Hillbrook Estate Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme (Tullow Orbital)

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 a contractor for the Hillbrook Estate Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme, also referred to as the Tullow Orbital project. The contract involves the construction of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure.

The scope of work includes:

• Construction of footpaths and cycle tracks: This involves the creation of dedicated pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Small bituminous pavement construction: This refers to the laying of asphalt or similar materials for the pathways.
• Traffic management: The contractor will be responsible for implementing and managing traffic control measures during the construction period to ensure safety and maintain traffic flow. This includes maintaining a minimum of two lanes of traffic at all times on 2-way streets and a minimum of one lane on 1-way streets.
• Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations: The contractor must adhere to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This includes developing and implementing risk assessments, method statements, and a safety management system.
• Quality Assurance: The contractor must demonstrate adequate knowledge, training, and resources for quality control, including a safety management system potentially certified to ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent, or certified membership of Safe-T-Cert.
• Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) roles: The contractor's personnel must be suitably qualified and experienced for these roles, with specific minimum experience requirements for the H&S Coordinator / Project Supervisor Construction Stage.
• Liaison and Communication: The contractor will need to liaise with the Employer's Representative, PSDP, and PSCS, and ensure effective communication and cooperation.
• Site Management: This includes managing the site, starting and completing the works within the specified timeframes, and causing minimal disruption to site occupiers and users.
• Reporting and Documentation: The contractor must provide various reports and documentation, including details of previous projects, safety statements, and evidence of training.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the Hillbrook Estate Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme, also known as the Tullow Orbital project. The project is being undertaken by Carlow County Council. While specific policy drivers are not detailed, such schemes typically align with local authority objectives for improving active travel infrastructure, promoting sustainable transport, and enhancing public realm amenities. The estimated value of €300,000 suggests a project of moderate scale within the remit of local authority infrastructure development. No incumbent contractor is mentioned.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €1,500,000.
• Certifications:
• Evidence of a safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent, or certified membership of Safe-T-Cert, is acceptable for quality assurance.
• Specific certifications for personnel may be required as detailed in the Health and Safety Supplement.
• Past experience:
• Details of a minimum of three (maximum of 5) projects completed in the past 5 years involving construction works of a similar scale or nature, including footpaths, small bituminous pavements, and traffic management.
• Evidence must be provided in the format of Appendix B1 (List of Previous Projects) with Appendix B2 (Certificate of Satisfactory Execution).
• The H&S Coordinator / Project Supervisor Construction Stage must have a minimum of 5 years' experience in the role of H&S Coordinator in Civil Engineering and a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 previous schemes in the past 5 years where they have fulfilled the role of PSDP on a Civil Engineering/Infrastructure scheme of similar nature and scale.
• Personnel:
• H&S Coordinator / Project Supervisor Construction Stage: Minimum 5 years' experience in the role of H&S Coordinator in Civil Engineering, and minimum 3 and maximum 5 previous PSDP roles on similar schemes in the past 5 years. Proof of qualifications must be attached to CVs. CVs are a maximum of 2 A4 pages.
• Management staff: Appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience relevant to the Works.
• Personnel: Appropriate educational and professional qualifications, Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience relevant to the Works.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided text. However, the selection criteria are pass/fail, indicating that the evaluation will focus on meeting minimum standards for technical capability, health and safety competence, and past experience. The final award will likely be based on a combination of price and quality, with the specific weighting and sub-criteria to be detailed in the full tender documents.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Method statement / response document: Specific templates are indicated for various sections, including:
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects.
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution.
• Appendix C: Bankers Letter.
• Appendix D2: Letter of Undertaking/Bond.
• Health and Safety Supplement 3.4.1 (including sections a, b, c, d, e).
• Safety Statement (as outlined by the Health and Safety Authority).
• CVs: For management staff and personnel, with a maximum of 2 A4 pages per CV. Proof of qualifications must be attached for specific roles.
• Pricing schedule: Not explicitly detailed, but implied by the contract structure.
• Case studies: Details of a minimum of three (maximum of 5) relevant previous projects are required.
• Declarations:
• Declaration regarding Health and Safety competence and compliance with relevant legislation.
• Declaration regarding Safety Statement requirements.
• Letter of Undertaking/Bond (Appendix D2) from an authorised insurance undertaking or credit institution.
• Banker's Letter (Appendix C) confirming banking facilities.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Implied to be eTenders, as is standard for Irish public sector tenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6 v1.15 25-11-2025).
• Term: Not specified, but the contract comes into effect upon written acceptance of the tender.
• Extension: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not detailed in the provided text, but standard public works contract payment mechanisms will apply.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated Damages: Applicable if the Contractor fails to substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion, at the rate specified in the Schedule.
• Termination: Clause 12 covers termination, but specific grounds are not detailed here.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: The Contractor may engage sub-processors for data processing, subject to prior written notice and Employer objection. Sub-contracting of works is not explicitly detailed but is generally permitted under public works contracts with appropriate controls.
• Performance Bond: Required if stated in the Schedule, to be provided within 7 days of tender acceptance, executed by the Contractor and an approved surety.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Health and Safety Focus: The tender places a significant emphasis on Health and Safety competence, with detailed requirements for qualifications, experience, and documentation (e.g., Safety Statement, risk assessments). Failure to meet these HS criteria is a pass/fail, making it a critical risk area for bidders.
• Specific Personnel Experience: The detailed experience requirements for the H&S Coordinator / Project Supervisor Construction Stage, including the number of previous PSDP roles and the timeframe, are specific and may limit the pool of eligible candidates or require careful demonstration.
• Short Public Works Contract: The use of a Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6) indicates a project of a certain scale and complexity, but it is important to note that this contract form has specific conditions and limitations compared to longer forms.
• Value vs. Complexity: The estimated value of €300,000 is relatively modest for a public works contract with detailed HS requirements, suggesting the focus is on ensuring compliance and quality rather than a large-scale construction project.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrable experience in civil engineering works, particularly in constructing footpaths, cycle tracks, and managing traffic management schemes.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a construction company with a proven track record in similar small-scale infrastructure projects. They must have robust health and safety management systems and qualified personnel, particularly for the H&S Coordinator/PSCS role. Certification to Safe-T-Cert or equivalent would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: While not explicitly stated as prohibited, the emphasis on specific personnel experience and the use of standard appendices suggests a preference for direct delivery by the bidding entity. Sub-contracting for specialist elements might be permissible but would require careful management to ensure compliance with HS requirements.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Bid preparation could require 10-20 days, primarily focused on gathering evidence for past projects, compiling CVs with specific experience details, developing the Safety Statement, and completing the various appendices and declarations. The health and safety sections are particularly demanding.
• Pwin Signal: The tender does not explicitly indicate an incumbent or a strong Pwin signal. The detailed HS requirements and the specific experience criteria for key personnel are the primary differentiators. The relatively low value for a public works contract might attract a range of bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx], [PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx (Health and Safety Supplement)
• PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf (Short Public Works Contract Conditions)