Údarás na Gaeltachta Awards €3.16 Million Infrastructure Rehabilitation Contract

Údarás na Gaeltachta has awarded a €3.16 million contract to Joseph Mc Menamin and Son (Stranorlar) Ltd for infrastructure rehabilitation, watermain replacement, and general upgrade works at Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal. The 16-month project includes watermain replacement, road resurfacing, footpath works, and sewer rehabilitation.

Introduction

Infrastructure rehabilitation is essential for maintaining safe and functional business parks. Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Irish authority responsible for the economic, social, and cultural development of the Gaeltacht regions, has undertaken a major infrastructure upgrade project at Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal.

The contract, valued at €3.16 million, has been awarded to Joseph Mc Menamin and Son (Stranorlar) Ltd. The 16-month project covers watermain replacement, road surface reinstatement, footpath works, sewer rehabilitation, and general site works.

This investment ensures that the business park continues to serve the local economy and community effectively.

Why This Contract Matters

Infrastructure rehabilitation is essential for economic development and community wellbeing. This project upgrades critical infrastructure in an important Gaeltacht business park.

This contract matters because it:

• Rehabilitates infrastructure: Watermain replacement, road works, and sewer rehabilitation
• Supports economic development: Maintains a key business park in the Gaeltacht
• Significant investment: €3.16 million contract
• Local contractor: Joseph Mc Menamin and Son is based in Donegal
• Comprehensive scope: Roads, footpaths, water, sewer, and site works
• Competitive process: 6 bids received
• SME winner: The winning contractor is an SME

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 19 August 2026 (OJ S 159/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: 53c94abd-e79e-4b16-8373-4f6970f86fa5-01
• Winner chosen: 13 May 2026
• Contract concluded: 28 May 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified
• Coverage end date: 16 months from start

Contract Overview

Údarás na Gaeltachta conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The contract covers infrastructure rehabilitation, watermain replacement, and general upgrade works at Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair.

Key features include:

• Single lot: Infrastructure rehabilitation
• Duration: 16 months
• Value: €3,163,980.51 (below estimate of €3.45 million)
• Evaluation: Price (50%) and quality (MEAT)
• Winner: Joseph Mc Menamin and Son (Stranorlar) Ltd
• SME winner: The contractor is an SME
• Location: Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Údarás Na Gaeltachta
Winning bidder	Joseph Mc Menamin and Son (Stranorlar) Ltd.
Contract subject	Pipeline relaying and infrastructure works (CPV 45231113)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Estimated value (EUR)	€3,450,000.00
Awarded value (EUR)	€3,163,980.51
Contract duration	16 Months
Bids received	6
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price (50%) and Quality (MEAT)
Subcontracting	Not yet known
Winner size	SME

Project Scope

The contract covers infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrade works at Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair:

Works Included

• Watermain replacement: Replacement of existing water mains
• Road surface reinstatement: Road resurfacing and reinstatement
• Footpath reinstatement and installation: New and repaired footpaths
• Sewer rehabilitation: Repair and upgrade of sewer systems
• Ducting installation: Installation of service ducts
• Fencing installation: New fencing and site works
• Bollard installation: Installation of bollards
• Drainage works: Drainage construction and surface works

Location

• Site: Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair (Gaoth Dobhair Business Park)
• Location: County Donegal, Ireland
• Region: West (IE042) – Gaeltacht region

About the Contracting Authority

Údarás na Gaeltachta is the Irish state authority responsible for the economic, social, and cultural development of the Gaeltacht regions—the Irish-speaking areas of Ireland. The authority supports enterprise development, community infrastructure, and job creation in Gaeltacht areas.

About the Winning Company

Joseph Mc Menamin and Son (Stranorlar) Ltd. is an Irish civil engineering and construction company based in Stranorlar, County Donegal. The company is an SME specialising in infrastructure works, road construction, watermain replacement, and general civil engineering projects. The company's winning bid of €3,163,980.51 was the successful tender among six bids received.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Six bids were received, representing a competitive field for a specialist infrastructure project.
• Evaluation criteria: Price (50%) and Quality (MEAT). The balanced weighting values both cost and quality.
• Value for money: The winning bid (€3.16 million) was below the estimated value (€3.45 million), a saving of approximately 8%.
• SME winner: The winning contractor is an SME, demonstrating strong local participation.
• Local contractor: The winner is based in Donegal, supporting the local economy.
• No subcontracting: Not yet known.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• No framework agreement was used—this is a direct works contract.
• Six bids were received.
• Subcontracting is not yet known.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• Location: Gaoth Dobhair Business Park, County Donegal.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish civil engineering and infrastructure market is competitive, with a mix of large contractors and regional SMEs. Public sector infrastructure projects in Gaeltacht regions often favour local contractors with knowledge of the area.

Key trends in this market include:

• Infrastructure investment: Ongoing investment in water, roads, and drainage
• Regional focus: Local contractors dominate regional projects
• SME participation: SMEs compete effectively
• Value for money: Competitive pricing is essential
• Quality focus: MEAT evaluation balances cost and quality

Economic Significance

At €3.16 million, this contract represents a significant investment in Gaeltacht infrastructure. The project will:

• Support local economy: Investment in Donegal
• Create employment: Jobs for construction workers
• Improve infrastructure: Water, roads, and sewer upgrades
• Support business: Maintains a key business park

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the contract now awarded, future opportunities include:

• Other Gaeltacht projects: Similar infrastructure projects in other Gaeltacht regions
• Maintenance contracts: Ongoing maintenance
• Other public sector works: Similar projects by other Irish public bodies
• Re-tender: The contract will be re-tendered in the future

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, future opportunities exist for civil engineering companies:

• Other Gaeltacht projects: Similar infrastructure projects
• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Other public sector works: Similar projects
• Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance

What Businesses Should Watch

• Údarás na Gaeltachta's future procurement notices
• Other Irish Gaeltacht infrastructure projects
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations
• Infrastructure investment programmes
• Water and drainage projects

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This infrastructure rehabilitation contract is a significant project for Údarás na Gaeltachta. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €3.16 million for comprehensive infrastructure works
• Local contractor: Donegal-based SME won the contract
• Value for money: Winning bid 8% below estimate
• Comprehensive scope: Water, roads, footpaths, sewer, and site works
• Competitive process: Six bids received

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price is a key factor (50% weighting)
• Quality: Quality is also important (MEAT evaluation)
• Regional presence: Local contractors have an advantage
• SME credentials: SMEs can compete effectively

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing—50% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate quality—MEAT evaluation values quality
• Develop regional presence in Gaeltacht areas
• Build expertise in watermain and sewer rehabilitation
• Monitor Údarás na Gaeltachta for future infrastructure opportunities
• Consider SME status as an advantage

Key Takeaways

• Údarás na Gaeltachta awarded a €3.16 million infrastructure contract to Joseph Mc Menamin and Son
• Project: Infrastructure rehabilitation at Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal
• Scope: Watermain replacement, road works, footpaths, sewer rehabilitation, site works
• Duration: 16 months
• Evaluation: Price (50%), Quality (MEAT)
• 6 bids received
• SME winner (Donegal-based)
• Winning bid 8% below estimate

Conclusion

This infrastructure rehabilitation contract represents a significant investment in the Gaeltacht region of County Donegal. By awarding the contract to Joseph Mc Menamin and Son, a local Donegal-based SME, Údarás na Gaeltachta supports regional employment and economic development while ensuring the upgrade of critical infrastructure at Páirc Ghnó Gaoth Dobhair.

The 50:50 price:quality evaluation ensures that both cost and quality are valued. The competitive process, with six bids received, demonstrates the accessibility of public procurement to Irish construction companies.

As Údarás na Gaeltachta continues to invest in infrastructure across Gaeltacht regions, similar opportunities will arise for civil engineering companies with competitive pricing and quality credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Údarás na Gaeltachta?

Ans: The Irish state authority responsible for the economic, social, and cultural development of the Gaeltacht regions.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €3,163,980.51.

Q: Who won the contract?

Ans: Joseph Mc Menamin and Son (Stranorlar) Ltd., a Donegal-based civil engineering company.

Q: What does the project cover?

Ans: Watermain replacement, road resurfacing, footpath works, sewer rehabilitation, and site works.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (50%) and Quality (MEAT).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 16 months.

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: Six bids were received.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

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

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 575353-2026, OJ S 159/2026, published 19 August 2026.