IP/2026/06 Ground Transportation Services for International Media

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 ground transportation services for international media, journalists, and visiting trade and industry clients traveling around the island of Ireland. The services aim to promote Ireland as a tourist destination, including Northern Ireland. The contractor will be responsible for the following activities:

• Transportation Services: Provide vehicles and drivers for media groups, accommodating various trip lengths, typically ranging from 3 to 10 days.
• Driver Guide Services: Offer knowledgeable drivers who can provide insights and information about the locations visited.
• Scheduling and Coordination: Manage logistics for media visits, including scheduling pickups and drop-offs, ensuring timely arrivals for events and shoots.
• Volume of Service: Handle multiple media groups simultaneously, with an average duration of trips being 3 to 5 days.
• Flexibility: Adapt to last-minute changes in schedules or requirements, as media visits may have a notice period of 5 weeks but can vary.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure high standards of service delivery, including vehicle maintenance and driver professionalism.

The contractor must be prepared to meet the demands of various media organizations and adapt to the dynamic nature of media schedules.

3. Background & buyer context

Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority, tasked with promoting Ireland as a competitive tourism destination. This tender is being issued to enhance the support provided to international media, which plays a crucial role in marketing Ireland. The procurement aligns with Fáilte Ireland's strategic objectives to bolster tourism through effective media representation. The timing of this tender reflects an ongoing commitment to improving service delivery in the tourism sector, particularly in light of increasing media interest in Ireland as a travel destination.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €200,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: €13,000,000
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1,300,000 for each claim
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable contracts completed within the last three years, demonstrating similar scope and complexity.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance with these requirements.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the balance between price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template, adhering to any page limits specified.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Use the designated template for pricing.
• Case studies: Provide details of three relevant projects, including their value.
• 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 platform, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The contract is for two years, with an option to extend for one additional year based on operational reviews and budget availability.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made within 15 days of receipt of a correct invoice.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: All materials developed during the contract will be owned by Fáilte Ireland.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontracting is permitted, but the primary contractor must be designated.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €200,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Insurance requirements: The high levels of required insurance may pose a barrier for some bidders.
• Experience requirements: The need for three comparable contracts within the last three years could exclude newer firms or those without extensive experience in media transportation.

10. SME fit assessment

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

• Credible bidding capacity: Firms with experience in transportation services, particularly in the tourism or media sectors, will be well-positioned to bid.
• Consortium or subcontracting: Bidders may form consortia or subcontract portions of the work, allowing for collaboration among smaller firms.
• Bid preparation effort: Preparing a competitive bid may require several days of effort, particularly in gathering documentation and case studies.
• Pwin signal: The presence of specific experience requirements and insurance thresholds may favor established firms, potentially reducing the chances for newer entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT Ground Transportation for International Media.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 – Fáilte Ireland Supply of Services Contract, Section A – Pass/Fail Criteria, Section B – Specification and Award Criteria.