RFT for Framework Agreement: Civil & Structural Engineering Design Services (<€1m)

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 provision of Civil and Structural Engineering Design Services for projects valued at less than €1 million at the Donegal Campuses of Atlantic Technological University (ATU). The framework agreement will cover the initial contract and any subsequent call-off contracts that fall within its scope. The total value of the framework agreement will not exceed €120,000 over its lifetime. This value is not a guarantee of spend.

The scope of services includes:

• Initial Contract: The services described in the Request for Tender.
• Call-Off Contracts: Additional contracts within the framework's scope, which may comprise some or all elements of the services as described in the detailed specification. These are for additional requirements that may arise.
• Design Services: Civil and structural engineering design consultancy services.
• Project Value: Services are for projects with values of less than €1 million (exclusive of VAT).
• Campus Context: The services are for the Donegal Campuses of ATU, which house over 4,800 students and in excess of 500 staff, with a total of approximately 32,000 sqm of building and 41.5 hectares of land. Specific areas mentioned include Head of Department (HOD) space (approx. 375 sqm) and other areas (approx. 130 sqm).
• Framework Management: The framework member will be required to nominate a contract manager to liaise with the Contracting Authority.
• Personnel: Nominated resources must be those used in the award of any contract under the framework. Replacements must be of equal or better qualifications and expertise, subject to Contracting Authority agreement.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Contracts under this framework may be subject to SLAs outlining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Safety Compliance: Contractors must comply with the ATU Donegal Contractor Safety Management Procedure, including providing safety statements, method statements, and ensuring all personnel have suitable training.

3. Background & buyer context

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is procuring these Civil and Structural Engineering Design Services to establish a framework agreement for projects valued under €1 million at its Donegal Campuses. This procurement is conducted under an open procedure, as per Directive 2014/24/EU and applicable procurement rules. The tender competition was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union on 12 August 2026. The establishment of this framework aims to streamline the procurement of essential design services for ongoing campus development and maintenance needs. The university's campuses in Donegal serve a significant student and staff population, necessitating ongoing infrastructure support and development.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: A minimum average annual turnover of €80,000 in two of the previous three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum cover of €1,250,000 on each and every claim basis, and €1,500,000 on an annual aggregate basis.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum cover of €6,500,000 in respect of any one accident.
• 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 provide evidence of previous projects. Appendix B1 requires a list of previous projects, and Appendix B3 requires a Certificate of Satisfactory Delivery of Services. The number of projects required is not explicitly stated as a minimum, but the format allows for up to 28 projects.
• Personnel: Minimum experience requirements for proposed personnel are detailed in Table B1 (not provided in the extract).
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Where tenderers rely on the resources of another entity, Schedule II of QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 must be completed, along with an Appendix A Applicant’s Self Declaration Regulation 57 for each entity. For joint ventures/consortia, Schedule I of QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 must be completed.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are detailed in Volume 3.1 of the tender documents, with responses to be included in the Quality Assessment Document (Volume 3.2). The specific scoring mechanism and weighting are not fully detailed in the provided extract, but it is understood that the award will be based on a combination of quality and price. The tender documents mention that the CV template at Volume 3.3 must be used in response to Award Criterion B.

The overall award will be made on a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) basis.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit the following:

• Completed and Signed Appendix A: Applicant Self Declaration Regulation 57 (Volume 2.1).
• Detailed response to Selection Criteria: As set out in the SAQ (Volume 2.2), including documentary evidence where required (criterion 3.4c and supporting Appendices B1 & B3).
• Signed Declaration: QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 (Volume 2.3).
• Detailed response to Award Criteria: As set out in ITT Section 9.1 (Volume 3.1), included in the Quality Assessment Document (Volume 3.2).
• CV Template: Use the template at Volume 3.3 for Award Criterion B.
• Fully completed Pricing Schedule: (Volume 4.2).
• Fully completed Form of Tender: (Volume 4.1) with attached completed Schedules A and B, executed under hand.
• Reliance on Third Parties: If relying on other entities, Schedule II of QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 and Appendix A for each entity must be completed.
• Joint Ventures/Consortia: Schedule I of QC_Part_2_v1.1_04-11-2024 must be completed.
• Electronic Copies: One electronic copy of the tender is required.
• Site Visit: Site visits can be arranged by emailing [email protected]. No site visits will be facilitated after 04 September 2026.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Framework Agreement is for a period of four (4) years from the Commencement Date. Contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond this expiry date.
• Payment Terms: Not specified in detail, but first payment will be no sooner than 1 month after the commencement date of the relevant Call-Off Contract. Pricing is fixed for the initial three (3) years, with potential annual adjustments thereafter based on CPI.
• SLAs/KPIs: Contracts may be subject to Service Level Agreements outlining Key Performance Indicators.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination:
• The Contracting Authority can terminate with three (3) months' written notice.
• The Framework Member can terminate with six (6) months' written notice.
• The Contracting Authority can terminate immediately for material breach, failure to perform, insolvency, or if the Authority reasonably believes such events are imminent.
• The Authority can terminate if improved value for money is available elsewhere or if business needs change.
• IP Ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting: Assignment of the benefit of the appointment requires prior written agreement from the Contracting Authority.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Low Framework Value: The maximum framework value of €120,000 over four years is exceptionally low for a framework agreement, suggesting very limited anticipated project volume or a highly specific, niche requirement. This may deter larger firms.
• Single-Party Framework: This limits competition to one provider, which can reduce value-for-money potential compared to multi-party frameworks.
• Tight Site Visit Deadline: The cut-off date for site visits (04 September 2026) is relatively close to the tender submission deadline, requiring prompt action from interested parties.
• Fixed Pricing for 3 Years: The requirement for fixed pricing for the initial three years of the framework, irrespective of inflation or market fluctuations, presents a pricing risk for the contractor, especially in the current economic climate.
• Potential for External Procurement: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to operate outside the framework if it does not achieve value-for-money or if the nature of a contract benefits from a separate competitive process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a single-party framework agreement for civil and structural engineering design services for projects under €1 million. The low overall framework value (€120,000 maximum) and the requirement for fixed pricing for the first three years suggest that the anticipated workload may be limited.

• Credible Bidders: Small to medium-sized engineering consultancies with demonstrable experience in civil and structural design for educational or public sector projects would be well-suited. The turnover requirement of €80,000 average annual turnover is accessible for many SMEs.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents explicitly allow for reliance on the resources of another entity and for joint ventures/consortia, indicating that SMEs can collaborate to meet requirements.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing the response, including gathering evidence for past projects (Appendices B1 & B3), detailing personnel qualifications, and completing the pricing schedule, could require 5-10 days of effort for an experienced firm.
• Pwin Signal: The single-party nature of the framework and the low overall value might indicate a preference for a specific incumbent or a firm with a strong existing relationship with ATU. However, the open procedure suggests genuine competition is sought. The fixed pricing for three years is a significant risk factor that may influence the number of bids received.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): 1.1 ITT Letter & Checklist.pdf, 7.2 Framework Agreement.docx, 5.1 Appendix_B1_QC1_and_QC2_09-02-2022.docx, 5.2 Appendix_B3_Cert_of_Satisfactory_Delivery_of_Services.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: 8831170
• Contact Email: [email protected] (for site visits)
• Most Important Attachments:
• 7.2 Framework Agreement.docx (Contractual terms)
• 5.1 Appendix_B1_QC1_and_QC2_09-02-2022.docx (Previous projects evidence)
• Volume 3.2 Quality Assessment Document (Award criteria response format)