Acres Road Site Investigation Works, Phoenix Park

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

The contract requires comprehensive site investigation works for proposed repairs to Acres Road within the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. The primary objective is to assess the existing road build-up and provide recommendations for its replacement. The contractor will be responsible for all aspects of the investigation, including site safety, traffic management, and reporting.

Key activities and deliverables include:

• Comprehensive Report: A detailed report incorporating drawings, sketches, and photographs. Three PDF copies are required.
• Road Build-up Recommendations: Specific recommendations for the proposed new road build-up.
• Tarmac Recycling Assessment: Recommendations on the recyclability of existing tarmac for reuse in the new road build-up, including quantity assessment.
• Slit Trenches: Excavation of 76 linear metres of slit trenches to investigate existing services and classify the existing strata.
• CBR Testing: Performance of 14 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests, conducted 1 metre from the road crown.
• Traffic Management Plan (TMP): Development and implementation of a TMP compliant with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. This plan must be submitted to OPW White Fields at least seven days before work commences and will involve the use of two Variable Message Signs (VMS) for the duration of the works. The plan must account for high levels of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the Phoenix Park.
• Method Statement (MS): A detailed MS outlining the proposed methodology for the works. This must be submitted to OPW White Fields at least seven days before work commences.
• Reinstatement: All slit trenches and CBR test locations must be reinstated to TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) specifications. This includes ensuring public areas (pedestrian or vehicular) are left in a similar or better condition than originally found. Care must be taken to avoid damage to tree roots, trunks, branches, existing services, and kerb lines. Any damage incurred will be the contractor's responsibility to make good at their own expense. Backfilling will be undertaken immediately after specified operations, with Clause 804 material deposited in 250 mm layers and compacted according to NRA specification. Power rammers are not to be used within 300 mm of any pipe or joint. Tack coats will be applied according to manufacturer recommendations. Reinstated surfaces must be flat and flush with adjacent surfaces, with no noticeable depression or crowning. Edge sealant will be applied.
• Mobilisation: Mobilisation of all necessary equipment and personnel.
• Site Investigation Engineer Logging: Logging of slit trenches and trial pits by a Site Investigation Engineer.
• Backfilling and Spoil Removal: Backfilling with imported material and removal of spoil.
• Setup and Movement: Setting up and moving between work locations.
• Archaeologist Engagement: The site investigation contractor is required to engage an archaeologist. Arch-Tech has monitored works on site for the OPW.
• Additional Geotechnical Items: Inclusion of any additional items deemed necessary by a geotechnical specialist.

The contractor is responsible for verifying existing site services. The works are subject to a tight construction programme.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to address the need for repairs to Acres Road within the Phoenix Park. The OPW, as the contracting authority, is responsible for the maintenance and management of national infrastructure, including heritage sites and public parks. The proposed road repairs necessitate a thorough site investigation to inform the replacement of the existing road build-up. The project aligns with the OPW's ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity and functionality of infrastructure within its remit. The Phoenix Park is a high-traffic area with significant leisure and community activity, underscoring the importance of a well-planned and executed investigation to minimise disruption. The tender documents reference the use of standard OPW contract forms (PW-CF7 or PW-CF8) for investigation works.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum indemnity limit of €13,000,000 for any one event.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum annual aggregate indemnity limit of €6,500,000.
• Maximum levels of excess: €10,000 for investigation insurance, €6,500 for public liability, €6,500 for employer's liability, and €70,000 for professional indemnity.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided documentation. However, the Instructions to Tenderers (ITT-W3) state that the assessment will be based on which tender is the "lowest price". This suggests a price-led award, though quality aspects are implicitly considered through the submission requirements and the need for a comprehensive report and recommendations. The ITT also notes that the Contracting Authority will pay particular attention to pricing that could result in disproportionate early payment relative to work done.

Note: The provided documents indicate a focus on "lowest price" for award, but specific scoring weights for price and quality are not detailed.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform. The submission must include:

• Form of Tender and Schedule: Completed and signed.
• SAQ Response: Completed Suitability Assessment Questionnaire response.
• Pricing Document: A Schedule of Rates or Bill of Quantities, completed in euro to two decimal places. Amounts must be included for all items. Blank spaces, 'nil', 'included', or dashes are not permitted. Zero must be stated as '0.00'. Negative rates or prices, or zero rates, are not permitted. The Bill of Quantities should be submitted as a read-only PDF. The Contracting Authority may request native file and/or .csv formats. In case of inconsistencies, the PDF takes precedence.
• Contractor’s Proposals: Containing information specified in Appendix 1 to the Instructions.
• Additional Information: Documentation required in Appendix 2 to the Instructions.
• Tax Clearance: Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declarations: Implicitly required through the SAQ and Form of Tender, including declarations on conflict of interest and adherence to tax laws.

Amendments to the Form of Tender or Schedule are not permitted, except for completing them or including alternative signature blocks.

7. Key dates & process

Note: The desired start date is February 2026, with the final report due by 17th March 2026.

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on either PW-CF7 or PW-CF8 forms. The successful tenderer will be required to provide a Performance Bond if PW-CF7 is the form of contract. The contract includes provisions for the contractor to be appointed as Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS), unless otherwise stated. Payment terms are not detailed, but general clauses indicate payments are typically made within 14 to 30 days of receiving a payment claim notice or invoice. Liquidated damages and termination clauses are not specified in the provided extracts. Intellectual property ownership is not detailed. Sub-contracting rules are not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Tight Programme: The desired start date of February 2026 and a final report submission date of 17th March 2026 indicate a very compressed timeline for the investigation and reporting phases. This could pose a risk for contractors needing significant mobilisation or facing unforeseen site conditions.
• Fixed Cost: The statement "The overall cost of the works is a fixed cost" suggests that the tendered price will be a lump sum, requiring careful pricing to account for all potential site conditions and investigation requirements.
• Archaeologist Engagement: The requirement for the contractor to engage an archaeologist is an additional cost and coordination factor that bidders must account for.
• Price-Led Award: While not explicitly stated as the sole criterion, the emphasis on "lowest price" for award suggests that competitive pricing is paramount. However, the quality of the report and recommendations will still be critical.
• Site Visit Advisability: While not mandatory, a site visit is "strongly advised" and the tender review will assume the bidder has visited. This implies that bidders who do not visit may be at a disadvantage in understanding site-specific challenges.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with specialised expertise in geotechnical investigations, site surveying, and civil engineering reporting. The scope of work, while detailed, is focused on a specific road section and does not appear to require the scale of resources typically associated with large infrastructure projects.

• Viable Bidder Profile: An SME with a proven track record in conducting site investigations, including trenching, testing, and reporting, would be well-positioned. Experience in traffic management within public or sensitive areas, and familiarity with TII/NRA specifications for reinstatement, would be advantageous. The insurance requirements, particularly for Professional Indemnity, are substantial and may be a barrier for very small firms without adequate cover.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. However, the requirement for a single Form of Tender and Schedule suggests a lead entity is responsible. SMEs may consider partnering with other specialists to meet all requirements.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant tender would likely require 5-10 days of effort, involving technical staff for scope review, pricing, methodology development, and administrative staff for document compilation and submission.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is open procedure, suggesting it is not exclusively for an incumbent. The emphasis on "lowest price" indicates a competitive market. The significant insurance requirements might filter out smaller, less established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• 3262-SP-001 Acres Road Site Investigation works.docx
• 3262-ITT-W3.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided documents.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Queries must be raised in writing via the eTenders platform.
• Most Important Attachments:
• 3262-SP-001 Acres Road Site Investigation works.docx (Specification)
• 3262-ITT-W3.docx (Instructions to Tenderers)
• Drawings 3262-DR-001 Acres Road Site Investigation Works (referenced, not provided in text)