Procurement of Inflatable Flood Rails

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

Wexford County Council requires the supply of approximately 1,600 meters of inflatable flood rails for emergency flood defense. The contract encompasses the provision of inflatable cylindrical inter-connectable rails with a diameter of 1000mm, typically supplied in lengths of 5 and 10 meters, resulting in a total of 160 lengths. The contractor must be prepared to fulfill an order that may increase by up to 50% of the original quantity over a three-year period from the contract award date.

The key activities involved in this contract include:

• Supply of Inflatable Flood Rails:

• 120 lengths of 5 meters (totaling 600 meters)

• 100 lengths of 10 meters (totaling 1,000 meters)

• Material Specifications:

• Rails constructed from polyester or similar material, with a minimum specification of 1100 dtex and 900g/m².

• Operational Requirements:

• Rails must be filled with air for deployment and can be filled with water through a quick release valve.

• Design must allow for rapid emptying and deflation.

• Each unit should include carrying handles and tie-off lugs.

• Sample Submission:

• Tenderers must provide a sample length of rail for assessment, which will be evaluated for ease of use, quality, compliance with relevant codes, and suitability for emergency deployment.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Wexford County Council's ongoing efforts to enhance flood defense capabilities in response to increasing flood risks. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve emergency preparedness and resilience against climate-related events. The council has identified the need for inflatable flood rails as a cost-effective and efficient solution for temporary flood defense. The current procurement is timely, given recent flooding incidents in the region, which have underscored the necessity for improved flood management systems.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover Requirement:

• Minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000 over the last three years.

• Insurance:

• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000

• Public Liability: €6,500,000

• Product Liability: €6,500,000

• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000

• Environmental Liability: €6,500,000

• 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.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best price-quality ratio. There are no specified minimum scoring thresholds per criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must prepare and submit the following documents:

• Method Statement / Response Document:

• Use the provided Tender Response Document (TRD) template; no specific page limit stated.

• CVs:

• Include CVs for key personnel involved in the project.

• Pricing Schedule:

• Must be submitted using the designated pricing template.

• Case Studies:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Declarations:

• Complete the Declaration of Bona Fides, ESPD, and other relevant declarations as outlined in the TRD.

• Mandatory Site Visit:

• Not applicable for this tender.

• Submission Portal:

• All submissions must be made via www.etenders.gov.ie in a Zip file format to maintain file integrity.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have a duration of three years, with the possibility of three extensions based on satisfactory performance and budget availability. Key terms include:

• Payment Terms:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Key SLAs/KPIs:

• Regular performance reports to be provided by the contractor.

• Liquidated Damages:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Termination Clauses:

• The council reserves the right to terminate the contract for reasons outside its control, including increased costs due to changes in the Customs Union.

• IP Ownership:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Sub-contracting Rules:

• Tenderers may rely on the resources of other entities, but must demonstrate access to these resources.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns associated with this tender include:

• Turnover Requirement:

• The minimum turnover requirement of €1,000,000 may limit participation from smaller firms, potentially favoring larger incumbents.

• Sample Submission:

• The requirement for a sample length of rail may disadvantage bidders who lack prior experience with similar products.

• Contract Extensions:

• The council's discretion to extend the contract may create uncertainty for bidders regarding long-term commitments.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capable of meeting the financial and technical requirements. Viable bidders should have:

• Size/Specialism:

• Experience in supplying inflatable flood defense systems or similar products.

• Consortium/Sub-contracting:

• Allowed; bidders may collaborate with other SMEs or larger firms to meet requirements.

• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort:

• Estimated at 5-10 days for preparation, including documentation and sample submission.

• Pwin Signal:

• The presence of a clear turnover requirement may indicate a competitive environment, potentially favoring established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: WCC_2A_RFT_Contract_OpenProcedure_2026.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact Email: Queries via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important Attachments:
• Appendix 1 – Contract Terms and Conditions
• Tender Response Document (TRD)