Provision of Services for Forensic Geneticist

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 forensic geneticist services to assist in the identification of human remains recovered from the Tuam Site, in compliance with the Institutional Burials Act 2022. The contractor will provide expert advice and guidance in forensic genetics, particularly in relation to missing persons programs. The expected activities include:

• Forensic Analysis: Conducting DNA analysis using STR, mtDNA, and SNP technologies.
• Collaboration: Working with governmental departments and DNA laboratories to develop protocols for missing persons programs.
• Public Communication: Creating materials to educate the public on DNA usage in human identification.
• Expert Consultation: Providing expert testimony and guidance in forensic investigations.
• Reporting: Documenting findings and methodologies in accordance with forensic best practices.

The contractor must demonstrate experience in forensic genetics, particularly in the context of missing persons, and be familiar with relevant forensic processes.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated to address the needs arising from the Institutional Burials Act 2022, which mandates the identification of human remains at the Tuam Site. The Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT) is responsible for overseeing this process. The strategic driver for this tender is the need for specialized forensic expertise to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to facilitate the identification of missing persons.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7m in any claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5m in any claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: N/A.
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000 in any claim or series of claims.
• Cyber Insurance: N/A.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of two comparable projects in forensic genetics within the last five years.
• Personnel: A postgraduate degree in Forensic Genetics is required.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The overall scoring will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, with a minimum threshold of 60% for non-price criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A response document following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must be completed using the template in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Two relevant case studies demonstrating experience in forensic genetics.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: 2 years, with the option to extend for up to 12 months, twice.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the documents.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the Prime Contractor must be designated.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Insurance requirements: High insurance limits may exclude smaller firms.
• Experience criteria: The requirement for two comparable projects may limit participation.
• Public communication: The need for public engagement may require additional resources.
• Complexity of forensic work: The specialized nature of the work may favor incumbents with established relationships.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for:

• Credible bidders: Small to medium-sized enterprises with expertise in forensic genetics and relevant experience in missing persons programs.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: Allowed, but a single entity must be designated as the Prime Contractor.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Approximately 10-15 days to prepare a compliant tender.
• Pwin signal: The presence of high insurance requirements and experience criteria may favor established firms, potentially reducing the probability of winning for smaller bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 20240909_Geneticist_RFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: Queries must be directed via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement