Storage Solutions for the Irish Defence Forces

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 Irish Defence Forces (the Contracting Authority) seeks tenders for the design, construction, and installation of storage solutions for new equipment. The requirement is to provide these storage solutions at up to nine (9) locations across Ireland. The estimated expenditure for these goods is €350,000 (excluding VAT) over the initial 24-month contract term, with a potential extension of up to 12 months.

The scope of work includes:

• Design: Developing specifications and plans for storage solutions tailored to the Defence Forces' new equipment.
• Construction: Manufacturing and fabricating the required storage units and systems. This likely involves steel products, as indicated by the tender documentation's reference to "manufactured steel products."
• Installation: On-site assembly and fitting of the storage solutions at up to nine (9) designated Defence Forces locations.
• Supply of Goods: The core deliverable is the provision of the storage solutions themselves.

Specific technical requirements mentioned include:

• Structural Integrity: Intermediate vertical members are required to support horizontal members at a minimum of every 2 meters.
• Welding: All connections must use 6mm fillet welds.

The tender documentation references "manufactured steel products" in the context of previous contractual commitments, suggesting the primary material for these storage solutions. The exact nature of the "new equipment" for which storage is required is not detailed, implying the storage solutions must be adaptable or designed to accommodate a range of items.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by the Irish Defence Forces, the Contracting Authority. The requirement for new storage solutions stems from the impending acquisition of new equipment for use by the Defence Forces. The tender is being run under an open procedure, as per the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The estimated value of €350,000 falls below the EU threshold for standard open procedures, but the procedure type indicates adherence to these regulations. The Contracting Authority aims to encourage participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and suggests that larger enterprises consider including SMEs in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Average annual turnover must be not lower than €500,000 during the past 2 years.
• Tenderers must demonstrate a turnover level of €500,000 per annum.
• Insurance: The successful tenderer must hold the following insurances for the term of the Goods Contract:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: N/A
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• Provide details of 3 key contractual commitments over the past three years for the supply of manufactured steel products.
• These commitments must be similar in nature to the storage solutions requested.
• Each of these past contracts must have an individual value greater than €200,000.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement for insurance policies to include Ireland.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The tender will be evaluated based on a combination of price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality is not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, the evaluation process will first assess compliance with mandatory requirements and selection criteria. Bids that meet these initial thresholds will then be evaluated against the award criteria. The documentation does not specify minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit the following documentation:

• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD): The electronic version must be completed and submitted.
• All required documentation: As specified throughout the RFT.
• Tenderer’s Statement: A scanned, signed copy provided on the tenderer's letterhead, confirming acceptance of the Goods Contract terms.
• Pricing Schedule: Completed as per Appendix 2.
• Declarations:
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Bona Fides (implied through eESPD and declarations).
• Tax clearance (Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number required prior to award).
• Conflict of Interest declaration.
• Past Contract Details: Details of 3 key contractual commitments over the past three years, each exceeding €200,000, for similar services.
• References: Three referees who can verify satisfactory execution of contracts.
• Submission Portal: All tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Format: Tenders must be submitted in English and compiled as PDF files.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Goods Contract will be for 24 months.
• Extension: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the term for a period or periods of up to 12 months, with a maximum of one such extension.
• Pricing Validity: All prices quoted must remain valid for 24 months from the Tender Deadline.
• Payment Terms: Subject to and in accordance with the Goods Contract at Appendix 5. Specific details are not provided in the RFT extract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided text.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the provided text.
• Termination: Either party may terminate with 14 days' notice in certain circumstances. Termination for breach is possible within 30 days of a written request if the breach is not remedied.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided text.
• Sub-contracting: Tenderers intending to subcontract any share of the contract must ensure subcontractors submit a separate eESPD, completing specified sections. If a subcontractor's capacity is relied upon for selection criteria, they must submit a full eESPD.
• Parent-Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified in the provided text.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value vs. Experience: The estimated contract value of €350,000 is relatively modest, yet the requirement for three past contracts each exceeding €200,000 for similar manufactured steel products presents a potential mismatch. This could limit the pool of eligible bidders or suggest a focus on firms with significant prior project experience, even for a smaller overall contract value.
• Insurance Levels: The required insurance levels, particularly Employer's Liability at €13,000,000, are substantial for a contract valued at €350,000. This may be a standard Defence Forces requirement or indicate a perceived risk profile for the work.
• Lack of Specificity on "Storage Solutions": The RFT does not detail the exact nature of the "new equipment" or the precise specifications for the storage solutions beyond basic structural requirements. This places a significant onus on the bidder to interpret and propose a suitable design, requiring thorough due diligence.
• Tight Clarification Window: The clarification deadline is 17 days before the tender submission deadline, requiring prompt query submission.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely accessible to SMEs with specific expertise in the design and fabrication of manufactured steel products, particularly storage solutions.

• Credible Bidders: An SME with a proven track record in fabricating and installing steel structures, capable of demonstrating average annual turnover of €500,000 and having completed at least three projects over €200,000 in the last three years, would be a credible bidder. The required insurance levels are high and may necessitate careful review by smaller firms.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortiums and sub-contracting are permitted. SMEs are encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises. Larger enterprises are also encouraged to include SMEs in their proposals.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Bid preparation would likely require 10-20 days of effort, focusing on understanding the scope, designing a compliant solution, gathering past project evidence, and completing the extensive documentation, including the eESPD and insurance confirmations.
• Pwin Signal: The requirement for three past contracts exceeding €200,000 each, despite the overall contract value, suggests a preference for experienced suppliers. The Defence Forces context may also imply a degree of familiarity with incumbent suppliers or specific security/compliance requirements not fully detailed. The explicit encouragement for SMEs to partner indicates the Contracting Authority is open to diverse bidding structures.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: RFT Storage Solutions August 2026.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact: Queries must be directed via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 4: Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer
• Appendix 5: Goods Contract