Louth and Meath Education and Training Board has awarded a €7.77M school extension contract to C.J. Callan Construction Ltd

Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, a body governed by public law controlled by a central government authority operating in the education sector, has awarded a contract for the construction of additional accommodation at St. Ciaran's Community School, Kells (21.002 St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation) to C.J. Callan Construction Ltd. The awarded value of the contract is €7,770,000.00, covering the construction of a new two-storey school extension building of approximately 2,413m² and associated site works, with a duration of 20 months. The contract was awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Introduction

Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, a body governed by public law controlled by a central government authority operating in the education sector, has conducted an open procedure for the construction of additional accommodation at St. Ciaran's Community School, Kells. The works comprise the construction of a new two-storey school extension building including 1 Music Room, 1 Art Room, 1 Home Economics Room, 2 Science Labs, 1 Science Preparation Room, 6 General Teaching Classrooms, 1 Special Tuition Room, 1 Textiles Room, 1 Design Comm. Graphics/Tech Graphics Room, and 2 Class Base SEN, with ancillary accommodation including toilets and plant spaces, all measuring approximately 2,413m². Associated site works include a new rear grass crete access road, extended carpark, reconfiguration of existing carpark, footpaths, drainage, services and all other ancillary site works. The works also involve some reconfiguration works within the existing building and are to be completed on a phased basis on a live school site.

The procurement is not financed with EU funds but is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). No strategic procurement objectives were specified. The award criterion is cost (100%). Six tenders were submitted electronically, and one winner was appointed. The contract has an estimated duration of 20 months.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the delivery of new and reconfigured educational accommodation at St. Ciaran's Community School, Kells, supporting the education infrastructure of County Meath.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Education Infrastructure: Provides a new two-storey school extension building
• Significant Value: €7,770,000.00 awarded value
• Medium-Term Commitment: 20-month construction duration
• Comprehensive Facilities: Includes specialist rooms, classrooms and ancillary accommodation
• Price Focus: 100% cost-based evaluation
• Competition: 6 tenders received
• Live School Site: Works to be completed on a phased basis on a live school site

Contract Timeline

• Date winner chosen: 06 July 2026
• Contract concluded: 06 July 2026
• Estimated duration: 20 months
• Notice published: 17 September 2026 (OJ S 180/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 16 September 2026
• Previous notice: 5f0fd4bd-0a58-4e0b-81d3-c8323175d2a5-01

Contract Overview

Louth and Meath Education and Training Board conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• One lot: LOT-0001
• Estimated value: €8,400,000.00
• Awarded value: €7,770,000.00
• Duration: 20 months
• Framework type: No framework agreement
• Evaluation: Cost (100%)
• Winner: C.J. Callan Construction Ltd (small enterprise)
• Subcontracting: No
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 45000000 Construction work
• Additional classification: 45214220 Secondary school construction work; 45214200 Construction work for school buildings
• Place of performance: Mid-East, Ireland (NUTS: IE062)
• Procedure identifier: 5dcdeec9-6d66-4b9c-a5b0-a96d6a62f288
• Internal identifier: 0
• Type of procedure: Open
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation

• Title: 21.002 St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation ITT Min Contractor for LMETB
• Description: Construction of a new two-storey school extension building of approximately 2,413m² and associated site works, on a phased basis on a live school site
• Estimated value: €8,400,000.00
• Awarded value: €7,770,000.00
• Winner: C.J. Callan Construction Ltd
• Tenders received: 6
• Contract concluded: 06 July 2026
• Duration: 20 months
• Contract identifier: 458281

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation	7,770,000.00	C.J. Callan Construction Ltd	6
Total		7,770,000.00

Scope of Supply

The contract covers the following works:

• New Two-Storey Extension: Approximately 2,413m²
• Music Room: 1 no.
• Art Room: 1 no.
• Home Economics Room: 1 no.
• Science Labs: 2 no.
• Science Preparation Room: 1 no.
• General Teaching Classrooms: 6 no.
• Special Tuition Room: 1 no.
• Textiles Room: 1 no.
• Design Comm. Graphics / Tech Graphics Room: 1 no.
• Class Base SEN: 2 no.
• Ancillary Accommodation: Toilets and plant spaces
• Site Works: New rear grass crete access road, extended carpark, reconfiguration of existing carpark, footpaths, drainage, services and all other ancillary site works
• Reconfiguration Works: Within the existing building
• Phased Delivery: Works to be completed on a phased basis on a live school site

Special Procurement Conditions

• Live School Site: Works to be completed on a phased basis on a live school site
• Cost Criterion: Cost 100% evaluation
• No Framework Agreement: No framework agreement
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared by winner
• No Strategic Procurement: No strategic objectives specified

About the Contracting Authority

Louth and Meath Education and Training Board is a body governed by public law controlled by a central government authority, operating in the education sector in Ireland.

• Legal type: Body governed by public law, controlled by a central government authority
• Activity: Education
• Registration number: 20083458
• Location: Navan, Ireland (NUTS: IE062)
• Address: Abbey Road, Navan, C15 N6 7E
• Email: ANiBhroin@lmetb.ie
• Telephone: 046 9068200
• Internet address: https://www.lmetb.ie

About the Winning Supplier

C.J. Callan Construction Ltd is a small enterprise based in Ardee, Ireland, specialising in construction works.

• Size: Small enterprise
• Registration number: 423526
• Location: Ardee, Ireland (NUTS: IE062)
• Address: Arthurstown, Reaghstown, Ardee, A92 W2A0
• Email: info@cjcallan.com
• Telephone: +353 41 685 5875
• Internet address: https://www.cjcallan.com/
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The lot uses the following evaluation criterion:

• Cost (100%): Cost 100%

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU
• Competition: 6 tenders received (submitted electronically)
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds
• No framework agreement: No framework agreement
• No dynamic purchasing system used
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland
• Call for competition terminated: The call for competition has been terminated (contract awarded)

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• No EU funds were used for this procurement
• The estimated value is €8,400,000.00
• The awarded value is €7,770,000.00
• The procurement is divided into one lot
• Cost (100%) is the evaluation criterion
• Six tenders were received
• The winner is a small enterprise
• No subcontracting was declared
• The contract duration is 20 months
• Works to be completed on a phased basis on a live school site
• The new extension measures approximately 2,413m²

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish public sector school construction market features a mix of large and small construction companies. School extension and additional accommodation projects are essential for meeting educational capacity needs in growing areas.

Key trends in this market include:

• Price focus: 100% cost-based evaluation
• SME participation: Small enterprise winner
• School accommodation delivery: Construction of specialist rooms and classrooms
• Medium-term contracts: 20-month construction duration
• Live site working: Phased construction on a live school site
• Comprehensive scope: Building, site works and reconfiguration of existing building

Economic Significance

At €7,770,000.00, this contract represents a significant investment in educational infrastructure at St. Ciaran's Community School, Kells. The contract will:

• Support Education Infrastructure: Deliver a new two-storey school extension
• Support SME: C.J. Callan Construction Ltd is a small enterprise
• Provide Medium-Term Delivery: 20-month construction duration
• Ensure Educational Capacity: Provide specialist rooms and general classrooms
• Enable Operational Continuity: Phased works on a live school site
• Support Local Development: Contribute to education provision in County Meath

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 20-month construction duration
• Related Works: Additional school accommodation and construction projects
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with C.J. Callan Construction Ltd
• Other LMETB Projects: Similar school construction procurement opportunities
• Other Irish Education Bodies: Similar school construction procurements

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for construction suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with C.J. Callan Construction Ltd
• Related Works: Other school accommodation and construction projects
• Other Irish Education Bodies: Similar school construction procurements

What Businesses Should Watch

• Louth and Meath Education and Training Board's future procurement notices
• Other Irish education construction tenders
• School construction market trends
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations
• School accommodation programmes in the Mid-East region

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This school extension contract is a notable example of Irish public sector procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €7.77M over 20 months
• Price focus: 100% cost-based evaluation
• SME winner: C.J. Callan Construction Ltd
• One lot: St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation
• Competition: 6 tenders received
• Live site working: Phased construction on a live school site
• Comprehensive scope: Building, site works and reconfiguration

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: 100% cost-based evaluation
• Construction capability: Ability to deliver school extension buildings
• Live site experience: Ability to work on a phased basis on a live school site
• Public sector experience: Understanding of Irish education construction requirements
• Scale capability: Ability to deliver medium-sized construction projects

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 100% of evaluation is cost-based
• Demonstrate school construction capability
• Show live site and phased construction experience
• Develop public sector experience with Irish education bodies
• Demonstrate scale capability for medium-sized construction projects
• Monitor LMETB and Irish education procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Louth and Meath Education and Training Board awarded a €7,770,000.00 school extension contract to C.J. Callan Construction Ltd
• One lot: 21.002 St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation
• Duration: 20 months
• Evaluation: Cost (100%)
• 6 tenders received
• Winner is a small enterprise
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• New two-storey extension of approximately 2,413m²
• Works to be completed on a phased basis on a live school site

Conclusion

This school extension contract ensures the delivery of new and reconfigured educational accommodation at St. Ciaran's Community School, Kells, supporting the education infrastructure of County Meath. By awarding the contract to C.J. Callan Construction Ltd, Louth and Meath Education and Training Board secures a reliable supplier with the capability to deliver school construction works on a live site.

The 100% cost-based evaluation reflects the competitive nature of school construction procurement, where price is the primary differentiator among qualified suppliers. The 20-month duration and the phased delivery on a live school site reflect the specific operational context of the project.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, construction capability, live site experience, public sector experience, and scale capability in winning Irish public sector school construction contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Louth and Meath Education and Training Board?

Ans: A body governed by public law controlled by a central government authority, operating in the education sector in Ireland.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: Awarded value €7,770,000.00 (estimated value €8,400,000.00).

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: C.J. Callan Construction Ltd, a small enterprise based in Ardee, Ireland.

Q: What works are covered?

Ans: Construction of a new two-storey school extension building of approximately 2,413m² and associated site works, on a phased basis on a live school site.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Cost (100%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 20 months.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Six tenders.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: The High Court of Ireland.

Q: What is the lot structure?

Ans: One lot – LOT-0001 (21.002 St. Ciaran's CS Kells Additional Accommodation ITT Min Contractor for LMETB).

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: No subcontracting was declared by the winner.

Q: What facilities are included in the extension?

Ans: Music Room, Art Room, Home Economics Room, 2 Science Labs, Science Preparation Room, 6 General Teaching Classrooms, Special Tuition Room, Textiles Room, Design Comm. Graphics/Tech Graphics Room, 2 Class Base SEN, and ancillary accommodation including toilets and plant spaces.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 639483-2026, OJ S 180/2026, published 17 September 2026.

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