Request for Tender for Graphic Design Services

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

Skillnet Ireland requires a graphic design agency to provide comprehensive design services across various digital and print platforms. The contractor will be responsible for delivering high-quality design work that aligns with Skillnet Ireland's brand identity and meets the needs of diverse target audiences.

Key activities include:

• New Brand Design: Creation of a new brand identity and logo for two upskilling initiatives, ensuring alignment with existing brand guidelines.
• Graphic Design Services:
• Design and delivery of corporate publications, including Annual Reports and Research Reports, with digital editions.
• Development of illustrations, advertisements, infographics, invitations, brochures, displays, signage, and materials for public events or conferences.
• Production of digital communication assets.

The contractor must be able to respond to urgent requests, with a turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours when necessary. All final artwork files will be the property of Skillnet Ireland, and adherence to brand guidelines is mandatory.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as Skillnet Ireland seeks to enhance its brand visibility and communication effectiveness. The agency aims to leverage graphic design to support its objectives of increasing participation in industry-led learning and development. Skillnet Ireland has a strong reputation for providing upskilling and reskilling programs to businesses across Ireland, and this initiative aligns with its strategic goals for 2024 and beyond.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of three (3) contracts of similar size and nature within the last three years.
• Personnel: CVs for each team member, not exceeding two (2) A4 pages, demonstrating relevant skills.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

No minimum scoring threshold is specified.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A response document following the specified template, with no page limit stated.
• CVs: For each team member, not exceeding two (2) A4 pages.
• Pricing schedule: Completed as per Appendix 3, including all costs.
• Case studies: Evidence of three (3) comparable projects, including details of services provided and estimated contract value.
• Declarations: Including Tax Clearance Certificate and conflict of interest disclosures.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted through the eTenders website.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have a duration of 2 years, commencing on 1st July 2024, with the option to extend for up to 12 months on two occasions, subject to performance and budget availability. Payment for services will be made within 30 days of invoice submission. The successful bidder must comply with confidentiality and intellectual property requirements, ensuring that all materials produced will be owned by Skillnet Ireland.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• The absence of specified turnover or insurance requirements may indicate a lack of financial scrutiny, which could affect the quality of bidders.
• The requirement for rapid turnaround times (24-48 hours) may limit the pool of capable bidders, particularly smaller firms.
• The contract's non-exclusivity clause allows Skillnet Ireland to engage other service providers, which could impact the successful bidder's workload and revenue predictability.

10. SME fit assessment

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in graphic design and brand development can credibly bid for this tender. The ideal bidder would have a proven track record of delivering similar projects, with a strong portfolio demonstrating capability across various design formats. Consortiums or subcontracting are not explicitly mentioned, suggesting that bidders should be able to fulfill the requirements independently. Preparation for this bid may require several days of effort, particularly in compiling case studies and portfolio samples. The incumbent's strength and the absence of specified minimum thresholds may indicate a competitive bidding environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Request for Tender for Graphic Design Services.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix I – Specification of Requirements
• Appendix II – Instructions to Tenderers
• Appendix III – Pricing Schedule