Electronic Legislation Publication Services for the Irish Statute Book (eISB)

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 the provision of Electronic Legislation Publication Services for the Irish Statute Book (eISB). The contractor will be responsible for processing and publishing structured electronic legislation online, ensuring that the information is accessible and user-friendly. The scale of the work includes the management of various functionalities that enhance the usability of the eISB.

Key activities include:

• Processing and Publication: Structured electronic legislation must be processed and published online.
• Hyperlinking and Cross-Referencing: The contractor will implement and manage hyperlinking and cross-referencing within the legislation.
• Indexation and Searching: The contractor must ensure effective indexation and searching capabilities for users.
• Metadata Implementation: Standardised metadata must be implemented and processed to enhance searchability.
• Helpdesk Management: A helpdesk will be managed to assist users with inquiries related to the eISB.
• Website Interface Design and Management: The contractor will design and manage the website interface to ensure ease of navigation and access to legislative documents.
• Support for Data Formats: The contractor must support all electronic legislation publication services, including related data formats.
• Scripting Development: Development of scripting to facilitate the publication of legislation to the website.

The work is expected to be completed within six months of the contract commencement, with the incorporation of Akomo Ntoso into the eISB as a specific requirement.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the Office of the Attorney General to enhance the accessibility and functionality of the Irish Statute Book. The initiative aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to modernise legislative publishing and improve public access to legal information. The contract aims to ensure that the eISB remains a reliable and user-friendly resource for citizens and legal professionals alike. The incumbent provider is not specified in the documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €200,000 for each of the three immediately preceding financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7m – limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5m – limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: €6.5m – limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Professional Indemnity: €3.0m limit on any one occurrence and in the aggregate per insurance year.
• Cyber Liability: €1.0m – limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The overall price/quality split is 60% quality and 40% price. Bidders must achieve a minimum of 50% of the maximum available marks for each of the award criteria to be considered for the contract.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the named template with a specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel, with a specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Must be completed using the named template.
• Case studies: Minimum of two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with a value range specified.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie, adhering to specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have a term of three years, with the possibility of extending for up to two additional 12-month periods. Key terms include:

• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the documentation.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified in the documentation.
• Termination clauses: Not specified in the documentation.
• IP ownership: Not specified in the documentation.
• Sub-contracting rules: The successful bidder must designate a single entity responsible for the contract, regardless of subcontracting arrangements.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns for bidders include:

• The turnover requirement of €200,000 may limit participation to smaller firms, potentially excluding capable SMEs.
• The lack of specified past experience or personnel requirements may lead to ambiguity in evaluation.
• The contract's reliance on undefined enhancements in legislative publishing could introduce uncertainty regarding future workload and revenue.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in IT and software services, particularly those with expertise in legislative publishing or related fields. Bidders should have the capability to meet the insurance and turnover requirements. Consortiums or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with larger entities. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal. The incumbent's strength is not disclosed, but the absence of specified past experience may open opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFTFinalEISB-Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed to the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Services Contract