Multi Party Framework for Management Consultancy Services

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and its subsidiaries require management consultancy services through a multi-party framework agreement. The framework aims to provide value-for-money and efficiencies for a range of consultancy needs. The maximum potential duration of the framework is four years, commencing with an initial two-year contract and annual extension options. Contracts for specific requirements will be awarded via mini-tenders to framework members.

The scope of services includes, but is not limited to:

• Strategic/Operational Review:
• Independent review of investment business cases.
• Independent review of racecourse grant applications/business cases (for spend exceeding €1m).
• Support and advice for multi-year strategic plan development.
• Review of organisational alignment and structures.
• Review of operating models and operating cost bases.
• Assistance with submissions to government departments for ministerial approval.
• Corporate Finance Strategic Evaluation & Advice:
• Support for financial evaluation, including financial plan development.
• Risk assessment of strategic business proposals.
• Advice on investment opportunities and funding models.
• Industry Social and Economic Impact Review:
• Undertaking a social and economic impact review of the Irish Thoroughbred and Racing Industry.
• Process and System Review:
• Independent process and system reviews across specific business areas.
• ESG Review:
• Advice and guidance on implementing a sustainability reporting framework, aligning with current regulations and local sustainability goals.
• Accountancy Services:
• High-level, technical accounting advice on treatment and presentation of issues, accounting standards, and financial reporting, as HRI is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
• Risk and Audit Effectiveness Reviews:
• External reviews of the effectiveness of HRI’s group risk management framework and internal audit activity.
• Providing technical and strategic advice to embed risk management and ensure audit readiness.
• Other Management Services (excluding internal audit):
• Specialised services such as pension advice, company formations, human capital advisory, capital grant evaluations, company secretarial services, and financial services.

Tenderers must demonstrate how they incorporate sustainability into their work practices. Response times for consultancy services are generally expected to be: same business day for email/phone acknowledgement, one working day for straightforward queries, three working days for facilitating meetings, and five to ten working days for complex queries (or as agreed in the scope of work). Shorter response times may be required and will be communicated. An overall Account Manager of senior level must be nominated to act as the primary point of contact.

3. Background & buyer context

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) was established by the Irish Government under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 and the Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994. It operates as a commercial semi-state body responsible for the administration, promotion, and development of horse racing in Ireland. HRI's subsidiaries include Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Ltd (ITM), Tote Ireland Ltd, and the HRI Racecourse Division, which manages Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan, and Tipperary Racecourses, along with Leopardstown Golf Centre. HRI also holds interests in Cork Racecourse and The Curragh Racecourse. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and Cork Racecourse Mallow Limited may also utilise this framework. This procurement is conducted under an open procedure, adhering to the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The establishment of this multi-party framework aims to maximise value-for-money and leverage efficiencies for HRI and its affiliates.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must provide evidence of achieving an average annual turnover of at least €1,000,000 in any one of the three preceding financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13m in any one occurrence.
• Public & Products Liability: €6.5m in any one occurrence.
• Professional Indemnity: €6.5m in any one claim.
• 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

The award of the framework agreement will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The evaluation process involves two stages: first, a review of self-declaration forms for completeness, followed by an assessment against award criteria. Tenderers meeting the minimum requirements will then be requested to submit evidence to validate their eligibility. The specific award criteria and weightings are detailed in Section 4 of the tender document, but are not provided in the extract. The tender with the lowest ultimate cost quotation that meets all minimum requirements will attain the highest score for the cost criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit a comprehensive tender response that includes:

• Form of Tender: The mandatory template provided at Appendix 1.
• Self-Declaration Form: Completed as per Appendix 3.
• Pricing Schedule: Using the specified template, detailing hourly rates for various roles (e.g., ESG Partner, Director, Manager, Assistant Manager; Accountancy Partner, Director, Manager, Assistant Manager; Risk and Audit Reviews Partner). Rates must be inclusive of account management activities.
• Declarations:
• Tax Compliance evidence (Tax Reference Number and Access Number, or valid tax clearance certificate).
• Conflict of Interest disclosure.
• Bona Fides (Company Registration Number, Date of Establishment, Contact Details).
• Insurance: Evidence of meeting the specified insurance levels.
• Consortium/Subcontractor Details: If applicable, details of all members and a nominated representative.
• Value-Added Services: A comprehensive list of offered value-added services.
• Sustainability Demonstration: Evidence of how sustainability is incorporated into work practices.

Submissions must be made electronically via the eTenders website. A maximum of 500MB of files is permitted, with individual files up to 250MB. Hard copy submissions are not permitted.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The framework agreement has an initial term of two years, with an option to extend annually up to a maximum of four years. Extensions are subject to performance assessment and strategic appropriateness. Termination can occur in accordance with the draft Framework Agreement Terms & Conditions (Appendix 4). Payment terms are not explicitly detailed but will be in Euro (€) and payable within 30 days of receipt of invoice. Liquidated damages and specific SLAs/KPIs are not detailed in the provided extract. Sub-contracting is permitted, with a designated Prime Contractor responsible for overall management. IP ownership and parent company guarantees are not specified in the extract.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The framework agreement is a multi-party arrangement, meaning multiple successful tenderers will be appointed (minimum of three, maximum of six). However, individual contracts awarded under the framework will be via mini-tenders, where the most economically advantageous tenderer for that specific mini-tender wins. There is no guarantee of work volume for any framework member. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to operate outside the framework if it offers better value for money. Tenderers must accept the Contracting Authority's Framework Agreement Terms & Conditions without amendment. The tender validity period is twelve months.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to suitably qualified economic operators. Given the turnover requirement of €1,000,000 in one of the last three financial years and the significant insurance levels (€13m EL, €6.5m PL/PD, €6.5m PI), smaller, specialist consultancies may find it challenging to meet these thresholds independently. However, the framework structure and the allowance for consortia or prime/subcontractor arrangements mean that SMEs could potentially participate by forming partnerships or acting as subcontractors to larger firms. The bid preparation effort is likely to be moderate to high, requiring detailed responses on services, pricing, and sustainability. The Pwin signal is neutral, as it is an open procedure for a multi-party framework, but the specific insurance and turnover requirements suggest a preference for established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT Management Consultancy MPF 07072026.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1 – Form of Tender
• Appendix 3 – Form of Self Declaration
• Appendix 4 – Draft Terms and Conditions of the Framework Agreement