Consultancy Services to undertake a Placemaking Study and develop a Geospatial Resource for the PROXIMITIES project

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 contractor is tasked with providing consultancy services to conduct a Placemaking Study and develop a Geospatial Resource for the PROXIMITIES project. This project is supported by Interreg Europe funding and aims to enhance sustainable placemaking and proximity-based planning. The contractor will engage in the following activities:

• Policy and Placemaking Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing policies related to placemaking.
• Integration of Interregional Good Practices: Identify and incorporate best practices from other regions into the study.
• Development of Methodology: Create a replicable methodology for sustainable placemaking.
• Geospatial Resource Development: Develop a geospatial resource that supports the objectives of the PROXIMITIES project.
• Review of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES): Assess the current RSES for the Southern Region and provide recommendations based on findings.

The contractor must deliver a final report detailing findings, methodologies, and recommendations within the 16-week contract term.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the Southern Regional Assembly's efforts to revise the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), which commenced on 26th March 2026. The PROXIMITIES project aligns with broader regional development goals and is supported by Interreg Europe funding. The initiative aims to enhance regional planning through improved placemaking strategies. The buyer has not specified an incumbent contractor for this project.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• 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.

Bidders must provide documentary evidence demonstrating compliance with these requirements.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, focusing solely on quality as the cost element is fixed and does not exceed the budget of €24,390.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Use the template provided in Appendix 1, adhering to any page limits specified.
• CVs: Include CVs for all key personnel, with no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the Pricing Schedule in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Provide two case studies relevant to the services, detailing their value.
• Declarations: Include the European Single Procurement Document (eESPD), Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The contract will last for 16 weeks, with no specified extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract at Appendix 5.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• 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 estimated contract value of €24,390 is relatively low, which may limit the pool of qualified bidders.
• The absence of specified turnover requirements or past experience criteria may lead to a wide range of bid quality.
• The lack of clarity on key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) may create ambiguity in expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender appears suitable for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in placemaking and geospatial analysis. Key considerations include:

• Credible bidders: Firms with experience in urban planning, geospatial resource development, or consultancy services in similar projects.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: The tender does not explicitly mention consortium arrangements, but SMEs are encouraged to collaborate.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Estimated preparation time may range from 5 to 10 days, depending on the firm's existing capabilities.
• Pwin signal: The absence of an incumbent or specified past winners may provide an opportunity for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: PROXIMITIES RFT- Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Not specified; queries must be directed through the eTenders messaging facility.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement