Remedial Conservation Works to the Rossmore Memorial Fountain

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 to undertake remedial conservation works to the Rossmore Memorial Fountain, a high-status Victorian Gothic Revival structure located in The Diamond, Monaghan. The monument is a Protected Structure and is included in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. The works are prioritised by urgency and available budget, with this phase focusing on urgent repairs, cleaning, and maintenance.

The proposed construction stage works include:

• Erection of scaffolding and edge protection.
• Access and public path control management.
• Establishment of contractor compound, welfare, and access arrangements.
• Interim overhead protection to the internal vault soffit and temporary weatherproofing measures.
• Recording, cataloguing, and secure storage of detached stone fragments.
• Inspection of stonework, including facilitation of the structural engineer’s inspection of the vault soffit.
• Repair of deteriorated stone, removal of defective cementitious repairs, lime-mortar repointing, and conservative cleaning.
• Mortar analysis, petrographic examination, and trial areas.
• Drainage and water-shedding improvements.
• Stone replacement as a last resort.
• Stabilisation of the vault soffit, including localised consolidation and pinning/dowelling of cracked slabs.
• Conservation of heraldic plaques and carved capitals.
• Incorporation of lead flashings and weathering details, if required.
• Removal of waste materials from site.

All works must be undertaken in accordance with planning conditions, conservation best practice, statutory obligations, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. The project involves conservation-led stone repair, focusing on resolving immediate safety hazards such as the stabilization of the internal vault soffit. Works also include intervention on heraldic plaques, internal capitals, and biological and stain cleaning. The monument is a freestanding, openwork memorial fountain constructed between 1875–76. The fountain is no longer in use, and deterioration is significant in localised areas. The proposed construction duration is approximately 5-6 weeks.

3. Background & buyer context

Monaghan County Council is procuring remedial conservation works for the Rossmore Memorial Fountain. This structure is a Protected Structure (Record of Protected Structures Ref. 41001104) and is listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH Ref. 41303115). The monument, also known as the Rossmore Memorial Fountain, is a significant example of High Victorian Gothic Revival design, constructed between 1875 and 1876. It is a focal point in The Diamond, Monaghan town. The works are prioritised by urgency and available budget, with the current phase addressing immediate safety hazards, particularly the unstable internal vault soffit. The project aligns with the Council's responsibility for heritage asset management and public safety.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum yearly turnover of €200,000 arising from Heritage Works.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6.5 million for any one accident. Maximum excess of €6,500.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13.0 million for any one accident. Maximum excess of €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €[16] (amount not specified in extract). Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of the Tenderer’s annual turnover or €5,000. Cover is provided on an annual aggregate basis.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Bidders must provide a list of completed projects similar in nature and complexity to the works required. The specific number of projects, value, and time period are not detailed in the provided extract but will be found in Appendix B1.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided extract. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland are awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which balances price and quality. The specific weighting for price versus quality, and the sub-criteria for evaluating quality (e.g., technical approach, methodology, experience, personnel), would be detailed in the full tender documents.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Appendix B1: List of completed works projects, organised by precedence and including project title and certificate of satisfactory execution.
• Appendix C: Bankers Letter on headed paper, confirming banking relationship and facilities.
• Preliminary Health & Safety Plan: This document is provided as part of the tender package, and the contractor will be required to develop a Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan.
• Pricing Schedule: Format and template not specified in the extract.
• Declarations: Not specified in the extract, but typically include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified in the extract.
• Submission portal: Bids must be submitted via eTenders. Specific format rules are not detailed in the extract.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract length: The appointment of the Project Supervisor starts on the date of the agreement and continues for as long as required under the Construction Regulations, unless terminated earlier. The construction duration is anticipated to be approximately 5-6 weeks.
• Payment terms: Payment for the Project Supervisor’s services is provided for under the Contract. The Client is not liable for the Project Supervisor’s fees or expenses under the Project Supervisor Agreement.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the extract.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified in the extract.
• Termination clauses: The Client may terminate the Project Supervisor’s appointment if the Project Supervisor breaches its obligations or warranties, or if the Contractor’s duty to complete the Works is terminated under the Contract.
• IP ownership: Ownership of and copyright in Project Supervisor’s Documents become the Client’s upon delivery or termination.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified in the extract.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified in the extract.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Heritage focus: The tender specifically targets "Heritage Works" for the turnover requirement, indicating a need for specialised experience in conservation.
• Phased funding: The Preliminary Health & Safety Plan mentions that works have been prioritised by urgency to phase them to accommodate "funding restrictions," suggesting that future phases may be subject to separate procurement or funding availability.
• Limited Information: Several key documents and details (e.g., specific value, full award criteria, detailed submission requirements, contract length, start date) are not explicitly stated in the provided metadata and extracts, requiring bidders to consult the full tender package.
• Project Supervisor Role: The tender documents include a Project Supervisor Agreement, indicating a formal appointment structure for health and safety oversight during construction, which is standard for public works but requires specific attention from bidders.
• Urban Logistics: The site is in a constrained urban environment, necessitating careful planning for access, deliveries, public interface, and waste management.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with demonstrable experience in heritage conservation and stonework. The turnover requirement of €200,000 specifically for Heritage Works suggests that firms with a focused specialisation in this area, rather than general construction, are being sought.

• Credible bidders: Firms with a proven track record in the conservation of historic buildings, monuments, and public structures, possessing the necessary accreditations and expertise in lime mortars, stone repair, and working with protected structures, would be well-positioned.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: The extract does not explicitly state whether consortium bids or subcontracting are permitted. However, given the specialised nature of heritage conservation, it is common for such tenders to allow for collaboration. Bidders should verify this in the full tender documents.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a compliant bid for a heritage conservation project typically requires significant effort. This would involve detailed review of conservation specifications, historical research, development of a technical proposal, health and safety plan, and accurate pricing. An estimate of 10-20 days of dedicated effort for a small team is plausible, depending on the complexity and the bidder's existing documentation.
• Pwin signal: The specific heritage focus and the turnover requirement suggest that the buyer is looking for specialist contractors. The absence of an incumbent name in the provided text means it is difficult to assess incumbent strength. The tender appears open to new entrants with the right qualifications.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): [260821 Rossmore Fountain - Tender Package.zip]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not surfaced in the provided text.
• Most important attachments:
• [Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects Heritage.docx]
• [Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter Heritage.docx]
• [26027_Rossmore M_PHSP.pdf] (Preliminary Health & Safety Plan)