Repair of two bridges in Glenveagh National Park

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 | :------------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------ | :------------- | :-------------- | :------- | :------------- | :--- | :-------------- | :-------------- | :------------------ | :-------------- | Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage Repair of two bridges in Glenveagh National Park Not stated €250,000 Not stated Not stated 1 Not stated Not stated 2026-10-07 11:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks a contractor for the repair of two bridges within Glenveagh National Park. The estimated value of the contract is €250,000. The scope of work involves the replacement of existing timber bridge decks and balustrades.

The specific activities required include:

• Dismantling and Disposal: Carefully dismantle and demolish existing timber deck and balustrade elements. Dispose of these materials off-site in a controlled manner.
• Replacement of Deck and Balustrade: Supply and install new timber bridge decks and balustrades.
• Structural Integrity: The new bridge structures must be structurally designed to span a minimum of 2 meters in width.
• Material Conformance: All materials used must be of good quality and conform to relevant standards. Steelwork, where applicable, is to be hot-dip galvanized to EN ISO 1461 and fabricated in conformance with BS EN 1090-1 and BS EN 1090-2, requiring an Execution Class in accordance with BS EN 1090-2.
• Site Management: Maintain the site in good order, keep it secure, and ensure the safety of persons on-site and protect nearby areas from hazards resulting from the works.
• Compliance: Construct the works in accordance with good practice, the contract, the Employer's Representative's written instructions, and all applicable laws.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure goods and materials are suitable for their intended purpose and provide necessary certification to comply with the Building Control Regulations.
• Reporting: Inform the Employer's Representative and Assigned Certifier in good time before any part of the works is covered or materials are made difficult to inspect, providing an opportunity for inspection.
• Site Access: The contractor is responsible for the suitability and availability of access routes to and through the site, including any required maintenance and upgrading, and charges for their use, unless stated otherwise.
• Completion: Substantially complete the works within the specified Time for Completion.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The project addresses the need for essential repairs to two bridges located within Glenveagh National Park. The park is a significant natural and cultural heritage site, and maintaining its infrastructure is crucial for visitor access and preservation. The tender falls under the remit of public works contracts, adhering to the Short Public Works Contract Conditions (PW-CF6 v1.15). The estimated value of €250,000 suggests a project of moderate scale, likely requiring specialized civil engineering and construction expertise for heritage environments.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover Requirement:
• Average annual turnover of at least €400,000 arising from Civil & Building Works.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €500,000. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Past Experience:
• A minimum of 5 full-time employees, with at least two in managerial roles.
• Contract Manager and Foreman must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in similar projects.
• Bidders must provide a list of completed projects using Appendix B1 and Appendix B2 (Certificate of Satisfactory Project Execution) for each project. The number of previous works projects required is not explicitly stated but implied by the need for certificates.
• Personnel:
• Minimum of 5 full-time employees, with at least two managerial roles.
• Contract Manager and Foreman require a minimum of 10 years of experience in similar projects.
• Certifications:
• Fabrication of steelwork must be in conformance with BS EN 1090-1 and BS EN 1090-2, requiring an Execution Class in accordance with BS EN 1090-2.
• Geographic / Facility Constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided extract. However, the tender is for a public works contract, which typically follows a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality, along with any minimum scoring thresholds per criterion, would be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Certificates of Satisfactory Project Execution: A separate certificate (Appendix B2) must be provided for each project listed in Appendix B1 (List of Previous Works projects).
• Banker's Letter: A letter from the applicant's principal banker (Appendix C) confirming banking relationships and facilities.
• Tax Clearance: Tenderers must supply their Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification of tax status.
• Electronic Copies: The number and type of electronic copies required are stated in the Particulars (specifically, Type: PDF, No. of copies not specified).
• Pricing Schedule: Format and template to be confirmed in full tender documents.
• Declarations: Not explicitly detailed but typically include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform.

7. Key dates & process

Note: Other key dates such as clarification deadline and site visit (if applicable) are not specified in the provided extract.

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Short Public Works Contract Conditions (PW-CF6 v1.15). Key terms include:

• Contract Length: The Time for Completion is stated in the Schedule. Works must be practically completed by 23rd November 2026, and substantially complete by 20th November 2026.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments are made on account as scheduled. Final payment occurs after the Defects Certificate is issued. Payment claim notices require a response within 14 days, and the Employer shall pay the invoiced amount within the period stated in the Schedule.
• Liquidated Damages: If the contractor fails to substantially complete the works within the Time for Completion, liquidated damages will apply at the rate specified in the Schedule, from the day after the last day of the Time for Completion until substantial completion.
• Termination: The contract allows for termination under specific circumstances, including prolonged suspension of works.
• Performance Bond: If required by the Schedule, a performance bond must be provided within 7 days of tender acceptance.
• Price Variation: The Price will change only as expressly provided in the contract. Mechanisms for price adjustment related to material and fuel costs are outlined in Clause 18.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Specific Completion Dates: The tender specifies distinct dates for practical completion (23rd November 2026) and substantial completion (20th November 2026). This tight timeframe, particularly the earlier substantial completion date, may pose a risk if not carefully managed.
• Weather Event Definition: The contract includes a detailed definition of a "weather event" which can impact the Time for Completion. Bidders must understand how Met Éireann data and percentiles are used to define such events, as this can affect project timelines and potential claims.
• Short Public Works Contract: The use of the Short Public Works Contract (PW-CF6) indicates a potentially simpler contractual framework compared to standard forms, but it still contains detailed clauses on responsibilities, payments, and dispute resolution.
• Limited Value: The contract value of €250,000 is relatively modest, which might influence the type of contractor attracted and the level of competition.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven experience in civil engineering and construction, specifically in bridge repair and timber works.

• Viable Bidder Profile: A firm with a turnover of at least €400,000 in civil and building works, possessing the required insurance levels (€6.5m Public Liability, €13m Employer's Liability, €500k Professional Indemnity), and a track record of similar projects (demonstrated via Appendix B2 certificates). The requirement for a Contract Manager and Foreman with 10 years of experience, and a minimum of 5 full-time employees (2 managerial), aligns with established SME operational structures.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract conditions (PW-CF6) state that the contractor may not assign the contract or any part of it without the Employer's consent. While sub-contracting is implicitly allowed (as part of "Contractor's Personnel"), forming a consortium for bidding purposes would need careful consideration against the "Applicant entity" options in Appendix B2 (Sole trader/Joint Venture/Consortium/Partnership).
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing the required documentation, including detailed project certificates (Appendix B2), banker's letter, and ensuring compliance with specific construction standards (BS EN 1090), would likely require 5-10 days of dedicated effort for an experienced firm.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is for a specific, localized repair. There is no clear indication of an incumbent contractor being favoured. The award will likely depend on meeting all eligibility criteria and presenting a competitive price and a compliant technical approach.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in the provided extract.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [Appendix-B2.docx] APPENDIX B2: CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTORY PROJECT EXECUTION
• [Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter.docx] Appendix C: Banker's Letter
• [Appendix-B1-List-of-Previous-Works.docx] Appendix B1: List of Previous Works
• [PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf] SHORT PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT Conditions