EiB supported the client at PQQ stage to successfully tender for the provision of works associated with the design and build of major high voltage (HV) cable projects in Ireland
We supported over a two-week period, conducting a strategic review and bid write of their drafts.
The opportunity
Electricity Supply Board (ESB) tendered to establish a qualification system for the provision of works associated with the design and build of major HV Cable projects in the Republic of Ireland. It is envisaged there will be at least seven projects/contracts tendered and procured under the qualification system, falling under two categories: 110 kV and 220 kV underground cable projects and 400 kV underground cable projects. It is expected both categories of projects will be greater than 10 km in length and will have a significant contract value at over €25 million.
EiB approach and involvement
EiB was instrumental in assisting the sourcing of an electrical design and build partner to assist in the qualification process. These discussions began several weeks in advance of undertaking the PQQ activities.
Our Strategic Bid Consultant John Ennis provided the client team with strategic direction and advice. Drawing on his sector knowledge and deep understanding of Irish procurement processes, John brought extensive understanding of the client’s requirements, subject matter specifications and general PQQ inputs, which significantly reduced the process of information collation, storyboarding and response delivery.
Two of our bid consultants provided bid writing support. Shakeel Cox-Henry and Annie Park used the qualification system questionnaire and existing collateral to create comprehensive writing plans that minimised additional drafting work for our client. Working collaboratively with our client, Shakeel and Annie bid wrote the client’s responses, leading follow-up sessions to ensure they captured the strongest elements of their proposal accurately and persuasively. The responses comprised technical case studies focusing on methodology, design, consents and planning and stakeholder management.
Annie and Shakeel provided formatting checks across all responses to ensure consistency with the response criteria in advance of submission.
Our Graphic Designer James Burke created response templates using our client’s theme and colours.
Success and outcomes
The short timeframe prevented us following the usual ‘EiB Way’ stages of storyboarding and review gates. We circumvented this challenge and expedited the process by adapting our processes, creating developed writing plans and working closely with the client team to enhance and polish these. This eliminated the need for review gates and provided constant visibility of the drafts.
Our client was successful in pre-qualifying onto the framework, which consists of projects expected to value greater than €25 million.