N59 Oughterard Footbridge

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 a contractor for the construction of the N59 Oughterard Footbridge in Oughterard, County Galway. The contract will be awarded under an open procedure, with the successful bidder appointed as the Works Contractor and the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.

The scope of work includes:

• Construction of a Footbridge: The primary deliverable is the physical construction of a footbridge at the N59 Oughterard location. Specific design details and dimensions are not detailed in the provided metadata but will be part of the full tender documentation.
• Project Supervision (PSCS): The appointed contractor will be responsible for fulfilling the duties of the PSCS, ensuring compliance with all relevant safety, health, and welfare legislation during the construction phase. This includes managing and coordinating the works to ensure safety.
• Compliance with Construction Regulations: The contractor must adhere to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This encompasses the appointment of a Health and Safety Coordinator, Designer, PSCS, and PSDP as applicable.
• Risk Management: The contractor must manage identified risks, including those related to working at height, burial under earthfalls, work near high voltage power lines, exposure to chemical or biological substances, risk of drowning, roadworks/work on or near live carriageways, unauthorised public access, and working in an urban environment.
• Quality Management: The contractor is required to operate a Quality Management System accredited by a third party, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or ISO 18001, or equivalent.
• Environmental Management: Environmental management measures are a requirement, with potential accreditation to ISO 14001/EMAS or equivalent.
• Safety Management: The contractor must demonstrate that their safety management system is in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Method of Measurement: The Bill of Quantities, where applicable, will use a specified method of measurement, with potential amendments for Public Works Contracts. The tender documents reference CESMM3, CESMM4: Revised, ARM 4, and ARM 5 as potential measurement standards.
• Site Works: The project involves works on or near live carriageways, requiring careful management of traffic and public access.

The contract will utilise a Public Works Contract, with the specific form (PW-CF1, PW-CF3, or PW-CF5) to be detailed in the full tender documents.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being conducted by Galway County Council for the construction of a footbridge on the N59 in Oughterard, County Galway. The project falls under the general remit of public infrastructure development and road safety improvements. While specific policy drivers are not detailed in the provided metadata, such projects typically align with national and local government objectives for enhancing public transport infrastructure, active travel, and road network safety. The tender is being managed under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), which mandates best practice guidance and standard forms of public works contracts for public sector construction procurement. No incumbent contractor is mentioned in the provided documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Average annual turnover of €5,000,000 (excluding VAT) in Civil Engineering Works for each of the 3 previous financial years.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €1,500,000 per claim. Maximum excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property only is €10,000.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident.
• Certifications:
• Evidence of operating a Quality Management System accredited by a third party (e.g., ISO 9001, 14001, 18001, or equivalent).
• Evidence of a Safety Management System in accordance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent.
• Registration on an appropriate Professional or Trade Register.
• Past experience:
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar role in the construction of projects of similar scale and complexity.
• A minimum of one and a maximum of 5 reference projects demonstrating experience in Civil Engineering Works. At least one reference project must have a construction value at Tender Award in excess of €1.0m (excluding VAT).
• Personnel:
• Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not detailed in the provided metadata. However, the tender procedure is stated as "Open procedure," and the suitability assessment is based on a "Pass/Fail" basis for each Qualification Criterion. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland use a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, which balances price and quality. The specific weighting and scoring methodology for this competition will be outlined in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Completed in full, including Part 2 (Tenderer Details and Declaration).
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD): Required if the competition is subject to European Procurement Regulations.
• Evidence: Supporting documentation for all "Evidence Required" Qualification Criteria, current up to the date of submission.
• Declarations:
• Declaration regarding Regulation 57 (Exclusion Grounds) of SI 284/2016.
• Declaration regarding Article 5k of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 (Sanctions Against Russia).
• Declaration regarding the application of the International Procurement Instrument (IPI) and the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), if applicable.
• Reference Projects: A list of completed projects (Appendix B1) demonstrating relevant experience, with a maximum of 5 projects. Project numbers must match certificates.
• Certificates of Satisfactory Execution: As per Appendix B2.
• Health and Safety Supplements: Tenderers must always complete H&S Supplement 3.4.1 (Contractor) and, where applicable, H&S Supplement 3.4.2 (PSCS).
• Consortia/Joint Ventures: If applying as a consortium, joint venture, or partnership, one member must act as the Lead Member for submitting a single SAQ Response. Each member must respond to applicable sections.
• Reliance on Resources: If relying on other entities, demonstration of their capacity and provision of required documentation (e.g., letter in Appendix 1, or ESPD for each entity).
• Submission Portal: Submissions are to be made via eTenders. Specific formatting rules for electronic submissions may apply.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on a Public Works Contract form (PW-CF1, PW-CF3, or PW-CF5). The successful tenderer will be appointed as the Works Contractor and the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS). Key terms include:

• Contract Length: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not specified, but typically adhere to prompt payment regulations for public contracts.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the metadata.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination: Standard termination clauses as per the Public Works Contract will apply.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Permitted, but reliance on subcontractors for qualification criteria requires demonstration of their capacity and potential guarantees/warranties.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Late Submission Deadline: The submission deadline of September 2026 is significantly later than the RFT issue date of November 2025. This extended period may indicate a complex project or a phased procurement approach not fully detailed.
• Lack of Specifics: Key details such as the estimated value, contract length, specific design parameters, and award criteria are not provided in the metadata. These are critical for bidders to assess project feasibility and prepare a comprehensive bid.
• Extensive Safety Requirements: The emphasis on detailed Health and Safety Supplements (3.4.1 and 3.4.2) and compliance with ISO 45001 indicates a high priority placed on safety management, which requires robust internal systems and documentation.
• Potential for Novated Specialists: While marked as "N/A" in the provided tables, the tender documentation structure allows for the possibility of novated specialist contracts being incorporated, which could add complexity if activated.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured for experienced civil engineering contractors capable of managing significant projects and adhering to stringent safety and quality standards.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a medium-to-large civil engineering firm with a proven track record in bridge construction or similar infrastructure projects. They must demonstrate an average annual turnover of €5 million in civil engineering over the last three years and possess the required insurance coverages. Experience with public sector projects and compliance with ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001) are essential.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortiums, joint ventures, or partnerships are permitted. Bidders can also rely on the capacities of other entities (e.g., subcontractors) to meet qualification criteria, provided they can demonstrate these capacities will be available.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Given the detailed SAQ, reference project requirements, and potential for multiple H&S supplements, bid preparation could require 15-25 working days for a dedicated team.
• Pwin Signal: The absence of an estimated value and detailed award criteria makes it difficult to assess the Pwin. However, the clear turnover and experience requirements suggest a competitive tender, likely favouring established firms with demonstrable experience in similar civil engineering works. There is no indication of an incumbent.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): QW2_Part_1_v2.2_25-11-2025.docx, Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in metadata.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in metadata.
• Most Important Attachments:
• QW2_Part_1_v2.2_25-11-2022.docx (Suitability Assessment Questionnaire)
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE.docx (List of Previous Works Projects)
• Health and Safety Supplements (specific document names not provided)