5 Year Review of Public Funding for Public Service Broadcasters

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves a comprehensive review of public funding adequacy for Public Service Media (PSM) organizations, specifically RTÉ and TG4. The review aims to assess how well these broadcasters meet their public service objectives and will span a duration of six months.

Key activities include:

• Retrospective Review:

• Aggregate data from Annual Statements of Performance Commitments (ASPCs) and Annual Review of Performance and Public Funding (ARPPFs) since the last review.

• Analyze internal documents and the last five-year review.

• Evaluate broadcaster strategies in adapting to technological changes and audience behavior.

• Assess interactions with the independent audiovisual production sector, focusing on RTÉ's Independent Production Account.

• Prospective Review:

• Evaluate the appropriateness of broadcaster strategies for fulfilling public service objectives.

• Analyze the allocation of public funds versus commercial revenue.

• Address current Irish audience needs and adaptability to future challenges in the media landscape.

• Benchmark costs and spending against other PSMs and international minority language broadcasters, particularly for TG4.

The review will also consider key thematic areas such as audience impact, content quality, transparency, governance, and promotion of the Irish language.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement is initiated in the context of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill (OSMR Act) 2022, which established Coimisiún na Meán as the independent regulator for broadcasting services in Ireland. This review aligns with the statutory requirement for a five-year assessment of public funding for PSMs, which has been conducted since 2013. The previous reviews have informed government decisions regarding funding approaches. The current review is expected to reflect new regulatory frameworks and recommendations from the Future of Media Commission.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €200,000 for the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability Insurance: €13 million
• Public Liability Insurance: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least two relevant contracts of a similar nature completed in the last five years.
• Personnel: Comprehensive CVs for key personnel demonstrating relevant expertise.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The total score will be out of 100%. Bidders must achieve a minimum rating of 60% in each qualitative criterion to avoid elimination.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template with a maximum of 20 pages (10 double-sided).
• CVs: Comprehensive CVs for all key personnel.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the Form of Tender with detailed pricing.
• Case studies: Evidence of at least two relevant previous experiences.
• Declarations: Include declarations of Bona Fides, statutory obligations, and tax clearance.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The contract lasts for six months, with no specified extension.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made based on invoices, adhering to Coimisiún na Meán's payment terms.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the documents.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified in the documents.
• Termination clauses: Not specified in the documents.
• IP ownership: Not specified in the documents.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the main contractor must be clearly identified.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified in the documents.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €200,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The lack of specified SLAs/KPIs may lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.
• The absence of a mandatory site visit may limit bidders' understanding of the operational context.
• The review's prospective elements may be less detailed than in previous iterations, potentially impacting the depth of analysis.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate:

• Relevant experience in public service media or similar sectors.
• The ability to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• Availability of key personnel with the necessary expertise.
• Consortium or subcontracting is permitted, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with others to meet eligibility criteria.

Bid preparation may require several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal. The presence of established firms in previous reviews may indicate a competitive landscape, but the tender does not specify incumbents.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 5 Year Review RFT Document.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Fionnuala Murphy, [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Specification of Services Context and Background, Appendix 2 — Coimisiún Terms and Conditions of Supply of Services.