Waterways Ireland has awarded a €6.37M contract for the construction of a new operational depot in Tullamore, Co. Offaly to Pat Loftus Construction Limited

Waterways Ireland, a body governed by public law operating in recreation, culture and religion, has awarded a contract for the main contract to construct the new Waterways Ireland Operational Depot in Tullamore, Co. Offaly (Tender for main contract to construct new Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore, Co. Offaly) to Pat Loftus Construction Limited. The awarded value of the contract is €6,374,773.17, with an estimated value of €5,300,000.00, covering building construction work, construction work for industrial buildings, office block construction work, and construction work for warehouses and industrial buildings. The contract was awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Introduction

Waterways Ireland, a body governed by public law operating in recreation, culture and religion, has conducted an open procedure for the main contract to construct a new Waterways Ireland Operational Depot in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The construction comprises three new buildings for Waterways Ireland Operations: 1. Admin Building; 2. Carpentry Workshop; 3. Mechanical Workshop, with associated car parking, yard areas and hardstanding, access road, entrance gates, wastewater treatment unit and surface water attenuation.

The procurement is not financed with EU funds but is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Strategic procurement includes an aim of reduction of environmental impacts, with a description of reduction in GHG emissions, water use and waste produced; the approach to reducing environmental impacts is Other, and Other Green Public Procurement criteria apply. The evaluation criteria are cost (50%) and quality (50%). The estimated value is €5,300,000.00 and the awarded value in this notice is €6,374,773.17. Nine tenders were received. One winner was appointed: Pat Loftus Construction Limited (micro, small or medium enterprise). No subcontracting was declared. The contract was concluded on 27 November 2024; the date the winner was chosen was 11 October 2024.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the delivery of a new operational depot for Waterways Ireland in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, supporting the organisation's operations and infrastructure.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Waterways Operations: Provides a new operational depot with admin building, carpentry workshop and mechanical workshop
• Significant Value: €6,374,773.17 awarded value; €5,300,000.00 estimated value
• Comprehensive Scope: Three new buildings, car parking, yard areas, hardstanding, access road, entrance gates, wastewater treatment unit and surface water attenuation
• Balanced Evaluation: 50% cost, 50% quality
• Competition: 9 tenders received
• SME Participation: Winner is a micro, small or medium enterprise
• Strategic Procurement: Reduction of environmental impacts (GHG emissions, water use and waste produced)

Contract Timeline

• Date winner chosen: 11 October 2024
• Contract concluded: 27 November 2024
• Notice published: 30 September 2026 (OJ S 189/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 29 September 2026
• Previous notice: 4ea0860a-cbf2-4f2b-a514-a42d7da75ed7-01

Contract Overview

Waterways Ireland conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• One lot: LOT-0001
• Estimated value: €5,300,000.00
• Awarded value in this notice: €6,374,773.17
• Framework type: No framework agreement
• Evaluation: Cost (50%) and Quality (50%)
• Winner: Pat Loftus Construction Limited (micro, small or medium enterprise)
• Subcontracting: No
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Strategic procurement: Reduction of environmental impacts (GHG emissions, water use and waste produced); Other Green Public Procurement criteria

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 45210000 Building construction work
• Additional classification: 45213250 Construction work for industrial buildings; 45213150 Office block construction work; 45213200 Construction work for warehouses and industrial buildings
• Place of performance: Dublin, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
• Procedure identifier: 7a9b4d13-eea9-493d-b333-1b86a5139d73
• Internal identifier: 0
• Type of procedure: Open
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland
• Review deadline: In line with remedies legislation

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – Construction of New Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore

• Title: Tender for main contract to construct new Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
• Description: Construction of three new buildings for Waterways Ireland Operations: 1. Admin Building; 2. Carpentry Workshop; 3. Mechanical Workshop; with associated car parking, yard areas and hardstanding, access road, entrance gates, wastewater treatment unit and surface water attenuation
• Internal identifier: 0
• Estimated value: €5,300,000.00
• Awarded value: €6,374,773.17
• Winner: Pat Loftus Construction Limited
• Tenders received: 9
• Contract concluded: 27 November 2024
• Contract identifier: 459576

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	Construction of New Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore	6,374,773.17	Pat Loftus Construction Limited	9
Total		6,374,773.17

Scope of Supply

The contract covers the following works:

• Admin Building: Construction of a new admin building
• Carpentry Workshop: Construction of a new carpentry workshop
• Mechanical Workshop: Construction of a new mechanical workshop
• Car Parking: Associated car parking
• Yard Areas and Hardstanding: Yard areas and hardstanding
• Access Road: Access road
• Entrance Gates: Entrance gates
• Wastewater Treatment Unit: Wastewater treatment unit
• Surface Water Attenuation: Surface water attenuation
• Building Construction Work: Works under CPV 45210000
• Industrial Buildings: Construction work for industrial buildings under CPV 45213250
• Office Block Construction: Office block construction work under CPV 45213150
• Warehouses and Industrial Buildings: Construction work under CPV 45213200

Special Procurement Conditions

• Cost Criterion: Cost (50%)
• Quality Criterion: Quality (50%)
• Strategic Procurement: Reduction of environmental impacts; description: reduction in GHG emissions, water use and waste produced; approach to reducing environmental impacts: Other; Other Green Public Procurement criteria apply
• No Framework Agreement: No framework agreement
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared by winner

About the Contracting Authority

Waterways Ireland is a body governed by public law operating in recreation, culture and religion in Ireland.

• Legal type: Body governed by public law
• Activity: Recreation, culture and religion
• Registration number: None
• Location: Enniskillen, Dublin, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
• Address: 2 Sligo Road, Enniskillen, BT74 7JY
• Email: paul.mulligan@waterwaysireland.org
• Telephone: 02866323004
• Internet address: https://www.waterwaysireland.org

About the Winning Supplier

Pat Loftus Construction Limited is a micro, small or medium enterprise based in Ballinalsoe, Co Galway, Ireland, specialising in building construction work.

• Size: Micro, small, or medium enterprise
• Registration number: 468105
• Location: Ballinalsoe, Co Galway, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
• Address: Garbally, Menlough, Ballinalsoe, Co Galway, H53A5V9
• Email: PatLoftusConstruction@Gmail.com
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The lot uses the following evaluation criteria:

• Cost (50%): Cost
• Quality (50%): Quality

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU
• Competition: 9 tenders received
• 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: Reduction of environmental impacts (GHG emissions, water use and waste produced); Other Green Public Procurement criteria
• 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 €5,300,000.00
• The awarded value in this notice is €6,374,773.17
• The procurement is divided into one lot
• Cost (50%) and Quality (50%) are the evaluation criteria
• Nine tenders were received
• The winner is a micro, small or medium enterprise
• No subcontracting was declared
• The contract was concluded on 27 November 2024
• The construction comprises three new buildings (admin building, carpentry workshop, mechanical workshop) with associated site works
• Strategic procurement includes reduction of environmental impacts (GHG emissions, water use and waste produced)

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish public sector building construction market features a mix of large construction companies and specialised SMEs. Operational depots are essential for supporting the operations and infrastructure of public bodies such as Waterways Ireland.

Key trends in this market include:

• Balanced evaluation: 50% cost, 50% quality
• SME participation: Winner is a micro, small or medium enterprise
• Comprehensive construction: Admin building, workshops, car parking, yard areas, access road, wastewater treatment and surface water attenuation
• Environmental focus: Reduction of GHG emissions, water use and waste produced; Other Green Public Procurement criteria
• Competition: 9 tenders received
• Public sector experience: Understanding of Irish public body requirements

Economic Significance

At €6,374,773.17 awarded value (and €5,300,000.00 estimated value), this contract represents a significant investment in a new operational depot for Waterways Ireland. The contract will:

• Support Waterways Operations: Provide a new operational depot with admin building, carpentry workshop and mechanical workshop
• Support SME: Pat Loftus Construction Limited is a micro, small or medium enterprise
• Provide Medium-Term Delivery: Contract concluded on 27 November 2024
• Ensure Operational Infrastructure: Car parking, yard areas, hardstanding, access road, entrance gates, wastewater treatment unit and surface water attenuation
• Enable Operational Efficiency: Purpose-built facilities for Waterways Ireland operations
• Support Environmental Objectives: Reduction of GHG emissions, water use and waste produced

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the completion of the works
• Related Works: Additional building construction and fit-out works
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Pat Loftus Construction Limited
• Other Waterways Ireland Projects: Similar construction procurement opportunities
• Other Irish Public Bodies: Similar operational depot constructions

Opportunities for Suppliers

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

• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Pat Loftus Construction Limited
• Related Works: Other building construction and fit-out works
• Other Irish Public Bodies: Similar operational depot constructions

What Businesses Should Watch

• Waterways Ireland's future procurement notices
• Other Irish public sector building construction tenders
• Building construction market trends
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations
• Environmental requirements in construction procurement
• Green Public Procurement criteria

IrelandTenders.com Procurement Intelligence

This operational depot construction contract is a notable example of Irish public sector procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €6.37M awarded value; €5.3M estimated value
• Balanced evaluation: 50% cost, 50% quality
• SME winner: Pat Loftus Construction Limited
• One lot: Construction of New Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore
• Competition: 9 tenders received
• Comprehensive scope: Three new buildings and associated site works
• Environmental focus: Reduction of GHG emissions, water use and waste produced; Other Green Public Procurement criteria

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: 50% cost-based evaluation
• Quality: 50% quality-based evaluation
• Building construction expertise: Ability to construct admin buildings, workshops and associated site works
• Public sector experience: Understanding of Irish public body requirements
• Environmental awareness: Understanding of GHG emissions, water use and waste reduction
• Green Public Procurement: Understanding of Other Green Public Procurement criteria

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 50% of evaluation is cost-based
• Ensure high quality – 50% of evaluation is quality-based
• Demonstrate building construction expertise
• Show environmental awareness (GHG emissions, water use and waste reduction)
• Develop public sector experience with Irish public bodies
• Demonstrate Green Public Procurement awareness
• Monitor Waterways Ireland and Irish public sector procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Waterways Ireland awarded a €6,374,773.17 operational depot construction contract to Pat Loftus Construction Limited
• One lot: Tender for main contract to construct new Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
• Evaluation: Cost (50%) and Quality (50%)
• 9 tenders received
• Winner is a micro, small or medium enterprise
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• No framework agreement
• Construction of three new buildings (admin building, carpentry workshop, mechanical workshop) with associated car parking, yard areas and hardstanding, access road, entrance gates, wastewater treatment unit and surface water attenuation
• Strategic procurement: reduction of environmental impacts (GHG emissions, water use and waste produced); Other Green Public Procurement criteria
• Contract concluded on 27 November 2024

Conclusion

This operational depot construction contract ensures the delivery of a new operational depot for Waterways Ireland in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, supporting the organisation's operations and infrastructure. By awarding the contract to Pat Loftus Construction Limited, Waterways Ireland secures a reliable SME supplier with the capability to deliver comprehensive building construction works.

The 50% cost and 50% quality evaluation reflects the balanced nature of building construction procurement, where both cost and quality are important differentiators among qualified suppliers. The comprehensive scope of the contract, covering three new buildings and associated site works, and the strategic procurement focus on environmental impact reduction reflect the specific operational and sustainability context of Waterways Ireland's needs.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, quality, building construction expertise, public sector experience, environmental awareness and Green Public Procurement awareness in winning Irish public sector building construction contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Waterways Ireland?

Ans: A body governed by public law operating in recreation, culture and religion in Ireland.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: Awarded value €6,374,773.17; estimated value €5,300,000.00.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: Pat Loftus Construction Limited, a micro, small or medium enterprise based in Ballinalsoe, Co Galway, Ireland.

Q: What works are covered?

Ans: Construction of three new buildings for Waterways Ireland Operations (Admin Building, Carpentry Workshop, Mechanical Workshop) with associated car parking, yard areas and hardstanding, access road, entrance gates, wastewater treatment unit and surface water attenuation.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Cost (50%) and Quality (50%).

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Nine 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 (Tender for main contract to construct new Waterways Ireland Operational Depot, Tullamore, Co. Offaly).

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: No subcontracting was declared by the winner.

Q: What strategic procurement objectives apply?

Ans: Reduction of environmental impacts (reduction in GHG emissions, water use and waste produced); Other Green Public Procurement criteria apply.

Q: When was the contract concluded?

Ans: 27 November 2024; the date the winner was chosen was 11 October 2024.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 673915-2026, OJ S 189/2026, published 30 September 2026.

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