Periodic Inspection Reporting and Electrical Services at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre

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 provision of periodic electrical inspection and testing, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing), and electrical maintenance services at the Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre. The estimated value for these services is €90,000 (excluding VAT) over an initial one-year term, with the possibility of two one-year extensions.

The scope of work encompasses the following key activities:

• Periodic Electrical Inspection and Testing: This involves the systematic examination and testing of all electrical installations within the harbour centre to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations. This includes:
• Public lighting systems.
• High mast lighting.
• Electrical smartcard meters.
• Access control points.
• Weighbridge electrical systems.
• Pump station electrical infrastructure.
• Lifting davit electrical components.
• Building electrical installations.
• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing): This service involves the testing of portable electrical appliances to ensure their safety and compliance.
• Electrical Maintenance Works: This includes general maintenance and repair of electrical systems and equipment as required to ensure their continued safe and efficient operation. This may involve responding to faults, carrying out preventative maintenance, and undertaking minor electrical upgrades or repairs.

The electrical infrastructure at the Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is diverse, including:

• Lighting: Street lighting (single and double head lamps), wall lights, gangway lights, and floodlights.
• Power: Pontoon power points, power boxes, and power service panels.
• Access Control Systems.
• Weighbridge.
• Pump Station.
• Lifting Davits.
• Building Electrics.

The contract is structured as an open procedure under Irish regulations. The successful tenderer will be responsible for delivering these services over a one-year term, with the option for the contracting authority to extend the contract for up to two additional one-year periods.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The services are required for the Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre. The contract is being tendered under an open procedure, as per the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The estimated expenditure for the services is €90,000 (excluding VAT) over the initial one-year term, with potential for extensions. The Department aims to encourage participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourages larger enterprises to consider including SMEs in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following criteria to be considered for evaluation:

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of €150,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance: The successful tenderer must hold the following insurances for the term of the Services Contract:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: Not specified for this tender
• Professional Indemnity: €50,000 (or the value of the contract, whichever is greater)
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers must also declare via the eESPD that no mandatory grounds for exclusion apply, or if they do, that sufficient measures are in place to demonstrate reliability. They must also satisfy the economic and financial standing requirements, including the turnover threshold.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation of tenders will be based on the Award Criteria outlined in Part 3.3 of the RFT. The specific weighting and scoring mechanism for these criteria are not detailed in the provided extract. However, the RFT states that only compliant tenders that meet the selection criteria will be evaluated. The contracting authority reserves the right to reject any tender that does not meet the requirements. The tender procedure is an open procedure, and the contracting authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest priced or any tender.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform (www.etenders.gov.ie). Key submission requirements include:

• Electronic Single Procurement Document (eESPD): Tenderers must complete and submit the electronic version of the eESPD.
• All required documentation: Tenderers must submit all documentation specified in the RFT.
• Format: Tenders must follow the RFT format and respond to each element in the order presented.
• Declarations: Tenderers must submit a signed copy of the Tenderer’s Statement (Appendix 3) and a Declaration as to Personal Circumstances (Appendix 4).
• Pricing Schedule: Tenderers must complete the Pricing Schedule at Appendix 2.
• Language: Tenders must be submitted in English.
• File Limits: A maximum file size of 250MB per file and a total limit of 2GB for all documentation apply on the eTenders platform.
• Submission Method: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie. Submissions by any other means will not be accepted.
• Site Visit: Tenderers wishing to attend a site visit must confirm attendance by contacting Rosalie Scanlon at [email protected] by 03/09/2026. The site visit will be organised on a mutually convenient date up to 10/09/2026 between 10:00 and 15:00.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Services Contract will have an initial term of one (1) year.
• Extension: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the term for up to two additional one-year periods, subject to legal obligations.
• Pricing: Prices quoted must remain valid for 120 days from the Tender Deadline. Prices may be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index published by the Central Statistics Office.
• Payment: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract at Appendix 5.
• Termination: The Services Contract document (Appendix 5) contains termination clauses, which are not detailed in this summary.
• Sub-contracting: Where a tenderer intends to subcontract, they must designate a single entity responsible for the overall contract. Subcontractors may need to submit separate eESPDs.
• Tax Clearance: Compliance with all applicable EU and domestic tax laws is a condition of the contract. The successful tenderer must provide Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Low Estimated Value vs. Insurance Requirements: The estimated contract value of €90,000 is significantly lower than the required insurance coverages, particularly Employer's Liability (€12.7 million) and Public Liability (€6.5 million). This suggests that the cost of maintaining these insurances for the duration of the contract may be disproportionately high relative to the potential revenue, potentially deterring smaller or less established firms.
• Professional Indemnity Clause: The Professional Indemnity insurance requirement is stated as €50,000 "or the value of the contract whichever is greater." Given the €90,000 estimated value, this means the PI cover must be at least €90,000, aligning with the contract value.
• Site Visit Logistics: While a site visit is facilitated, it is not mandatory. However, the deadline for confirming attendance (03/09/2026) is relatively early in the tender period, and the visit itself must occur by 10/09/2026. Tenderers need to act quickly if they wish to attend.
• SME Encouragement: The RFT explicitly encourages SME participation and suggests consortia or collaboration. This indicates a potential desire for a competitive market, but the high insurance thresholds might present a barrier.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a specialisation in electrical inspection, testing, and maintenance services. A viable bidder would need to demonstrate:

• Financial Capacity: A minimum annual turnover of €150,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance: The ability to secure and maintain the specified insurance levels, particularly Employer's Liability (€12.7m) and Public Liability (€6.5m), which may be a significant cost for smaller firms.
• Technical Expertise: Proven capability in periodic electrical inspection, PAT testing, and general electrical maintenance within a marine or industrial harbour environment.

Consortia and sub-contracting are permitted. Larger enterprises are encouraged to include SMEs in their proposals. The bid preparation effort is likely moderate, primarily involving the completion of the eESPD, pricing schedule, and any required statements or declarations. The tender does not explicitly indicate an incumbent, but the nature of the services suggests a potential for incumbent advantage if they possess the required certifications and experience. The overall openness to SMEs, coupled with the potential insurance cost barrier, suggests a competitive landscape where firms with established insurance arrangements may have an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): RFT Electrical Services DEFHC Aug2026.pdf, Appendix A - DE-7001-A Elect_Layout_RFT_Aug2026.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: ServicesRFT160125
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 5: Services Contract