Supply, Delivery and Commissioning of Biopharma Processing Equipment

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 to establish a single-party framework agreement for the supply, delivery, and commissioning of biopharma processing equipment across four distinct lots. The estimated total value for this framework is €3,000,000. The contract is structured as a framework agreement, with the initial term for acceptance of tenders being 12 months from the submission deadline.

The scope of work is divided into four lots, each requiring specific equipment:

• Lot 1: Platform Bioreactor
• Lot 2: Autoclave
• Lot 3: Laminar Air Flow (LAF) Cabinet
• Lot 4: Microbiological Safety Cabinet (MSC) (Class II)

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Supply: Providing the specified biopharma processing equipment for each lot.
• Delivery: Delivering the equipment to the CCFET Life Sciences Centre, Estuary Business Park, Crosshaven Road, Carrigaline, Cork, P43 D274. Delivery is to be DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) incoterms, including all shipping charges, insurance, and customs duties.
• Commissioning: Installing, testing, and commissioning all supplied equipment. This includes:
• Installation of all electrical items in accordance with European standards and relevant amendments.
• Ensuring equipment conforms to EMC directive 89/336/EEC (as amended).
• Carrying out installation and commissioning by the supplier's trained engineers within one to two weeks of delivery.
• Demonstrating correct operation of the equipment on-site.
• Training: Providing on-site training for at least five people after commissioning. This training must cover:
• Use of the instrument and troubleshooting.
• System familiarization, operation, and maintenance.
• Training on all required software and hardware for measurements and applications.
• Basic maintenance and changing of parts.
• Analysis of results and generation of reports.
• Customised methods and configurations.
• Calibration where necessary.
• Documentation: Submitting required documentation in English, including:
• Operator/equipment manuals (hard/soft copy).
• Technical specification documents.
• Maintenance instructions.
• Installation qualification.
• Basic troubleshooting guides.
• Factory acceptance testing reports.
• Calibration documentation.
• Training manuals.
• Copies of relevant testing or compliance certificates of accreditation for the goods.
• Health and Safety Policy.
• Software: Providing software licences for a maximum of 10 users for a minimum of 5 years, with automatic updates/renewals for the same period. Software must allow users to export data and results to word processors or spreadsheets.
• Environmental and Sustainability: Disposing of all packaging and waste after installation and commissioning. Providing details of power consumption, energy rating, and any energy/environmental advantages of the tendered equipment, supported by manufacturer datasheets.

3. Background & buyer context

Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) is procuring biopharma processing equipment to enhance its training facilities. This procurement aligns with the broader objective of providing advanced educational resources within the higher education sector. The equipment is intended for use in a "mimic" training facility, suggesting a focus on practical, hands-on learning for students in biopharmaceutical processing. The tender aims to establish a framework agreement, allowing for efficient procurement of these specialized items over a defined period.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Product Liability (goods only): €6.5m
• Professional Indemnity: €1m
• Certifications:
• Compliance with EN 12469, NSF/ANSI 49, or equivalent international standards for relevant equipment.
• ISO 14644-1 compliance for relevant equipment.
• CE marking as appropriate for electrical equipment.
• Demonstration of an appropriate quality assurance programme (3rd party certified or comprehensive in-house system).
• Compliance with Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 (and amendments).
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate successful delivery of three (3) previous comparable projects involving the components detailed in the tender within the past three (3) years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Delivery is to Carrigaline, Cork, Ireland. Software hosting requirements are not specified, but licences are for a minimum of 5 years.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award is based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), determined by the lowest cost tender that also meets all minimum requirements of the qualitative criteria.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Tender Response Document (Appendix 4 TRD.docx) must be completed in full. Responses to the Quality element (Criterion B) are limited to a maximum of 20 A4 pages in Arial 10 font. Instructions and general tender information are excluded from this page count.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Pricing Document (Appendix 3) must be completed and signed. Prices are to be quoted in Euro (€) excluding VAT. Zero cost should be indicated for no additional charges.
• Case studies: Three (3) previous comparable projects must be detailed, including client name, contact details, annual contract value, delivery dates, and a description of comparability.
• Declarations:
• Declaration of Bona Fides & Statutory Obligations (Article 57).
• Declaration re Statutory Obligations (compliance with Irish legislation).
• Tax Clearance status confirmation (via Revenue online facility or paper certificate).
• Turnover confirmation for 2025, 2024, and 2023.
• Insurance confirmation.
• Confirmation of compliance with standards, specifications, and conditions (Appendix 2).
• Tenderer’s Statement/Form of Tender (Appendix 4).
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) submission via eTenders is an option.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be uploaded as a ZIP file to eTenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The agreement will consist of the Framework T&Cs (Goods), the Call for Tender (CFT), and the Tenderer's submission. The Term is 12 months from the date of the agreement, with potential extensions up to a maximum number of months (number not specified). Payment terms are not detailed beyond the Charges being exclusive of VAT. Key SLAs/KPIs are not explicitly detailed but are implied through the commissioning, training, and after-sales service requirements. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not specified. Termination clauses are not detailed in the provided extract. IP ownership is not specified. Sub-contracting is not permitted as the Contracting Authority does not consent to the Contractor appointing any third-party processor of Personal Data. A parent-company guarantee or bond requirement is not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender establishes a single-party framework agreement, which typically benefits an incumbent or a supplier with a strong existing relationship or market position. The 12-month framework acceptance period, while standard, means bidders must be prepared for potential call-offs within that timeframe. The requirement for specific certifications (EN 12469, NSF/ANSI 49) and adherence to standards like ISO 14644-1 may limit the pool of eligible suppliers to those with established biopharma equipment offerings. The DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) incoterm places significant responsibility on the supplier for all delivery-related costs and risks. The page limit for the quality response (20 pages) requires concise and focused submissions.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely best suited for established suppliers specializing in biopharma processing equipment. The requirement for three comparable projects within the last three years, coupled with specific technical standards and insurance levels, suggests a need for a company with a proven track record in this niche sector. Consortium bidding or subcontracting is not explicitly permitted for the core supply and commissioning, as the Contracting Authority does not consent to third-party processors of Personal Data. The bid preparation effort would be significant, requiring detailed technical specifications, pricing, and documentation of past performance. The "single-party framework agreement" structure, combined with the specific technical requirements, may indicate a preference for a known or highly specialized supplier, potentially increasing the incumbent's advantage if applicable.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Appendix 4 TRD.docx, Appendix 6 Contract Terms and Conditions.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 4 TRD.docx (Tender Response Document)
• Appendix 3 (Pricing Document)
• Appendix 2 (Specifications)