T.068.2026 - Motorcycle Helmets

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 the supply of motorcycle helmets for An Garda Síochána. The contract is for the provision of goods, specifically motorcycle helmets, to be used by An Garda Síochána personnel. The estimated value of the proposed contract is €500,000 (excluding VAT) over its term.

The scope of work involves the supply of motorcycle helmets that meet detailed specifications outlined in Appendix 1 of the RFT. Key requirements for the helmets include:

• Compliance with Standards: Helmets must be compliant with ECE Regulation ECE-R 22.06 UA or an equivalent international standard.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: The system must enable Bluetooth connectivity for intercom functionality.
• Talk Time: A minimum of 11 hours of talk time is required for the integrated communication system.
• Usage Duration: The helmets must be suitable for a minimum of one tour of duty.
• Sample Submission: Tenderers are required to supply three white motorcycle helmets as samples. This includes two extra-large (XL/61) helmets and one large (L/59) helmet for wearer trials.
• Branding: Branded packaging may not be accepted. Samples must be identified by a Unique Anonymous Tenderer ID. While brand names and manufacturer names may remain on Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) samples, tenderer details must be covered and replaced with the Tenderer’s Unique ID. CE marking labels should remain, but if they contain the tenderer's name, this should be covered and replaced with the Unique ID.
• Delivery of Samples: Samples must be delivered to The Procurement Office, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, before the tender deadline.
• Documentation: Test reports, data sheets, and documented evidence requirements for the goods samples must be submitted via the electronic post-box with the Tender Response Documents, not with the physical samples. All documentation and manuals must be in English.

The contract is for a term of three (3) years, with the possibility of extension for up to twelve (12) months in one or two periods.

3. Background & buyer context

An Garda Síochána, the national police force of Ireland, is procuring motorcycle helmets through an accelerated open procedure. This procurement is driven by the operational need for suitable protective headgear for officers engaged in motorcycle duties. The estimated contract value suggests a requirement for a significant volume of helmets to equip officers across the force, which operates in over 700 locations nationwide. The tender documents do not explicitly link this procurement to a specific government policy or programme, but it aligns with the general requirement for law enforcement agencies to maintain operational readiness and equip personnel with appropriate safety gear. No incumbent supplier is explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of €250,000 over the last three (3) years or the most recent years of service if in operation for fewer than three years. This must be confirmed by a signed Accountants statement or equivalent.
• Insurance: The successful Tenderer shall be required to hold the following insurances for the term of the Goods Contract:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Product Liability: €6,500,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence, per insurance year. An indemnity to Principals clause must be included for Employer’s Liability and Public Liability insurances.
• Certifications:
• Quality Management System: Tenderers must provide either a valid ISO 9001 certificate or an equivalent documented Quality Management System (QMS). Failure to provide evidence will result in a fail.
• Testing Accreditation: The system must enable Bluetooth connectivity for intercom, with a minimum of 11 hours talk time. (Note: This appears to be a specification requirement rather than a certification, but is listed under 'Regulations and standards cited' in the source material).
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Tenderers should provide a high-level organisation chart for the support organisation and a minimum of two short biographies for technical support personnel using the Template at appendix 1.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement for insurance policies to include Ireland within their territorial limits and jurisdiction.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of the contract will be based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). The tender documents do not specify the exact weighting or scoring mechanism for award criteria. However, the evaluation process will first assess compliant tenders based on the selection criteria. Only those meeting the selection criteria will be evaluated against the award criteria. The specific award criteria and their weightings will be detailed in Part 3 of the RFT, which was not fully provided in the extract.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit their bids electronically via the eTenders ‘electronic tenderbox’ on www.etenders.gov.ie. Tenders submitted by any other means will not be accepted.

The submission must include:

• Electronic Single Procurement Document (eESPD): Completed and submitted electronically.
• Tenderer’s Statement: A scanned, signed copy printed on the Tenderer’s letterhead, confirming acceptance of RFT requirements and Goods Contract terms.
• Pricing Schedule: Completed as per Appendix 2. Prices must be all-inclusive (excluding VAT), in Euro, and remain valid for 180 days from the Tender Deadline.
• Samples: Three white motorcycle helmets (2 XL/61, 1 L/59) with integrated communication systems, compliant with ECE Regulation ECE-R 22.06 UA or equivalent.
• Test Reports, Data Sheets, and Documented Evidence: For the goods samples, uploaded with the tender response documents.
• Organisation Chart and Biographies: A high-level organisation chart for the support organisation and minimum of two short biographies for technical support personnel.
• Declarations:
• eESPD (covering mandatory grounds for exclusion and selection criteria).
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declaration of no conflict of interest.
• Format: Documents must be readable using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PDF, and must be text searchable (not scanned images). Maximum file size limits apply (250MB per file, 2GB total).
• Unique Anonymous Tender ID: Tenderers must apply for this via the eTenders messaging portal before the clarification deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Goods Contract will be for a term of three (3) years.
• Extension: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the term for up to twelve (12) months, in one or two periods, on the same terms and conditions.
• Payment Terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Goods Contract at Appendix 5.
• Price Adjustments: Prices may be increased or decreased only on the first anniversary of the contract's effective date and subsequent anniversaries, by agreement and only by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) sub-index for Clothing & Footwear / Sporting equipment.
• Environmental, Social, and Labour Law: The successful Tenderer and subcontractors must comply with all applicable EU and national environmental, social, and labour laws.
• Publicity: No publicity regarding the competition or contract is permitted without prior written consent.
• Registrable Interest: Any registrable interest involving a Tenderer, subcontractor, or their relatives and An Garda Síochána or government officials must be disclosed. Failure to do so may lead to elimination or contract termination.
• Tax Clearance: The successful Tenderer must supply Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification prior to award.
• Conflict of Interest: Any conflict of interest must be disclosed immediately. The Contracting Authority may eliminate a Tenderer or terminate a contract in such circumstances.
• Termination: Not explicitly detailed in the provided extract, beyond potential termination for conflict of interest or failure to disclose registrable interests.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Accelerated Procedure: The use of an "accelerated open procedure" suggests a compressed timeline for tender preparation and submission, which may pose a challenge for bidders needing to gather information and prepare comprehensive responses.
• Sample Requirements: The requirement for specific helmet sizes (XL/61 and L/59) and the need for integrated Bluetooth communication systems with a minimum 11-hour talk time indicates a precise technical specification that may limit the number of compliant suppliers. The strict rules around sample identification (Unique Anonymous Tenderer ID) and the potential for non-compliance if details are visible are critical to note.
• Turnover Requirement: The €250,000 average annual turnover requirement, while not exceptionally high, is a clear gate. For a contract estimated at €500,000 over three years, this turnover level is reasonable but requires bidders to have a consistent financial track record.
• Insurance Levels: The insurance requirements (€13m Employer's Liability, €6.5m Public Liability, €6.5m Product Liability) are substantial and may be a barrier for smaller or newer entrants to the market.
• No Price/Quality Split Specified: While the award is based on MEAT, the specific weighting of price versus quality criteria is not detailed in the provided sections, making it difficult to gauge the relative importance of each.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as an open procedure, encouraging participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). An Garda Síochána explicitly states a policy to encourage SME participation and suggests that SMEs whose capacity is beyond their own may explore forming relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises.

• Credible Bidders: A credible bidder would be a manufacturer or distributor of motorcycle helmets with proven experience in supplying safety equipment, specifically helmets with integrated communication systems. They must meet the specified technical standards (ECE R 22.06 UA), Bluetooth requirements, and insurance levels. The turnover requirement of €250,000 average annual turnover over three years suggests that businesses with a moderate financial scale are targeted.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortiums and groups of undertakings are permitted. Larger enterprises are encouraged to include SMEs in their proposals. A Prime Contractor will be designated to carry overall responsibility, regardless of subcontracting.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the detailed technical specifications, sample requirements, and mandatory documentation (eESPD, insurance, QMS, pricing), bid preparation effort is likely to be significant. Estimating 10-20 days of focused effort for a well-prepared company is reasonable, covering technical specification review, sample sourcing and testing, pricing, and administrative compliance.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is an open procedure, suggesting it is not exclusively for an incumbent. The accelerated nature and specific technical requirements might favour established suppliers with existing product lines that meet these criteria. The explicit encouragement of SMEs and consortia indicates a desire for broader market participation.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: T.068.2026 RFT for the Supply of Motorcycle Helmets for An Garda Síochána.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement