St. Columcille's Hospital - Water Metering and Monitoring Project

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 project involves the supply, installation, and commissioning of a comprehensive water metering and monitoring system at St. Columcille's Hospital. The contractor will be responsible for integrating various types of meters and sensors to track water flow, temperature, and tank levels across different hospital areas. The contract will be based on the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6).

Key activities and components include:

• Flow Metering:

• Installation of UE designated (episensor wireless module) flow meters on the incoming mains water supply (1 unit) and a spare mains supply (1 unit).

• Installation of U-Sonic clamp-on meters and EPI dual nodes for flow and temperature monitoring in various locations:

• Internal mains (inpatient supply) - Medical records attic (1 unit, 2" diameter).

• Mains CWST - Above Lab (2 units, 1" diameter).

• Theatre plantroom CWST - Theatre Roof (1 unit, 1" diameter, power supply present).

• Modular Building CWST - Modular building plantroom (1 unit, 1" diameter).

• Orthodontics CWST - Orthodontics plantroom (1 unit, 1" diameter).

• Installation of U-Sonic clamp-on meters and EPI dual nodes for hot water (DHW) cold feed flow and temperature monitoring:

• Main plant room (boiler house) (2 units, 2" diameter).

• Theatre plantroom (1 unit, 2" diameter, power supply present).

• Modular unit (1 unit, 1" diameter).

• Orthodontics (1 unit, 2" diameter).

• Installation of U-Sonic clamp-on meters and EPI dual nodes for hot water return flow and temperature monitoring:

• Main plantroom (1 unit, 2" diameter).

• Theatre Plantroom (1 unit, 1"1/4 diameter, power supply present).

• Modular unit (1 unit, 1/2" diameter).

• Orthodontics plantroom (1 unit, 2" diameter).

• A total of 15 flow metering points are specified.

• Temperature Monitoring:

• Installation of Episensor TES temperature probes (pipe) for DHW calorifiers in the Main Plantroom (2 units) and Theatre Plantroom (1 unit).

• Installation of Episensor TES temperature probes for DHW headers: Main plantroom (1 unit, 3" pipe), Theatre Plantroom (1 unit, 2" pipe), Modular Plantroom (1 unit, 1" pipe), and Orthodontics (1 unit, 2" pipe).

• Tank Level Monitoring:

• Installation of top mount sensors for main tanks (2 units, 1m height, IP68 power supply required, external).

• Installation of top mount sensors for Theatre Side A (1 unit, 1m height, power supply required, internal) and Theatre Side B (1 unit, 1m height, power supply required, internal).

• Installation of side mount sensors for the modular unit (1 unit, 1m height, IP68 power supply required, possible internal mounting of power supply).

• Installation of top mount sensors for Orthodontics (1 unit, 1m height, power supply required, internal).

• System Commissioning: The contractor will be required to commission the installed system.

• Project Supervisor for Construction Stage (PSCS): The contractor will be appointed as the PSCS.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for St. Columcille's Hospital. The project aims to implement a water metering and monitoring system, likely driven by operational efficiency, resource management, and potentially regulatory compliance needs within the healthcare sector. The use of the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6) indicates a project of a defined scope and value, suitable for a streamlined procurement process. The tender documents are dated November 2024 and November 2025, suggesting a recent initiative. No specific policy or programme is explicitly cited, but it aligns with general public sector drives for improved infrastructure management and data-driven decision-making.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €6,500 for any one event.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• Insurance of the Works and goods and materials for the Works: Maximum excess of €10,000.
• Public Liability: Maximum excess of €6,500.
• Employer's Liability: Maximum excess of €6,500.
• 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.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criterion is solely based on the lowest price.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: The Form of Tender and attached Schedule (Volume B) and the completed pricing document (Volume C) must be submitted.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: A completed pricing document (Volume C) is required. This may be a Schedule of Rates or a Bill of Quantities, either prepared by the Contracting Authority or the Candidate, as specified in the Particulars.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number are required for online verification.
• Candidates must comply with all applicable EU and domestic tax laws.
• A Declaration regarding data protection and consent for processing personal data was required at the SAQ stage.
• Any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest must be fully disclosed.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform or by registered post/delivery by hand, as stated in the Particulars. Electronic submissions require sufficient time for upload and a reliable connection.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract length: Not specified.
• Extension structure: Not specified.
• Payment terms: Monthly interim payments of 90% of the value of Works completed and materials delivered to the Site. 95% of the Price is paid after the Employer certifies substantial completion.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated damages: €200 per day.
• Termination clauses: If the Employer terminates and appoints another contractor within 12 months, 4% of the unpaid portion of the Price is paid.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified.
• Performance Bond: Required. 10% of the Price up to substantial completion, and 5% thereafter.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The most significant unusual aspect of this tender is the very long submission deadline of September 21, 2026, for a project that appears to be a standard Short Public Works Contract. This extended timeframe may indicate a project that is not yet fully funded, or one that is part of a larger, longer-term programme where the exact start date is flexible. The award criterion being solely lowest price, without any quality weighting, could lead to a focus on cost reduction, potentially impacting the long-term reliability or maintainability of the system if not carefully managed by the HSE during evaluation. The absence of specific turnover or experience requirements, combined with the lowest price award, might suggest the HSE is aiming for broad market participation, but it also increases the risk of selecting a less experienced bidder.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely open to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in mechanical and electrical (M&E) services, specifically in the installation and commissioning of water metering and monitoring systems. Given the award is based on the lowest price, firms with efficient operational models and competitive pricing structures would be well-positioned. Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are not explicitly prohibited but are not detailed as a preferred route. The bid preparation effort is likely moderate, focusing on accurate pricing for the specified equipment and installation, and ensuring compliance with the insurance and tax requirements. The "lowest price" award criterion suggests that incumbent advantage or complex quality scoring is not a factor, making it potentially more accessible for new entrants, provided they can meet the basic eligibility and offer the most competitive price.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s):
• [Tender Doc's.zip]
• [VolumeB FTS-6_v1.7_06-11-2025 (1) St Columcilles Water Metering & Monitoring System.docx]
• [ITTW5_Open_Procedure_Short_Form_v2.0_18-11-2024 (1) St Columcilles Water Metering Tender.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified in provided text.
• Most important attachments:
• [SCH_Metering Schedule.xlsx]
• [VolumeB FTS-6_v1.7_06-11-2025 (1) St Columcilles Water Metering & Monitoring System.docx]
• [ITTW5_Open_Procedure_Short_Form_v2.0_18-11-2024 (1) St Columcilles Water Metering Tender.docx]