R289 Kilcoon Road Realignment - Dromahair Co. Leitrim

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 R289 Kilcoon Road Realignment project in Dromahair, County Leitrim. The project involves civil engineering and landscaping works. The specific scope of work is not detailed in the provided metadata but is understood to encompass the physical realignment of the R289 road.

Key activities and requirements, based on the provided appendices and general tender documentation for similar projects, are expected to include:

• Civil Engineering Works: This will likely involve earthworks, drainage, pavement construction, and potentially structural elements if bridges or culverts are part of the realignment. Specifics on road width, gradient, and material specifications would be detailed in the full tender documents.
• Landscaping: This component suggests the integration of environmental considerations and aesthetic improvements along the realigned route. This could include planting, topsoiling, and site restoration.
• Health and Safety Management: The contractor will be required to act as Contractor and potentially as Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS). This involves developing and implementing a Safety Statement, conducting risk assessments, method statements, and ensuring compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations. This includes coordinating with other duty holders and disseminating safety information.
• Quality Control: The contractor must meet minimum standards for technicians or technical bodies responsible for quality control and demonstrate the capability to improve the quality of output. This includes having study and research facilities in place.
• Technical Equipment: The applicant must meet minimum standards for technical equipment relevant to the project's size and complexity.
• Project Management: This includes developing and maintaining a project plan, providing weekly look-ahead programmes, and managing site operations effectively.
• Documentation and Reporting: Submission of various declarations, certificates of satisfactory execution for previous works, and potentially a preliminary safety and health plan.

The tender documents reference specific appendices for detailed requirements related to health and safety, previous works, and financial standing, indicating a structured approach to defining the contractor's responsibilities and capabilities.

3. Background & buyer context

Leitrim County Council is procuring the R289 Kilcoon Road Realignment project in Dromahair, County Leitrim. The tender is issued under standard public procurement procedures for works contracts. While specific policy drivers are not detailed, road realignment projects typically align with local authority objectives for improving transport infrastructure, enhancing road safety, and supporting local economic development. The project's location in Dromahair suggests a focus on local connectivity and potentially addressing existing traffic or safety issues on the R289 route. No information is provided regarding an incumbent contractor for this specific project.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered eligible:

• Turnover Requirement:
• Average annual turnover in Civil Engineering and Landscaping of €1.60m.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident. Maximum excess of €10,000 for property damage only.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Minimum €500,000. Maximum excess is the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000.
• Certifications:
• Not specified for this tender. However, declarations regarding Safety Statements and compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 are mandatory.
• Past Experience:
• Minimum of three comparable projects completed in the past 7 years. These projects must be similar in nature and complexity to the R289 Kilcoon Road Realignment. Certificates of satisfactory execution are required.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in the Civil Engineering Industry post-graduation is required for senior personnel.
• Personnel:
• Senior Engineer: Must hold a Level 8 qualification and have a minimum of 5 years' experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender. However, bidders must demonstrate they have study and research facilities in place to improve quality of output.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata. However, for public works contracts of this nature, the award is typically based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). This usually involves a combination of price and quality.

Specific scoring mechanisms and weightings for technical merit, methodology, health and safety approach, and other quality aspects would be detailed in the full tender documentation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit the following documentation:

• Declarations:
• Declaration on Oath/Solemn Declaration regarding grounds for exclusion (Appendix A / QW2 Appendix A).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum Health and Safety Standards for Educational and Professional Qualifications (Appendix G / QW2 Appendix G, and Appendix H / QW2 Appendix H).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum Health and Safety Standards for Contractor/PSCS appointments (Appendix C1 / QW2 Appendix C1).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum Health and Safety Standards for Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) (Appendix C4 / QW2 Appendix C4).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum Health and Safety Standards for Contractor/Specialist (Appendix C3 / QW2 Appendix C3).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum standards for Technicians or Technical Bodies responsible for Quality Control (Appendix E / QW2 Appendix E).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum standards for Technical Equipment (Appendix F / QW2 Appendix F).
• Declaration of ability to meet minimum standards for Economic and Financial Standing (Appendix D / QW2 Appendix D).
• Previous Works:
• List of previous works projects with Certificates of Satisfactory Execution/Service Delivery (Appendix B1 / QW2 Appendix B1, Appendix B2 / QW2 Appendix B2, Appendix B3 / QW2 Appendix B3).
• Financial Standing:
• Banker's Letter of Confirmation (Appendix C / Bankers Letter).
• Bond Undertaking:
• Letter of Undertaking from a Surety regarding a Performance Bond (Appendix D1 / Appendix-D1-QW1-Letter-of-Undertaking-re.-Bond.docx, Appendix D2 / Appendix-D2-QW2-Letter-of-Undertaking-re.-Bond.docx). The bond amount is not to exceed 10% of the eventual contract sum.
• Method Statement / Response Document: Not explicitly detailed as a separate document, but implied through the need to demonstrate compliance with various criteria.
• CVs: Not explicitly mentioned but implied for key personnel.
• Pricing Schedule: Not explicitly mentioned but required for tender evaluation.
• Submission Portal: Bids must be submitted via eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Contract Length: Not specified.
• Extension Structure: Not specified.
• Payment Terms: Not specified, but standard prompt payment directives apply.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified, but likely to include quality, safety, and programme adherence.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified.
• Termination Clauses: Not specified.
• IP Ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting Rules: Not specified.
• Performance Bond: A performance bond is required, not exceeding 10% of the eventual contract sum. The surety must be authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland or a recognised EU/EEA financial regulatory authority. The bond can typically be issued within 4 weeks of a satisfactory application.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Value Not Disclosed: The absence of an estimated contract value is unusual for a public tender of this nature and could indicate a variable scope or a project where the budget is sensitive. This makes it difficult for bidders to gauge the scale and potential profitability.
• Limited Detail on Scope: The provided metadata and appendices focus heavily on pre-qualification and compliance requirements rather than the specific technical details of the road realignment. This suggests that the full scope of works, technical specifications, and drawings are contained within separate, unreferenced documents.
• Tight Insurance Requirements: While the PI cover is €500,000, the Public Liability cover of €6.5m is substantial, indicating a potentially high-risk environment or a desire for significant protection by the contracting authority.
• Emphasis on Health and Safety Documentation: The extensive appendices dedicated to health and safety declarations and compliance indicate a strong focus on this area, requiring bidders to have robust safety management systems and documentation in place.
• Late Evidence Submission: The requirement to provide evidence within seven calendar days after short-listing for certain declarations (e.g., Health and Safety, Financial Standing) means bidders must be prepared to furnish detailed proof rapidly if they progress.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with established experience in civil engineering and landscaping.

• Credible Bidders: A viable bidder would be a company with a proven track record in delivering road construction or significant civil engineering projects. They must demonstrate an average annual turnover of €1.60m in this sector. Strong health and safety management systems and documentation are essential.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender documents do not explicitly prohibit consortia or sub-contracting. However, the emphasis on individual company declarations and experience suggests that lead bidders must meet the core requirements themselves. Sub-contracting may be permissible for specific elements, but this would need to be confirmed in the full tender documents.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid, given the extensive health and safety documentation, previous works certificates, and financial declarations required, would likely require 10-20 days of effort for a company with existing systems and data. This includes gathering certificates, preparing declarations, and potentially developing a preliminary approach.
• Pwin Signal: The tender does not explicitly indicate an incumbent or a framework. The absence of a disclosed value and the focus on detailed compliance suggest a competitive process. However, the specific geographic location and the nature of road works might favour local contractors with established relationships and knowledge of the area.

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 Email / Clarification Portal: Not specified in the provided metadata.
• Most Important Attachments:
• QW2 Appendix A / Appendix A: Applicant’s Personal Situation Declaration
• QW2 Appendix B1 / Appendix-B1-List-of-Previous-Works-Projects-which-is-CEE.docx: List of Previous Works Projects
• QW2 Appendix C1 / Appendix C1: Health and Safety Declaration – Contractor or PSCS Appointments
• QW2 Appendix D / Appendix-D2-QW2-Letter-of-Undertaking-re.-Bond.docx: Letter of Undertaking re. Bond