Barrow Corridor Tourism Masterplan

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

Waterways Ireland, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, sought to commission a comprehensive Tourism Masterplan for the Barrow Corridor, which encompasses the Grand Canal Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation. The primary objective is to inform strategic planning decisions that will facilitate sustainable development and enhance the corridor's appeal as a tourism destination for both domestic and international audiences.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• Evidence-driven evaluation: Assess the current tourism offerings, strengths, challenges, needs, and potential opportunities within the Barrow Corridor.
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): Integrate SEA and Appropriate Assessment (AA) processes into the Masterplan development.
• Vision development: Create a compelling vision aligned with Waterways Ireland’s 10-Year Plan and Fáilte Ireland’s strategies.
• Roadmap creation: Develop a roadmap detailing infrastructure investment and experience development projects to enhance tourism appeal.
• Project prioritization: Identify and prioritize at least 20 project opportunities based on a Multi-Criteria Scoring Matrix, including visitor number projections and value creation.
• Spatial mapping: Provide spatial maps evidencing the location of all identified projects, supported by GIS data.
• Consultative engagement: Conduct consultations with stakeholders, including local authorities and community representatives, in accordance with an agreed Consultation and Engagement Plan.

The anticipated timeline for project completion is within 12 to 18 months from the contract signing.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of the Barrow Corridor Tourism Masterplan aligns with Waterways Ireland's strategic objectives and the broader goals of enhancing tourism infrastructure in Ireland. The need for this Masterplan has been underscored by empirical research indicating low vessel usage and visitor demand in the Barrow Corridor compared to other navigations. The collaboration between Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland aims to address these challenges and capitalize on the corridor's unique tourism potential.

Waterways Ireland has a history of managing and developing Ireland's inland waterways, with a focus on sustainable tourism and community engagement. The strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland has been in place since 2019, aiming to enhance the cultural, environmental, and economic landscape of the region.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €150,000 during each of the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability Insurance: €13 million
• Public Liability Insurance: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €2 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Stakeholder consultation must occur within a 3 km radius of Exit 15 on the N4 roadway.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle. There are no specified minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: Use the provided Tender Response Document (TRD) with specified page limits.
• CVs: For key personnel, with a maximum of two pages per CV.
• Pricing schedule: Format as per the named template.
• Case studies: Minimum of two, with values ranging from €50,000 to €200,000.
• 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 the eTenders post box facility.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: 12 to 18 months, with the potential for extensions based on performance and budget availability.
• Payment terms: Not specified for this tender.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate the contract for reasons outside its control, including increased costs due to changes in the Customs Union.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the lead contractor must assume overall responsibility for delivery.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover threshold of €150,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The requirement for extensive stakeholder consultations may complicate project timelines.
• The geographic constraint for consultations could limit the pool of eligible bidders.
• The absence of specified past experience requirements may lead to varied interpretations of eligibility.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should possess:

• Relevant experience in tourism planning, environmental assessments, and stakeholder engagement.
• The ability to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• The capacity to collaborate with other SMEs or larger firms if necessary, as consortiums are permitted.
• An indicative bid preparation effort of approximately 10-15 days, depending on the complexity of the proposal.

The presence of a strategic partnership between Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland may signal a preference for established firms with prior experience in similar projects.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [11.06.26 Published Barrow MP RFT.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: WI-4
• Contact for queries: Via the eTenders messaging facility only.
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 - Waterways Ireland’s Statutory Remit, Appendix 4 - Indicators of Visitor Demand for the Barrow Line and Barrow Navigation.