TEN2600163 - Schedule of Rates for Supply and Delivery of Pipes and Fittings

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 Schedule of Rates for the supply and delivery of pipes and associated fittings to Cavan County Council. The contract duration is for an initial period of 12 months, commencing on 12th October 2026 and concluding on 11th October 2027. Cavan County Council reserves the right to extend the contract based on satisfactory performance, budget availability, and ongoing business needs. The estimated annual contract value is between €20,000 and €200,000 (excluding VAT), though this is not guaranteed.

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Supply and Delivery: Providing a range of pipes and associated fittings as and when required by Cavan County Council.
• Schedule of Rates: Establishing a comprehensive schedule of rates for all items. This schedule will be used for pricing and comparison purposes.
• Delivery Locations: Delivering goods to specified locations within Cavan County Council's three Municipal Districts: Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, Bailieborough/Cootehill Municipal District, and Cavan/Belturbet Municipal District. Specific delivery points will be provided upon ordering.
• Pricing: Quoting all-inclusive prices in Euro, exclusive of VAT. Prices must remain valid for 12 months from the tender deadline.
• Contract Management: Nominating a dedicated contract manager responsible for overall contract delivery, client relationship, performance reporting, dispute resolution, and suggesting efficiency improvements. Contract management activities are non-billable.
• Optional Items: Quoting for additional pipes and fittings not initially priced if required during the contract's lifetime. The Council may also procure such items outside of this contract.
• Quantities: The quantities listed in the Schedule of Rates are notional and used for tender comparison only. Actual quantities will be subject to remeasurement and agreement with Cavan County Council.

The contract is structured as a Schedule of Rates, meaning the Council will order items as needed, and the contractor will supply them at the agreed-upon rates.

3. Background & buyer context

Cavan County Council is procuring this schedule of rates to ensure a consistent and competitive supply of pipes and associated fittings for its infrastructure and operational needs across the county. The procurement is being conducted under an open procedure, national level, indicating a desire to attract a broad range of suppliers. The policy of the Contracting Authority is to promote participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on a fair and equal basis, encouraging them to form relationships to meet capacity requirements. The contract is for a defined period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension, suggesting a need for ongoing supply rather than a one-off project. The estimated value range indicates a requirement for regular, but not necessarily high-volume, procurement of these materials.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that the tendering party's turnover exceeded €70,000 in any one of the last three years, or pro-rata if more recently established. The firm must have been in existence for at least 6 months.
• Insurance: Confirmation of the following insurances being in place:
• Employer’s Liability (including indemnity to Principal): €13 million
• Public Liability (including indemnity to Principal): €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million The successful tenderer's insurer must be authorised in the Republic of Ireland and ideally registered on the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Register.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate successful delivery of 2 previous comparable contracts involving the supply and delivery of pipes and associated fittings.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement for a nominated contract manager.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender. The award is based solely on cost. The lowest cost tender that meets all minimum requirements will receive the maximum score of 1000 points. Other tenders will be scored proportionally.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Tender Response Document (TRD) must be used, including Product Specification sheets for each item tendered. Amendments to the TRD text are prohibited.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Appendix A - Pricing Document must be completed. Prices must be all-inclusive, in Euro, exclusive of VAT, and valid for 12 months.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Declaration of Bona Fides (as per Art. 57 of Directive 2014/24/EU).
• Declaration regarding compliance with relevant statutory obligations.
• Confirmation of tax compliance with Irish Revenue Commissioners.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders postbox facility on www.etenders.gov.ie only.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for an initial period of 12 months, from 12th October 2026 to 11th October 2027, with the possibility of extension at Cavan County Council's discretion, subject to performance and budget. Prices quoted must remain valid for 12 months from the tender deadline. The contract is awarded based on a Schedule of Rates, and quantities are not guaranteed. The Council reserves the right to terminate the contract if costs become uncompetitive due to external factors, such as changes in customs union regulations. All prices must be inclusive of all costs, including indexation and customs-related expenses. The currency for payment is Euro. Copyright ownership of any material developed for the Council rests with the Council, with the service provider potentially having a non-exclusive license for its own purposes.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The primary award criterion is cost alone (100% weighting). This means the lowest price compliant bid will win, potentially leading to a focus on price over other factors if not carefully managed by the buyer. The estimated contract value is relatively low (€20,000 - €200,000 per annum), which might deter larger suppliers but is suitable for SMEs. The requirement for prices to remain valid for 12 months from the tender deadline, and for the entire contract duration (including extensions), without adjustment for legislative changes or market fluctuations, presents a pricing risk for the supplier, especially given potential economic volatility. The contract is for a Schedule of Rates, meaning actual order volumes are unknown and not guaranteed, creating demand uncertainty for the supplier.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to be accessible to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The turnover requirement of €70,000 is modest. The contract value is also within an SME range. SMEs are explicitly encouraged to participate and can form consortia or rely on the resources of other entities to meet requirements. The bid preparation effort is moderate, primarily involving completing the Tender Response Document and the Pricing Schedule. The award is 100% on cost, meaning a competitive pricing strategy is essential for success. There is no indication of an incumbent supplier being favoured, and the open procedure suggests a competitive market. The primary challenge for SMEs will be ensuring their pricing is competitive enough to win on cost while remaining profitable over the contract term, given the price validity requirements.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Document - Pipe Tender 2026.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries to be submitted via the Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix A - Pricing Document
• Tender Response Document (TRD)
• Appendix 3 – Supplies Contract