Metal and Steel Plates for Plumbing and Welding Classes

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 is for the supply and delivery of metal and steel plates for plumbing and welding classes at the Tipperary ETB Further Education and Training Centre. The estimated value of the contract is €500,000 (excluding VAT) over its initial 12-month term, with potential extensions.

The scope of work encompasses the following:

• Goods: Supply and delivery of metal and steel plates.
• Purpose: To support plumbing and welding classes.
• Location of Delivery: Tipperary ETB Further Education and Training Centre.
• Contract Term: The initial contract duration is 12 months.
• Extension Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the term for periods of up to 12 months, with a maximum of three such extensions.
• Pricing Validity: All prices quoted in the tender must remain valid for 12 months from the tender deadline.
• Delivery Requirements: The initial order should be available for delivery on-site within 4 weeks of a Purchase Order being issued.
• Currency and VAT: Prices must be quoted in Euro, exclusive of VAT. The applicable VAT rate should be indicated separately.
• All-Inclusive Pricing: Prices must be all-inclusive, covering shipping, packaging, delivery, ancillary costs, and all other expenses.
• Currency Risk: Any currency variations over the term of the Goods Contract will be borne by the Tenderer.
• Price Adjustments: Prices may be adjusted only on the first anniversary of the Goods Contract's Effective Date and subsequent anniversaries, based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index published by the Central Statistics Office.

3. Background & buyer context

Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) is procuring metal and steel plates to support its Further Education and Training (FET) Centre in Tipperary. This procurement is conducted under an open procedure, aligning with the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The ETB aims to encourage participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in this competition, suggesting they explore collaborations if the scope exceeds their individual capacity. Larger enterprises are also encouraged to consider how SMEs can be included in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that turnover exceeded €400,000 for the last three years, or pro-rata if the firm is more recently established.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: Not requested
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers must also declare via the eESPD that they satisfy these criteria and are able to provide supporting documentation upon request.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed with scoring percentages in the provided extract. However, the tender states that the lowest cost tender that meets all minimum requirements of the qualitative award criteria will receive the maximum score for that criterion. This indicates a "Most Economically Advantageous Tender" (MEAT) approach, where price is a significant factor, but quality is also assessed.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders.gov.ie platform. Key submission requirements include:

• eESPD: Completion and submission of the electronic European Single Procurement Document.
• Documentation: Submission of all documentation required by the RFT.
• Format: Adherence to the RFT format and response to each element in the specified order.
• Compliance: Conformance with all instructions and requirements within the RFT.
• Tenderer's Statement: A scanned, signed copy of the Tenderer's Statement (Appendix 3) printed on the Tenderer's letterhead.
• Pricing Schedule: Completion of the Pricing Schedule (Appendix 2).
• File Size Limits: A maximum of 250MB per single file upload, with a total limit of 500MB for all documentation.
• File Format: Tenders must be compiled for immediate reading using Microsoft Word or PDF reader.
• Language: Tenders must be submitted in English.
• Declarations: Submission of declarations as required, including the Tenderer's Statement and Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Consortia/Subcontractors: If a group of undertakings submits a tender, a single nominated entity must represent them.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: 12 months, with an option to extend for up to three additional 12-month periods.
• Payment: Subject to and in accordance with the Goods Contract (Appendix 5).
• Price Adjustments: Prices can be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
• Termination: The contract may be terminated by either party with 14 days' notice if no queries are raised within 14 days of an invoice. Liquidated damages may apply, with 3 months' written notice for termination.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting: Permitted, but the Prime Contractor remains responsible. Subcontractors may need to submit their own eESPD if relied upon for selection criteria.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover Requirement: The €400,000 average annual turnover requirement is relatively high compared to the estimated contract value of €500,000 over 12 months. This could be a barrier for smaller, specialist suppliers.
• Price Validity: Prices must remain valid for 12 months from the tender deadline, which is a significant period and may require careful cost forecasting by bidders.
• No Site Visit: The absence of a mandatory site visit might mean that potential bidders need to proactively assess the delivery location and requirements.
• Open Procedure: While an open procedure is standard, the specific nature of the goods (metal and steel plates for vocational training) might mean the pool of suitable suppliers is not vast.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely open to suppliers with a proven track record in the supply of metal and steel products. A viable bidder would need to demonstrate:

• Financial Capacity: An average annual turnover exceeding €400,000.
• Technical Capability: The ability to supply the specified goods reliably and meet delivery timelines.
• Insurance: The capacity to secure the required Employer's Liability (€13m), Public Liability (€6.5m), and Product Liability (€6.5m) insurance.

Consortium or subcontracting is permitted, which could allow SMEs to participate by partnering with other firms or larger entities. The bid preparation effort would likely involve compiling financial data, insurance confirmations, and detailing the supply chain and delivery logistics. Given the turnover requirement and the nature of the goods, the tender may favour established suppliers rather than very small, niche businesses unless they form part of a consortium.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: Invitation to Tender - Metal and Steel Plates for Plumbing and Welding Classes.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact/Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 5: Goods Contract