Learning and Development Strategic Partner 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 Central Bank of Ireland seeks a contractor to provide Learning and Development Strategic Partner Services. This involves delivering a comprehensive suite of learning solutions aimed at enhancing the skills and competencies of its workforce. The contractor will be responsible for the design, development, and delivery of various training programs across multiple modalities.

The key activities include:

• Instructor-led Training Sessions: A minimum of 110 sessions must be delivered within a continuous 12-month period, which must be within the last 36 months.
• Digital Learning Solutions: Development and deployment of eLearning modules that cover various skills areas.
• Skills Areas: Training must encompass at least 20 distinct skills areas, including but not limited to:
• Leadership & Management (e.g., Change Management, Strategic Leadership)
• Professional & Behavioural Skills (e.g., Effective Business Communication, Project Management)
• Client Engagement: The contractor must maintain communication with the Central Bank to ensure alignment with organizational goals and training needs.
• Evaluation and Feedback: Implement mechanisms for assessing the effectiveness of training programs and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

The contractor will also be required to provide evidence of past experience in delivering similar learning solutions, including client references and details of previous contracts.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of Learning and Development Strategic Partner Services aligns with the Central Bank of Ireland's strategic objectives to enhance workforce capabilities and adapt to evolving financial regulations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to invest in employee development and ensure that staff possess the necessary skills to meet current and future challenges. The Central Bank has historically engaged in various training programs but is now seeking a dedicated partner to streamline and enhance these efforts. The incumbent provider is not specified in the documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €5,000,000 for each of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Employers’ Liability Insurance: €13,000,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: not specified for this tender
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: A minimum of three comparable projects delivered within the last 36 months, demonstrating the ability to provide learning solutions across multiple modalities.
• 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 evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, balancing quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: At least three, detailing projects valued over €100,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have the following key terms:

• Term: Initial duration of 4 years, with an option to extend for up to 1 additional year.
• Payment terms: Not specified in the documents.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance metrics related to training delivery and participant satisfaction will be established.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified in the documents.
• Termination clauses: The Central Bank reserves the right to terminate the contract early under certain conditions.
• IP ownership: All materials developed under the contract will remain the property of the Central Bank.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified in the documents.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The requirement for a minimum turnover of €5,000,000 may limit participation to larger firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• Geographic constraints: Not specified, but the lack of clarity may affect the pool of eligible bidders.
• Tight timelines: The expectation for a quick go-live may pose challenges for bidders to mobilize resources effectively.
• Incumbent advantage: If an incumbent provider exists, they may have an advantage in terms of established relationships and understanding of the Central Bank's needs.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) considering this tender should assess the following:

• Credible bidders: Firms with a proven track record in delivering learning and development services, particularly those with experience in financial services training, are best positioned to bid.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Not specified, but potential bidders should consider forming partnerships to meet the scale of the requirements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a competitive bid may require several weeks of dedicated effort, including gathering documentation and case studies.
• Pwin signal: The presence of a high turnover threshold and potential incumbent advantage may indicate a lower probability of winning for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Single Supplier Framework PQQ - Learning and Development Strategic Partner - Final.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 2A – Learning Solutions and Instructor Led Training Sessions
• Appendix 2B – 3 Reference Contracts Tables
• Appendix 4 – ESPD