Dun Laoghaire Harbour Geotechnical Site Investigation Tender

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :---------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------- | :------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :-------------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council DLR Co Co - Dún Laoghaire Harbour Geotechnical Site Investigation Tender Not stated Not disclosed Not stated Open Not stated Not stated Not stated 2026-10-08 16:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks a contractor to conduct a geotechnical site investigation at Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The investigation will inform future development and maintenance works within the harbour area. The scope includes marine and land-based fieldwork, laboratory testing, and reporting.

Key activities and deliverables include:

• Marine Fieldwork (WP 1): This phase, lasting 8 weeks from the Contract Date, involves vessel-based operations. It will include:
• Geophysical surveys to map seabed conditions and identify subsurface anomalies.
• Geotechnical sampling, including vibrocores, to obtain undisturbed samples of marine sediments.
• In-situ testing to determine soil properties.
• Marine and Land Fieldwork (WP 2): This phase, lasting 12 weeks from the Contract Date, will build upon WP 1 and extend to land-based investigations. It will include:
• Further marine sampling and in-situ testing as required.
• Land-based boreholes and trial pits to investigate ground conditions adjacent to the harbour.
• Installation of monitoring instrumentation (e.g., piezometers) if deemed necessary.
• Laboratory Testing: Samples obtained from fieldwork will undergo a range of laboratory tests to determine their physical and mechanical properties. This includes:
• Classification tests (e.g., particle size distribution, Atterberg limits).
• Strength and compressibility tests (e.g., triaxial shear, consolidation tests).
• Specialised tests as specified in the contract documents.
• Testing will adhere to standards such as BS EN ISO 14688 and IS EN 1997-2.
• Reporting: Comprehensive reports will be submitted, including:
• Factual reports detailing the fieldwork and laboratory test results.
• An interpretative report summarising findings, assessing ground conditions, and providing design parameters.
• All samples will be retained for a minimum of 3 months after acceptance of the final factual report.
• Health and Safety: All works must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations. This includes developing and implementing a detailed Safety Statement and risk assessments.

The contract duration for fieldwork is specified as 20 weeks (WP 1 & 2).

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to gather essential geotechnical data for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The investigation is a prerequisite for informing future capital investment, development plans, and ongoing maintenance strategies for the harbour infrastructure. The data will support informed decision-making regarding the harbour's long-term viability and potential enhancements. The tender falls under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) and will utilise the Public Works Contract for Investigation Contracts (PW-CF7).

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover Requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 demonstrated for the most recent financial year for which accounts are available, specifically arising from ground investigation works and surveying.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,000,000 per claim. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property damage only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 per accident.
• Certifications:
• Demonstration of a safety management system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent for safety management system purposes.
• Compliance with recognised standards, including EN ISO 17025 for laboratory competence, is required.
• Past Experience:
• A minimum of two and a maximum of five relevant projects must be detailed.
• Projects must be similar in nature and complexity to the works required.
• Evidence of satisfactory execution for these projects is required.
• The Contracting Authority may consider projects from the past 7 years, though evidence for the full period is not mandatory if a firm has not been trading for that duration.
• Personnel:
• Management staff must possess appropriate educational/professional qualifications and relevant experience.
• Personnel must possess appropriate educational and professional qualifications and relevant experience.
• CVs for management staff and personnel should detail qualifications, experience on similar projects, and roles held.
• Geographic / Facility Constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award will be made on the basis of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The evaluation will consider both price and quality. Specific weighting and scoring mechanisms are not detailed in the provided extract, but the process will involve assessing the suitability of bidders based on the qualification criteria. Quality aspects will likely include the technical approach, health and safety competence, and the experience of the proposed team.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This includes Part 1 (Project Particulars, Qualification Criteria) and Part 2 (Tenderer Details and Declaration).
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD): Required if the competition is subject to European Procurement Regulations.
• Health and Safety Supplements: Specifically, Health and Safety Supplement 3.4.1 (Contractor) must be completed.
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects, detailing up to 20 completed projects.
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution for each listed project.
• Curricula Vitae (CVs): For management staff and personnel, detailing qualifications, experience, and roles.
• Safety Statement: In the format outlined by the Health and Safety Authority, addressing requirements in Table 1 of HS Supplement 3.4.1.
• Evidence of Insurance: Current policies demonstrating compliance with minimum cover requirements.
• Evidence of Turnover: Financial accounts for the most recent financial year.
• Declarations: Including Bona Fides, Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Submission Portal: Electronic submission via eTenders is the required method. Specific file format rules will apply.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Public Works Contract for Investigation Contracts (PW-CF7). Key terms include:

• Contract Length: Not explicitly stated, but fieldwork is planned for 20 weeks (WP 1 & 2).
• Payment Terms: Not specified, but standard prompt payment regulations will apply.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not detailed in the provided extract.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination: A minimum of 21 days' written notice is required for termination. Cessation of works for more than 3 months may trigger termination clauses.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Bidders may rely on the capacities of other entities, but this must be demonstrated. If relied upon, these entities may be required to provide guarantees or warranties.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Insurance Excess: The maximum permissible excess for Professional Indemnity Insurance is linked to the tenderer's annual turnover (greater of 2% or €5,000), which may require careful consideration for smaller firms.
• Health and Safety Focus: The tender places significant emphasis on Health and Safety competence, with detailed requirements for Safety Statements, risk assessments, and staff qualifications. This suggests a high level of scrutiny in this area.
• Reliance on Third Parties: The detailed provisions for demonstrating the availability of capacities from other entities (subcontractors, parent companies) indicate that consortia or joint ventures are permissible, but require robust contractual arrangements to be proven.
• Data Retention: Samples must be kept for a minimum of 3 months after acceptance of the final factual report, and environmental samples for 28 days after acceptance of the final factual report, adding to logistical considerations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured for experienced ground investigation firms. A credible bidder would likely be a specialist geotechnical consultancy or a civil engineering contractor with a dedicated ground investigation division.

• Viable Bidder Profile: A small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a turnover of at least €500,000 in ground investigation works, holding the required insurance levels (€6.5m PL, €13m EL, €6m PI), and possessing ISO 45001 certification or equivalent, would be a suitable candidate. Demonstrating 2-5 relevant, complex projects from the last 5-7 years is crucial.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortiums, joint ventures, or partnerships are permitted. Bidders can rely on the capacities of other entities, suggesting that a smaller firm could partner with a larger one or subcontract specific elements, provided the reliance is clearly demonstrated.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing the SAQ, H&S supplements, detailing past projects with certificates, and compiling CVs will require significant effort, likely several days of dedicated work for a competent bid team.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is an open procedure, indicating it is intended to be competitive. There is no explicit mention of an incumbent or a sole-supplier framework. The emphasis on specific experience and certifications suggests a focus on technical capability over incumbency.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• QW2_Part_1_v2.2_25-11-2025 (v01).docx
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE (1).docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact Email/Clarification Portal: Clarifications must be submitted by 2026-10-01 16:00 via the eTenders clarification system.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (QW2_Part_1_v2.2_25-11-2025)
• Health and Safety Supplement 3.4.1 (3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025)
• Appendix B1 & B2 (List of Previous Works Projects & Certificate of Satisfactory Execution)