Annagassan Walking Trail

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 procurement seeks consulting services to develop options for walking trails in the Annagassan area, Co. Louth. The project is divided into two stages, with quotations required for both. The successful consultant will advance the project through planning and environmental screening, aiming to create a formalised, viable, and attractive walking trail while ensuring site protection.

The consultant's responsibilities include:

• Stage 1: Feasibility

• Surveying the Annagassan/Castlebellingham area to identify potential walking trail locations.

• Conducting an initial site appraisal, identifying options, and producing preliminary plans and sketches.

• Undertaking environmental screenings, including Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening if required.

• Consulting with Louth County Council and other stakeholders to assess feasibility.

• Engaging with landowners.

• Preparing a Preliminary Design Report (PDR) including preliminary cost estimates and drawings suitable for the planning process.

• Preparing a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

• Stage 2: Design

• Preparing a detailed design consistent with best practices and client requirements.

• Providing design and cost information, incorporating client input.

• Producing a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) if required.

• Completing all statutory consents, including Part VIII planning and financial appraisals.

• Undertaking all coordination and reporting as specified.

• Conducting a full public consultation process for the Part 8 Procedure.

• Preparing a Power Point presentation for the Council Part 8 Meeting.

• Undertaking title research for land ownership.

The project requires a team including a Surveyor, Environmental/Ecological Chartered Specialist (Team Leader), Civil/Structural Engineer, Environmental Scientist, and Town Planner. A Quantity Surveyor is also required as a specialist sub-consultant. The consultant is responsible for the duties of the Designer and for procuring any additional surveys not listed, with costs covered by the Contracting Authority. The fee is a fixed price lump sum, paid upon successful completion of respective phases.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is driven by Louth County Council's objective to develop a formalised walking trail in the Annagassan area. The project is supported by funding secured under the ORIS fund through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. This funding has a drawdown deadline, necessitating project completion by December 2027, with all grant claims to be submitted by the Local Authority no later than the end of February 2027. The council aims to create an attractive visitor location while protecting the designated site. The policy of encouraging SME participation is also noted.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation of annual turnover greater than €100,000 for each of the last 3 years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000, to include specific indemnity to Louth County Council or an indemnity to Principal clause.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000, to include specific indemnity to Louth County Council or an indemnity to Principal clause.
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000 (if Design/Advice).
• All insurances must be in date, provided by an underwriter authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, and cover the Republic of Ireland with Irish law and jurisdiction. If subconsultants are engaged, the bidder's professional indemnity must cover their negligence.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Provide details on 3 previous similar projects, of a similar nature and high standard, including project name, cost, date completed, and client.
• Personnel:
• Environmental / Ecological Chartered Specialist (Team Leader): Minimum 10 years relevant experience.
• Civil/Structural Engineer: Minimum 10 years relevant experience.
• Ecologist: Minimum 5 years relevant experience.
• Town Planner: Minimum 5 years relevant experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must also confirm they are not bankrupt, guilty of corruption, fraud, money laundering, or involved in child labour/human trafficking, and are compliant with statutory obligations. Tax compliance is mandatory.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on a quality and cost evaluation, with a total of 10,000 marks available. The weighting is as follows:

The cost score will be calculated using the formula: (Lowest Cost / Tender Cost) * Maximum Points. The lowest cost tender meeting all qualitative minimums receives maximum cost score. Qualitative criteria scoring ranges from Outstanding (90-100%) to Poor (1-24%). Less than 50% in any qualitative criterion is unacceptable. A tie-break will favour the highest quality score, then the highest score on the highest weighted qualitative criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit their quotations via eTenders using the provided Quotation Response Document (QRD). The QRD includes:

• General Economic Operator Information.
• Information regarding compliance with Suitability Criteria (tax, insurances, declarations).
• The Quotation Form for pricing and responses to Qualitative Award Criteria.

Specific submission requirements include:

• Method statement / response document: Responses to Qualitative Award Criteria are limited:
• Previous Projects: 1 A4 page per project.
• Methodology: Max 1 A4 page.
• Project Programme: Max 1 A3 page.
• Green Public Procurement: 1 A4 page.
• CVs: Not explicitly mentioned, but implied for key personnel in the methodology section.
• Pricing schedule: To be completed in the Quotation Form within the QRD. Fixed price lump sum quotation required.
• Case studies: 3 previous similar projects detailed within the 'Previous Projects' criterion.
• Declarations: Confirmation of suitability criteria (tax compliance, insurance, no bankruptcy/corruption, etc.) via the QRD.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term + extension: Contract duration is linked to project completion by December 2027. No explicit extension clauses are detailed.
• Payment terms: A schedule of payments will be agreed. Invoices submitted as agreed. Payment is on successful completion of respective phases to the satisfaction of the Contracting Authority and delivery of client-approved documentation.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be continually monitored based on cost competitiveness, performance, quality of service, and turnaround time.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to award to the next highest scoring economic operator if the successful bidder fails to meet obligations.
• IP ownership: Louth County Council will have copyright ownership of any material developed for its use. The tenderer may have a non-exclusive licence for its own purposes.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subconsultants are permitted, with specific insurance requirements noted.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Tight Funding Deadline: The project is heavily constrained by a funding drawdown deadline (end of February 2027) and a project completion date (December 2027), creating pressure on the timeline.
• Fixed Price Lump Sum: The requirement for fixed-price lump sum quotations under €50,000 (including VAT) for both stages may be challenging for comprehensive design and environmental services, potentially leading to scope creep or under-resourcing if not carefully managed.
• Value vs. Scope: The stated funding of €50,000 including VAT and the request for quotations under €50,000 including VAT appears low for the comprehensive scope of services required, including detailed design, environmental assessments, and planning applications. This suggests a potential risk of underestimation or a need for very efficient delivery.
• Quality vs. Cost Balance: While cost is 30%, qualitative criteria carry 70% of the marks, indicating a strong emphasis on technical capability and methodology. However, the low overall value may create tension between achieving high quality and remaining within budget.
• Potential for An Bord Pleanála Referral: The contract notes that the public consultation process may differ if the final agreed concept requires permission from An Bord Pleanála, introducing potential complexity and timeline variations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) with a stated value under €50,000 (including VAT), suggesting it is targeted at smaller projects or specific service components.

• Who can credibly bid: A small to medium-sized consultancy firm with expertise in environmental consultancy, engineering, planning, and surveying is well-suited. The requirement for specific personnel with 5-10 years of experience indicates a need for qualified professionals, not necessarily a large firm. The turnover requirement of €100,000 annually for the last three years is achievable for many established SMEs.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Consortium bids are not explicitly mentioned, but sub-contracting is permitted and expected for specialist roles like Quantity Surveying. SMEs are encouraged to form relationships to meet capacity requirements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Given the RFQ format and the need to detail methodology, programme, and past projects within page limits, bid preparation could take 3-5 days for a firm familiar with the process and with pre-prepared case studies.
• Pwin signal: The low value and specific funding source suggest this may not be a high-stakes incumbent-dominated tender. The emphasis on quality criteria and the encouragement of SME participation indicate an open competition. The primary challenge for bidders will be aligning the comprehensive scope with the stated budget and timeline.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Annagassan Walking Trail Request For Quotation (RFQ) (AutoRecovered).docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in provided text.
• Contact for Queries: All messages via eTenders messaging facility.
• Key Attachments:
• Quotation Response Document (QRD)
• Mandatory Requirements Schedule (implied within QRD/RFQ)
• Pricing Schedule (within QRD)