Provide strategic support for ETB-wide implementation of Enterprise Connect

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 contract involves providing strategic support for the implementation of the Enterprise Connect initiative across the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Ireland. The contractor will be responsible for a range of activities aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the ETBs through the integration of enterprise services.

Key activities include:

• Strategic Advice: Offering insights and recommendations on best practices for the implementation of Enterprise Connect.
• Project Management: Overseeing the project from initiation through to completion, ensuring timelines and milestones are met.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with various stakeholders, including ETB staff and external partners, to gather requirements and feedback.
• Training and Support: Developing and delivering training programs for ETB staff to ensure effective use of the new systems.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing metrics to assess the success of the implementation and making adjustments as necessary.
• Documentation: Creating comprehensive documentation of processes, methodologies, and outcomes to support future initiatives.

The contractor will work closely with SOLAS and the ETBs to ensure alignment with national education policies and strategic objectives.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated as part of a broader effort to modernize and enhance the operational capabilities of the ETBs in Ireland. The Enterprise Connect initiative is aligned with national education strategies aimed at improving service delivery and responsiveness to the needs of learners and communities. SOLAS, as the national agency for further education and training, seeks to ensure that the implementation of this initiative is executed effectively and efficiently. The urgency for this procurement arises from the need to meet specific timelines associated with government funding and policy directives.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 for each of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Professional Liability: €1m for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Public Liability: €6.5m for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Employers Liability: €12.7m for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of previous experience providing consultancy services relevant to the scope of work.
• 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 overall scoring will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, balancing price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Complete the provided template, adhering to page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the specified format in the Pricing Schedule document.
• Case studies: Provide at least 3 case studies of relevant projects, with values ranging from €50,000 to €500,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key terms of the contract include:

• Term: Initial term of 36 months, with an option for a single extension of up to 6 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon completion of agreed milestones, with specific invoicing requirements.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance metrics will be established to ensure service delivery meets agreed standards.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate the contract with 14 days' notice, subject to conditions.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property developed during the contract will be owned by SOLAS.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted but must be disclosed in the tender submission.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns specific to this tender include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €500,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• Lack of specified geographic constraints: While this may seem beneficial, it could lead to a wider pool of bidders, complicating the evaluation process.
• Tight timelines: The requirement for a rapid go-live may pose challenges for bidders in terms of resource allocation and project management.
• Incumbent advantage: If an incumbent provider exists, they may have an advantage in terms of familiarity with the ETB environment and existing systems.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have:

• A proven track record in providing consultancy services, particularly in the education sector.
• The capacity to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• Experience in managing similar projects, ideally with a focus on strategic implementation and stakeholder engagement.

Consortium bidding is allowed, which may enable smaller firms to collaborate and meet the requirements collectively. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at 10-15 days, depending on the complexity of the proposed methodology and the availability of relevant case studies. The presence of a minimum turnover requirement and the potential for an incumbent advantage may signal a moderate to high probability of winning (Pwin) for established firms with relevant experience.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 2616-SO-E - Strategic Support for Enterprise_CfT.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: 8407672
• Contact email: Not specified; use the messaging facility on eTenders for clarifications.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 3: Tenderers’ Statement
• Appendix 4: Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer