Provision of Services for Preparation of Integrated Source Protection Plan for Brackloon/Spaddagh Group Water Scheme Society Limited

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 develop an Integrated Source Protection Plan (ISPP) for the Brackloon/Spaddagh Group Water Scheme. This plan is a requirement under the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023. The ISPP aims to protect the water sources from contamination.

The core activities include:

• Source Assessment:
• Identifying and characterising the water source(s) serving the Brackloon/Spaddagh Group Water Scheme.
• Reviewing existing data on raw water quality, including parameters such as:
• Water colour (ranging from a minimum of 2 mg/L PtCo).
• Turbidity (ranging from a minimum of 0).
• Trihalomethanes (THMs) (ranging from a minimum of 1 µg to a maximum of 246 µg THM/L).
• Nitrate-Nitrogen (ranging from a minimum of 2 mg NO3-N/L).
• Manganese (treated water values ranged from a minimum of 0).
• pH (raw water ranged from a minimum of pH 6, treated water ranged from a minimum of pH 6).
• Microbiological indicators (e.g., MPN/100ml, ranging from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 200).
• Assessing the vulnerability of the source to contamination, considering factors like geology, hydrology, and land use.
• Risk Identification and Assessment:
• Identifying potential pollution sources within the catchment area.
• Evaluating the risks posed by these sources to the water supply, considering specific distances for fertiliser and soiled water spreading:
• No chemical fertiliser applied within 2 m of surface waters.
• Organic fertiliser/soiled water spread within 20 m of a lake shoreline.
• Organic fertiliser/soiled water spread within 5 m of a surface water course (unless slope conditions apply).
• For abstractions >10 m3/d or >50 people, no spreading within 100 m of the abstraction point.
• For abstractions >100 m3/d or >500 people, no spreading within 200 m of the abstraction.
• No spreading of organic fertiliser/manure within 15 m of exposed cavernous or karstified areas.
• Development of Protection Measures:
• Proposing specific measures to mitigate identified risks and protect the water source.
• These measures will likely include land management practices, infrastructure improvements, and operational protocols.
• Plan Documentation and Reporting:
• Compiling all findings, assessments, and proposed measures into a formal Integrated Source Protection Plan.
• The final ISPP must be completed within 6 months of the award of the contract.
• The contractor must provide services in accordance with the Specification, the RFT, and the Client's directions.
• The contractor must comply with all applicable laws, including environmental, social, and labour law.

The contractor is expected to act with due care, skill, and diligence, and is responsible for its subcontractors.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement is driven by the recent transposition of S.I. No. 99/2023 – European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023. These regulations mandate the development of Integrated Source Protection Plans (ISPPs) for all public and group water schemes. The Brackloon/Spaddagh Group Water Scheme Society Limited (Brackloon Spaddagh GWS) is procuring these services to comply with this regulatory requirement. The ISPP is crucial for safeguarding the quality and security of the drinking water supply for its members. The contract is for the preparation of this plan, which is a key step in ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of the water scheme.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following criteria 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 is required for individuals with a relevant degree.
• A minimum of 10 years' demonstrated expertise in catchment science is required for individuals with a relevant degree.
• The RFT requires a minimum of one year's data for surface water sources.
• Personnel:
• Key personnel must be available for the Term of the Agreement.
• In the event of Key Personnel becoming unable to provide services, the contractor must notify the Client and replace them with personnel of equivalent experience and expertise.
• The Client has absolute discretion regarding the suitability of any proposed Replacement Personnel.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the general requirement to comply with applicable laws where services are provided.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided text. However, the contract will be awarded based on the RFT and the Contractor's Submission, which includes the Specification. The Contractor agrees to provide the Services in accordance with the Specification, RFT, Client's directions, and the terms of the Agreement. The pricing schedule is a component of the submission. The contract will be awarded to the tenderer who submits the most economically advantageous tender, considering factors outlined in the RFT and the submission.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Response Document: The Contractor's Submission, which includes the Specification, and any clarifications issued in writing.
• Pricing Schedule: As stipulated in Schedule C of the Agreement.
• Declarations:
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (dated 04/06/21), confirming no exclusion grounds under Regulation 57 of the Regulations apply.
• Confirmation of insurance levels required.
• Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Key Personnel Details: Details of Key Personnel assigned to provide the Services.
• Subcontractor Details: If applicable, details of subcontractors and confirmation of their compliance with relevant terms.
• Confidentiality Agreement: Compliance with the confidentiality agreement exhibited at Appendix 6 to the RFT.

7. Key dates & process

The contract completion is required within 6 months of the award.

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Agreement takes effect 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 permitted, subject to legal obligations.
• Payment: Charges are paid subject to Contractor compliance with the Agreement, submission of valid invoices, and the Client possessing the Contractor's current Tax Clearance Certificate. Invoices are subject to a 14-day query period; after this, they are deemed accepted. Late Payment Regulations 2012 apply. Charges include all costs incurred by the Contractor. Professional Services Withholding Tax may be retained.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Compliance with the service levels and performance indicators set out in Schedule D. Time of delivery is of the essence.
• Liquidated damages: Not explicitly detailed with specific amounts or thresholds in the provided text, but clause 5H notes a potential for deduction for late delivery up to a Liquidated Damages Threshold, after which the Client may terminate.
• Termination: Either party may terminate with one month's written notice. Termination can occur immediately for serious breach (if not remedied within 30 days), insolvency, conflict of interest, or if exclusion grounds under Regulation 57 apply.
• IP Ownership: All Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the Materials (reports, data, manuals, etc.) produced for the Agreement vest in the Client. The Contractor assigns all IPR to the Client. The Client grants a royalty-free licence for the Contractor to use Client's Pre-existing IPR for the Term.
• Sub-contracting: The Contractor is the prime contractor and assumes full responsibility for its subcontractors. Subcontractors must comply with the Agreement. The Client can require the Contractor to replace a subcontractor if exclusion grounds apply.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Tight Completion Timeline: The requirement for the final ISPP to be completed within 6 months of award, coupled with the absence of a specified start date, creates a potential risk if mobilisation is delayed.
• Data Availability: The ISPP relies on existing data. The RFT notes that for surface water sources, a minimum of one year's data will generally be needed. If insufficient historical data exists for the Brackloon/Spaddagh GWS, this could impact the plan's development and potentially extend timelines or require additional data collection, which may not be covered by the current scope.
• Insurance Confirmation: While specific insurance levels are listed, the requirement for bidders to "confirm to upgrade to level if successful" suggests that bidders may not currently hold these exact levels, introducing a minor risk of non-compliance during contract mobilisation.
• Client Discretion on Personnel: The Client's "absolute discretion" regarding the suitability of Replacement Personnel could lead to delays or disputes if replacements are not approved promptly.
• Value Not Disclosed: The absence of an estimated contract value makes it difficult for bidders to gauge the scale and potential profitability of the project, and to assess if their resources are appropriately aligned.

10. SME fit assessment

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

• Viable Bidder Profile: A firm with demonstrated experience in developing source protection plans, conducting environmental risk assessments, and understanding Irish drinking water regulations would be well-positioned. The requirement for specific personnel expertise in catchment science suggests a need for qualified environmental scientists or hydrologists.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract explicitly states the Contractor assumes full responsibility for its subcontractors. This allows for SMEs to potentially partner with other specialists or to subcontract specific elements of the work, provided they manage these relationships effectively.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Developing a comprehensive ISPP requires significant data analysis, site assessment, and report writing. Bid preparation would likely involve assembling technical expertise, reviewing existing documentation, and formulating a detailed methodology. This could require several days of effort from a small team.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is driven by a regulatory requirement, suggesting a need for compliance rather than a competitive market for innovation. The absence of an estimated value and the specific nature of the ISPP might suggest a limited pool of highly specialised bidders. The incumbent provider of such services to this specific GWS is not identified.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [Blank_GWS_ISPP_Contract_for_Services.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not stated
• Contact: Client's Contact: [Name to be inserted]
• Key Attachments:
• Schedule B – Specification of Services
• Schedule C – Charges
• Appendix 6 – Confidentiality Agreement