France Awards €20.8 Million Social Housing Construction Contract in Saint-Pierre-d'Irube

LE COL (Comité Ouvrier du Logement) has awarded a €20.8 million construction contract for a mixed-use development in Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The project comprises 12 buildings with 160 social housing units, offices, retail spaces, and a silo car park. The contract has been divided into 22 lots and awarded to 19 construction companies, all based in southwestern France.

Introduction

The development of affordable housing is a critical priority in France, particularly in regions with growing populations and housing shortages. In Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, LE COL (Comité Ouvrier du Logement) has launched a major construction project to address this need.

The "Alminoritz" project involves the construction of a mixed-use development comprising 12 buildings with 160 social housing units, offices, retail spaces, and a silo car park. The contract, valued at €20.8 million, has been divided into 22 construction lots and awarded to 19 companies, predominantly based in southwestern France.

This project represents a significant investment in social housing infrastructure, providing affordable homes, commercial spaces, and employment opportunities in the region.

Why This Contract Matters

Social housing is essential for ensuring that low- and middle-income families have access to affordable, quality housing. The Alminoritz project addresses the growing demand for social housing in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region.

This contract matters because it:

• Provides affordable housing: 160 social housing units for families in need
• Creates mixed-use development: Offices and retail spaces complement residential units
• Generates local employment: 19 local construction companies involved
• Supports regional economy: Investment of €20.8 million in the local economy
• Delivers infrastructure: Includes a silo car park for residents and visitors
• All French companies: All winners are French companies, supporting national industry

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 6 August 2026 (OJ S 150/2026)
• Contract concluded: 13 May 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified (works duration to be determined)
• Coverage end date: Not specified

Contract Overview

LE COL (Comité Ouvrier du Logement) conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The contract is divided into 22 lots, covering all aspects of the construction project from structural works to landscaping.

Key features include:

• 22 lots: Covering structural works, roofing, joinery, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, and more
• Total awarded value: €20,801,803.53 (excluding VAT)
• Evaluation: Technical value (40%) and Cost of use (60%)
• All French winners: All awarded companies are based in France, primarily in the southwestern region
• Project: 12 buildings, 160 social housing units, offices, retail, and silo car park

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	COMITE OUVRIER DU LOGEMENT - SIEGE (LE COL)
Winning bidders	19 construction companies (see full list below)
Contract subject	Construction of 12 buildings, 160 social housing units, offices, retail, silo car park (CPV 45211350)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Total awarded value (ex-VAT)	€20,801,803.53
Number of lots	22 (19 awarded, 3 cancelled/no bids)
Contract duration	Not specified
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Technical value (40%), Cost of use (60%)
Location	Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), France

Project Scope

The project involves the construction of a mixed-use development in Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, comprising:

• 12 buildings
• 160 social housing units
• Office spaces
• Retail/commercial spaces
• Silo car park

Lots and Winners

Lot	Description	Winner	Value (€)
1	GROS OEUVRE (Structural works)	LAPIX BATIMENT	7,981,200.00
2	CHARPENTE COUVERTURE (Roof framing)	SAPPARRART ET FILS	1,203,363.11
3	ZINGUERIE (Zinc roofing)	ZINC ADOUR	99,064.00
4	ETANCHEITE (Waterproofing)	A2 Etancheite	416,386.84
5	ENDUITS (Coatings)	SARL LA FACADE GARONNAISE	316,020.66
6	MENUISERIES EXTERIEURES (External joinery)	PEDELUCQ FRERES	588,700.00
7	SERRURERIE (Locksmithing)	ALKAR SCOP	238,730.03
8	GARDE-CORPS BOIS (Wood guardrails)	No winner (cancelled)	-
9	MENUISERIES INTERIEURES (Internal joinery)	LES CHANTIERS DE MENUISERIE	557,035.53
10	PLATRERIE ISOLATION FAUX PLAFONDS (Plastering, insulation, false ceilings)	PVN	916,746.99
11	ISOLATION SOUFFLEE (Blown insulation)	ISOWECK	49,603.42
12	CARRELAGE FAÏENCE (Tiling)	SARL MEDI-PEINTURE	477,813.68
13	SOLS SOUPLES (Flexible flooring)	VF SOLS	315,325.31
14	PEINTURE (Painting)	TRIEUX FRERES ET FILS	1,066,642.20
15	NETTOYAGE (Cleaning)	No winner (cancelled)	-
16	ASCENSEURS (Lifts)	ORONA SUD-OUEST	166,500.00
17	PORTE DE GARAGE (Garage doors)	No winner (no bids)	-
18	ELECTRICITE CFO-CFA (Electrical)	BOISSOT ELECTRICITE	1,045,120.84
19	CVC PLOMBERIE SANITAIRE (HVAC, plumbing, sanitation)	I.G.C.S. INSTAL. GENIE CLIMAT.ET SANIT	2,220,820.00
20	TERRASSEMENTS-VOIRIES-ASSAINISSEMENTS-AEP (Earthworks, roads, drainage, water supply)	DUBOS T.P	2,139,995.95
21	RESEAUX SECS (Dry networks)	COOPERATIVE DE RESEAUX ELECTRIQUES DU	326,000.00
22	ESPACES VERTS CLOTURES (Green spaces, fencing)	POINT GREEN	311,394.15

About the Contracting Authority

COMITE OUVRIER DU LOGEMENT - SIEGE (LE COL) is a French public body (body governed by public law) focused on housing and community amenities. Based in Anglet, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, LE COL develops social housing and urban regeneration projects across the region. The organisation's mission is to provide affordable, quality housing for workers and families in need.

About the Winning Companies

The contract has been awarded to 19 companies, all based in France and predominantly in the southwestern region (Nouvelle-Aquitaine). The winners include:

• LAPIX BATIMENT (Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Structural works (Lot 1) – €7.98 million
• SAPPARRART ET FILS (Irouleguy, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Roof framing (Lot 2) – €1.20 million
• ZINC ADOUR (Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Zinc roofing (Lot 3) – €99,064
• A2 Etancheite (Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Waterproofing (Lot 4) – €416,387
• SARL LA FACADE GARONNAISE (Portet-sur-Garonne, Haute-Garonne) – Coatings (Lot 5) – €316,021
• PEDELUCQ FRERES (Tercis-les-Bains, Landes) – External joinery (Lot 6) – €588,700
• ALKAR SCOP (Mauléon-Licharre, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Locksmithing (Lot 7) – €238,730
• LES CHANTIERS DE MENUISERIE (Anglet, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Internal joinery (Lot 9) – €557,036
• PVN (Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Plastering/insulation (Lot 10) – €916,747
• ISOWECK (Arnas, Rhône) – Blown insulation (Lot 11) – €49,603
• SARL MEDI-PEINTURE (Saint-Loubès, Gironde) – Tiling (Lot 12) – €477,814
• VF SOLS (Juillan, Hautes-Pyrénées) – Flexible flooring (Lot 13) – €315,325
• TRIEUX FRERES ET FILS (Bizanos, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Painting (Lot 14) – €1.07 million
• ORONA SUD-OUEST (Serres-Castet, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Lifts (Lot 16) – €166,500
• BOISSOT ELECTRICITE (Hasparren, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Electrical (Lot 18) – €1.05 million
• I.G.C.S. INSTAL. GENIE CLIMAT.ET SANIT (Bayonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – HVAC/plumbing (Lot 19) – €2.22 million
• DUBOS T.P (Anglet, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Earthworks/roads (Lot 20) – €2.14 million
• COOPERATIVE DE RESEAUX ELECTRIQUES DU (Hasparren, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Dry networks (Lot 21) – €326,000
• POINT GREEN (Bayonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) – Green spaces/fencing (Lot 22) – €311,394

Note: Lots 8 (Guardrails), 15 (Cleaning), and 17 (Garage doors) were not awarded.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Competition varied by lot, with 0-9 bidders per lot. Most lots attracted 2-6 bids.
• Evaluation criteria: Technical value (40%) and Cost of use (60%). This balanced approach values both quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Geographic concentration: All winning companies are French, with the vast majority based in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques or neighbouring departments.
• Local economic impact: The project supports local employment and economic activity in southwestern France.
• Lots not awarded: Three lots were not awarded (8, 15, 17) due to various reasons (other, no bids).

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.
• All bids were submitted electronically.
• All winning companies are French, with 16 of 19 based in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
• No subcontracting has been declared by any winner (not yet known).
• Disputes or review requests fall to the Tribunal judiciaire de Bordeaux.
• Mediation organisation: Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Bordeaux.

Market & Industry Perspective

The French construction market for social housing is characterised by strong regional presence. Local and regional contractors often dominate tenders for social housing projects, as they have established relationships with public buyers and understand local regulatory requirements.

This procurement reflects that pattern, with 16 of 19 winning companies based in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and many specifically in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. The largest lot (structural works) was won by LAPIX BATIMENT, a regional player based in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Key trends in the French social housing construction market include:

• Regional focus: Local contractors dominate social housing projects
• Sustainability: Increasing focus on energy efficiency and environmental standards
• Mixed-use development: Combining residential, commercial, and office spaces
• Public-private partnerships: Collaboration between public bodies and private contractors

Economic Significance

At €20.8 million, this project represents a significant investment in social housing infrastructure in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region. The project will:

• Provide affordable housing: 160 social housing units for families in need
• Create local employment: Jobs for construction workers, tradespeople, and professionals
• Support local businesses: 19 local companies benefit from the project
• Boost regional economy: €20.8 million investment in the local economy
• Deliver infrastructure: New commercial and office spaces, plus a silo car park

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the contract now awarded, future opportunities include:

• Variation orders: Potential additional works during the construction phase
• Maintenance contracts: Future maintenance and upkeep of the completed development
• Similar projects: LE COL and other social housing providers may launch similar tenders
• Unsuccessful lots: Lots 8, 15, and 17 may be re-tendered

Opportunities for Suppliers

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

• Subcontracting: Suppliers not awarded lots may find subcontracting opportunities with the main contractors
• Unsuccessful lots: Lots 8, 15, and 17 may be re-tendered
• Similar projects: LE COL and other social housing providers may launch similar tenders
• Regional focus: Building relationships with social housing providers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Specialist trades: Companies with specialist expertise (e.g., eco-construction, energy efficiency) may find opportunities

What Businesses Should Watch

• Re-tendering of unsuccessful lots (8, 15, 17)
• LE COL's future procurement notices for other social housing projects
• Similar tenders from other social housing providers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Increasing sustainability and energy efficiency requirements
• Changes to French social housing policies and funding

FranceTender Procurement Intelligence

This construction contract is a significant social housing project in southwestern France. Several features are notable:

• Scale: 12 buildings, 160 housing units, offices, retail, and a silo car park – a major mixed-use development
• Regional focus: All winning companies are French, with 16 of 19 based in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Balanced evaluation: Technical value (40%) and Cost of use (60%) ensure both quality and cost-effectiveness
• Multiple lots: 22 lots allow specialist contractors to bid for their areas of expertise
• Local economic impact: The project supports local employment and businesses

The fact that three lots were not awarded suggests that some specialist trades (wood guardrails, cleaning, garage doors) may have had limited supplier interest or high costs.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Regional presence: Being established in the region where the project is located
• Technical expertise: Demonstrating technical value (40% of evaluation)
• Cost competitiveness: Cost of use (60% of evaluation) is the dominant criterion
• Specialist capabilities: Bidding for specific lots where the company has expertise

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate technical value—it accounts for 40% of evaluation
• Offer competitive cost of use—60% of evaluation is cost-based
• Establish regional presence in Nouvelle-Aquitaine for similar projects
• Build relationships with social housing providers like LE COL
• Consider bidding for specialist lots where you have expertise
• Monitor re-tendering of unsuccessful lots
• Prepare for increasing sustainability and energy efficiency requirements

Key Takeaways

• LE COL awarded a €20.8 million construction contract for a mixed-use development in Saint-Pierre-d'Irube
• Project: 12 buildings, 160 social housing units, offices, retail, silo car park
• 22 lots awarded to 19 French companies, predominantly from Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Evaluation: Technical value (40%), Cost of use (60%)
• Largest lot: Structural works (€7.98 million) won by LAPIX BATIMENT
• 3 lots not awarded (guardrails, cleaning, garage doors)
• All winners are French companies
• No EU funding used

Conclusion

The Alminoritz project represents a significant investment in social housing and urban development in Saint-Pierre-d'Irube. By awarding the contract to 19 local construction companies, LE COL is supporting regional employment and economic activity while delivering much-needed affordable housing.

The project's mixed-use design—combining residential, commercial, and office spaces—reflects modern urban planning principles that create vibrant, sustainable communities. The inclusion of a silo car park ensures adequate parking facilities for residents and visitors.

As the project progresses, the people of Saint-Pierre-d'Irube and the wider Pyrénées-Atlantiques region will benefit from new homes, commercial spaces, and employment opportunities—a testament to the importance of public investment in social housing infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is LE COL?

Ans: LE COL (Comité Ouvrier du Logement) is a French public body focused on housing and community amenities, based in Anglet, Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €20,801,803.53 (excluding VAT) across all awarded lots.

Q: How many lots are there?

Ans: 22 lots, of which 19 were awarded and 3 were not awarded.

Q: What is being built?

Ans: 12 buildings with 160 social housing units, offices, retail spaces, and a silo car park.

Q: Where is the project located?

Ans: Saint-Pierre-d'Irube, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: 19 French companies, predominantly from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and neighbouring departments.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Technical value (40%) and Cost of use (60%).

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

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

Q: Which lots were not awarded?

Ans: Lot 8 (Wood guardrails), Lot 15 (Cleaning), and Lot 17 (Garage doors).

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 546388-2026, OJ S 150/2026, published 6 August 2026.