Engineering Consultancy Services to establish the structural integrity of the existing quay structure for the Port of Waterford

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 involves providing engineering consultancy services to assess and establish the structural integrity of the quay structure at the Port of Waterford. The contractor will conduct inspections, evaluations, and provide recommendations based on their findings. The work is divided into two main phases:

• Phase 1 - Inspections:

• Assess the original design capabilities of the quay structure.

• Evaluate an existing limited pile thickness survey.

• Determine the need for testing piles and concrete elements above and/or below deck.

• Assist the Port of Waterford’s cost advisors, MGM Partnership, in procuring specialist diving contractors for underwater survey works, including pile thickness analysis.

• Supervise the dive team through experienced Chartered Engineers to:

• Conduct a general visual inspection of the piles and perform detailed inspections and thickness testing at previously tested piles within an expected two-week dive period.

• Carry out necessary checks on concrete structural elements when diving is not feasible.

• Provide a condition report assessing the current extent of corrosion, comparing results with previous surveys.

• Phase 2 - Load/Future Assessments:

• Establish the current capabilities of the quay structure relative to its design.

• Collaborate with the Port to evaluate the impact of future operational loading.

• Report on any degradation of the steel piles and concrete structures.

• Immediately report any critical repair requirements.

• Assess current corrosion rates and estimate the future serviceable lifespan of the berths for anticipated loads.

• Evaluate the suitability of cathodic protection to maintain the current condition of the piles.

• Collaborate with Port Engineers to prepare a program of planned preventative maintenance and make recommendations for future testing and inspections.

The contractor must complete the report within three months of appointment.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of these consultancy services is driven by the need to ensure the safety and operational efficiency of the quay structure at the Port of Waterford. This initiative aligns with the Port's strategic objectives to maintain and enhance its infrastructure, ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational requirements. The Port of Waterford Company has a history of managing and maintaining port facilities, and this tender is part of ongoing efforts to assess and improve structural integrity. No incumbent contractor is mentioned in the tender documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €2,500,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: N/A
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: The Director must have at least 10 years of experience at management level.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, balancing quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document (using the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages).
• CVs for key personnel (maximum 2 pages per CV).
• Pricing schedule (using the specified template).
• Case studies demonstrating relevant experience (minimum of 2, with values between €200,000 and €1,000,000).
• Declarations including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• A mandatory site visit is required; bidders must confirm attendance by contacting the Port by 22 June 2026.
• Submissions must be made via the eTenders portal, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The contract will last for the time required to complete the services.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: The successful Tenderer must designate a single entity responsible for the contract, regardless of subcontracting arrangements.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €2,500,000 may limit participation to larger firms, potentially excluding smaller bidders.
• The absence of specified SLAs/KPIs may lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.
• The requirement for a site visit may pose logistical challenges for some bidders, particularly those located further from Waterford.
• The tight timeline for completing the report (within three months of appointment) may pressure bidders to mobilize quickly.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid should have:

• A proven track record in engineering consultancy, particularly in structural assessments.
• The capacity to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• Experience with similar projects, though specific past experience criteria are not detailed.
• The ability to form consortia or subcontract as needed to meet the requirements.
• Bid preparation may require approximately 10-15 days, considering the documentation and site visit.
• The incumbent's strength is not specified, but the absence of a named incumbent may indicate an open field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: POWC Request for Tender Engineering Consultancy Services Quay Integrity Final 2026.06.12.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement