Readvertisement Year 3 of Panel for suitable Service Providers for the provision of Welding Training Courses and Demonstrations in 8 Lots

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

This procurement seeks to establish a three-year panel of suitable service providers for the provision of welding training courses and demonstrations across eight distinct lots. The panel will serve as a mechanism from which Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) will source providers for specific training needs as they arise. The anticipated value for services under the panel is a maximum of €750,000 (excluding VAT) over its duration. Individual contracts awarded from the panel are expected to range from €50,000 to €175,000 per annum.

The scope of services encompasses the delivery of welding training and demonstrations, with specific lots defined by welding disciplines and associated standards:

• Lot 1: MIG/MAG Welding (EN9606), TIG Welding (EN9606), MMA Welding (EN9606)
• Lot 2: Oxy-Acetylene Welding & Brazing Welding (EN9606)
• Lot 3: Orbital TIG Welding (EN9606)

The panel is open to applications throughout its three-year term, with annual re-advertisements on eTenders. LMETB requires a minimum of two weeks' notice to deliver a training programme, though requests are envisaged to be made further in advance. In certain circumstances, a minimum of five working days' notice may be provided.

Key operational requirements include:

• Personnel: Contractors must ensure all personnel engaged possess the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications. Key Personnel must be available for the term of any awarded contract, with provisions for replacement personnel of equivalent expertise. Garda Vetting will be required for personnel with access to children and/or vulnerable adults.
• Equipment: Contractors are responsible for providing all necessary equipment and materials. Equipment brought onto client premises is at the contractor's risk.
• Quality and Standards: Services must be supplied in accordance with good industry practice, applicable laws, and relevant EN9606 welding standards.
• Delivery: Services are to be performed at times and locations specified by LMETB. Incoterms® Rules 2020, DDP (Delivery Duty Paid), Client Premises apply.
• Invoicing and Payment: Invoices must be submitted to LMETB's designated contact and be accompanied by a current Tax Clearance Certificate. Payment is subject to a 14-day query period, after which invoices are deemed accepted. Late Payment in Commercial Transactions Regulations 2012 apply.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is a readvertisement for Year 3 of an established panel for welding training services. Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) is procuring these services to meet its ongoing training and skills development needs within the education and vocational sectors. The creation of a panel structure allows LMETB to efficiently source qualified providers for welding training courses and demonstrations as required. The services fall under the "Light Touch Regime" as defined by Annex XIV of EU Directive 2014/24/EU, specifically within the CPV codes for education and training services (80000000-4), including technical and vocational secondary education. This regime allows for a less prescriptive procurement process compared to full EU directives. The panel aims to ensure a pool of competent service providers is available to support LMETB's strategic objectives in skills development.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the panel:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000
• Notation of Indemnity to LMETB is required.
• 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.

Additionally, bidders must provide their Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for verification.

5. Award criteria & scoring

As this is a panel establishment procedure, the primary focus is on meeting the minimum eligibility and quality criteria. Once qualified, providers are admitted to the panel. Contracts awarded from the panel will be subject to further evaluation, likely based on a combination of quality and price. The document indicates that for a "very good" description (Scoring Band 4), a minimum of 61% of the total marks may be awarded. The specific award criteria and scoring for individual contracts arising from the panel are not detailed in this RFT document.

6. Submission requirements

Applicants are required to complete an Application Response Document available via www.etenders.gov.ie. Specific submission requirements include:

• Application Response Document: Completion of the provided document.
• Cover Letter: Not explicitly detailed, but implied as part of the application.
• Pricing Schedule: Not specified for the panel application stage, but pricing will be a factor for individual contract awards.
• Case Studies: Not specified for the panel application stage.
• Declarations:
• Tax Clearance Certificate (Access Number and Tax Reference Number required).
• Conflict of Interest declaration.
• Bona Fides (implied through application).
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Applications must be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie.

7. Key dates & process

The panel will operate for a 3-year period and is open to applications throughout that period. It will be re-advertised on eTenders on an annual basis.

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The panel will operate for 3 years, unless cancelled.
• Extension: Not specified for the panel itself, but annual re-advertisements suggest ongoing procurement.
• Payment: Subject to invoices submitted with a current Tax Clearance Certificate. Payment is due after a 14-day query period. Late Payment in Commercial Transactions Regulations 2012 apply.
• SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for the panel establishment, but implied for individual contracts.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for the panel establishment.
• Termination: LMETB may terminate with one month's written notice. Immediate termination is possible for serious breach, insolvency, conflict of interest, or registrable interest. Force majeure provisions allow for extensions; if delay exceeds 30 days, the unaffected party may terminate with 10 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting: Consortia and prime subcontractors are permitted.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Panel Structure: This is a panel establishment, not a direct award of a single contract. Providers are admitted to the panel and then compete for individual contracts as they arise. This means successful bidders are not guaranteed work.
• Open Application Period: The panel is open for applications throughout its 3-year duration, with annual re-advertisements. This creates an ongoing competitive environment.
• Light Touch Regime: The procurement falls under the Light Touch Regime, meaning it is not fully subject to the detailed provisions of EU procurement directives. This offers flexibility but requires careful attention to the specific requirements outlined.
• Value Uncertainty: While an estimated total value of €750,000 (excluding VAT) is provided for the panel, the actual value of individual contracts awarded can vary significantly (€50,000 to €175,000 per annum).
• Deadline: The submission deadline is in July 2027, which is unusually far in the future for a Year 3 readvertisement, suggesting a long procurement cycle or potential for earlier contract needs to be met through other means.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a panel, making it accessible to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that specialise in welding training.

• Who can credibly bid: SMEs with demonstrable expertise in MIG/MAG, TIG, MMA, Oxy-Acetylene, and Orbital TIG welding, and experience in delivering accredited training courses (EN9606 standards). They must also meet the significant insurance requirements.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortia and prime subcontractors are explicitly permitted, allowing SMEs to partner with others to meet requirements or to bid as a subcontractor to a larger prime contractor.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a robust application for a panel, including detailing experience, quality assurance, and meeting insurance requirements, could require 5-10 days of effort for an SME.
• Pwin signal: The panel structure and open application period suggest a competitive environment. The presence of existing panel members (RIEM Training Solutions Ltd, Terence McEneaney Ltd T/A Nationwide Welding Institute) indicates potential incumbents, but the open nature of the panel allows new entrants. The significant insurance requirements may be a barrier for very small or newly established businesses.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s):
• 2024/36 - Readvertisement Year 3 of Panel for suitable Service Providers for the provision of Welding Training Courses and Demonstrations in 8 Lots
• 2024 36 Request to participate Year 3 - Training Courses Welding.docx
• 2024 36 Standard Terms and Conditions.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
• Contact for Queries: Questions and Answers facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Most important attachments:
• 2024 36 Request to participate Year 3 - Training Courses Welding.docx (Application document and instructions)
• 2024 36 Standard Terms and Conditions.pdf (Contractual terms)