Circus, Street Arts and Spectacle Assessment and Advisory 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

The contract involves the provision of Circus, Street Arts, and Spectacle Assessment and Advisory Services. The successful consultant will be responsible for evaluating and advising on various aspects of these art forms, including their impact, development, and integration within the community and cultural landscape.

Key activities include:

• Assessment of Circus and Street Arts: Conduct evaluations of existing circus and street arts initiatives, focusing on their effectiveness, audience engagement, and cultural significance.
• Advisory Services: Provide strategic advice to the Arts Council on the promotion and development of circus and street arts, including recommendations for funding and support mechanisms.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate discussions and workshops with artists, organizations, and community stakeholders to gather insights and foster collaboration.
• Reporting: Prepare detailed reports summarizing findings, recommendations, and strategic insights, ensuring alignment with the Arts Council’s objectives.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop frameworks for ongoing assessment of circus and street arts initiatives, ensuring they meet established goals and standards.
• Capacity Building: Offer training and support to local artists and organizations to enhance their skills and capabilities in circus and street arts.

The consultant will work closely with the Arts Council team, particularly during peak periods, to ensure timely delivery of services and adherence to project timelines.

3. Background & buyer context

The Arts Council is procuring these services to enhance the visibility and impact of circus and street arts in Ireland. This initiative aligns with broader cultural policies aimed at promoting diverse art forms and increasing public engagement in the arts. The procurement follows a strategic review of the sector, identifying a need for expert assessment and advisory services to support the growth and sustainability of these art forms. The Arts Council seeks to ensure that circus and street arts are effectively integrated into the cultural fabric of Ireland, fostering innovation and collaboration among artists and organizations.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1,000,000
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: €13,000,000
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Demonstrated experience of providing services of a similar nature, scale, and complexity, evidenced by two contracts successfully delivered in the past 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 scoring will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, with a minimum score of 60% required for each qualitative criterion to proceed to cost evaluation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Completed using the provided template, with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel, with no specified page limit.
• Pricing schedule: To be completed using the specified template.
• Case studies: Two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with no specified value range.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic post-box on www.eTenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The contract will last for three years, with a potential extension of up to 12 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon submission of invoices, subject to the satisfactory completion of services.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Specific performance indicators will be established to measure the effectiveness of the services provided.
• Termination clauses: The Arts Council reserves the right to terminate the contract for non-performance or breach of terms.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will remain with the Arts Council.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted but must be disclosed and approved by the Arts Council.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The requirement for two comparable projects within the last five years may limit participation from newer firms or those without extensive experience in this niche area.
• The insurance requirements may pose a barrier for smaller firms that struggle to meet high coverage limits.
• The absence of a specified budget for individual project components could lead to ambiguity in pricing and expectations.
• The lack of a specified geographic constraint may open the field but could also lead to increased competition from larger firms outside the immediate area.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender typically possess:

• Experience in arts consultancy, particularly in circus and street arts.
• Relevant insurance coverage, including professional indemnity and public liability.
• The ability to demonstrate past project experience through case studies.
• Capacity to engage with stakeholders and deliver services within the specified timeframe.

Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are allowed, which may enable smaller firms to collaborate and enhance their service offerings. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal. The presence of established firms in the sector may indicate a competitive landscape, but the Arts Council's emphasis on diverse perspectives may favor innovative approaches from smaller bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CFT_AC-2023-44 CSAS Assessment and Advisory Services.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: AC/2023/44
• Contact email: Not specified; use the messaging facility on www.eTenders.gov.ie for queries.
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Background, Requirements & Specifications; Appendix 2 — Specimen Contract.