Topographical and GPR Surveys for Main Street Social Housing, Sallins, Co. Kildare

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 involves conducting a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey at a 0.69-hectare greenfield site located on Main Street, Sallins, Co. Kildare. The primary objective is to locate and assess the depth of existing underground utilities to inform future development for social housing.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• Desktop Study: Review of existing utility plant records provided by the client.
• Access Chamber Inspection: Open and document all access chambers within the survey area, recording the type of service and photographing all foul and stormwater access chambers.
• GPR Survey: Conduct a comprehensive GPR survey across the entire site to detect utilities such as electrical cables, phone lines, gas lines, mains water, foul sewers, and surface water.
• Data Processing: Analyze survey data and cross-reference it with service provider information.
• Topographical Survey Drawing: Reference all survey information onto a topographical survey drawing provided by the client.
• Final Reporting: Produce a detailed report outlining methodologies, findings, and recommendations, including QA & QC checks on all drawings and reports.

The survey methodology will involve:

• Calibration of equipment and frequent recalibration checks.
• Use of a multi-frequency array antenna system for maximum depth penetration.
• Post-processing of radar field data, including noise removal and feature mapping.
• Incorporation of findings into AutoCAD format for final processing.

The contractor must ensure compliance with all relevant safety and health regulations throughout the survey process.

3. Background & buyer context

Kildare County Council is procuring these services to support the development of social housing in Sallins. The project aligns with local government initiatives aimed at addressing housing shortages and improving community infrastructure. The site is fully owned by Kildare County Council and is strategically located near a community hub, train station, school, and residential areas. The urgency of this procurement reflects the council's commitment to advancing housing projects in response to local needs.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,500,000 in the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Employers’ Liability: €13,000,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects completed in the last five years.
• 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 balance between price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method Statement: A response document following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing Schedule: Completed using the specified template.
• Case Studies: Three case studies of similar projects, each valued between €100,000 and €500,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission Portal: All documents must be submitted via eTenders in PDF format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The contract is expected to last for 6 weeks from the start date.
• Payment Terms: Payment will be made upon completion of deliverables as outlined in the contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Timely delivery of reports and adherence to safety regulations.
• Liquidated Damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination Clauses: The client may terminate the contract with 14 days' notice.
• IP Ownership: All intellectual property generated during the contract will belong to Kildare County Council.
• Sub-contracting Rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €1,500,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The lack of specified certifications could lead to ambiguity in compliance.
• The absence of a mandatory site visit may affect bidders' understanding of site conditions.
• The tight timeline for project completion may pose challenges for bidders in meeting deadlines.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should have:

• Relevant experience in conducting GPR surveys and utility detection.
• Adequate insurance coverage as specified.
• The capability to manage the technical aspects of the survey independently.
• Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, suggesting that firms may need to be self-sufficient.
• Bid preparation is estimated to require approximately 5-10 days, depending on the firm's existing resources and experience.
• The presence of an incumbent contractor may influence the competitive landscape, as past performance could be a significant factor in evaluation.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: KCC Description of Services_2022.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment
• Mandatory Requirements Schedule
• Safety and Insurance Requirements Document