Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of a Coherent OTDR Fiber Sensing Module

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 tender involves the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a Coherent OTDR Fiber Sensing Module for Trinity College Dublin. The module is intended for real-time, phase-sensitive distributed sensing along standard optical fibers, applicable in smart infrastructure monitoring, structural health monitoring, and critical asset protection.

• Supply and Delivery: Provision of a Coherent OTDR Fiber Sensing Module that integrates Attenuation (A-), Brillouin (B-), and Coherent (C-) OTDR technologies.
• Installation and Commissioning: Installation at Trinity College Dublin, ensuring the system is fully operational and meets the specified requirements.
• Training: Comprehensive training for staff to ensure effective use and maintenance of the system.
• Technical Support: Ongoing technical support to address any operational issues.
• Warranty: Provision of a warranty as specified in Appendix 1 of the RFT.
• Firmware Modification Access: The system must support firmware modification access to allow for updates and custom configurations.
• Documentation: Detailed specifications, pricing, delivery timelines, and after-sales service options must be included in the proposal.
• Preference Criteria: Systems demonstrating ease of use, reliability, and cost-effectiveness will be preferred.
• Company Profile and References: Submissions must include company profiles and references from previous installations to demonstrate experience and reliability.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is driven by Trinity College Dublin's need to enhance its infrastructure monitoring capabilities. The Coherent OTDR Fiber Sensing Module will support applications in smart infrastructure and structural health monitoring, aligning with broader strategic goals for technological advancement in educational institutions. The procurement is part of an initiative to integrate advanced sensing technologies for critical asset protection. No incumbent supplier is mentioned, indicating an open opportunity for new vendors to participate.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €127,500 over the past three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: At least two contracts within the last three years demonstrating similar scope, scale, and complexity.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation follows the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle, with a minimum scoring threshold of 60% on all criteria except cost.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Use the named template, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Must be completed using the template in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Two required, demonstrating similar scope and complexity.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with specific format rules (Word, Excel, PDF).

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for 12 months with the possibility of up to three 12-month extensions. Payment terms are not detailed but are subject to the Goods Contract in Appendix 5. Key performance indicators and service level agreements are not specified. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not mentioned. Intellectual property ownership and subcontracting rules are not detailed. No parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies a turnover requirement close to the contract value, which may limit participation to firms with similar past contracts. The insurance requirements are substantial, potentially excluding smaller firms. The contract's reliance on firmware modification access could pose integration challenges for non-incumbents. The absence of detailed KPIs or SLAs might lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises with a turnover exceeding €127,500 annually and the ability to meet the insurance requirements. Firms specializing in fiber sensing technology with relevant past experience are well-positioned. Consortiums and subcontracting are encouraged, allowing SMEs to partner with larger firms. Bid preparation is likely to require several days, given the need for detailed documentation and references. The presence of an incumbent is not indicated, suggesting a level playing field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: TCD-26-C2301 -RFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Clarifications through eTenders
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Technical Specifications and Supplier Response
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement