AC-2026-20 Provision of Literature (Irish-Language) Advisor Services

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 Arts Council seeks a contractor to provide advisory services for Irish-language literature. The contractor will engage in activities that support the development and promotion of Irish-language literature. The scope includes:

• Advisory Services: Provide expert advice on Irish-language literature to the Arts Council.
• Programme Development: Assist in the development of programmes that promote Irish-language literature.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with authors, publishers, and other stakeholders to support the Irish-language literary community.
• Event Coordination: Organize and coordinate literary events, workshops, and seminars.
• Research and Reporting: Conduct research on trends and developments in Irish-language literature and prepare reports for the Arts Council.
• Policy Recommendations: Develop policy recommendations to enhance the support for Irish-language literature.
• Outreach Initiatives: Implement outreach initiatives to increase the visibility and accessibility of Irish-language literature.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor the impact of initiatives and evaluate their effectiveness in promoting Irish-language literature.

The contractor must demonstrate a deep understanding of the Irish-language literary landscape and possess the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve the objectives outlined by the Arts Council.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is part of the Arts Council's strategic initiative to promote and support Irish-language literature. The initiative aligns with the Council's ten-year strategy (2016–2025) to enhance the cultural landscape in Ireland. The procurement aims to fill a gap in advisory services for Irish-language literature, ensuring that the Arts Council can effectively support and develop this sector. The current focus is on expanding the reach and impact of Irish-language literature, fostering a vibrant literary community, and ensuring the sustainability of Irish-language literary works.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1,000,000
• Employer's Liability Insurance: €13,000,000 (if applicable)
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000 (if applicable)
• Cyber Security Indemnity Insurance: €500,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must detail in TRD that they have successfully delivered a minimum of two comparable projects.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The tender will be evaluated on a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) basis, with a 60/40 quality to price split. No minimum scoring thresholds are specified for individual criteria.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Not specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Not specified.
• Case studies: Minimum of two comparable projects.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders; specific format rules not specified.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract duration is not explicitly stated, but it may include a term with an extension structure. Payment terms are not specified. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) are not detailed. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not mentioned. Termination clauses, intellectual property ownership, sub-contracting rules, and parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies a high level of insurance requirements, which may limit the pool of potential bidders. The lack of detailed submission requirements and contract terms may introduce uncertainty in bid preparation. The absence of a specified contract length and go-live date could impact planning and resource allocation for potential bidders. Additionally, the tender's focus on Irish-language literature may require bidders to have specialized knowledge and experience in this niche area.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in Irish-language literature and advisory services. A viable bidder would typically have a strong background in literature, cultural programming, or similar fields. Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, suggesting that single-entity bids are preferred. The bid preparation effort is moderate, likely requiring several days to compile the necessary documentation and case studies. The presence of an incumbent is not mentioned, which may indicate an open field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not specified.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified.
• Important attachments: Not specified.