Refurbishment of BAR Locker Room and Associated Works, Collins Barracks Cork

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 procurement covers the refurbishment of an existing locker room and associated ancillary spaces within Collins Barracks, Cork. The works areas will be vacated for the duration of the contract, and the contractor will be granted site possession. The contract will utilise the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6).

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Refurbishment of existing locker room: This will involve updating and improving the current locker room facilities. Specific details regarding the extent of refurbishment are not detailed in the provided metadata but will be found within the full tender documents.
• Refurbishment of ancillary spaces: This encompasses associated areas connected to the locker room, which will also undergo refurbishment.
• Site possession: The contractor will be granted possession of the works areas within Collins Barracks, Cork, for the duration of the contract.
• Contractual framework: The project will be governed by the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6), as published on constructionprocurement.gov.ie on the date 10 days before the latest submission deadline.
• Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS): The contractor will be appointed as the PSCS under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, if stated in the Schedule. If a nominee is not provided in the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Response, the contractor will be expected to act in this role.

The tender documents will provide detailed specifications, drawings, and schedules outlining the precise nature and extent of the refurbishment works required.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by the Department of Defence for the refurbishment of a locker room and associated works at Collins Barracks, Cork. The project falls under the remit of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, through the Office of Government Procurement, which publishes standard tender documents for works contractors. The use of the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6) indicates a project likely falling within specific value bands or complexity levels as defined by public procurement guidelines. The barracks location suggests a requirement for adherence to specific security and operational protocols relevant to a defence establishment.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €1.5 million arising from General Construction work.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 for any one event.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 for any one event, with no excess permitted.
• Insurance of the Works and goods/materials: Cover level to be confirmed as Contract Sum + 30%.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• Certifications:
• Safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent is cited as a relevant standard.
• Past experience:
• Minimum of three individual separate projects of a similar nature and complexity, costing in excess of €600,000 each, completed within a specified period (period not explicitly stated in metadata but implied by "satisfactorily completed").
• Personnel:
• Contracts Manager: If no formal qualifications, must have at least 10 years' experience in the Building Trade, including at least 5 years in a management role.
• Health and Safety Manager/Officer: Must have a Degree/diploma or equivalent H&S training, or at least 3 years acting in the capacity of Health and Safety Manager/Site Safety Officer on building construction projects.
• Foreman (Site Manager): If no formal qualifications, must have at least 10 years' experience in the Building Trade, including at least 5 years as a Foreman.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criterion is the lowest price. The tender evaluation will assess compliance with suitability criteria and then evaluate the submitted tenders based on price.

There is no explicit mention of a minimum scoring threshold per criterion or overall in the provided text, beyond meeting the eligibility and selection criteria. The evaluation process focuses on identifying the lowest compliant price.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted in accordance with the Instructions to Tenderers and the Particulars. Key submission requirements include:

• Method statement / response document: A completed Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) in the specified format.
• CVs: Details of proposed personnel, including qualifications, education, and experience, will be processed.
• Pricing schedule: A completed pricing document (Volume C), which may be a Schedule of Rates or Bill of Quantities, prepared by the Contracting Authority or the Tenderer as specified. This must be submitted as a read-only PDF, with native file formats potentially requested post-submission.
• Case studies: A minimum of three completed projects of similar nature and complexity, each costing in excess of €600,000, must be provided as evidence of past experience.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declaration regarding data subjects' consent for personal data processing.
• Declaration regarding any conflicts of interest.
• Bona Fides (implied through submission of a compliant tender).
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. Tenderers must ensure sufficient time for upload and a reliable internet connection.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6). Key terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Payment terms: Not specified, but standard prompt payment directives apply to public sector contracts.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Termination clauses: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• IP ownership: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: A Performance Bond may be required where stated in the Particulars.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value Disclosure: The estimated value of the contract is not disclosed, which can make it difficult for bidders to gauge the scale of the project and assess resource allocation.
• Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6): This contract form is typically used for works contracts with a value of less than €250,000. However, the metadata does not explicitly state the contract value band, and projects over €200,000 must be advertised on eTenders.
• Insurance Cover: While specific minimums for Public Liability (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability (€13m) are stated, the requirement for insurance of the Works is "Level of cover to be confirmed (Contract Sum +30%)", meaning the final requirement will depend on the awarded contract value.
• PSCS Role: The contractor may be required to act as Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) if not nominated, which adds significant responsibility and requires appropriate competence.
• Electronic Submission: The reliance on the eTenders platform for electronic submission requires bidders to ensure they have robust systems and sufficient time for uploads, as timely and complete submission is the bidder's responsibility.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured for general construction contractors. A small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a proven track record in general refurbishment projects could credibly bid. The key requirements for an SME would be:

• Turnover: Demonstrating an average annual turnover of €1.5 million in general construction.
• Experience: Providing evidence of at least three completed refurbishment projects exceeding €600,000 each.
• Insurance: Securing the specified levels of Public Liability (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability (€13m) insurance.
• Personnel: Having qualified personnel, particularly a Contracts Manager and H&S representative, meeting the experience criteria.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly prohibited but are not detailed as a primary pathway. The bid preparation effort would likely involve significant time for compiling the SAQ, pricing document, and gathering evidence of past performance. The "lowest price" award criterion suggests a competitive field, and the Pwin signal is neutral without further information on incumbent status or previous tender outcomes.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT v2.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: eTenders platform (as per Section 2.1)
• Most important attachments:
• Particulars (defining specific project details and submission requirements)
• Volume B: Form of Tender and Schedule
• Volume C: Pricing Document