Provision and Implementation of a Learning Management System for the Ireland Specialist Programme

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 and implementation of a cloud-hosted Learning Management System (LMS) to support the Ireland Specialist Programme, which is a training initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the international travel trade regarding Ireland as a tourist destination. The LMS is expected to cater to approximately 1,500 to 2,000 users annually, delivering a range of specialized courses and learning resources.

Key activities include:

• System Development: Creation of a customizable, interactive, and intuitive user interface to enhance learner engagement and navigation.
• Core Functionality: Implementation of essential LMS features such as:
• Course and content management
• SCORM compliance
• User and role administration
• Assessment and certification capabilities
• Gamification elements
• Progress tracking and reporting
• Multilingual Support: The LMS must facilitate the delivery of courses in multiple languages to cater to diverse markets.
• Training: Provision of user training in content editing and reporting.
• Maintenance and Support: Ongoing technical support and system updates to ensure reliability and scalability.

The contract will include a six-month probationary period, during which Tourism Ireland may terminate the contract with one month's notice if performance does not meet expectations.

3. Background & buyer context

Tourism Ireland CLG is the all-Ireland marketing company established to promote the island of Ireland as a holiday destination. The procurement of this LMS is part of a strategic initiative to enhance the Ireland Specialist Programme, which aims to increase tourism by providing specialized training to the international travel trade. The contract is being awarded following a competitive tender process, reflecting the organization's commitment to improving its training offerings and adapting to evolving market needs.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €50,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability Insurance with an indemnity limit of €13,000,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance with an indemnity limit of €1,000,000
• Cyber & Data Breach Insurance with an indemnity limit of €1,000,000
• Certifications: Compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least two comparable projects involving cloud-based LMS implementation within the last three years.
• Personnel: Availability of qualified personnel with relevant experience in LMS deployment.
• Geographic 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, balancing quality and cost.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: A response document structured as per the Form of Tender, with no specified page limit.
• CVs: Resumes for key personnel involved in the project, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Completed using the provided Excel Workbook – GP-ISP-26 Pricing Sheet.
• Case studies: Two examples of previous projects, each valued at a minimum of €50,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders portal, adhering to a maximum file size of 4GB.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Contract duration: Up to five years, with a six-month probationary period.
• Payment terms: All valid and undisputed invoices to be paid within 30 days of receipt.
• Performance review: Annual performance reviews will determine contract renewal.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with one month's notice during the probationary period.
• Intellectual property: Ownership of all materials developed under the contract will reside with Tourism Ireland.
• Sub-contracting: Not permitted without prior written consent from Tourism Ireland.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks associated with this tender include:

• Incumbent advantage: The requirement for previous experience with cloud-based LMS may favor established providers.
• Tight timelines: The anticipated go-live date in October 2026 may impose pressure on bidders to deliver quickly.
• Performance-based contract: The annual review process could lead to contract termination if performance does not meet expectations.
• Limited bidder pool: The specific insurance and turnover requirements may restrict participation to larger firms.

10. SME fit assessment

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

• Credible bidders: Firms with experience in implementing cloud-based LMS solutions, ideally with a portfolio of similar projects.
• Consortiums: Bidders may consider forming consortiums to meet the experience and resource requirements.
• Bid preparation effort: Estimated preparation time is approximately 10-15 days, considering the need for detailed documentation and case studies.
• Pwin signal: The presence of specific past experience requirements may indicate a competitive landscape, but the overall budget is manageable for SMEs.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: GPISP26.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Pre-qualification & Suitability criteria
• Appendix 2 — Award Criteria
• Schedule 1 — Specification Document