Main Works SAQ for N67/N85 Inner Relief Road Ennistymon (Blakes Corner)

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 main contractor for the construction of the N67/N85 Inner Relief Road in Ennistymon, County Clare. The project involves significant civil engineering works, including road construction and associated infrastructure. The contract duration is specified as 18 months.

The scope of work encompasses the following key activities:

• Road Construction: Realignment and construction of the N67/N85 Inner Relief Road. This includes earthworks, pavement construction, and surfacing.
• Civil Engineering Works: Construction of associated civil engineering elements. Specific details on the scale of these works are not fully detailed in the provided metadata but are implied by the project's nature.
• Bridge Construction/Refurbishment: The tender documentation references experience in bridge construction and refurbishment, suggesting potential elements of this within the project scope, or at least a requirement for bidders to demonstrate capability in this area.
• Health and Safety Management: The contractor will be responsible for implementing and managing health and safety in compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. This includes developing and maintaining safety statements, risk assessments, and method statements.
• Quality Management: The contractor must demonstrate a Quality Management System, ideally registered to international standards such as ISO 9001.
• Project Management: The contractor will be responsible for the overall management of the construction project, including coordination of resources, personnel, and subcontractors.
• Environmental Compliance: While not explicitly detailed in the provided metadata, standard environmental compliance measures are expected for a public works project of this nature.

The project is designated as a Type 3 project under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), indicating a value exceeding €10 million (exclusive of VAT). The contract will be procured using the PW-CF3 form for Civil Engineering Works designed by the Employer.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is being undertaken by Clare County Council for the construction of the N67/N85 Inner Relief Road in Ennistymon, County Clare. The project aligns with broader infrastructure development objectives within the region. While specific policy drivers are not detailed in the provided metadata, such road infrastructure projects typically aim to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and support local economic development. The project is classified as a Type 3 project under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), signifying a significant infrastructure investment. No incumbent contractor is mentioned in the provided documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet specific minimum requirements to be considered for this tender. These criteria are designed to assess the financial stability, technical capability, and health and safety competence of potential contractors.

• Turnover Requirement:
• Average annual turnover of €10,000,000 arising from Civil Engineering, Building, and Roadworks Construction over the period specified in the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: Minimum €6,500,000 per accident.
• Employer's Liability Insurance: Minimum €13,000,000 per accident.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Not specified for this tender (n/a). The excess for PI insurance must not exceed the greater of 2% of annual turnover or €5,000 on an annual aggregate basis.
• Certifications:
• Quality Management System: Registration to an appropriate recognised international standard, such as ISO 9001, or equivalent.
• Health and Safety Management System: Compliance with ISO 45001:2018 or equivalent, or certified membership of Safe-T-Cert.
• Past Experience:
• Minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 reference projects where the applicant acted as the main contractor in Civil Engineering works projects.
• Reference projects must be road and bridge projects that have reached Substantial Completion within the last 7 years.
• At least one reference project must be for road construction with a construction value at tender award exceeding €8,000,000 (excluding VAT).
• At least one reference project must be for the construction of a bridge over a waterway, similar in scale and complexity to provided photomontages, with a construction value exceeding €2,000,000 (excluding VAT).
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in a similar role in the construction of road and bridge projects of similar nature and complexity.
• Minimum of 60 months (5 years) experience in the co-ordination and management of roads and bridge projects, with at least one project having a construction value at Contract Award exceeding €5,000,000 (excluding VAT).
• Minimum of 120 months (10 years) post-graduate experience in civil engineering.
• Minimum of 120 months (10 years) experience dedicated to Health and Safety.
• Personnel:
• Management staff with appropriate educational/professional qualifications and experience, including Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience relevant to the Works.
• Personnel with appropriate educational and professional qualifications and experience, including Health and Safety qualifications, training, and experience relevant to the Works.
• Evidence of adequate and appropriate ongoing health and safety training and commitment of resources for both management and personnel.
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of the contract will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The evaluation will consider both price and quality. The specific weighting between price and quality, and the detailed scoring methodology for each criterion, are not provided in the extracted metadata. However, it is understood that bidders must first meet all mandatory eligibility and selection criteria to be considered for award. The tender documentation indicates that Health and Safety competence is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders are required to submit a comprehensive Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) to demonstrate their eligibility and capability. The SAQ is structured into multiple parts, including Health and Safety competence.

Key submission components include:

• Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): This is the primary document for demonstrating compliance with eligibility and selection criteria. It includes specific sections for Technical Capability and Health and Safety Competence.
• Curricula Vitae (CVs): CVs for management staff and other relevant personnel are required, detailing educational and professional qualifications, Health and Safety training, and project experience. Page limits for CVs are not specified in the metadata.
• Reference Projects: A list of 2 to 5 completed projects, with supporting Certificates of Satisfactory Execution (Appendix B2), demonstrating experience in road and bridge construction meeting specific value and complexity thresholds.
• Financial Information:
• Banker's Letter (Appendix C) confirming banking relationships and lending facilities.
• Details of average annual turnover for the past 3 years in the specified areas of work.
• Average annual number of employees (including managerial positions) over the last 3 years.
• Quality and Safety Management Systems: Evidence of a registered Quality Management System (e.g., ISO 9001) and a Health and Safety Management System (e.g., ISO 45001, Safe-T-Cert).
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declarations regarding conflicts of interest.
• Declarations related to Health and Safety policy, organisation, and procedures.
• Letters of Undertaking: Appendix D1 (Letter of Undertaking) from any third parties relied upon for financial or technical capacity.
• Pricing Schedule: Not applicable at the SAQ stage; this will be required for the subsequent tender stage.
• Submission Portal: Bids must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Specific formatting rules for electronic submissions are not detailed in the metadata.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for the SAQ stage.

7. Key dates & process

The process involves a restricted procedure. Bidders submit a Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Clare County Council will assess these SAQs to shortlist qualified candidates. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to submit a full tender.

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be based on the Public Works Contract for Civil Engineering Works designed by the Employer (PW-CF3). Key terms and conditions, as typically found in such contracts, are expected to include:

• Contract Period: 18 months.
• Payment Terms: Standard public sector payment terms, likely adhering to prompt payment regulations.
• Liquidated Damages: Provisions for liquidated damages are standard in public works contracts for delays or performance failures, though specific rates are not detailed in the metadata.
• Termination: Clauses allowing for termination by either party under specific circumstances (e.g., breach of contract, insolvency).
• Sub-contracting: Rules governing the appointment and management of sub-contractors, including potential requirements for approval by the contracting authority.
• Parent Company Guarantee / Bond: Not explicitly mentioned in the metadata, but may be required depending on the financial standing of the successful bidder.
• Insurance: The contractor must maintain the specified levels of Public Liability and Employer's Liability insurance throughout the contract duration.
• Health and Safety: Strict adherence to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations is mandatory.
• Quality Assurance: The contractor must implement and maintain a Quality Management System.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Tight Submission Deadline: The tender deadline of 23 October 2026 appears unusually distant for a standard tender process, potentially indicating a long lead time or a placeholder date. This requires verification.
• Type 3 Project Value Context: While the project is classified as Type 3 (value > €10m), the non-binding estimated value range of €15m - €25m suggests the final contract value could be substantial. Bidders must ensure their financial capacity aligns with this scale.
• Health and Safety Focus: The SAQ places significant emphasis on Health and Safety competence, with detailed criteria and pass/fail assessments. This indicates a high priority placed on safety performance by the contracting authority.
• Reference Project Specificity: The requirement for specific types of reference projects (road construction >€8m, bridge construction >€2m) is detailed, meaning bidders must have demonstrably relevant past experience.
• PW-CF3 Contract Form: Use of the PW-CF3 form implies the Employer has provided the design. Bidders should be comfortable with this contract form and the associated allocation of design risk.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a restricted procedure, meaning only shortlisted candidates from the SAQ stage will be invited to tender. This process inherently limits the pool of potential bidders.

• Credible Bidders: The turnover requirement of €10 million per annum in civil engineering, roadworks, and building construction, combined with the significant experience requirements (e.g., 10 years in road/bridge projects, specific project values), indicates that this tender is primarily aimed at established medium to large-sized construction firms with a proven track record in civil engineering and road infrastructure. Small businesses are unlikely to meet the financial and experience thresholds for the main contract.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The SAQ documentation allows for applicants to rely on the capacities of other entities (e.g., for financial standing or technical capability) through Letters of Undertaking. This suggests that consortia or joint ventures are permissible, and that SMEs might participate as sub-contractors to a larger main contractor. However, the SAQ itself must be completed by the lead applicant.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Preparing a compliant SAQ for a tender of this scale and complexity is a significant undertaking. It would likely require several weeks of dedicated effort from a team including technical, financial, legal, and health and safety specialists.
• Pwin Signal: The restricted procedure and the stringent eligibility criteria suggest a competitive process among pre-qualified firms. The specific nature of the required reference projects may favour incumbent or specialist firms with a history in similar public infrastructure projects in Ireland.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename(s): QW1_Part_1_v2.3_25-11-2025_MW.docx, 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025_MW.docx, Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE_MW.docx, Appendix_C_Bankers_Letter_MW.docx, Appendix_D1_Letter_of_undertaking_MW.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in metadata.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Not specified in metadata.
• Most Important Attachments:
• QW1_Part_1_v2.3_25-11-2025_MW.docx (Suitability Assessment Questionnaire)
• 3.4.1-HS-Works-Contractor_v3.1-25-11-2025_MW.docx (Health and Safety Competence)
• Appendix_B1_List_of_Previous_Works_Projects_which_is_CEE_MW.docx (Reference Projects)