Invitation to Tender for Social Media and Website Management and Marketing Support Services in Italy

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

Bord Bia seeks qualified service providers to manage and develop its social media and website presence in Italy, focusing primarily on promoting Irish beef, but also including lamb and seafood. The contractor will be responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies that enhance Bord Bia's visibility in the Italian retail and foodservice sectors.

Key activities include:

• Social Media Management: Develop and execute campaigns on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, focusing on Irish beef, lamb, and seafood.
• Content Creation: Produce engaging posts, reels, and stories that resonate with the target audience.
• Website Management: Update and maintain the Bord Bia website, ensuring content is relevant and optimized for search engines.
• Market Analysis: Conduct research to understand market trends and consumer preferences in Italy.
• Performance Reporting: Provide regular reports on campaign performance and website analytics to assess effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Bord Bia’s marketing team to align strategies with overall organizational goals.

The contract duration is for 36 months, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months if required.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Bord Bia's strategic objective to enhance the visibility of Irish food products in international markets, particularly in Italy. The initiative is part of a broader effort to support Irish producers in expanding their market reach and increasing exports. Bord Bia has a history of engaging with service providers to promote Irish food and drink, and this tender aims to build on previous successes in the Italian market.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €360,000 during one of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1.3 million for each claim
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable projects delivered in the last three to five 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, with a minimum scoring threshold of 50% for qualitative criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: Complete the Tender Response Document (TRD) as per the provided template.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, adhering to specified page limits.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing template included in the TRD.
• Case studies: Provide at least three case studies of relevant projects, detailing their value and scope.
• Declarations: Include the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Declaration of Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made electronically via the eTenders postbox facility.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: 36 months with an option to extend for 12 months.
• Payment terms: Invoices to be submitted in accordance with agreed terms, with payments made in euro (€).
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Regular performance reports required.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate if the contractor fails to meet performance standards.
• IP ownership: Bord Bia retains copyright ownership of materials developed under the contract.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• The turnover requirement of €360,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The lack of specified geographic constraints may lead to a wider pool of bidders, but also increases competition.
• The absence of minimum scoring thresholds for some qualitative criteria could lead to subjective evaluations.

10. SME fit assessment

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

• Experience in social media and website management, particularly in the food and beverage sector.
• The capacity to demonstrate previous successful projects of similar scope.
• The ability to form consortia or partnerships to meet financial and technical requirements.
• An estimated bid preparation effort of several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal.
• A moderate Pwin signal, as the incumbent's strength is not explicitly mentioned, but the competitive nature of the tender may favor established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT Final MJ Edits.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be submitted via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments: Appendix A (Specification of Requirements), Tender Response Document (TRD).