Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment Services and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Services for the preparation of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2026-2032

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 consultancy services for the Southern Regional Assembly, focusing on three key assessments necessary for the preparation of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the period 2026-2032. The contractor will be responsible for:

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): Conducting a comprehensive SEA that adheres to the SEA Directive 2001/42/EC and related regulations. This includes evaluating the environmental impacts of the proposed strategy and ensuring compliance with EU and national legislation.

• Appropriate Assessment (AA): Performing screening for AA and preparing a Stage 2 AA if required. This process must comply with the Habitats Directive and relevant Irish regulations, ensuring that any potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites are adequately assessed.

• Regional Flood Risk Appraisal (RFRA): Undertaking a RFRA in accordance with the Floods Directive and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Guidelines for Planning Authorities. This includes assessing flood risks and integrating findings into the RSES.

The contractor will collaborate closely with the planning team of the Southern Regional Assembly throughout the review period to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into the RSES and to assist in the consultation and decision-making processes.

3. Background & buyer context

The Southern Regional Assembly is procuring these services to support the development of the RSES for 2026-2032, a strategic framework that aligns with national and EU policies on sustainable development and environmental protection. This procurement is timely as it responds to evolving legislative requirements, particularly concerning climate change and biodiversity. The Assembly aims to ensure that the RSES reflects current environmental standards and best practices. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €150,000 for each of the three financial years preceding the tender date.

• Insurance:

• Employer’s Liability: €12.5 million for any one claim or series of claims.

• Public Liability: €6.5 million for any one claim or series of claims.

• Professional Indemnity: €50,000 for any one claim or series of claims.

• Product Liability: N/A.

• 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 the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best balance of price and quality. There are no minimum scoring thresholds specified for individual criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel, no specific page count mentioned.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not required.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on eTenders.gov.ie with specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The contract will last for 120 weeks, with the possibility of two extensions of up to 16 weeks each.
• 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: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontractors must be disclosed and comply with the same eligibility criteria.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns for bidders include:

• The turnover requirement of €150,000 closely aligns with the estimated contract value of €150,000, which may limit competition.
• The lack of specified past experience or personnel requirements could lead to ambiguity in evaluation.
• The absence of a mandatory site visit may disadvantage bidders unfamiliar with the local context.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with relevant experience in environmental assessments. A viable bidder would typically have:

• Experience in SEA, AA, and RFRA.
• Relevant certifications and insurance coverage.
• The capacity to collaborate with local authorities.

Consortiums or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing SMEs to partner with larger firms if needed. Bid preparation is estimated to require several days, depending on the complexity of the submission. 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: RFT for Consultancy Services for SEA for Southern Regional Assembly.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