Building contractors urged to register for minor works contracts

Building contractors urged to register for minor works contracts worth €100m

Up to €100m worth of minor building works contracts are to be tendered by the Local Government Operational Procurement Centre for the provision of Minor Building Works to public service bodies including 31 local authorities, the HSE, the OPW, the Department of Education and Teagasc. 

The contracts will be tendered by way of two new Frameworks. Contractors who register for the Frameworks will receive alerts to all future minor works projects that meet their stated preferences in terms of scope and location and can choose whether to  compete.

This is a significant opportunity for SMEs to deliver key contracts across the public sector. The value of the frameworks is estimated at €100m. While the scope and complexity of the works will vary significantly, it is likely that the average contract value will be in the region of €50,000 for residential works and €100,000 for commercial works.

The frameworks will provide the flexibility for contractors to indicate the geographic areas that they want to be notified about when mini-competitions are taking place. Contractors will be able to accept or decline mini-competitions as they arise.  Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) competency will be a requirement at the application stage of both frameworks but service providers can nominate a third party to carry out this role.

The frameworks will be advertised in October 2018 and all building contractors are encouraged to engage with the procurement process. 

This is a great opportunity to win business from the public sector, whether you are gaining a first contract or stepping up to tender for a larger or commercial contract.

Contractors are reminded that the public sector is a very good client for small businesses.  Payment for services delivered within the terms of a contract is guaranteed and, in line with the requirements of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, public bodies have a legal obligation to pay their bills on time.

Building contractors already registered on www.etenders.ie should ensure that they have registered for tenders at a minimum under CPV Code 45000000-7 Construction work and CPV Code 45210000-2 Building construction work.

The frameworks relate to works associated with:

• General repairs and maintenance to the building fabric;
• Roofing works
• Modifications for disability access;
• General electrical repairs and maintenance;
• General plumbing, heating and mechanical system repairs and maintenance;
• Replacement of windows and internal and external doors;
• 2nd fix internal carpentry works;
• Installation of new kitchens;
• Floor coverings and painting and decorating;
• Construction of small extensions;
• Repairs and maintenance to external works such as driveways, steps, paths, fences and boundary walls;
• Minor demolition works;
• External site works, landscaping, drainage and residential waste and foul water treatment works;
• Clearance works in preparation for re-letting/re-occupation.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), together with four key sectors - Health, Defence, Education and Local Government - has responsibility for sourcing all goods and services on behalf of the Public Service. In the case of minor works, the local authority sector takes the lead through the Local Government Operational Procurement Centre.

Want more information – come to a briefing session near you

Eight regional briefing sessions are taking place around the country in mid-late September. These sessions will outline the frameworks and the opportunities for businesses and will be supported by InterTradeIreland who will provide advice to businesses about registering and tendering on www.etenders.ie, the Irish Government’s electronic tendering platform administered by the Office of Government Procurement.  

Full details are available at www.lgma.eventbrite.ie