Provision of Managed Business Process Support Services for CORU

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start | :-------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- | :------------- | :---------------- | :----------- | :--------------- | :----- | :--------- | :---------------- | :-------------------- | :---------------- | Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) Provision of Managed Business Process Support Services for CORU Not stated €900,000 €900,000 Open procedure Not stated Ireland 2 years + 2 x 12-month extensions 2026-10-19 11:00 Not stated

2. Scope of Work

The Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) requires managed business process support services to process overseas qualification recognition and registration applications. The contract aims to augment CORU's workforce to handle application volumes efficiently. The service provider will manage a team based in Ireland, reporting to a CORU Senior Manager. All personnel will receive training from CORU on its processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and checklists. Consistency and high-quality service delivery are paramount.

The core activities include:

• Verification of Registration Applications: Processing standard (S38) and grandparenting (S91) digital registration applications from receipt to the point of decision queuing.
• Verification of Overseas Recognition Applications: Processing digital overseas qualification recognition applications from receipt to the point of assessment queuing by CORU assessors.
• Process Adherence: Strictly following established checklists and SOPs for S38, S91, and overseas applications.
• Document Handling: Uploading application documents electronically and managing a limited volume of postal submissions.
• Applicant Support: Handling calls and responding to applicant queries within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Data Validation: Validating applicant data against defined criteria.
• Identity Verification: Executing identity checks using Keesing software.
• Incomplete Application Management: Corresponding with applicants regarding incomplete submissions and assessing newly received documents.
• System Updates: Updating the electronic system, uploading necessary documentation, and setting appropriate application statuses.
• Third-Party Verification: Conducting document verification through third parties, such as universities and employers.
• Clerk Duties: Potentially inputting e-Vetting invites through the National Vetting Bureau.
• Issue Escalation: Escalating issues to the designated CORU contact.
• Communication and Reporting: Maintaining consistent communication and providing reports through scheduled meetings.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics for quality control.
• Change Management: Engaging in change management and contingency planning.

The services are to be delivered in Ireland, requiring the proposed team to attend face-to-face training and virtual meetings. The workforce must be flexible to adjust to fluctuating application volumes.

3. Background & buyer context

CORU is Ireland's statutory regulator for health and social care professionals, established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Its mission is to protect the public by ensuring high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competence through statutory registration. CORU regulates professions including dietitians, dispensing opticians, optometrists, medical scientists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, radiographers, radiation therapists, social workers, social care workers, and speech and language therapists. The current procurement seeks to enhance CORU's capacity to process applications for overseas qualification recognition and registration, a function critical to maintaining public safety and professional standards. This initiative aligns with CORU's vision of achieving regulatory system confidence and recognition.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Tenderers must demonstrate an average annual turnover of €1,500,000 over the past three financial years. This can be fulfilled by the consortium as a whole if a joint response is submitted.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Product Liability: Not specified for this tender.
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million limit.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate previous experience of a minimum of three reference projects of a similar nature.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: The supervisor and resources are to be based in Ireland to attend face-to-face training when required.

Tenderers must also declare, via the eESPD, that no grounds for exclusion apply or that sufficient measures are in place to demonstrate reliability if exclusion grounds do apply. Compliance with social security and revenue obligations for the duration of the contract is required. Tax Clearance Certificates will be required upon contract award.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded on the basis of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). A minimum score of 60% must be achieved for each qualitative award criterion (A, B, and C) to be considered for award. Failure to meet this threshold on any qualitative criterion will result in exclusion. The cost score is calculated based on the lowest ultimate cost receiving maximum marks, with others scored proportionally. Tie-break rules favour the tender with the highest combined qualitative scores, then Criterion A.

6. Submission requirements

• eESPD: Completion and submission of the electronic European Single Procurement Document (eESPD) via www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Tenderer's Statement: A scanned signed copy of the Tenderer's Statement, as set out in Appendix 3, printed on the tenderer's letterhead.
• Pricing Schedule: Completion of the Pricing Schedule and Form of Tender included in the Tender Response Document (TRD).
• Supporting Documentation: Submission of all documentation required by the RFT, including evidence for selection criteria.
• Format: Tenders must be submitted in English and compiled in a format readable by PDF readers.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic post-box on www.etenders.gov.ie. A maximum of 4GB is allowed for combined documents.
• Declarations: Tenderers must declare acceptance of RFT requirements and the Services Contract terms.
• Consortia/Subcontractors: If a group of undertakings submits a tender, a single nominated entity must be authorised to represent all members.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract has an initial term of two years, with a maximum of two possible 12-month extensions, subject to CORU's obligations at law. Payment terms are not explicitly detailed but are subject to standard invoice acceptance periods (14 days for deemed acceptance if no queries). Performance will be continually monitored, and CORU reserves the right to terminate the contract for failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance. Liquidated damages are not specified. Sub-contracting is permitted, but the prime contractor remains responsible. The contract is subject to a standstill period of at least 14 calendar days after notification of award results.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The estimated annual value of €900,000 is an estimate only, and CORU is under no obligation to purchase any minimum value of services. Tenderers must be aware that the contract is subject to annual funding availability, implying potential budget fluctuations or contract termination if funding is not secured. The requirement for personnel to be based in Ireland for face-to-face training is a specific operational constraint. The tender follows an open procedure, but the emphasis on SMEs and local/sustainable sourcing suggests a preference for proposals that demonstrate these aspects.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to allow participation by SMEs, either directly or through collaboration. The requirement for an average annual turnover of €1.5 million over three years suggests that very small, newly established businesses may find this threshold challenging unless they form a consortium. The tender explicitly encourages SMEs to explore collaboration with other SMEs or larger enterprises if the scope is beyond their capacity. Consortium bids are permitted, with a nominated prime contractor responsible for overall delivery. The bid preparation effort would likely involve significant time for developing the service delivery and security plans, alongside gathering financial and experience evidence. The Pwin signal is neutral, as no incumbent is named, and the open procedure suggests a competitive field.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: [260917 CORU RFT - Managed Business Process Support Services.pdf]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 3 - Tenderer's Statement
• Form of Tender/Pricing Schedule
• Services Contract (attached to tender pack)