Multi-Party Agreements for Contracted Training 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

This procurement seeks to establish seven multi-party framework agreements for the provision of contracted training services across specific lots. The framework agreements will have an initial duration of six months, with the option to extend for up to two additional six-month periods, resulting in a maximum potential duration of two years. The total estimated value for the framework agreements across all lots is €8.6 million, excluding VAT.

The scope of work encompasses the delivery of training courses within seven distinct lots:

• Lot 1: Business; ICT & Digital Skills (General & Technical)
• Categories include: Business, Management & Enterprise; Finance & Office Systems; ICT & Digital Technologies; Media & Communications; Administrative/Clerical Skills; Education & Training; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Core Personal Skills.
• Lot 2: Construction, Built Environment; Green Skills; Engineering; Manufacturing Skills; Welding, Fabrication & Metal Engineering Skills
• Categories include: Construction & Built Environment; Green Skills, Energy & Sustainability; Environmental & Climate Action Skills; Electrical Engineering Skills; Mechanical Engineering Skills; Manufacturing Skills; Science & Technology Skills; Natural Resources Skills; Built Environment Skills; Welding, Fabrication & Metal Engineering Skills.
• Lot 3: Transport, Logistics & Distribution Skills
• Categories include: Transport & Logistics Operations; Practical & Certified Training; Transport Engineering & Technical Skills.
• Lot 4: Hospitality; Tourism & Sport; Leisure Skills
• Categories include: Hospitality & Food/Beverage Services; Tourism & Accommodation; Sport & Leisure.
• Lot 5: Creative Arts, Digital Media; Audio, Visual; Broadcasting, TV/Film/Screen Skills
• Categories include: Creative Arts & Design; Film, TV & Screen Production; Digital Media Production & Editing; Audio, Visual & Broadcasting Skills.
• Lot 6: Life Sciences Cleanroom Operations; Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Skills
• Categories include: Life Sciences; Cleanroom Operations & Compliance; Packaging & Process Operations.
• Lot 7: Health; Family; other Social Services Skills
• Categories include: Healthcare Support (QQI Level 5); Care Skills; Care of the Older Person; Intellectual Disability Studies; Infection Prevention & Control; Palliative Care Support; Special Needs Assistant.

Training must be delivered at Senior or Intermediate level; Junior trainers are not accepted. Venues will be mutually agreed, potentially at local sites or WWETB facilities, with specialist technical facilities being preferred. Course scheduling is generally agreed 4-5 weeks in advance. Programmes can range from 2 to 52 weeks in duration. The development of new course material may be required, with Intellectual Property remaining with WWETB. Performance monitoring will include learner outcomes, feedback, and audits. Learners' employment or education progression will be tracked for six months post-completion. A dedicated contract manager and deputy must be nominated. Sustainability and innovation are encouraged.

3. Background & buyer context

Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) is the contracting authority for this procurement. WWETB is responsible for the provision of education and training services across its geographical area. This procurement aims to establish multi-party framework agreements to ensure a flexible and responsive supply of contracted training services to meet the evolving needs of the ETB and its learners. The procurement is conducted under Title III Services of Directive 2014/24/EU. It is noted that a new national procurement arrangement for contracted training for all ETBs is anticipated within the next twelve months, which may lead to the termination of this framework agreement if it meets WWETB's needs.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for these framework agreements, tenderers must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement:
• Lot 1, 5, 6, 7: €250,000 average annual turnover in the relevant area of work.
• Lot 2, 3: €500,000 average annual turnover in the relevant area of work.
• Lot 4: €50,000 average annual turnover in the relevant area of work.
• If successful in more than three lots, the maximum turnover requirement checked will be €750,000.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: Not deemed applicable for this tender.
• Certifications:
• Tenderers must demonstrate compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation.
• Tenderers must provide information on quality assurance measures, for example, an externally certified system (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 27001).
• Past experience:
• Tenderers must demonstrate successful delivery of three (3) courses within the lot area.
• Personnel:
• Access to at least one (1) Senior Trainer OR one (1) Intermediate Trainer in each lot.
• Tutors must meet minimum pedagogical qualification (minimum 110 hours learning, 24 hours practical) and experience requirements (minimum 3 years related professional experience in the discipline).
• Geographic / facility constraints:
• Data will be hosted, accessed, and processed within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a country deemed adequate.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of contracts under the framework agreements will be based on a single-stage procedure involving negotiation. Tenderers will be evaluated against specific award criteria. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to move directly to an award decision, invite firms to negotiation meetings, or apply a successive reduction rule. The final award will be based on a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) assessed against the award criteria. The specific weighting and scoring methodology are not detailed in the provided extract, but it is indicated that the lowest cost tender meeting minimum qualitative requirements may be considered.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers are required to submit their responses electronically via the eTenders platform. The submission must include:

• Tender Response Document (TRD):
• Part A: To be completed once, irrespective of the number of lots tendered.
• Part B: To be completed separately for each lot.
• TRD must not be personalised with branding or colours.
• Pricing Schedule: As per Appendix 1.
• Operation Document: As per Appendix 2.
• Declarations: European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) or equivalent self-declaration of compliance with selection and exclusion grounds. Bona Fides, Tax Clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations are also required.
• Case studies: Not explicitly mentioned, but past experience must be demonstrated.
• CVs: Not explicitly mentioned, but personnel qualifications are a selection criterion.
• Other documents: Draft Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions (Appendix 3), Draft Services Contract (Appendix 4), and any Clarification documents issued.
• Format: Responses should be uploaded as a Zip file.

A mandatory site visit is not specified.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The framework agreement duration is a maximum of two years (initial 6 months with options to extend for two further 6-month periods). Call-off contracts awarded under the framework may extend beyond the framework's expiry date. Payment terms are not detailed, but a 4-week payment cycle is mentioned in relation to course delivery. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not explicitly detailed, but failure to comply with contract terms may result in corrective action, including financial penalties. Termination clauses exist, including for material breach or failure to perform obligations. Intellectual Property for any developed course material remains with WWETB. Sub-contracting is permitted, but tenderers may need to rely on the resources of other entities to qualify. A parent-company guarantee or bond is not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

A significant risk is the potential termination of the framework agreement within twelve months if a new national procurement arrangement for contracted training is established and meets WWETB's needs. This introduces uncertainty regarding the full two-year potential duration. The cascade method for awarding call-off contracts means that even if a tenderer is admitted to the framework, they are not guaranteed work; the first-ranked member is always approached first. Poor performance can lead to relegation to the bottom of the cascade list. The requirement for tenderers to accept the Contracting Authority's Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions without reservation is a critical point; any reservations must be submitted as a query. The estimated values for individual lots are indicative, and there is no guaranteed expenditure.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a multi-party framework, allowing for multiple providers within each lot. While larger enterprises are encouraged to partner with SMEs, the turnover requirements for individual lots are relatively modest (€50,000 to €500,000), suggesting that well-established SMEs with specific expertise could credibly bid, particularly for lots 4, 1, 5, 6, and 7. Consortium or joint venture bidding is permitted, which can help SMEs meet capacity requirements. The bid preparation effort is likely moderate, involving the completion of TRD Parts A and B, pricing schedules, and demonstrating compliance with selection criteria. The "Pwin" signal is mixed: the multi-lot structure and potential for multiple framework members per lot suggest openness, but the cascade award method for call-offs means framework admission does not guarantee work. The potential for a new national procurement arrangement also introduces a degree of uncertainty.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: WWETB RFT - Contracted Training Services 7 Lots Final.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: 8744729
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on eTenders only.
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1 – Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 2 – Operation Document
• Appendix 3 – Draft Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions