Kilpatrick Coastal Protection Works

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 Works Contractor and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) for the Kilpatrick Coastal Protection Works in County Wexford. The scope involves civil engineering and general construction activities related to coastal defence.

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Construction of Coastal Protection Works: This includes the provision and placement of materials and structures to protect the coastline. Specific elements mentioned include:
• Geotextile placement with a minimum overlap of 1000mm, secured using specified methods.
• Revetment toe construction, with the base buried a minimum of 1 metre.
• Provision and placement of aggregate layers, including a capping layer as detailed in drawing 02344-TT-ZZ-ZZ-DR-C 0005 m². Specific aggregate types and standards are referenced, such as BS 594987:2015, EN 13108-4:2015, MCHW CL 910 for 45mm aggregate, and BS EN 1340:2003 for Half Battered Kerb Type HB2.
• Installation of kerbs as per BS EN 1340:2003.
• Project Supervision (PSCS): The contractor will act as the Project Supervisor Construction Stage, ensuring compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This involves managing health and safety on site throughout the construction phase.
• Minimising Disruption: The contractor must organise work to cause the minimum of inconvenience to road or marine users, ensuring vehicles are allowed through with minimal delay.
• Health and Safety Management: The contractor must demonstrate competence in health and safety, adhering to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations. This includes developing and implementing Safety and Health Plans, carrying out risk assessments, and maintaining a safety management system compliant with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Quality Assurance: Measures for ensuring quality in construction are required, with specific references to standards for materials and workmanship.

The project is classified as Type 2, indicating a value between €1,000,000 and €10,000,000 (Excluding VAT).

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by Wexford County Council for the Kilpatrick Coastal Protection Works. The project falls under the general framework of public sector construction procurement, utilising the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). The tender is being run as an Open procedure, indicating a broad competition. The documentation provided (SAQ, Health and Safety Supplements) aligns with standard Irish public procurement practices for works contracts, emphasizing technical capability and health and safety competence. There is no specific mention of a prior programme or policy driver beyond the need for coastal protection in the Kilpatrick area. The incumbent contractor, if any, is not identified.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €1.5m arising from General Construction/Civil Engineering work.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 per accident. Maximum excess is €6,500.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1.5m. Maximum permissible excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Safety management system must be in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Certified membership of Safe-T-Cert may be deemed equivalent for quality control purposes.
• Past experience:
• Evidence of Health and Safety aspects of works previously undertaken over the past 5 years (or 7 years where necessary for competition).
• Projects must be similar in nature and complexity to the Works.
• Completion of Appendix B1 (List of Previous Works Projects) and Appendix B2 (Certificate of Satisfactory Execution) is required.
• For Type 2 & 3 Projects, evidence of adequate and appropriate ongoing health and safety training and commitment of resources is required.
• For Type 3 projects, details of relevant technicians or technical bodies for quality control and a safety management system are required.
• Personnel:
• Management staff must have appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience, with relevant Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience.
• Personnel must have appropriate educational and professional qualifications and experience, with relevant Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience.
• Where a Foreman has no qualifications or formal training, a minimum of 6 years' experience is required.
• The Site Safety Officer (or PSCS) must have a minimum of 4 years' experience in the role or equivalent H&S training.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided extract. However, the process involves a Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) which functions as a pass/fail gate for eligibility. Bidders must meet the minimum standards outlined in the SAQ and Health and Safety Supplements. The tender procedure is 'Open', suggesting that once bidders pass the suitability assessment, they will proceed to a tender submission stage where award criteria, likely including price and quality, will be applied. The specific weighting for price versus quality is not stated in the provided documents.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit a Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Response, which includes:

• Part 2 (Tenderer Details and Declaration): This must be completed and signed by the Tenderer.
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) or Appendix A: Required if grounds for exclusion in Regulation 57 of SI 284/2016 apply.
• Evidence or other documentation: As required by the Questionnaire and Health and Safety Supplements. This includes:
• Curricula Vitae (CVs) for management staff and personnel, detailing qualifications, experience, and health and safety training. Page limits for CVs are not specified.
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Works Projects for which there are Certificates of Satisfactory Execution.
• Appendix B2: Certificate of Satisfactory Execution.
• Details of the Applicant’s organisational structure.
• Evidence of a safety management system (e.g., ISO 45001:2018 certification or Safe-T-Cert).
• For Type 2 & 3 Projects: Evidence of ongoing health and safety training and commitment of resources.
• For Type 3 projects: Details of relevant technicians or technical bodies for quality control.
• A statement of average annual numbers of persons employed (including managerial positions) over the last 3 years.
• A Safety Statement in the format outlined by the Health and Safety Authority.
• Banker's Letter: Appendix C, on applicant headed paper, confirming banking facilities.
• Submission Portal: Submissions are expected via eTenders, with specific formatting rules potentially detailed within the portal or accompanying documentation.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Form: The specific Public Works Contract form to be used will be stated in the Project Particulars.
• Contract Length: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Payment Terms: Not specified.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated Damages: A rate of €500 is mentioned, but its application context is not detailed.
• Termination Clauses: Not specified.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Appendix C requires a Banker's Letter, indicating a potential need for financial standing verification, but specific bond requirements are not detailed.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Health and Safety Focus: The extensive Health and Safety Supplements (3.4.1) indicate a high level of scrutiny on a bidder's safety competence, beyond standard requirements. This suggests a potential risk for bidders with less robust H&S management systems.
• Type 2 Project Classification: While not a red flag, classifying this as a Type 2 project (value €1m-€10m excluding VAT) sets a specific benchmark for the scale and complexity of expected experience and resources.
• Lack of Detailed Scope: The provided documents focus heavily on the SAQ process. The detailed scope of works, specific drawings, and bill of quantities are not included in this extract, meaning bidders will need to refer to separate, comprehensive tender documents for full project understanding.
• Deadline: The submission deadline of October 2026 is distant, allowing significant preparation time.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as an Open procedure, theoretically allowing any qualified SME to bid. However, the requirements present challenges for very small businesses:

• Turnover: The €1.5m average annual turnover requirement in general construction/civil engineering is a significant barrier for many SMEs.
• Insurance: The Public Liability (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability (€13m) insurance levels are substantial and may be difficult or costly for smaller firms to obtain.
• Experience: Demonstrating a history of comparable projects, particularly with the required health and safety documentation (e.g., Safety Statements, risk assessments, Certificates of Satisfactory Execution), requires established operational history.
• Consortium/JV: The SAQ documentation acknowledges the possibility of Tenderers being a Consortium, Joint Venture, or Partnership. This is the most likely route for SMEs to meet the turnover and experience requirements, by pooling resources and capabilities with other firms.
• Bid-Prep Effort: Significant effort will be required to compile the SAQ, Health and Safety Supplements, and gather all supporting documentation (CVs, certificates, banker's letter). This could equate to several weeks of dedicated work for a small team.
• Pwin Signal: The Open procedure and the specific eligibility criteria suggest a competitive process. The distant deadline may indicate the buyer is seeking a broad pool of candidates. There is no explicit indication of an incumbent or a sole-supplier framework.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: Kilpatrick Coastal Protection Works SAQ - T01.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided documents.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in provided documents.
• Key Attachments:
• QW2 v2.2 25-11-2025: Suitability Assessment Questionnaire – Works Contractors: Open Procedure
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025.docx: Health and Safety Competence of a Works Contractor
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx
• Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter.docx