Consultancy Service for As-Is Analysis and Report of Transition from Secondary to Tertiary Education

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

The contract involves providing consultancy services to conduct a comprehensive As-Is analysis and report on the transition from secondary to tertiary education. The contractor will analyze the current user journey for individuals interacting with public services during this transition. The scope includes:

• Deliverables:

• A detailed As-Is analysis report.

• Recommendations based on the analysis.

• Named Systems:

• Not specified.

• Named Locations:

• Not specified.

• Volumes:

• The analysis will cover the user journey of individuals transitioning from secondary to tertiary education.

• Workflows:

• Data collection through quantitative and qualitative methods.

• Analysis and interpretation of data.

• Presentation of results in a structured format.

The contractor must also be prepared to extend the scope of the contract to include the delivery of the report's recommendations and associated tasks, subject to budget approval and satisfactory performance.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) to enhance the transition process from secondary to tertiary education. The initiative aligns with government policies aimed at improving educational pathways and ensuring that public services effectively support students during this critical transition. The contract is part of a broader strategy to optimize educational frameworks and improve user experiences. 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 €250,000 over the last three financial years.

• Insurance:

• Employer’s Liability: €13m

• Public Liability: €6.7m

• Professional Indemnity: €1m

• Cyber Insurance: €1m

• Product Liability: Not applicable

• Certifications:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Past experience:

• Minimum of two comparable projects completed in the past four 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 score will be out of 1,000 marks, with a minimum threshold for each criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For each team member, with no specified page limit.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the designated template.
• Case studies: At least two, demonstrating relevant experience.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: Initial duration of one year, with the possibility of three extensions of up to 12 months each.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in detail.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the Prime Contractor must be designated.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €250,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The lack of specified certifications may create ambiguity regarding compliance expectations.
• The absence of detailed SLAs/KPIs could lead to misunderstandings regarding performance expectations.
• The requirement for a fully developed Project Implementation Plan may necessitate significant upfront investment in bid preparation.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have:

• A proven track record in consultancy services, particularly in educational transitions.
• The capacity to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• The ability to form consortia or subcontract as needed, as larger firms are encouraged to include SMEs in their proposals.
• An indicative bid-preparation effort of several days, depending on the complexity of the proposed approach and methodology.
• A moderate Pwin signal, as the absence of an incumbent may provide opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: DFHERIS AS IS RFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement