Summer Works 2026 - Home Economics Room Refurbishment

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 to undertake refurbishment works within the Home Economics room at Skerries Community College. The project is designated as "Summer Works 2026," indicating it is scheduled for execution during a school holiday period. The scope encompasses the refurbishment of an existing Home Economics room, implying upgrades to facilities, finishes, and potentially equipment to modernise the space for educational use.

The constituent activities and deliverables are not exhaustively detailed in the provided contract conditions, which focus on the contractual framework rather than specific project specifications. However, based on the nature of a Home Economics room refurbishment, the work is expected to include:

• Demolition and Preparation: Removal of existing fixtures, fittings, and finishes that are obsolete or non-compliant with the refurbishment plan. This may involve dismantling old worktops, cabinetry, and potentially flooring or wall coverings.
• Construction and Installation:
• Installation of new worktops, specified as faced and edged in high-pressure laminate grade HGS (EN 438). Balancing laminate is to be provided in accordance with BS 4965.
• Installation of built-in double ovens (900 specification).
• Installation of undersink electric water heaters.
• Installation of new pipework, including insulation.
• Installation of new fire-rated door leaf and frame assembly (FD30S certified timber) at the main entrance.
• Preparation, priming, and finishing of all internal walls with a minimum of two coats of paint.
• Painting to all timber elements to a selected RAL colour specified by the Architect.
• Services and Utilities:
• Disconnection and removal of obsolete materials.
• Ensuring all associated liners to surrounds are fitted.
• Testing and commissioning of installed equipment and services.
• Labelling of installed components.
• Site Management and Compliance:
• Carrying out works to cause minimum inconvenience to students, staff, and the general public.
• Ensuring the Site is kept in good order and free from unnecessary obstructions.
• Securing the Site and protecting persons on the Site from hazards.
• Complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards, including Building Control Regulations and relevant EN standards for materials.
• Providing certification as required by the Building Control Regulations.
• Ensuring goods and materials are suitable for their intended purpose and providing necessary certification.

The contract is based on the Short Public Works Contract PW-CF6 v1.15, which outlines the general terms and conditions governing the execution of the works.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement falls under the "Summer Works" programme, a recurring initiative by the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) to undertake essential maintenance and refurbishment projects in educational facilities during periods of low occupancy, such as summer holidays. The specific project at Skerries Community College addresses the refurbishment of the Home Economics room, a critical learning space within the school.

The timing of the procurement, with a submission deadline in September 2026 for works planned for Summer 2026, suggests a proactive planning cycle by the DDLETB to ensure timely execution of school improvement projects. The use of the Short Public Works Contract indicates that the project is likely within the typical scale and complexity managed under this framework for educational institutions. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor for this specific refurbishment, but the DDLETB manages a portfolio of similar projects across its schools. The strategic driver is to maintain and upgrade educational infrastructure to provide a conducive learning environment.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, bidders must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000.00 (six million, five hundred thousand euro) for any one event.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000.00 (thirteen million euro) for any one event.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Suppliers shall provide, on request, a minimum of ten satisfactory references.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must declare that they have, or will take out prior to appointment, the required Public Liability and Employer's Liability Insurance.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided contract conditions. Typically, public works tenders in Ireland are awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which involves a balance of price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality, along with the detailed sub-criteria for quality assessment (e.g., technical approach, methodology, experience, health and safety, environmental considerations), would be outlined in the full tender documentation, such as the Request for Tender (RFT) and associated appendices. Without this information, a precise breakdown of scoring is not possible.

6. Submission requirements

The submission requirements are not detailed in the provided contract conditions. Typically, for a tender of this nature, bidders would be required to submit:

• A completed tender response document, potentially using a specific template provided by the buyer.
• A detailed pricing schedule, outlining costs for all elements of the works.
• Curriculum Vitae (CVs) for key personnel proposed for the project, demonstrating relevant experience.
• Case studies or references demonstrating successful completion of similar refurbishment projects.
• Declarations, including:
• The European Single Procurement Document (ESPD).
• Bona Fide Tenders declaration.
• Tax clearance certificates.
• Declaration of conflicts of interest.
• Proof of insurance coverage meeting the specified minimums.
• Any other documentation requested in the full RFT, such as method statements or health and safety plans.

Submissions are to be made via the eTenders platform.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

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

• Contract Term: The contract comes into effect upon written acceptance of the tender. The Time for Completion is stated in the Schedule, with provisions for extension due to Compensation Events, loss or damage to the Works, weather events, strikes, public authority orders, or failure of other parties.
• Payment Terms: Interim payments are made on account as scheduled. A significant portion is paid after substantial completion, with the balance paid after the Defects Certificate is issued. Payment claim notices require a response within 14 days, and the Employer shall pay invoices within the period stated in the Schedule. Interest applies to late payments as per EU Regulations.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: No specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are detailed in the provided contract conditions. Performance is primarily governed by adherence to the contract, quality of works, and timely completion.
• Liquidated Damages: If the Contractor fails to substantially complete the Works within the Time for Completion, liquidated damages apply at the rate specified in the Schedule, from the day after the last day of the Time for Completion until substantial completion. The rate is stated as €300 per day in the "DO-NOT-USE-AS-BINDING" section, but this may be a placeholder or example value.
• Termination: The Employer may terminate the contract under specific circumstances, including prolonged suspension of works or Contractor default. Provisions exist for the Employer to complete the works by others and recover costs.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided contract conditions.
• Sub-contracting: The Contractor may not subcontract the whole of the Works. Subcontracting parts of the Works requires the Employer's Representative's consent, unless already provided for in the contract.
• Performance Bond: If required by the Schedule, a performance bond must be provided within 7 days of tender acceptance.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Limited Detail on Scope: The provided contract conditions are standard legal terms and do not contain specific technical specifications or detailed scope of works for the Home Economics room refurbishment. Bidders must rely on the full RFT documentation for precise project requirements.
• "Summer Works" Designation: While common, "Summer Works" implies a tight timeframe for execution, typically during school holidays. Any delays could impact the school's operational schedule, potentially leading to increased scrutiny or liquidated damages if the Time for Completion is missed.
• Insurance Requirements: The specified insurance levels (€6.5m Public Liability, €13m Employer's Liability) are substantial and may be a filtering mechanism.
• Short Public Works Contract: This contract form is designed for projects up to €1 million (or €2 million for building works) and is generally less complex than the RIAI or FIDIC forms. However, it still requires careful management of contractual obligations.
• Submission Deadline: The submission deadline is in September 2026 for works planned for Summer 2026. This is an unusually long lead time between tender submission and the intended start of works, suggesting potential for scope changes or a need for long-term planning by the buyer.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in general building refurbishment and fit-out works, particularly within the education sector. The scope, while specific to a Home Economics room, appears to be a manageable project for a competent contractor.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a building contractor with a proven track record in educational or similar institutional refurbishments. They must possess the necessary accreditations and demonstrate robust health and safety management systems. The ability to provide the specified insurance levels is crucial.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The contract explicitly prohibits subcontracting the whole of the Works. Subcontracting parts of the Works is permissible with the Employer's Representative's consent. Consortium bidding is not explicitly mentioned but would likely be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with the lead party needing to meet core eligibility criteria.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a bid for a project of this nature, including pricing, method statements, and compliance documentation, would typically require several days of effort for a small business, potentially 5-10 days depending on the complexity of the full RFT and the bidder's internal processes.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is advertised through a standard public procurement process. The "Summer Works" designation and the use of the Short Public Works Contract suggest a competitive tendering environment. There is no clear indication of an incumbent advantage or a sole-supplier framework. The long lead time between submission and works commencement is unusual and could indicate a need for flexibility or potential scope adjustments.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided text.
• Most Important Attachments:
• PW-CF6_Contract_v1.15_25-11-2025.pdf (Conditions of Contract)
• The full Request for Tender (RFT) document (not provided).
• Appendices detailing specific project requirements, drawings, and specifications (not provided).