Website redevelopment, migration, hosting and ongoing support and maintenance plus the delivery of other website development projects as required

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

Roscommon County Council (RCC) seeks a contractor for the redevelopment, migration, hosting, and ongoing support of its websites, specifically roscommoncoco.ie and roscommon.ie. The project aims to create a modern communication platform that supports a Content Management System (CMS) capable of managing multiple user roles and departmental webpage segregation.

Key activities include:

• Website Redevelopment: Redesigning the look and feel of the current website.
• Data Migration: Migrating approximately 17,000 published items from the existing pTools platform to the new CMS.
• CMS Requirements:
• Must support a minimum of 100 user accounts for content creators and site administrators.
• Must implement a single-step workflow approval process for content publishing.
• Must include built-in SEO, analytics, and accessibility tools.
• Accessibility Compliance: Websites must meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards, with reviews conducted every six months.
• Integration: The CMS must integrate with LocalGov APIs and support multilingual content in Irish and English.
• Training: Provide access to training materials for content creators and editors.
• Support Services: Include GDPR compliance measures, backup, disaster recovery, and maintenance services.

The contractor will also be responsible for ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring the platform remains functional and up-to-date throughout the contract period.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with RCC's strategic objectives to enhance public service delivery through improved digital communication. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize local government services and improve accessibility for users. The council has previously operated its websites on the pTools platform, which necessitates this redevelopment to meet current standards and user needs. The timing of this tender reflects RCC's commitment to providing efficient and user-friendly online services.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Confirmation that the tendering party's turnover exceeded €100,000 during each of the last three years or pro-rata if more recently established.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Cyber Liability: €1 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Tenderers must demonstrate access to skilled personnel, although specific roles and experience requirements are not detailed.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Tenderers must demonstrate capability to access two data centres located within the European Economic Area (EEA).

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The price/quality split follows the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided Tender Response Document (TRD) template; no page limits specified.
• CVs: For key personnel, although specific page counts are not stated.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in the TRD.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• 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 electronically via www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have a duration of five years with two optional one-year extensions. Key terms include:

• Payment terms: Not specified in detail.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Must include performance metrics for support and maintenance.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate the contract for reasons outside its control.
• IP ownership: RCC will own the content, platform, and customizations at the end of the support contract.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the main contractor must ensure compliance with all tender requirements.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €100,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The requirement for two data centres within the EEA could restrict bidders without established infrastructure.
• The contract's reliance on compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards may pose challenges for firms unfamiliar with accessibility requirements.
• The absence of specified past experience requirements may lead to variability in bidder qualifications.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in website development and hosting. Viable bidders should possess:

• A demonstrated ability to meet the financial and technical capacity requirements.
• Capability to form partnerships or consortia to meet the tender's demands.
• An estimated bid preparation effort of several days, depending on the complexity of the proposal.
• The presence of an incumbent may influence the competitive landscape, as familiarity with RCC's needs could provide an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RCC_WebsiteSupport_RFT_2026_Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Queries must be submitted via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments: Appendix I — Data Migration Plan, Appendix II — List of Stakeholders.