Call for Tender for the Provision of Marine Stewardship Council Assessment for Irish Albacore Tuna

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 |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| Bord Iascaigh Mhara - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (BIM) Call for Tender for the Provision of Marine Stewardship Council Assessment for Irish Albacore Tuna 90700000 €65,000 not stated Open not stated Ireland not stated 2026-06-22 11:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contractor is responsible for conducting a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment for Irish Albacore Tuna. This assessment aims to evaluate the sustainability of the fishery and ensure compliance with MSC standards. The contractor will engage in the following activities:

• Assessment Phases:

• Pre-Assessment: Initial evaluation of the fishery against MSC criteria.

• Full Assessment: Comprehensive review including stakeholder consultations and data analysis.

• Final Report: Submission of a detailed report outlining findings and recommendations.

• Deliverables:

• A minimum of 5% observer coverage of fishing effort in the pelagic longline and purse seine fisheries.

• Collection of primary and secondary species information by 28 May 2026.

• Implementation of a management strategy by 28 May 2026.

• Named Systems: Utilization of the Stock Synthesis model to analyze fishery data.

• Locations: Assessments will be conducted in various fishing grounds within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The contractor must ensure compliance with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) regulations and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) standards.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being procured to support the sustainability of the Irish Albacore Tuna fishery, which is critical for maintaining fish stocks and ensuring compliance with international fishing standards. The assessment aligns with the objectives of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to promote responsible fishing practices and enhance the marketability of Irish seafood. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve fisheries management and conservation efforts in Ireland. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €90,000 over the past three years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €2,600,000
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• 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.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best price-quality ratio.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, with a maximum of 10 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in the provided template.
• Case studies: Provide 2 case studies of similar projects, with values between €20,000 and €65,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, adhering to the specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The contract duration is not specified, but it may include extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon receipt of valid invoices, subject to compliance with contract terms.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The client reserves the right to terminate the contract for non-compliance or failure to deliver services.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property rights in the materials produced will vest in the client.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €90,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• Lack of specified past experience requirements could lead to variability in bid quality.
• The absence of detailed scoring criteria may create uncertainty in the evaluation process.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in marine assessments or fisheries management. A viable bidder should have:

• Relevant expertise in marine biology or fisheries science.
• The capacity to meet insurance requirements.
• The ability to conduct assessments in compliance with MSC standards.

Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but may be permissible. Bid preparation is estimated to require approximately 10-15 days. The incumbent's strength is not disclosed, but the absence of specified past experience may indicate an opportunity for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Not specified.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: Not specified.
• Important attachments:
• Annex 4 - Services Contract (BIM 2026-21).pdf
• Appendix B - Suitability Assessment (if applicable).