Communications Campaign on the Benefits of Learning Irish in English-Medium Schools

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 will develop, design, and deliver a communications campaign aimed at promoting the benefits of learning Irish in English-medium schools. The campaign will target multiple audience segments, including primary and post-primary students, parents, teachers, and the wider school community. The work will encompass strategy formulation, creative development, production, and campaign delivery.

The key activities include:

• Communications Plan: Develop a comprehensive strategy that outlines the campaign's objectives, target audiences, messaging, and channels.
• Campaign Development and Delivery: Create and execute the campaign across various platforms, ensuring alignment with the overall strategy.
• Video Production: Produce videos featuring testimonials and real-life experiences related to learning Irish. The number and format of videos will be determined in collaboration with the successful bidder.
• Additional Campaign Materials: Develop supplementary materials such as social media content, digital toolkits, interactive content, posters, and other promotional items.
• Audience Engagement: Facilitate school participation for video production and ensure that the campaign resonates with the target audience.
• Evaluation Metrics: Establish KPIs to measure the campaign's success, including awareness, engagement, and sentiment shifts.

The contractor will work closely with COGG to ensure that all materials are appropriate for the intended audience and meet any existing guidelines.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with the strategic objectives of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG) to enhance the visibility and perceived value of learning Irish in English-medium schools. The campaign is part of a broader initiative to promote bilingual education and increase the uptake of Irish among students. The timing of this tender reflects a renewed focus on language education and the importance of fostering a bilingual culture within the school system. COGG is looking to engage a contractor with experience in educational campaigns to effectively communicate these benefits.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €200,000 in the relevant area of work.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €2,600,000
• Employer's Liability: €13,000,000
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of 3 comparable projects completed in the last 5 years, each with a budget of at least €50,000.
• Personnel: At least one project manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience in campaign management.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The price/quality split is 60/40. There are no minimum scoring thresholds specified for individual criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: A detailed proposal outlining the approach to the campaign, adhering to any specified templates.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: A detailed breakdown of costs using the provided template.
• Case studies: At least 2 relevant case studies demonstrating past successes in similar campaigns.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, following any specific format rules outlined in the tender documents.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Not specified for this tender.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon completion of agreed milestones.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Specific performance indicators will be established in collaboration with the successful bidder.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: COGG reserves the right to terminate the contract for non-performance.
• IP ownership: All materials produced under the contract will be owned by COGG.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is permitted but must be disclosed and approved by COGG.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The budget of €80,000 may be insufficient for the full scope of work, particularly if additional funding is not secured.
• The requirement for multiple deliverables across different audience segments could complicate project management and execution.
• The absence of specified geographic constraints may lead to a wider pool of bidders, but it could also result in challenges in aligning with local educational contexts.
• The timeline for campaign execution is tight, with a go-live target in the first half of 2027, which may pressure the successful bidder to deliver quickly.

10. SME fit assessment

A small Irish business with the following characteristics could credibly bid:

• Size/Specialism: Firms with experience in educational campaigns, marketing, and communications.
• Certifications: Relevant insurance and possibly ISO certifications would be advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Allowed, which may enable smaller firms to partner with others to meet the requirements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Approximately 10-15 days to prepare a competitive bid.
• Pwin signal: The incumbent's strength is not mentioned, but the absence of a specified incumbent may indicate an open field for new bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Ceisteanna_An Feachtas Cumarsáide.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not stated
• Contact email: not stated
• Important attachments:
• Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment
• Mandatory Requirements Schedule