N16 Fencing Retrofit Scheme

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 N16 Fencing Retrofit Scheme. The contract will involve the supply and installation of fencing along the N16 national road. The specific scope of work is not detailed in the provided documents, but it is understood to be a civil engineering project focused on road infrastructure.

Key activities and requirements, based on the contract conditions and related documents, include:

• Construction of Works: The contractor is responsible for constructing and completing the Works at its own expense, complying with the contract, the Employer’s Representative’s written instructions, and the law. This includes ensuring the safety and stability of the Works and all operations on the Site.
• Site Management: The contractor must secure the Site, keep it in good order, and protect persons on the Site and nearby areas from hazards resulting from the Works. This also involves ensuring minimal nuisance or inconvenience to the public.
• Setting Out: The contractor must set out the Works according to contract specifications and instructions, verifying the accuracy of points, lines, and levels.
• Inspection and Access: The contractor must provide access to the Site and other relevant locations for inspection, testing, and observation by the Employer, Employer’s Representative, and Assigned Certifier. This includes providing timely notification before any part of the Works is covered or made difficult to inspect.
• Uncovering and Rectification: The Employer’s Representative may instruct the contractor to uncover, dismantle, re-cover, or re-erect work, or test and inspect it. The contractor must also remove and replace any Works or goods that do not comply with the contract or otherwise put them right.
• Suspension of Works: The contractor must comply with instructions to suspend all or part of the Works, protect, store, and secure affected Works, and maintain insurances.
• Discovery of Items: If fossils, antiquities, or other items of interest are discovered, the contractor must not disturb them, preserve them, and promptly notify the Employer’s Representative.
• Access Routes and Services: The contractor is responsible for the suitability and maintenance of access routes to and through the Site, and for obtaining required facilities, power, water, and other services.
• Completion and Handover: The contractor must substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion and provide a Defects Certificate. Outstanding work must be completed promptly.
• Subcontracting: The contractor may not assign the Contract or any part of it without the Employer’s consent. Sub-processors for data processing require prior written notice and employer objection opportunity.
• Data Protection: The contractor must process Personal Data in accordance with Data Protection Law and the contract, ensuring confidentiality, security measures, and proper handling of data transfers.

The contract is a Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6 v1.15 25-11-2025).

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the N16 Fencing Retrofit Scheme, managed by Leitrim County Council. The tender documents do not provide specific background information regarding the strategic drivers or policy context for this particular scheme. It is a procurement for civil works related to national road infrastructure. The contract is based on the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation's Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6 v1.15 25-11-2025). No information is provided regarding an incumbent contractor.

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 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess €6,500.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover proportionate to the size of the project (default level €1.5m or €2.5m, specific amount not stated for this tender). Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• A minimum of 5 years experience in Civil Engineering, specifically in National Roads Fencing Contracts.
• Experience on a minimum of one national road scheme requiring traffic management for over 6000 AADT.
• Demonstrated experience in installation and management of temporary traffic management.
• Bidders must provide a list of completed projects via Appendix B1, organised by Certificate of Satisfactory Execution.
• 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 tender documents. The standard procedure for public sector tenders in Ireland typically involves a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. However, specific weightings and sub-criteria for this tender are not disclosed.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Completed form of tender and acceptance: This forms part of the contract.
• Appendix B1 - List of Previous Works Projects: This document requires bidders to list completed projects similar in nature and complexity to the Works required, supported by Certificates of Satisfactory Execution. A minimum of 20 projects can be listed.
• Pricing Schedule: Not explicitly detailed, but implied by the contract structure.
• Declarations:
• Bona Fides declarations are standard for public works contracts.
• Tax clearance information is required for online verification.
• Method Statement / Response Document: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts.
• CVs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts.
• Case Studies: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: Tenders are submitted via eTenders. Specific format rules are not detailed in the provided extracts.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is based on the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15 25-11-2025. Key terms include:

• Term + Extension: The contract duration is defined by the "Time for Completion," which can be extended due to specific "Compensation Events" or other specified delays.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments are made on account as scheduled. A percentage of the price is paid after substantial completion, and the balance after the Defects Certificate is issued. Payment claims require a notice, followed by the Employer's Representative's certificate, and then an invoice. Payment is due within the period stated in the Schedule. Late payments incur interest as per the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts, but implied through requirements for timely completion, quality of work, and adherence to contract instructions.
• Liquidated Damages: Applicable if the contractor fails to substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion, charged at the rate in the Schedule.
• Termination Clauses: The contract can be terminated under specific circumstances, including prolonged suspension of works.
• IP Ownership: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extracts.
• Sub-contracting Rules: The contractor may not assign the Contract or any part of it without the Employer’s consent. Sub-processors for data processing require prior written notice and employer objection opportunity.
• Performance Bond: May be required if stated in the Schedule, to be provided within 7 days of tender acceptance.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Lack of Detail: The tender documents, particularly the scope of work and specific technical requirements, are very high-level. This suggests that bidders will need to make significant assumptions or that further detail will be provided during the clarification period or in subsequent tender stages.
• Insurance Excess: The maximum permissible excess for Professional Indemnity Insurance is tied to 2% of the tenderer's annual turnover or €5,000, whichever is greater. This could be a significant amount for smaller firms.
• Experience Requirements: The specific experience required in "National Roads Fencing Contracts" and traffic management for high AADT levels may limit the pool of eligible bidders.
• Contract Value Not Disclosed: The absence of an estimated contract value makes it difficult for potential bidders to gauge the scale of the project and assess their capacity and resource allocation needs.
• Short Public Works Contract: The use of a "Short Public Works Contract" generally implies a project of lower value and complexity compared to standard public works contracts, but the specific value band is not stated.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a strong track record in civil engineering, specifically in road fencing and traffic management.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a company with at least 5 years of experience in civil engineering, demonstrable expertise in national road fencing projects, and experience managing traffic management on roads with high average daily traffic volumes (over 6000 AADT). They must also meet the significant insurance requirements.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract conditions state that the contractor may not assign the contract without the Employer's consent. While sub-contracting for specific elements of the work is not explicitly prohibited, the primary contractor remains fully responsible. Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned but are generally permissible in public procurement if structured correctly to meet the experience and turnover requirements collectively.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the need to compile detailed project histories (Appendix B1), ensure insurance compliance, and potentially develop a pricing strategy without a disclosed value, bid preparation could require 10-20 days of effort for an experienced firm.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is for a specific type of work (fencing retrofit on a national road) and uses a standard public works contract. The lack of a disclosed value and specific award criteria makes it difficult to assess incumbent strength or previous winners. The experience requirements are specific, suggesting a focus on specialist contractors.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in provided text.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified in provided text.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf (Short Public Works Contract Conditions)
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx