Investigation Support and Training for the Energy Safety Division (ESD)

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1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| Commission for Regulation of Utilities Investigation Support and Training for the Energy Safety Division (ESD) not stated not disclosed not stated Open Procedure not stated CRU offices, Dublin 24 24 months (with 12-month extension option) 2026-06-03 12:00 Q2 2026

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves providing investigation support and training for the Energy Safety Division (ESD) of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The successful contractor will deliver expert consultancy services to assist in regulatory investigations that may lead to enforcement actions against illegal electrical and gas works. The work is expected to be carried out on a drawdown basis, with training primarily delivered in the first year.

Key activities include:

• Investigation Support:

• Planning and conducting investigations.

• Reviewing and analyzing documentary, technical, and operational evidence.

• Ensuring compliance with legal and procedural requirements.

• Training Components:

• Case file composition, including report writing and evidence-based recommendations.

• Powers of CRU inspectors and scene entry procedures.

• Use of investigation equipment (e.g., cameras, inspector grab bags).

• Evidence gathering techniques, including photo management and interviewing.

• Evidence management before, during, and post-court proceedings.

• Managing joint cases involving illegal electrical and gas works.

• Roles and responsibilities of investigation team members.

• Courtroom skills, including providing expert evidence and liaising with prosecution counsel.

The contractor will be required to travel to various locations, including CRU offices, court, and other sites as necessary. The work will be sensitive and confidential, necessitating strict adherence to privacy protocols.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement aligns with the CRU's mission to protect public interest in energy safety and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The CRU has a statutory obligation to regulate the natural gas industry, as outlined in the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, and the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2006. The ESD's role includes investigating illegal works by unregistered contractors, which may lead to prosecutions. This tender is initiated to enhance the ESD's capacity to conduct thorough investigations and prosecutions effectively.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €200,000 (excl. VAT) for the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €0.25 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable contracts delivered in the last three years.
• 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 overall price/quality split is 70% quality and 30% cost. A minimum score of 60% is required for each quality criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document (using the provided template, no page limit specified).
• CVs of key personnel (no page limit specified).
• Pricing schedule (using the provided template).
• Case studies (minimum of three, detailing contracts of similar value and nature).
• Declarations (including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest).
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic post-box on www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: Initial contract term of 24 months, with an option for a 12-month extension.
• Payment terms: Not specified in detail.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Quality of service, time-bound targets, and financial management metrics.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €200,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The contract's reliance on ad hoc incident occurrences may lead to unpredictable workload and revenue for the contractor.
• The requirement for extensive regulatory and courtroom experience may narrow the pool of eligible bidders.
• The sensitive nature of the work may impose additional compliance and confidentiality burdens.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in regulatory investigations and training. Viable bidders should have:

• Experience in criminal or regulatory investigations, ideally with courtroom exposure.
• The capability to maintain a roster of available expert consultants.
• A strong understanding of the CRU's regulatory framework and safety standards.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but may be feasible depending on the expertise required. Bid preparation may require several days to compile the necessary documentation and case studies. The incumbent's strength and the specificity of the requirements may indicate a competitive bidding environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Non OJEU ITT ESD Investigation Support Ref 011-03-636.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: Not specified; queries must be directed through the eTenders messaging facility.
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Statement of Requirements, Appendix 2 — Grading Criteria, Appendix 4 — Contract Terms and Conditions.