Geothermal Contractor for Thermal Response Testing

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 thermal response testing (TRT) for a geothermal system. The scope involves the drilling of boreholes, installation of probes, and subsequent testing to assess ground thermal conductivity. The project is situated at the Sligo Regional Sports Centre, identified by address Sligo Regional Sports Centre, Cleveragh, Sligo, F91 XV62.

The contractor's responsibilities include:

• Borehole Drilling: Drilling boreholes to a specified depth. The drilling must accommodate a minimum of 2m additional depth for probe installation and the application of weight (minimum 140kg) for the double-U probe.
• Probe Installation: Installing double-U probes within each drilled borehole.
• Manifold Chamber: Construction of a central manifold chamber. This chamber will accommodate 160mm SDR11 headers and a total of 48 individual circuits. Connections from boreholes, surface pipework, and the manifold chamber are part of the scope.
• Thermal Response Testing (TRT): Conducting TRT to evaluate the thermal conductivity of the ground. This testing is to be performed in accordance with relevant standards and methodologies.
• System Integration: Connecting the double-U probe circuits to the central manifold chamber.
• Testing and Commissioning: Flow testing of the installed system in accordance with the UKGSHPA methodology, BS EN 805, a modified method, EN17628:2015, and prEN17522.
• Documentation: Providing all necessary documentation related to the drilling, installation, and testing processes.

The project's context involves the Sligo Regional Sports Centre, which has a total floor area of 2582sqm, comprising a ground floor area of 2293sqm and a first floor area of 289sqm. The existing site has a complex underground utility network, as detailed in Appendix A of the tender documents, which will require careful consideration during drilling and installation.

3. Background & buyer context

Sligo County Council is procuring geothermal contracting services for the Sligo Regional Sports Centre. This initiative aligns with broader objectives for sustainable energy solutions within public facilities. While specific policy drivers are not detailed, the procurement of geothermal technology suggests a commitment to reducing operational carbon footprints and energy costs. The Sligo Regional Sports Centre, with its significant floor area, presents an opportunity for substantial energy savings through renewable heating and cooling. The tender documents include extensive utility surveys, indicating a need for careful planning and execution to avoid existing underground infrastructure during the geothermal system's installation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Cover on an Each And Every claim basis of €700,000 or sterling equivalent. Cover on an Annual Aggregate basis of €500,000 - €700,000 or sterling equivalent.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €2,600,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €13,000,000 or sterling equivalent (minimum £10m) in respect of any one accident.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender. However, the scope references standards such as EN ISO 17628:2015, EN 17522:2023, prEN17522:2022, NSAI SR 50-4:2021, BS EN 805, and EN14511, suggesting a need for expertise in these areas.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender. However, the requirement for a minimum of 8 weeks' notice to commence drilling implies a need for operational readiness within Ireland.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided tender metadata. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. Without specific details, it is assumed that evaluation will consider technical merit, experience, methodology, and price. Any minimum scoring thresholds or specific weightings for quality versus price would be found in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

The specific submission requirements are not fully detailed in the provided metadata. However, based on standard procurement practices and the nature of the tender, bidders will likely need to provide:

• Method Statement/Response Document: Detailing their approach to the scope of work, including drilling, probe installation, manifold construction, and testing. Page limits and specific templates may apply.
• CVs: For key personnel involved in the project, demonstrating relevant experience. Page count restrictions may be in place.
• Pricing Schedule: A detailed breakdown of costs, likely in a specified format.
• Case Studies: Examples of previous, comparable projects undertaken by the bidder.
• Declarations: Including the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Bona Fides declarations, tax clearance certificates, and conflict of interest statements.
• Mandatory Site Visit: If required, details regarding the date, time, and contact person would be provided.
• Submission Portal: Tenders are to be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. Specific formatting rules for uploaded documents may apply.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms are not detailed in the provided metadata. However, standard public sector contract terms in Ireland typically include:

• Contract Length and Extensions: The duration of the contract and any provisions for extension.
• Payment Terms: Usually net 30 days, with potential for prompt payment incentives.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs) / Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Performance metrics that the contractor must meet.
• Liquidated Damages: Penalties for failure to meet specific contractual obligations, such as completion deadlines.
• Termination Clauses: Conditions under which either party can terminate the contract.
• Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership: Typically, IP generated during the contract remains with the contracting authority.
• Sub-contracting Rules: Restrictions or requirements regarding the use of sub-contractors.
• Parent Company Guarantee or Bond: May be required for certain contracts to ensure financial stability.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender documents highlight the complexity of the existing underground utility network at the Sligo Regional Sports Centre, as detailed in Appendix A. This presents a significant risk of encountering unforeseen services during drilling, potentially leading to delays, additional costs, and damage. The utility survey disclaimers emphasize limitations in accuracy and the possibility of missed services, requiring bidders to factor in contingency for such events. The requirement for a minimum of 8 weeks' notice to commence drilling suggests a lead time for mobilisation and procurement of materials, which must be factored into project planning. The absence of a disclosed estimated value or contract length makes it difficult to assess the scale and duration of the commitment.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with specialised expertise in geothermal drilling and thermal response testing. The scope requires technical proficiency in borehole construction, probe installation, and adherence to specific industry standards (e.g., EN ISO 17628, prEN17522, BS EN 805).

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a proven track record in ground source heat pump installations, particularly those involving TRT, would be well-positioned. Experience with complex site conditions and underground utility management would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents do not explicitly state whether consortium bids or sub-contracting are permitted. Bidders should verify this in the full tender documentation.
• Bid-Prep Effort: The effort required to prepare a bid will depend on the bidder's existing documentation and experience. However, given the technical nature of the scope and the need to address potential site risks, a significant effort, potentially 5-10 days, is anticipated for a thorough and compliant submission.
• Pwin Signal: The absence of an incumbent name or a stated budget makes it difficult to assess the competitive landscape. However, the technical complexity and the need for specialised equipment and expertise may naturally limit the number of highly qualified bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in metadata.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in metadata.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified in metadata.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [6. Appendix C - A24001-DR-SCC-AR-11001 Existing Ground Floor Plan.pdf]
• [1. Appendix A - 7862 Sligo Regional Sports Centre -200ITM15-UG-2D.pdf]