Topographical Survey Services - Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway

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 topographical survey services for the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway project. The selected contractor will be responsible for conducting detailed surveys to inform the design and development of the greenway. This involves the precise mapping of the existing terrain, features, and boundaries along the proposed route.

The core activities include:

• Topographical Survey: Conducting comprehensive surveys to capture the existing ground levels, contours, and elevations. This will include the identification and mapping of all relevant physical features within the survey area.
• Feature Mapping: Identifying and accurately locating all existing features, such as:
• Boundaries (property lines, fences)
• Vegetation (trees, hedgerows, significant vegetation areas)
• Structures (buildings, walls, bridges, culverts)
• Utilities (overhead lines, underground services where identifiable)
• Watercourses (rivers, streams, ditches)
• Roads and tracks
• Any other relevant physical or man-made elements.
• Data Acquisition: Utilising appropriate surveying technologies and methodologies to gather accurate spatial data. This may include Total Station, GPS/GNSS, LiDAR, and photogrammetry, depending on the specific requirements and site conditions.
• Georeferencing: Ensuring all survey data is accurately georeferenced to a specified national grid system.
• Deliverables: Providing digital outputs of the survey data in agreed formats. This will include:
• Digital topographical maps.
• CAD files (e.g., DWG, DXF).
• Georeferenced digital photographs (minimum of four per survey area).
• Reports detailing the survey methodology, findings, and any limitations.
• Site Investigation: Performing site visits and investigations as necessary to complete the survey scope. This includes ensuring that surveys are conducted "upstream cross section, not any that are within 20m of" specified features, indicating a need for precise boundary and proximity analysis.

The survey will cover the route of the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway, requiring the contractor to work within the specified project area and adhere to any defined survey extents or exclusion zones.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for topographical survey services related to the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway project. Wicklow County Council is the contracting authority. The project aligns with broader initiatives for developing recreational infrastructure and promoting sustainable transport and tourism within the region. While specific programme details are not extensively detailed in the provided documents, greenway development is a common objective for local authorities in Ireland, often supported by national funding schemes and strategic plans for active travel and rural development. The tender is being issued to secure the necessary technical expertise for the foundational survey work required before detailed design and construction can commence. No incumbent provider is explicitly mentioned.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered eligible:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1,250,000 on each and every claim basis, and €1,250,000 on an annual aggregate basis.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €13,000,000 in respect of any one accident.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Bidders must demonstrate experience through a minimum of 20 instances of providing Certificates of Satisfactory Execution for similar projects. Each project listed must correspond to a project number given in Appendix B1.
• Personnel: A minimum of 5 professional staff involved in surveying work are required. Surveyors must have a minimum of 2 years' experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the project location.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of the contract will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The specific weighting and scoring methodology are not detailed in the provided extracts. However, the process involves an initial suitability assessment to determine if bidders meet the minimum qualification criteria. Those who pass this stage will then have their tenders evaluated based on the award criteria, which will likely include a combination of quality and price. The tender documents state that tenders not complying with the instructions may be rejected.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This includes Part 2: Applicant Details & Declaration, and relevant Schedules (Schedule I for Applicant Members, Schedule II for Entities Relied Upon).
• Appendix B1: List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution. Applicants must provide up to 21 instances, organised in order of precedence, with corresponding Certificates of Satisfactory Execution.
• ESPD or Appendix A: A completed European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) for the applicant, each member of a consortium/JV/partnership, and any relied-upon entity, OR a completed Appendix A.
• Declarations:
• Applicant Declaration (confirming consent for data processing, meeting minimum standards, providing supporting documentation, ESPD/Appendix A inclusion, disclosure of registrable interests, disclosure of conflicts of interest, compliance with sanctions regulations, and no misrepresentation).
• Tax Clearance: Successful tenderer must provide Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Pricing Schedule: Not explicitly detailed in the provided documents, but the tender uses a "Formula to Calculate Hourly Rates" approach.
• Method Statement / Response Document: Not explicitly detailed, but the SAQ and Appendix B1 serve as the primary response documents for suitability.
• CVs: Details of proposed personnel, including qualifications, education, and experience, are processed as personal data.
• Site Visit: Not specified as mandatory in the provided extracts.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Type: Consultancy Services using a Formula to Calculate Hourly Rates, under an Open Procedure.
• Conditions of Engagement: The contract will incorporate the Conditions of Engagement for Consultancy Services.
• Insurances: Proof of required insurances (Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Employer's Liability) is a condition precedent to appointment.
• Tax Clearance: Proof of tax clearance is a condition precedent to appointment.
• Sub-consultants: Appointments require Contracting Authority approval, and collateral warranties may be required.
• Reliance Guarantees/Warranties: May be required from entities whose resources the successful tenderer relied upon for suitability criteria.
• Exclusionary Criteria: Bidders must not be subject to mandatory or discretionary exclusionary criteria under Article 57 of Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Confidentiality: Tenderers must treat competition information confidentially.
• Governing Law: Irish law applies, with Irish courts having exclusive jurisdiction.
• Payment Terms: Not specified in the provided extracts.
• Liquidated Damages/Penalties: Not specified in the provided extracts.
• Termination: Not specified in the provided extracts.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided extracts.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Extensive Past Experience Requirement: The requirement for 20 Certificates of Satisfactory Execution for similar projects is a significant hurdle. This quantity suggests a preference for established firms with a substantial track record, potentially limiting competition for smaller or newer entrants.
• Long Submission Deadline: The submission deadline of September 2026 is unusually distant from the RFT issue date of November 2024. This could indicate a long lead time for the project or potential for significant changes before tender submission.
• Formula for Hourly Rates: The use of a "Formula to Calculate Hourly Rates" implies a specific pricing structure that bidders must adhere to, rather than a fixed lump sum. This requires careful understanding of the formula and its implications for profitability.
• Lack of Value Disclosure: The estimated value is not disclosed, making it difficult for bidders to gauge the scale and potential profitability of the contract relative to their operational capacity and overheads.
• Detailed Applicant Information: The Suitability Assessment Questionnaire requires extensive detail on applicant members, entities relied upon, parent companies, and financial standing, indicating a thorough due diligence process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely best suited for established surveying firms with a proven history of delivering multiple similar projects. The requirement for 20 Certificates of Satisfactory Execution is a significant barrier for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) unless they operate as part of a consortium or have a very extensive project history.

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a strong portfolio of topographical survey work, particularly on infrastructure or linear projects (like greenways, pipelines, or roads), and the capacity to document 20 past projects with formal certificates.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The structure allows for joint ventures, partnerships, and reliance on other entities. SMEs could potentially participate by forming a consortium with other firms or acting as specialist sub-contractors to a lead bidder. However, the lead bidder must meet the 20-project requirement.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Significant effort is required due to the detailed SAQ, Appendix B1 compilation (20 certificates), and understanding the hourly rate formula. This could range from 10-20 days for a well-prepared firm.
• Pwin Signal: The high number of required past projects suggests a potential incumbent advantage or a preference for larger, more experienced firms. The lack of value disclosure and the distant deadline add uncertainty.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s):
• ITT_S2a_Services_Open_CHR_v2.0_04-11-2024 (REVA).pdf
• QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 To Be Filled by Applicant.pdf
• Appendix_B1_QC1_and_QC2_09-02-2022 To Be Filled by Applicant.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided documents.
• Contact Email/Portal: Tenders must be submitted via etenders.gov.ie. Clarifications should be sought through the platform.
• Key Attachments:
• ITT_S2a_Services_Open_CHR_v2.0_04-11-2024 (REVA).pdf (Instructions to Tenderers)
• QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 To Be Filled by Applicant.pdf (Suitability Assessment Questionnaire - Part 2)
• Appendix_B1_QC1_and_QC2_09-02-2022 To Be Filled by Applicant.pdf (List of Previous Projects/Certificate of Satisfactory Execution)