Request for tenders for the provision of external economic advisory services to support the DCEE with the design and implementation of the RESS

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Request for tenders for the provision of external economic advisory services to support the DCEE with the design and implementation of the RESS Not stated €600,000 Not stated Open procedure 2 Not stated 3 years, with possible 1-year extension 16 June 2026, 17:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves providing external economic advisory services to support the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) in the design and implementation of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This includes both onshore and offshore auction processes. The contractor will be responsible for delivering economic analysis, policy advice, and strategic recommendations to facilitate the effective execution of RESS.

The key activities include:

• Economic Advice for Onshore Auctions: Providing insights and recommendations for the onshore RESS auctions, including market analysis and pricing strategies.
• Economic Advice for Offshore Auctions: Delivering similar advisory services tailored to the offshore RESS auctions.
• Data Analysis: Conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses to inform decision-making processes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with various stakeholders, including government bodies and industry representatives, to gather insights and validate findings.
• Reporting: Preparing detailed reports and presentations summarizing findings, recommendations, and strategic options for the DCEE.
• Implementation Support: Assisting in the implementation of recommendations and monitoring outcomes to ensure alignment with policy objectives.

The contractor must demonstrate the ability to manage complex economic assessments and provide actionable insights within specified timelines.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the Irish government's ongoing commitment to enhancing renewable energy sources through the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The DCEE aims to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy by promoting the development of renewable energy projects. The procurement of external advisory services is essential to ensure that the design and implementation of RESS are informed by robust economic analysis and best practices. This initiative aligns with national energy policies and climate action commitments.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €150,000 for each of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7m for any one claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5m limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Professional Indemnity: €1m limit in the aggregate per insurance year.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects within the last three years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must provide documentation to demonstrate compliance with these criteria.

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 price-quality ratio.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the named template with no specified page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, with no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the named template provided in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Provide at least three case studies of similar projects, detailing value and scope.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie, adhering to specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extension structure: Initial term of three years, with a possible one-year extension.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract at Appendix 5.
• 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: The successful Tenderer must designate a single entity responsible for the contract, regardless of subcontracting arrangements.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €150,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller entities.
• The lack of specified certifications may create uncertainty regarding compliance expectations.
• The absence of detailed SLAs/KPIs may lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid must have:

• A proven track record in economic advisory services, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
• The capacity to meet the minimum turnover requirement and insurance obligations.
• The ability to form consortia or subcontract, as the tender encourages collaboration among SMEs and larger enterprises.
• An indicative bid-preparation effort of several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal.
• A moderate Pwin signal, as the tender does not specify incumbent firms or sole-supplier frameworks.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RESS Economic RfT.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement