2025/14 - Re-Advertisement Year 2 of Panel for Suitable Sites for Gaeltacht Scholarship

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 Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) seeks to establish a panel of service providers for suitable sites for Gaeltacht Scholarships. This initiative aims to enhance Irish language skills among students in LMETB schools through various educational activities. The panel will cater to approximately 150 students annually, with services required for day trips, overnight stays, and residential courses lasting up to three weeks.

Key activities include:

• Course Duration Options:

• One overnight stay with meals and two days of activities.

• Two overnight stays with meals and three days of activities.

• Two-week residential courses with meals and a full programme.

• Three-week residential courses with meals and a full programme.

• Booking Lead Times:

• Minimum lead time of 30 days and a maximum of one year for booking.

• Annual Volume:

• Anticipated awards of approximately 150 scholarships per year, subject to school discretion.

• Food Provision:

• Nutritional meals accommodating dietary requirements.

• Accommodation Requirements:

• Suitable facilities for male and female students, including adequate washing and bathroom facilities.

• Medical Emergency Protocols:

• Outline of procedures for handling medical emergencies, including access to medical professionals.

• Compliance with Legislation:

• Adherence to relevant health and safety regulations, including the Fire Services Act and Child and Family Act.

• Staffing Requirements:

• Compliance with recommended staff/student ratios and Garda vetting for all personnel interacting with students.

• Photography Policy:

• Consent required for any images of participants used in promotional materials.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of this panel is part of LMETB's ongoing commitment to promoting the Irish language among students. The initiative aligns with national educational policies aimed at enhancing language skills and cultural engagement. LMETB, formed in 2013 from the merger of Louth and Meath VECs, serves a diverse student population across multiple educational levels and institutions. The establishment of this panel follows previous successful iterations, with the aim of continuing to provide quality educational experiences in Gaeltacht settings.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• 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 evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, with no specified page limit.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, with no specified page limit.
• Pricing schedule: Use the specified template for pricing.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Include Tax Clearance Access Number and other relevant declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Applications must be submitted via eTenders.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The panel will operate for three years, with annual reviews.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made based on invoicing, with purchase order numbers required.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be monitored, with poor performance potentially leading to contract termination.
• Termination clauses: Contracts may be terminated for non-compliance with performance standards.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The absence of specified turnover requirements may lead to uncertainty regarding financial stability.
• The lack of detailed past experience requirements could result in a wide range of qualifications among bidders.
• The annual re-advertisement of the panel may lead to fluctuating competition and availability of service providers.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in educational services, particularly in language instruction. Viable bidders should have:

• Relevant qualifications and experience in managing educational programs for youth.
• The capacity to meet insurance requirements and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• The ability to provide bilingual services, as documentation must be available in Irish or bilingually.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, indicating that individual firms may need to demonstrate full capability. Bid preparation may require several days to compile the necessary documentation and responses.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 2025 14 - Re-Advertise Year 2 Invitation to Tender Gaeltacht Scholarships for LMETB.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: 8403313
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 - Instructions to Tenderers, Pricing/Rate Card.