Request for tenders for the provision of Health and Safety Training to the Irish Prison Service

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 Health and Safety training services to the Irish Prison Service (IPS) across various prison locations. The contractor will be responsible for delivering a range of training courses aimed at ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and enhancing the safety skills of IPS staff.

The key activities include:

• Training Courses:

• Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) training (1 day, 24 participants)

• Abrasive Wheels training (up to 1 day, 24 participants)

• Forklift training (Novice: 3 days, 24 participants; Refresher: 1 day, 24 participants)

• SOLAS Safe Pass training (1 day, 60 participants)

• First Aid Refresher training (3 days, 60 participants)

• Manual Handling training (5 days, 20 participants)

• Banks Man Instructor Training (3 days, 10 participants)

• Pallet Truck training (1 day, 20 participants)

• Locations: Training will be conducted on-site at various prison facilities, including IPSC Portlaoise and other designated locations.

• Volume: The contractor must accommodate varying participant numbers across different training sessions, ensuring that all courses meet industry standards and are delivered effectively.

• Compliance: All training must align with relevant health and safety legislation and best practices, ensuring that IPS staff are adequately prepared to manage safety risks in their work environment.

3. Background & buyer context

The Irish Prison Service is procuring these training services to enhance the health and safety competencies of its staff, aligning with national health and safety policies. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve workplace safety within the prison system, ensuring compliance with legal obligations and fostering a safer working environment. The procurement is timely, reflecting ongoing efforts to address safety concerns in correctional facilities. The IPS aims to engage with SMEs to promote fair competition and support local businesses.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €95,000 during one of the last three years or pro-rata if more recently established.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €500,000
• 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 evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, focusing on the balance between price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, adhering to any page limits specified.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, with a maximum of two pages per CV.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing schedule in the specified format.
• Case studies: Provide two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with values ranging from €20,000 to €100,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via the electronic tenderbox on eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The initial contract duration is three years, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract, with specific terms outlined in Appendix 5.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated with 14 days' notice by either party.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontracting is permitted, but the Prime Contractor must retain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €95,000 may limit participation from smaller firms, particularly if they are newly established.
• The lack of specified past experience requirements could lead to variability in the quality of training providers.
• The absence of detailed SLAs/KPIs may create ambiguity regarding performance expectations.
• The contract's reliance on compliance with health and safety regulations necessitates that bidders have a solid understanding of these requirements.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in health and safety training. Viable bidders should have:

• Relevant certifications and experience in delivering training courses.
• The capacity to manage training logistics across multiple prison locations.
• The ability to comply with insurance requirements.

Consortium arrangements are permitted, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with larger entities to meet the tender requirements. Bid preparation is expected to require several days, including time for documentation and pricing schedule completion. The presence of an incumbent provider may influence the competitive landscape.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Services RFT_Provision of Health & Safety training in the IPS.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on eTenders.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement