MI-CFT26-027 Charter Vessels for both angling and receiver maintenance for the MOSAIC project under a multi-supplier framework agreement

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This tender seeks to establish a multi-supplier framework agreement for the provision of charter vessels. These vessels will support the Marine Institute's MOSAIC project, specifically for angling activities and receiver maintenance. The framework is designed to accommodate a minimum of two and a maximum of four service providers, potentially allocated by geographical location. The contract duration extends up to September 2029.

The core services required from the appointed contractors include:

• Charter Vessel Provision: Supplying suitable vessels for specific project tasks.
• Angling Support: Vessels will be used to facilitate angling activities, which may involve deploying and retrieving equipment, and supporting personnel during these operations. Specific species mentioned for tagging include porbeagle (March to September) and flapper skate (July to September), indicating a need for vessels capable of operating during these periods.
• Receiver Maintenance: Vessels will be required for the maintenance of scientific receivers. This likely involves deployment, retrieval, servicing, and repair of underwater acoustic or environmental monitoring equipment.
• Operational Requirements: Contractors must ensure vessels are operated with due care, skill, and diligence. They must comply with all applicable laws, including environmental, social, and labour law.
• Personnel: The contractor is responsible for the employment, remuneration, taxes, immigration, and work permits of all personnel assigned to the services. Key personnel, as specified in the submission, must be available for the duration of the agreement.
• Reporting and Compliance: Contractors must maintain records, comply with reporting arrangements, and adhere to service levels and performance indicators as set out in Schedule D of the framework agreement.
• Health and Safety: Compliance with all local security and health and safety arrangements notified by the Client is mandatory.

The framework agreement itself does not guarantee any member will secure a contract; individual contracts will be awarded based on the availability of framework members within the specified period.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is for the Marine Institute, an Irish state agency responsible for marine research, technology, and innovation. The MOSAIC project, for which these charter vessels are required, is a key initiative within the Institute's operational remit. The establishment of a multi-supplier framework agreement indicates a strategic approach to securing flexible and responsive vessel support for ongoing and future research activities. The framework's duration, extending to September 2029, suggests a long-term requirement for these services, aligning with broader marine science and monitoring programmes. The procurement is being conducted under public sector tendering regulations.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this framework agreement, bidders must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Product Liability: €6m
• 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 also ensure that none of the exclusion grounds set out in Regulation 57 of the Public Authority Contracts Regulations 2016 apply to them.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of contracts under this framework will be based on a multi-supplier framework agreement. The criteria for selection and award are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but the framework agreement structure implies that bidders will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria. Once on the framework, individual contracts will be awarded based on availability of framework members. The text does not specify a price/quality split or scoring methodology for the initial framework selection.

6. Submission requirements

While specific submission requirements are not fully detailed in the provided text, the framework agreement indicates that a tender response submission will be incorporated by reference. Based on standard public procurement practices and the nature of a framework agreement, bidders are expected to provide:

• A comprehensive response to the Request for Tenders (RFT).
• Details of proposed vessels and their suitability for angling and receiver maintenance.
• Information regarding personnel, including key personnel and their qualifications.
• Confirmation of insurance coverage meeting the specified indemnity limits.
• Tax clearance details for online verification.
• Declarations confirming eligibility and absence of exclusion grounds.
• Pricing information, likely in a specified format, for services to be procured under the framework.
• Any other documentation required by the RFT and its associated clarifications.

The submission must remain valid for 120 days from the tender deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The framework agreement is established for a period up to September 2029.
• Payment: Payment of charges is subject to contractor compliance with the agreement, submission of valid invoices with required supporting documentation, and possession of a current Tax Clearance Certificate. Invoices are deemed accepted if no queries are raised within 14 calendar days. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 apply.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Service levels and performance indicators are set out in Schedule D of the framework agreement.
• Liquidated damages: Not explicitly detailed, but clause 5F allows for withholding payment if the Client is dissatisfied with performance, up to 50% of charges, pending remedy.
• Termination: Either party may terminate with 3 months' written notice. Immediate termination is possible for serious breaches (remediable within 30 days), insolvency, conflict of interest, or if exclusion grounds apply.
• IP ownership: All Intellectual Property Rights in materials produced for the agreement vest in the Client. The Contractor is granted a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use the Client's pre-existing IPR for the Term.
• Sub-contracting: The Contractor is the prime contractor and assumes full responsibility for its subcontractors. Subcontractors must comply with the agreement, and the Client can require replacement if exclusion grounds apply.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Multi-supplier framework with no guaranteed work: The framework agreement establishes a panel of suppliers, but there is no guarantee that any member will secure a contract. Work will be awarded based on availability, meaning successful bidders may receive minimal or no call-off contracts.
• Limited value: The estimated value of €180,000.00 for a framework potentially lasting until September 2029 is relatively low, suggesting individual call-off contracts may be small or infrequent.
• Insurance requirements: While standard, the specific indemnity limits for Public Liability (€6.5m) and Employer's Liability (€13m) are significant for small vessel operators.
• Long framework term with short notice for termination: The framework extends to September 2029, but either party can terminate with only 3 months' written notice, offering limited long-term security for contractors.
• Specific species/seasonal tagging: The mention of porbeagle and flapper skate tagging with specific seasonal windows implies a need for vessels capable of operating in potentially challenging conditions during those periods.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a multi-supplier framework agreement, aiming for a minimum of two and a maximum of four service providers. This suggests it is open to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can meet the insurance requirements and demonstrate capability in providing charter vessels for scientific research.

• Who can credibly bid: SMEs with existing charter vessel operations, particularly those with experience in supporting marine research, environmental monitoring, or similar activities, are well-positioned. Bidders must possess the required insurance levels. Experience in operating in Irish waters and potentially during specific seasonal windows for species like porbeagle and flapper skate would be advantageous.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: The framework agreement allows the Contractor to use subcontractors, and they assume full responsibility for them. This means SMEs could potentially bid individually or as part of a consortium.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a compliant bid for a framework agreement typically involves significant effort. This would include detailing operational procedures, vessel specifications, insurance documentation, and pricing structures. An estimate of 5-10 days of dedicated effort for a small business, depending on existing documentation and familiarity with public procurement, is reasonable.
• Pwin signal: The multi-supplier nature suggests a competitive process. The low estimated value and no guaranteed work indicate that incumbent advantage may be less of a factor than demonstrated capability and competitive pricing for individual call-offs. The primary signal is the Marine Institute's need for flexible, specialized vessel support.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): MI-CFT26-027 Charter Vessels for both angling and receiver maintenance for the MOSAIC project under a multi-supplier framework agreement
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: www.etenders.gov.ie (messaging facility)
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 5 - Draft Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement.docx
• RFT document (title specified above)
• Schedule B – Specification of Services (referenced within Appendix 5)