Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
628. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the past performance of construction companies will be taken into account as part of the tender process for new school builds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcurement approach for the delivery of all school building projects is set out in guidance and procedures published by my Department’s Planning and Building Unit.
In general, for Public Works contracts there are two methods of tendering (the Restricted procedure and the Open procedure).
In the case of tenders for the appointment of main building contractors for less complex school building projects of a small to medium scale, the Open procedure can be used and all contractors are entitled to submit a tender but must meet the minimum standards as set out in the invitation to tender (thus facilitating the inclusion of small to medium enterprises and those with no experience in educational projects). These contracts are generally awarded on the basis of lowest tender.
For larger or more complex school building projects, where it is considered that pre-qualification of contractors is warranted, the Restricted procedure is normally used. In the Restricted procedure, there is an intermediary qualification stage during which the numbers of applicants is reduced (or restricted) to a specified amount (normally 8 - 10). The pre-qualification process uses a combination of pass/fail criteria and qualitative criteria to establish the tender short-list including previous projects of a similar scale and nature that have been delivered by the Contractor.
