Property and Land Valuation Professional Services

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

Westmeath County Council seeks property and land valuation professional services. These services are required for land acquisition for National Roads and Greenway projects managed by the Westmeath National Roads Office (WNRO), and for regeneration projects. Land acquisition may occur through agreement or statutory processes, including Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) or Derelict Site CPOs. The scope encompasses various land types, including agricultural, non-agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, derelict, and community land. Any buildings or structures on the land are included within the scope of "land."

The procurement is divided into three distinct lots, each resulting in a separate contract:

• Lot 1: Property and Valuation Professional Services for Regeneration and Development Projects.
• Lot 2: Property and Valuation Professional Services for Westmeath National Roads Office (WNRO) National Roads and Greenway Minor Projects. Minor projects are defined as those with an overall cost, including land and property acquisition, between €0.5 million and €20 million.
• Lot 3: Property and Valuation Professional Services for Westmeath National Roads Office (WNRO) National Roads and Greenway Major Projects. Major projects are defined as those with an overall cost, including land and property acquisition, exceeding €20 million.

The services will include, but are not limited to, valuation of property and assessment of compensation for compulsory land acquisition. The estimated expenditure for these services is €200,000 (excluding VAT) over the contract term and any potential extensions.

3. Background & buyer context

Westmeath County Council is procuring these property and land valuation services to support its infrastructure development and regeneration initiatives. The services are specifically required for land acquisition processes related to National Roads and Greenway projects managed by the Westmeath National Roads Office (WNRO), as well as for broader regeneration and development projects within the county. The procurement is conducted under an open procedure, aligning with EU and Irish public procurement regulations. The estimated contract value suggests a need for ongoing, but not extensive, valuation support over the contract period. The council aims to encourage participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourages larger enterprises to consider including SMEs in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet specific criteria to be considered for evaluation. Failure to meet these requirements will result in exclusion.

• Turnover requirement:
• Lot 1: Minimum average annual turnover of €150,000 (ex VAT) in real estate services in any three of the five previous audited financial years.
• Lot 2: Minimum average annual turnover of €150,000 (ex VAT) in real estate services in any three of the five previous audited financial years.
• Lot 3: Minimum average annual turnover of €1.5 million (ex VAT) in real estate services in any three of the five previous audited financial years.
• For consortia, at least one member must meet the turnover requirement for the relevant lot.
• Insurance: The successful tenderer must hold the following insurances for the term of the Services Contract:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: N/A
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• Lot 1: At least 9 years' experience in property valuation, with at least 5 years' experience in compensation assessment for compulsory land acquisition on projects where total land acquisition value exceeded €1 million.
• Lots 2 & 3: At least 9 years' experience in property valuation, with at least 5 years' experience in compensation assessment for compulsory land acquisition on projects where total land acquisition value exceeded €1 million.
• Note: An alternative minimum experience requirement is also stated: at least six years' experience in property valuation, with at least three years' experience in compensation assessment for compulsory land acquisition on projects where total land acquisition value was greater than €1 million. Tenderers must provide CVs of personnel possessing these minimum requirements.
• Personnel: Not specified beyond the experience requirements for management staff.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation of tenders will follow an open procedure. Tenderers will be evaluated based on both selection criteria and award criteria. The award criteria will determine the successful tenderer(s) once they have met the minimum selection requirements. The specific weighting and scoring mechanism for the award criteria are not detailed in the provided extract, but the tender process typically follows a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. Tenderers must achieve a pass/fail on the selection criteria.

Note: The provided text does not detail the specific award criteria or their weighting. It confirms that tenderers must pass the selection criteria before being evaluated against award criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit their bids electronically via the eTenders platform. The submission must adhere to the following:

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must complete and submit the European Single Procurement Document (eESPD) electronically. They must also follow the RFT format and respond to each element in the order presented.
• CVs: CVs for proposed management staff must be submitted, detailing educational and professional qualifications (with dates obtained) and experience. An organisational chart showing the typical management team structure for projects of this type is also required.
• Pricing schedule: Tenderers must complete the Pricing Schedule at Appendix 2. All prices must be all-inclusive, in Euro, and exclusive of VAT.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD).
• Tenderer’s Statement (Appendix 3), signed and on letterhead.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie. File size limits apply (250MB per file, 2GB total). Tenders must be submitted in English and in PDF format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The Services Contract will have an initial term of two years. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the term for one or two periods, each up to 12 months, on the same terms and conditions. Payment terms are subject to the Services Contract (Appendix 5). The estimated expenditure is €200,000 (excl. VAT) over the term and extensions. Tenderers must confirm acceptance of the Services Contract terms by signing the Tenderer’s Statement; amendments to the contract are not permitted. Compliance with environmental, social, and labour laws is mandatory. The successful tenderer must comply with Council Directive 2001/23/EC regarding the safeguarding of employees’ rights in the event of transfers of undertakings. The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 must also be considered in pricing if agency workers are used.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Lot 3 Turnover: The turnover requirement for Lot 3 (€1.5 million) is significantly higher than for Lots 1 and 2 (€150,000), indicating a potential focus on larger, more experienced firms for major projects.
• Estimated Value vs. Lot 3 Turnover: The total estimated expenditure for all services is €200,000 (excl. VAT). This figure is substantially lower than the turnover requirement for Lot 3, suggesting that Lot 3 may be awarded separately or that the €200,000 is a conservative estimate for overall usage across all lots, with Lot 3 potentially representing a significant portion of that if awarded.
• Experience Requirements: The dual experience requirements (9 years/5 years vs. 6 years/3 years) for compulsory purchase order experience need careful attention to ensure compliance.
• Insurance: While standard insurances are listed, the absence of Product Liability insurance is noted.
• No Exclusivity: The award of a Services Contract does not confer exclusivity on the successful tenderer.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured into three lots, with varying eligibility criteria, offering potential opportunities for SMEs.

• Lot 1 & 2: The turnover requirement of €150,000 and the experience requirements (6 years/3 years or 9 years/5 years) make these lots potentially accessible to established SMEs with a proven track record in property valuation and compulsory acquisition compensation.
• Lot 3: The significantly higher turnover requirement of €1.5 million and substantial experience criteria suggest this lot is geared towards larger, more experienced firms, likely excluding most SMEs unless they form a consortium.
• Consortia/Sub-contracting: The tender explicitly encourages SMEs to explore forming relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises. This indicates that consortia and sub-contracting are permitted and potentially encouraged, providing a pathway for SMEs to participate, particularly in Lot 3.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant bid, including the eESPD, detailed CVs, organisational charts, and pricing, will require significant effort. For SMEs targeting Lots 1 or 2, this could range from 10-20 days of dedicated work. For Lot 3, or for consortia, the effort would be considerably higher.
• Pwin Signal: The presence of multiple lots and the encouragement of consortia suggest a competitive process. The distinct requirements for Lot 3 indicate a potential for specialist firms to bid. No incumbent is named, but the experience requirements suggest firms with prior public sector or significant infrastructure project experience may have an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Valuation Services RFT Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact: All queries must be directed via the 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: Services Contract