HR-114 - Executive Search Recruitment 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 Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) seeks to procure Executive Search Recruitment Services for a term of 12 months, with the possibility of a single 12-month extension. The contractor will be responsible for sourcing, engaging, and placing candidates at the Chief Executive Officer level. The expected expenditure for the services is estimated to be between €70,000 and €100,000, exclusive of VAT.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• Candidate Sourcing: Identifying and attracting suitable candidates for CEO positions through various channels.
• Engagement: Conducting initial outreach and interviews to assess candidate suitability.
• Placement: Facilitating the hiring process, including negotiations and onboarding.
• Reporting: Providing regular updates to HIQA on the progress of candidate searches and placements.
• Compliance: Ensuring all recruitment activities adhere to relevant laws and regulations.

The contractor must demonstrate a verifiable track record of successfully placing candidates at the CEO level, with at least three contracts in the last five years that are similar in nature, scale, and scope to those sought by this RFT.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated as part of HIQA's ongoing efforts to enhance its leadership capabilities. The need for effective executive recruitment aligns with the organization's strategic objectives to improve health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA has a history of engaging external recruitment services for high-level positions, and this tender aims to ensure a competitive and transparent selection process. The incumbent service provider is not specified in the documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7M limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Public Liability: €6.5M limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Professional Indemnity: €100,000 for any one occurrence and in the aggregate per insurance year.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects within the last five years, demonstrating a mix of private and public sector examples.
• 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 scoring will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, with a minimum score of 60% required for each qualitative criterion to avoid elimination from the competition.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the named template with specific page limits.
• CVs: For key personnel, adhering to specified page counts.
• Pricing schedule: Must be completed using the named template.
• Case studies: Three examples of previous work, demonstrating relevant experience.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be issued for a term of 12 months, with the option for one 12-month extension. Key terms include:

• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the documentation.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated with 14 days' notice if either party breaches the agreement.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: The successful Tenderer must designate a single entity responsible for the contract, regardless of subcontracting arrangements.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The requirement for a minimum of three comparable projects may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The insurance requirements, particularly the high limits for Employer’s and Public Liability, may pose a barrier for smaller firms without the necessary coverage.
• The absence of specified geographic constraints may allow for broader participation, but the lack of clarity on personnel requirements could lead to uncertainty in bid preparation.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that have experience in executive recruitment, particularly at the CEO level. Viable bidders should have:

• A proven track record in sourcing and placing high-level candidates.
• The ability to meet the insurance requirements.
• Experience in both public and private sectors.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing SMEs to collaborate with larger firms if necessary. Bid preparation is expected to require several days of effort, particularly in gathering documentation and case studies. The presence of stringent experience requirements may signal a competitive landscape, with established firms likely having an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: HR-114 - RFT Executive Search.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.