An Tobar – Irish Language Educational Platform

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 the design and development of a dynamic, scalable educational website named "An Tobar – Irish Language Educational Platform". The platform's purpose is to support the teaching and learning of the Irish language in English-medium primary and post-primary schools. The website must be bilingual (Irish and English), with no automated translation services permitted.

The platform will be structured to provide resources and information for students, teachers, and parents/guardians. Key functional requirements include:

• Core Design Principles: Fully editable and scalable, with clear separation between primary (Bunscoil) and secondary (Iar-bhunscoil) user experiences. Emphasis on searchability, structured navigation, and multimedia resources. Age-appropriate design for different user groups.
• Homepage: Features a main banner, editable navigation tabs (Baile, Nuacht, Acmhainní an Tobair, Comórtais, Tobghaeltacht, Padlet COGG), and a search engine with advanced filtering. Two primary navigation buttons: "Primary Resources" and "Secondary Resources". Includes a news section and footer with COGG information and social media links.
• Primary Resources Section (Bunscoil): Includes editable navigation tabs (Baile, Treoir an Mhúinteora, Acmhainní, Suaitheantas na gCarachtar, Cúinne na bPáistí). Features an editable slider, search and filter system with filters for Class Level (Naíonáin Shóisearacha to Rang a Sé), Themes (e.g., Mé Féin, Ar Scoil), Topics, and Resource Types (Pictures, Videos, Sound files, PowerPoint, Worksheets, PDF). Includes a "Treoir an Mhúinteora" section for teacher guidance.
• Secondary Resources Section (Tobshaol): Aims for a modern, "edgy" aesthetic for teenagers. Includes editable navigation tabs. Search and filters are similar to the homepage but with filters for Year Groups (Bliain 1 to Bliain 5/6), Topics (e.g., Is Gael Mé, Mo Shaol ar Scoil), and Resource Types. Features a configurable button layout for different year groups and user types (Parents, Teachers).
• Deep Navigation: The structure allows for deep navigation by year group, teacher-specific sections, and unit levels, with fully editable buttons at each stage.
• Content Management: Administrators must be able to edit all text, manage tabs and buttons, configure filters, upload and organise resources, and control sliders and featured content.
• Technical Requirements: A fully responsive web application compatible with desktop, tablet, and mobile. A user-friendly CMS for non-technical users. Fast load times and optimisation for school usage. WCAG 2.1 AA compliance is mandatory, along with Irish language font and character support. GDPR compliance and secure data protection are critical.
• Deliverables: A fully functional website, CMS access for administrators, documentation, and a deployment-ready system.

3. Background & buyer context

An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta (COGG) is the contracting authority. COGG is an aegis body of the Department of Education and Youth, responsible for Irish medium education and the teaching of Irish in English-medium schools. This procurement aligns with the [Action Plan for Irish in English Medium Schools], a government initiative. COGG has been tasked with creating this website to house resources and information supporting the teaching and learning of Irish. A dedicated team of five seconded education officers has been assigned to this project for two years. The organisation has a staff of 22, with offices across multiple counties in Ireland.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: The successful tenderer must hold Employer’s Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity insurance for the duration of the contract. Specific monetary values are not stated in the provided text, but proof of current premiums and valid certificates will be required upon request.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate previous developments in similar sectors or areas, as this is an award criterion (20% weighting). Specific minimum project numbers or values are not detailed as mandatory eligibility criteria.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender. However, it is preferable, though not essential, that tenderers have the capability to deliver services in both Irish and English.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded on the basis of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The award criteria and weightings are as follows:

Tenderers may be required to make a presentation. Minimum scores are required for each criterion.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must complete the Form of Tender and confirm acceptance of all terms and conditions. Specific templates for methodology or response documents are not detailed, but the Form of Tender requires specific declarations.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Tenderers must complete the Pricing Schedule at Appendix 2, providing costs for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3, both excluding and including VAT. Prices must be all-inclusive, expressed in Euro, and inclusive of VAT.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Tenderers must sign the Form of Tender, confirming understanding of requirements, acceptance of contract terms, and validity of prices. Declarations regarding insurance, confidentiality, and statutory compliance are also required.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie. Late tenders will not be considered.

7. Key dates & process

Note: The year for the submission deadline is not explicitly stated but implied to be prior to the August 2027 go-live date.

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term + extension: The contract is for 3 years (1 year development + 2 years maintenance), subject to annual review. COGG reserves the right to extend the term for up to 1 additional year.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract. Specific payment schedules are not detailed.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: COGG reserves the right to terminate the contract. If the successful tenderer cannot deliver services to satisfaction, COGG may award to the next highest-ranked tenderer.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Budget vs. Contract Length: The stated budget of €75,000 (VAT inclusive) for a 3-year contract (1 year development + 2 years maintenance) is relatively low for a fully functional, scalable, and accessible educational website with ongoing support. This suggests a need for highly efficient delivery or a focus on core functionality.
• Ambiguous Deadline: The submission deadline is stated as "Monday 24th August" without a specific year. This requires clarification from the buyer.
• Irish Language Capability: While not essential, a preference for tenderers with Irish language capability is stated. This could narrow the field of potential bidders or require them to demonstrate strong translation/localisation support.
• WCAG Compliance: Mandatory WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, along with annual inspection by the National Disability Authority, adds a significant technical and compliance overhead.
• Standstill Period: A voluntary standstill period of at least 14 days after notification of award is mentioned, which is standard but should be factored into the timeline.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in web development, particularly those with experience in educational platforms and content management systems.

• Who can credibly bid: A firm with a proven track record in designing and developing bilingual, accessible (WCAG 2.1 AA) websites. Experience with educational content delivery, robust search and filtering systems, and user-friendly CMS is essential. Demonstrable capability in the Irish language, while not mandatory, would be a significant advantage. The relatively low budget suggests a focus on efficient, cost-effective solutions rather than large-scale enterprise platforms.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Not explicitly stated if allowed or disallowed. Tenderers should check the full RFT documents.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Estimating bid preparation effort is challenging without full tender documents. However, given the detailed specifications for the website's structure, functionality, and compliance requirements, a significant effort would be required. This could range from 10-20 days for a focused team, including proposal writing, pricing, and potentially developing a preliminary approach.
• Pwin signal: The incumbent is not named. The tender is being run under an open procedure. The primary competitive factors will be the proposed methodology, cost, and demonstrated experience, particularly in the Irish language and accessibility compliance. The low budget may favour firms that can offer a lean, efficient solution.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [Tender - An Tobar.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: [email protected] or the Questions and Answers facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1 – Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 – Pricing Schedule
• Form of Tender / Tenderer’s Statement