifications.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix A - Lot 1 Donegal Leitrim.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix B - Lot 2 Mayo Sligo.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix C - Lot 3 Galway.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix D - Lot 4 Clare Limerick.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix E - Lot 5 Cork Waterford.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix F - Lot 6 Wicklow.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix I - Lot 9 Kildare.pdf, NBMP_08.8.01_Topo Appendix K - Lot 11 Louth Cavan.pdf.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix A - Lot 1 Donegal/Leitrim
• Appendix B - Lot 2 Mayo/Sligo
• Appendix C - Lot 3 Galway
• Appendix D - Lot 4 Clare Limerick
• Appendix E - Lot 5 Cork Waterford
• Appendix F - Lot 6 Wicklow
• Appendix I - Lot 9 Kildare/Offaly
• Appendix K - Lot 11 Louth Cavan