Doneraile Weirs Barrier Mitigation Project

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 service provider for the Doneraile Weirs Barrier Mitigation Project. The project involves works to mitigate barriers at the Doneraile Weirs. The scope of work is not detailed in the provided metadata but is understood to be part of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP).

The scope of work is expected to encompass:

• Barrier Mitigation Activities: Specific actions to address barriers at the Doneraile Weirs. This may include physical modifications, habitat improvements, or other interventions designed to improve fish passage or ecological connectivity.
• Consultancy Services: The project may require consultancy services related to design, environmental assessment, planning, and project management, as indicated by the presence of documents like a "Business Case" and "Data Processing Agreement" which imply a structured project lifecycle.
• Data Management: A Data Processing Agreement is included, indicating that the successful bidder will process personal data belonging to private barrier landowners and public bodies. This processing will involve viewing employee names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers for the project's purposes, including site surveys and public information/stakeholder engagement events. Data will be accessed via a secure Grant Management Portal and SharePoint links, with strict limitations on data retention and storage on personal IT equipment.
• Biosecurity and Environmental Compliance: Inland Fisheries Ireland mandates strict biosecurity protocols for field survey work, as detailed in their "Biosecurity for field surveys 2010" document. This includes procedures for disinfecting equipment, vehicles, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of invasive species and fish pathogens. Adherence to these protocols will be a critical component of the work.
• Reporting and Documentation: The project will likely require regular progress reporting and adherence to specific documentation standards, as suggested by the inclusion of templates for Business Cases and Data Processing Agreements.

The project is part of the National Barrier Mitigation Programme, suggesting a strategic alignment with broader fisheries and environmental management objectives.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the Doneraile Weirs Barrier Mitigation Project, undertaken by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). IFI is the State agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development, and improvement of the State’s inland fisheries and sea-angling resources. The project falls under the National Barrier Mitigation Programme (NBMP).

The project's background is rooted in the need to address barriers within aquatic systems, likely impacting fish migration and ecological connectivity. This aligns with broader policy objectives related to water framework directives, climate change adaptation, and the enhancement of fisheries and habitats, as outlined in IFI's "River Restoration Works - Science based Guidance centred on Hydromorphological Principles in an Era of Climate Change" publication. The project's strategic drivers include improving the ecological status of waterways and supporting sustainable fisheries management.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess for property only: €10,000. No excess permitted in respect of death or personal injury.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum level of €13,000,000 per accident. No excess permitted.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Bidders must provide Certificates of Satisfactory Execution for previous projects of a similar nature. The provided documentation includes a template for listing up to 21 previous projects. Specific minimum numbers or value thresholds for past experience are not explicitly stated in the provided extract.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism for this tender are not detailed in the provided documentation. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland are awarded based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which balances price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality, and the sub-criteria for evaluating quality, would be detailed in the full Request for Tender (RFT) document.

6. Submission requirements

The submission requirements for this tender are not fully detailed in the provided metadata. However, based on the included appendices and templates, bidders will likely need to provide:

• Certificates of Satisfactory Execution: For previous projects of a similar nature, using the format provided in Appendix B1. Up to 21 projects can be listed.
• Certificate of Satisfactory Delivery of Services: Using the format provided in Appendix B3.
• Pricing Schedule: The format and specific requirements for the pricing schedule are not detailed.
• Declarations: Standard declarations, such as ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations, are typically required for public sector tenders.
• Data Processing Agreement: A template for a Data Processing Agreement is provided, indicating that the successful bidder will need to enter into this agreement with Inland Fisheries Ireland.
• Business Case: A template for a Business Case is provided, suggesting that bidders may need to contribute to or provide information for this document as part of their submission or project planning.
• Method Statement / Response Document: The specific format, page limits, and content requirements for a response document are not detailed.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Case Studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: Tenders are typically submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific format rules for electronic submissions would be detailed in the RFT.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The provided documentation includes a template for a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) which outlines key terms related to data handling and liability.

• Contract Duration: The DPA states the agreement will continue for the duration stated, from 1st May 2026 to the end of the contract period, unless terminated for breach.
• Payment Terms: Not specified in the provided documents.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Termination: The DPA can be terminated for breach by either party.
• IP Ownership: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Sub-contracting: The Data Processor shall not engage another processor without the prior specific written authorisation of the Data Controller. If a sub-contractor is engaged, the Data Processor remains fully liable to the Data Controller for the sub-processor's obligations.
• Parent Company Guarantee/Bond: Not specified in the provided documents.
• Data Processing Obligations: The Data Processor must comply with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 1988 to 2018. Processing is limited to documented instructions from the Data Controller. Data must be processed securely, with measures including pseudonymisation and encryption. Data will not be transferred outside the EEA without written authorisation.
• Indemnity: The Data Processor shall indemnify Inland Fisheries Ireland against all claims, liabilities, costs, and losses arising from the processing of data in breach of the agreement, contrary to instructions, or in contravention of Data Protection Laws.
• Generative AI: The Data Processor must not use Customer Data in Generative AI solutions without prior written consent.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Data Processing Focus: A significant portion of the provided documentation relates to data processing and privacy, including a detailed Data Processing Agreement. This suggests that data handling, confidentiality, and compliance with GDPR will be a critical aspect of the contract, potentially overshadowing the physical works aspect for some bidders.
• Lack of Technical Detail: The provided documents lack specific technical details regarding the "barrier mitigation" itself. The scope of work is inferred rather than explicitly defined, making it difficult for potential bidders to fully assess the technical requirements and associated risks without further information.
• Business Case Template: The inclusion of a Business Case template suggests a structured project approval process, which may imply that the contract's commencement is contingent on internal approvals or funding stages beyond the tender award.
• Biosecurity Mandate: Inland Fisheries Ireland has stringent biosecurity protocols. Failure to adhere to these could lead to contractual issues, highlighting the importance of environmental compliance.
• Ambiguous Value: The estimated value of €275,000 is relatively low for a project that might involve significant civil engineering or environmental works, potentially indicating a consultancy-heavy or phased approach.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender appears to be structured to accommodate a range of service providers, with a particular emphasis on those capable of managing data privacy and environmental compliance alongside any physical works.

• Who can credibly bid: A credible bidder would likely be a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) with demonstrable experience in environmental consultancy, fisheries management, or small-scale civil engineering projects. Crucially, they must have robust data protection policies and procedures in place, or be willing to implement them, to comply with the Data Processing Agreement. Experience in working with public bodies and understanding of biosecurity protocols would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The Data Processing Agreement explicitly states that the Data Processor shall not engage another processor without prior written authorisation. This suggests that sub-contracting for the core data processing elements would be restricted. However, for the physical works aspect, sub-contracting might be permissible if authorised. The RFT document would clarify this.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Given the need to review the Data Processing Agreement, understand biosecurity protocols, and potentially gather information for a Business Case, bid preparation could require 5-10 days of effort for a firm already familiar with public sector tenders and data protection requirements. For firms new to these aspects, the effort could be higher.
• Pwin signal: The tender is unlikely to be dominated by large incumbent firms due to the specific nature of the work and the relatively modest estimated value. The emphasis on data processing and biosecurity suggests that firms with strong compliance and consultancy capabilities will be well-positioned. The inclusion of detailed templates for data processing and business cases indicates a structured procurement process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): Not specified in the provided metadata.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Most Important Attachments:
• [Appendix-B1-QC1-and-QC2.docx] APPENDIX B1: LIST OF PREVIOUS PROJECTS/CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTORY EXECUTION
• [Template_Data_Processing_Agreement.docx] Data Processing Agreement
• [Template Business Case.pdf] Business Case – Preliminary/Developed/Final