The HSE says it hopes to appoint a contractor this quarter for the redevelopment of Buncrana Community Hospital.
They have confirmed the tendering process was extended by two weeks to give bidders additional time to submit their tenders, due to reduced resources during the summer and builders’ holidays in August.
The HSE says the extension was agreed with stakeholders and was intended to ensure the most robust and competitive process possible and secure the best value.
It says a contractor is anticipated to be appointed during the fourth quarter of 2026, as previously advised.
However, that remains subject to the completion of the tender evaluation process, necessary approvals and confirmation that the successful contractor is available to begin the works.
Response:
The tendering process was extended by two weeks to allow tendering parties extra time to submit their tenders, given their reduced resources due to the summer holidays and builders holidays in August. This was done to help ensure the most robust and competitive process possible in order to secure the best value. This was discussed with stakeholders.
As a public-sector project, the programme is subject to a number of statutory, regulatory, procurement and governance approvals that must be completed before construction can commence. These processes are necessarily rigorous and can involve multiple stakeholders and sequential approvals, with the timing of individual steps not always within the direct control of the project team.
The project team is actively progressing the necessary approvals and associated pre-construction activities. A construction commencement date has not been confirmed.
It’s anticipated that a contractor may be appointed during Q4 2026, as previously advised. However, this remains subject to completion of the tender evaluation process, the necessary approvals, and confirmation of the successful contractor’s availability to commence works.
The procurement process remains commercially sensitive and the HSE is not in a position to provide details of the submissions received, the evaluation process, or its outcome. This is necessary to protect the integrity and fairness of the procurement process and to ensure that all tenderers are treated appropriately and in accordance with procurement requirements. Updates will be provided when appropriate to do so.
