RTÉ Interactive Engagement Platform Partner

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

This tender seeks a partner to develop, deliver, license, and install an interactive engagement platform for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The scope encompasses the design, implementation, and making the system "Ready for Use" according to a defined Specification and Statement of Work (SOW). The contract will involve the provision of systems, products, and related services, potentially including software development, project management, training, installation, and consulting.

Key activities and components include:

• System Development and Delivery: Designing, developing, installing, and implementing the interactive engagement platform. This includes any custom-developed software ("Developed Software") and licensed software products ("Software Products").
• Services Provision: Delivering a range of services as outlined in the SOW, which may include software development, project management, training, installation, and consulting. Maintenance and Support Services are also specified.
• "Ready for Use" Standard: Ensuring the platform is fully supplied, installed, implemented, tested, accepted, and operating in accordance with the contract's conditions, Specification, and SOW.
• Testing and Acceptance: The supplier must conduct testing prior to RTÉ's testing. RTÉ will conduct its own testing procedures. If testing is unsuccessful, RTÉ has options including partial acceptance, extending the test period for corrections, or rejecting the system and terminating the contract.
• Maintenance and Support: Providing ongoing maintenance and support services as detailed in Schedule 3, which may include a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
• Hosting Services: Potentially providing hosting services as described in Schedule 4, if applicable.
• Data Handling: The supplier will be granted a licence to use RTÉ Data and RTÉ Content for the development and operation of the platform. The supplier will also handle Customer Generated Data if relevant.
• Intellectual Property: The supplier may be required to transfer ownership of Intellectual Property Rights in the Developed Software to RTÉ. RTÉ will receive perpetual, non-exclusive licences for Software Products and Supplier Data.
• Documentation: Providing adequate operating manuals to enable RTÉ personnel to use the platform's facilities and functions.

The project will be delivered in phases as described in the Project Plan and SOW. The contract value is stated as €150,000.00.

3. Background & buyer context

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) is procuring an interactive engagement platform. RTÉ operates as a public service media service under the Broadcasting Act 2009 from its headquarters at Montrose, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. The Supplier is expected to possess the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience in designing, manufacturing, selling, installing, and operating systems and providing related services. This procurement follows a public tendering process. The contract terms are based on RTÉ's Standard Project Terms and Conditions, last revised in October 2020.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Candidates must satisfy the Minimum Requirements to have their submissions assessed. Those failing to meet these will not be considered further.

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Candidates must maintain the following minimum levels of insurance cover:
• Professional Liability: €1 million (to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis).
• Public Liability: €6.5 million.
• Employer's Liability: €13 million.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million (where a product is supplied).
• 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

RTÉ will assess and rank all Submissions meeting the Minimum Requirements based on specified assessment criteria. It is anticipated that the three highest-ranked Candidates will be shortlisted, at RTÉ's sole discretion. The specific award criteria and scoring methodology are not detailed in the provided extract.

6. Submission requirements

Candidates are required to provide information to assist RTÉ in evaluating their suitability and meeting the minimum requirements. Specific submission components include:

• Method statement / response document: Not specified for this tender.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Not specified for this tender.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Not specified for this tender.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Not specified for this tender.

The tender documentation requires candidates to provide all information requested in the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to demonstrate they meet the minimum requirements relating to technical capability and economic and financial standing.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The contract can be for a fixed term, an initial term with RTÉ options to renew for one or more subsequent periods, or for an initial term of one year with RTÉ options to renew for two subsequent one-year terms. The specific option will be selected and detailed.
• Payment terms: RTÉ approved invoices will be paid 30 days after invoice approval.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Service Levels are to be provided as set out in Schedule 3 (Maintenance and Support Services) and potentially a Service Level Agreement.
• Liquidated damages: If the supplier fails to deliver by the Final Acceptance Date due to supplier fault, liquidated damages of 2% of the total Contract Price per week of delay apply, capped at 20% of the total Contract Price. Failure to deliver within ten weeks of the Final Acceptance Date may lead to termination.
• Termination: RTÉ may terminate the contract if testing procedures are unsuccessful after extensions, or for other reasons outlined in the contract, such as supplier insolvency.
• IP ownership: RTÉ may require the transfer of Intellectual Property Rights in Developed Software to RTÉ. RTÉ receives perpetual, non-exclusive licences for Software Products and Supplier Data.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified for this tender, but the RTÉ Standard Project Terms and Conditions include a condition on sub-contractors.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The contract value of €150,000.00 is relatively low for a platform development project, which might suggest a focus on a specific module or a phased approach rather than a full-scale enterprise solution. The submission deadline of August 2026 is significantly in the future, implying a long lead time for the procurement process itself. The absence of specified turnover requirements could indicate a broader eligibility scope, or that these are detailed elsewhere in the full tender pack. The RTÉ Standard Project Terms and Conditions are extensive, and bidders must carefully review all clauses, particularly regarding IP ownership, liability limitations, and termination rights.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely open to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in developing and delivering interactive digital platforms. A credible bidder would need to demonstrate strong capabilities in software development, project management, and potentially user experience design. The insurance requirements, particularly Public Liability at €6.5 million and Employer's Liability at €13 million, are substantial and may pose a barrier for very small or newly established businesses without prior experience securing such cover. The €1 million Professional Indemnity requirement is also significant.

Consortium bidding or subcontracting is not explicitly mentioned as disallowed, which could allow SMEs to partner to meet requirements. The bid preparation effort is likely moderate to high, given the need to detail technical capabilities, project plans, and potentially demonstrate past experience, even if not explicitly listed as a formal criterion. The long lead time to the submission deadline might indicate a complex project or a strategic initiative for RTÉ, but without further information on the incumbent or previous suppliers, it is difficult to assess the "Pwin" (probability of winning) signal.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not specified in provided text.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified in provided text. RTÉ requires a minimum of three (3) Business Days to respond to any Query.
• Most important attachments:
• RTÉ Standard Project Terms and Conditions Oct 2020.docx
• Statement of Work (SOW) (Schedule 1)
• Specification (as part of SOW)