Economic Administration Services ITT24-038

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 Marine Institute seeks a contractor to provide Economic Administration Services over a three-year contract, with an estimated total service volume of 220 days per annum. The contractor will be responsible for sourcing, managing, and preparing economic data to support the Economics Advisory team’s higher-level analyses.

Key activities include:

• Data Sourcing: Collecting monthly trade figures as specified in Appendix 1 of the RFT.
• Data Management: Organizing and maintaining the integrity of economic data.
• Preliminary Analysis: Conducting initial analyses to inform higher-level economic assessments.
• Reporting: Preparing reports based on the analyzed data for internal stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Working closely with the Economics Advisory team to ensure data meets their analytical needs.
• Compliance: Adhering to all relevant regulations and standards throughout the contract duration.

The contractor must demonstrate an understanding of the marine economic landscape and provide insights that align with the Marine Institute's strategic objectives.

3. Background & buyer context

The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology development, and innovation in Ireland. This procurement aligns with the Institute's mandate to promote the sustainable development of the marine industry and safeguard the marine environment. The current tender is part of a broader initiative to enhance the economic potential of Ireland’s marine resources, as outlined in the Marine Institute Act of 1991. The Institute aims to leverage economic data to inform policy and strategic funding programs.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €100,000 for each of the last two years.
• Insurance:
• Employers’ Liability: €12,700,000 limit for any one claim.
• Public Liability: €2.6 million for any one claim.
• Professional Indemnity: €1.5 million for any one claim.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Demonstrated experience in providing at least two to three relevant services in the past three years.
• 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 evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Use the named template with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Provide details of two to three relevant projects, including contract value and dates.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders portal, ensuring compliance with specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: Three years with potential for extension.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but a single entity must be designated as the Prime Contractor.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €100,000 may limit participation to smaller firms, potentially excluding capable bidders.
• The absence of specified certifications may lead to uncertainty regarding compliance expectations.
• The lack of detailed SLAs/KPIs may create ambiguity in performance expectations.
• The contract's reliance on economic data may pose challenges for firms without prior experience in marine economic analysis.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with:

• A proven track record in economic data analysis or related fields.
• The capacity to manage a contract requiring 220 days of service annually.
• The ability to meet insurance and turnover requirements.
• Opportunities for collaboration with larger firms, as consortia are permitted.
• An estimated bid preparation effort of 10-15 days, depending on the firm's existing capabilities and resources.

Incumbent firms or those with prior experience in similar contracts may have a competitive advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT24-038 Economic Administration Services.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement