University College Dublin (UCD) Multi-Operator Framework Agreement for Construction Works and Projects

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 concerns a multi-operator framework agreement for construction works and projects at University College Dublin's Belfield Campus. The estimated value of the contract is €16,000,000. The scope encompasses a broad range of construction and mechanical/electrical (M&E) installation services, detailed within the UCD Estate Services Technical Guidelines for Designers and Specifiers.

The contractor will be responsible for:

• Design and Specification: Developing detailed M&E designs and specifications in accordance with UCD's technical guidelines. This includes providing comprehensive drawings and specifications detailing all project aspects, connections to existing services, and any necessary interruptions or shutdowns. Electronic (AutoCAD) and hard copy formats are required.
• Project Supervision: Acting as Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) in their area of expertise, adhering to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction Regulations 2013). This involves integrating health and safety considerations into work programmes, preparing preliminary safety plans, and coordinating specialist sub-contractors.
• Asbestos Management: Addressing potential asbestos presence in retrofits, reviewing UCD's asbestos register, and ensuring compliance with refurbishment and demolition survey requirements. Asbestos removal must be conducted by certified contractors with disposal certificates issued to UCD.
• Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions: Implementing energy-saving measures justified on a life-cycle cost basis, including energy and carbon costs. Projects will undergo Energy Efficiency Design (EED) reviews and full life-cycle costing, incorporating shadow carbon prices. Direct electric heating is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
• Mechanical and Electrical Installations: Designing and installing systems for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), water, gas, electrical power, lighting, and telecommunications. This includes:
• Ventilation: Designing systems to minimise energy consumption, potentially using heat recovery devices and return air systems. Mechanical cooling and humidity control are generally not permitted. Ventilation rates must be balanced per fire compartment, and designs must prevent draughts and minimise noise.
• Heating: Designing for low-temperature heat emitters, wide delta T's, and low return water temperatures, utilising low-carbon heat generation sources like heat pumps where feasible.
• Building Management Systems (BMS): Integrating all controls through the Cylon BMS; no stand-alone systems are permitted. Detailed BMS requirements are specified, including controller architecture, cabling, programming, and field devices.
• Water Systems: Designing potable and white water systems, including mains water, fire water, and domestic hot water distribution.
• Gas Systems: Installing natural gas distribution networks and check meters for independent heating elements.
• Electrical Systems: Designing medium voltage (10kV) and low voltage (400/230V) distribution, including switchgear, transformers, and UPS systems. Lighting design includes general, theatre, classroom, office, laboratory, workshop, and external lighting, with a policy favouring LED installations.
• Alarm and Security Systems: Integrating fire alarm, intruder alarm, access control, and CCTV systems.
• Existing Services Management: Ascertaining the full extent of existing site services through surveys and ensuring their protection and continuous operation during works. Any necessary diversions must be managed under a signed-off RAMS, generally outside normal working hours.
• Metering: Specifying and installing electricity, heat, gas, and water meters at various points, ensuring accuracy, visibility, and maintainability. Meters must comply with specified accuracy classes and communication protocols (e.g., Modbus 485 RTU).
• Documentation: Providing a full set of as-installed drawings, maintenance manuals, safety information, and commissioning/test records upon project completion.

The scope applies to both new buildings and refurbishment work within existing buildings on the Belfield Campus.

3. Background & buyer context

University College Dublin (UCD) is procuring these services to establish a framework for ongoing construction and mechanical/electrical (M&E) works across its Belfield Campus. The tender aligns with UCD's commitment to maintaining and developing its campus infrastructure. The UCD Estate Services Technical Guidelines for Designers and Specifiers (Draft Ver. D2.0) form the basis of the technical requirements, reflecting operational experience and a need for consistency and uniformity in M&E installations. UCD is certified to ISO50001 and utilises an Energy Management System (EMS) to manage energy and water consumption, indicating a strategic focus on sustainability and efficiency in campus development. The guidelines also address health and safety, including asbestos management, and promote energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction in all projects.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover Requirement:
• Construction Works: €1 million average annual turnover from construction works.
• Electrical Installation: €2,000,000 average annual turnover from electrical installations.
• Mechanical Installation: €2 million average annual turnover from mechanical installations.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €1.5m cover. Maximum excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6.6m cover in respect of any one accident.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13m cover in respect of any one accident.
• Certifications:
• Safety Management System: In accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Past Experience: Bidders must demonstrate experience delivering:
• One (1) contract of approximately €50k value.
• One (1) contract of approximately €400k value.
• One (1) contract of approximately €1m value.
• (For Electrical Installation): One (1) contract of approximately €500k value, one (1) contract of approximately €200k value, and one (1) contract of approximately €100k value.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / Facility Constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided extract. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. The specific weighting for technical merit, price, and any sub-criteria would be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following:

• Method Statement / Response Document: Not specified for this tender.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing Schedule: Not specified for this tender.
• Case Studies:
• For general construction: One contract of approx. €50k, one of approx. €400k, and one of approx. €1m.
• For Electrical Installation: One contract of approx. €500k, one of approx. €200k, and one of approx. €100k.
• Declarations:
• Economic and Financial Standing information (likely via ESPD).
• Bona Fides declarations.
• Tax clearance.
• Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: Bids must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific formatting rules for electronic submissions are not detailed here.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Length: Not specified in the provided documentation.
• Extension Structure: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not specified, but standard public sector prompt payment directives will apply.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified, but will likely be detailed in the full contract documents, particularly concerning project delivery, safety, and quality.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination Clauses: Not specified.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified, but typically requires prior approval.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Broad Scope: The tender covers a wide range of construction and M&E services under a single framework. This could favour larger, diversified contractors or necessitate consortia/sub-contracting arrangements for smaller, specialised firms.
• Technical Guidelines: The extensive "UCD Estate Services Technical Guidelines for Designers and Specifiers" (Draft Ver. D2.0) represent a significant body of detailed technical requirements. Bidders must demonstrate a thorough understanding and ability to comply with these specific standards, which are integral to the contract.
• Energy/Carbon Focus: UCD's strong emphasis on energy efficiency, ISO50001 certification, and the use of shadow carbon prices indicates a strategic driver that bidders must integrate into their design and execution approaches.
• Existing Infrastructure: The complexity of UCD's Belfield Campus infrastructure, including underground utilities and a medium voltage electrical network, presents a significant challenge. Thorough site investigation and careful planning for connections and diversions are critical.
• Lack of Specifics: Key details such as contract length, specific award criteria, and submission format are not provided in the extract, requiring bidders to consult the full tender documents.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a framework agreement with an estimated value of €16,000,000. The broad scope encompassing general construction works and detailed mechanical and electrical installations suggests it is primarily aimed at medium to large construction and M&E firms.

• Credible Bidders: Viable bidders would typically be established construction companies with a proven track record in managing multi-disciplinary projects, and/or specialist M&E contractors with expertise in building services, BMS, and energy management systems. The turnover requirements (€1m-€2m depending on the specific work area) indicate a need for businesses with substantial annual revenue.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: While not explicitly stated, framework agreements of this nature often allow for consortia or sub-contracting to meet the diverse requirements. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) might find opportunities as sub-contractors to larger framework members, particularly in specialised areas like electrical, mechanical, or BMS installations.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the detailed technical guidelines and the need to demonstrate compliance across various work streams, bid preparation would likely require significant effort, potentially several weeks, involving technical specialists, estimators, and health and safety officers.
• Pwin Signal: The tender is for a framework agreement, which implies a competitive process. The specific value and broad scope suggest it is open to a range of established players. Without information on previous framework awards or incumbent suppliers, it is difficult to assess the "Pwin" (probability of winning) signal definitively. However, the detailed technical specifications and experience requirements suggest a focus on established capability rather than new market entrants unless they can demonstrate equivalent experience.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): [Appendix 10 - UCD Design Guidelines Draft Issue D2.0.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified.
• Most Important Attachments:
• Appendix 10 - UCD Design Guidelines Draft Issue D2.0.pdf
• (Likely other appendices detailing specific technical requirements, pricing schedules, and contract conditions will be provided with the full RFT).