Request for Tenders for the provision of Two Day Team Coaching for Senior Leadership / Management Teams

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 procurement seeks a provider to deliver a two-day team coaching intervention for senior leadership and management teams within An Garda Síochána. The services are intended to enhance the capabilities of these teams.

The core activities and requirements for the successful tenderer include:

• Service Delivery: Provision of a two-day team coaching program. This intervention is specifically targeted at An Garda Síochána's senior leadership and management personnel.
• Target Audience: The coaching is for "Senior Leadership / Management Teams." The exact number of teams or individuals to be coached is not specified, but the context implies a focus on key decision-making and operational management groups within the organisation.
• Program Structure: The coaching intervention is explicitly defined as a "Two Day Team Coaching Intervention." This indicates a structured, time-bound program rather than ongoing consultancy.
• Location of Service: While not explicitly stated, the services are for An Garda Síochána, implying delivery within Ireland.
• Contract Duration: The resulting Services Contract will have an initial term of two (2) years.
• Extension Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the contract term by up to one (1) year, with a maximum of three (3) such extensions, subject to legal obligations.
• Estimated Usage: The estimated expenditure of €65,000 (excl. VAT) over the Term and any extensions is based on current and future expected usage, suggesting a variable demand that the budget reflects.
• Confidentiality: Tenderers must treat all information disclosed by the Contracting Authority as confidential and must not use, communicate, reproduce, or publish it without prior written permission.
• Personnel Vetting: The successful tenderer and all personnel, including subcontractors, will be required to undergo Garda vetting and security clearance before a contract is signed and on an ongoing basis. The Commissioner reserves the right to refuse entry or require removal of personnel.

The tender documents do not detail specific coaching methodologies, desired outcomes beyond general team enhancement, or the exact composition of the teams to be coached.

3. Background & buyer context

An Garda Síochána, the national police force of Ireland, is procuring team coaching services for its senior leadership and management teams. This procurement is conducted under an open procedure, aligning with EU and Irish public procurement regulations. The estimated value of the contract is €65,000 (excl. VAT) over an initial two-year term, with potential for extensions. The Contracting Authority, An Garda Síochána, aims to enhance the effectiveness of its leadership and management groups through this intervention. The tender documents also highlight a policy to encourage participation by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), suggesting a desire for broader market engagement. There is no mention of an incumbent provider in the provided text.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, bidders must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• Turnover requirement:
• Minimum average annual turnover of €26,000 (excl. VAT) over the past three financial years. Evidence required via a signed Accountant's statement or equivalent.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: €6,500,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Tenderers must confirm that their insurance policies include Ireland within their territorial limits and are not aware of exclusions that would materially impact coverage. Formal confirmation from the insurer/broker will be required prior to award.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement for vetting.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender, beyond the requirement for insurance policies to cover Ireland.

Tenderers must also confirm acceptance of the Services Contract terms and conditions and complete the European Single Procurement Document (eESPD).

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are detailed in Part 3 of the RFT. While specific scoring weights are not provided in the extract, the tender follows a standard public procurement approach where tenders are evaluated against both selection and award criteria.

The tender documents indicate that the evaluation will be based on Award Criteria detailed in Part 3.3. The overall approach is likely a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) evaluation, balancing price and quality, though the specific weighting and scoring methodology are not detailed in the provided text. A minimum scoring threshold per criterion or overall is not specified.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must adhere to the following submission requirements:

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must respond to each element in the order set out in the RFT and conform to all instructions. Specific templates for the response document are not detailed, but it must be text searchable (not scanned images) and not exceed stated word count limits for award criteria. Formatting alterations are prohibited.
• CVs: Not explicitly mentioned as a mandatory submission item in the provided text.
• Pricing schedule: Tenderers must complete the Pricing Schedule at Appendix 2. Prices must be all-inclusive (excluding VAT), expressed in Euro, and remain valid for 180 days from the Tender Deadline.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD) must be completed electronically.
• Tenderer's Statement (Appendix 3) must be signed, scanned, and submitted on letterhead.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number must be provided for online verification.
• Declaration of independent tender preparation and disclosure of any conflicts of interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie. No other submission methods will be accepted. File size limits are 250MB per file, with a total limit of 2GB.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: The Services Contract will have an initial term of two (2) years.
• Extension: The Contracting Authority may extend the term for up to one (1) year, with a maximum of three (3) such extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract (Appendix 5).
• Price adjustments: Prices may be adjusted annually based on the Harmonised Consumer Price Index (HCPI) published by the Central Statistics Office.
• Termination: Not explicitly detailed in the provided text, beyond general clauses related to conflicts of interest or failure to meet security requirements.
• Sub-contracting: Subcontractors must be identified, and if they are relied upon for selection criteria, they must submit a separate eESPD. If not relied upon for selection criteria, they must still submit a relevant section of the eESPD. The Prime Contractor is responsible for all services, irrespective of subcontracting.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond: Not specified for this tender.
• Indemnity to Principal: Employer's Liability and Public Liability policies must include an indemnity to principal's clause.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Vetting and Security Clearance: A significant requirement is the mandatory Garda vetting and security clearance for all personnel and subcontractors. The Commissioner reserves the right to refuse entry or remove personnel without explanation, requiring the contractor to propose alternatives. This process can introduce delays and potential disruption if personnel fail clearance.
• Low Turnover Requirement: The minimum average annual turnover requirement of €26,000 is notably low relative to the potential contract value and insurance levels. This could indicate a desire to attract smaller, specialised providers, but also raises questions about the capacity of firms meeting only this minimum to handle the insurance demands or scale of potential future work.
• Lack of Specificity on Outcomes: The scope is described as "Two Day Team Coaching Intervention." The RFT does not detail specific desired behavioural changes, performance metrics, or the exact composition of the teams, leaving significant interpretation to the tenderer regarding the precise nature and impact of the coaching.
• Insurance Levels: The insurance requirements (€13m EL, €6.5m PL/PD/PI) are substantial for a contract with an estimated value of €65,000. This may present a barrier for smaller firms or require careful management of insurance costs.
• No Incumbent Information: The absence of information about an incumbent provider means tenderers cannot easily assess past performance or existing relationships.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to be accessible to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The low turnover requirement of €26,000 average annual turnover over three years is a key indicator. However, the substantial insurance requirements (€13m Employer's Liability, €6.5m Public Liability, Product Liability, and Professional Indemnity) represent a significant hurdle that may disproportionately affect very small businesses.

• Credible Bidder Profile: A viable bidder would likely be a specialist coaching or organisational development firm with a proven track record in delivering team coaching to senior management. They must be able to secure the high levels of insurance required. The firm should have experience operating within Ireland to meet insurance territorial requirements.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Consortiums and subcontracting are permitted. SMEs are explicitly encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises to participate. A prime contractor will be designated, responsible for all services, including those performed by subcontractors.
• Indicative Bid-Prep Effort: Estimating bid preparation effort is challenging without knowing the specific response document structure and detail required for award criteria. However, gathering insurance confirmations, preparing financial statements for turnover verification, and detailing the coaching approach could require 5-10 days of focused effort for an experienced firm.
• Pwin Signal: The low turnover requirement and encouragement for SMEs suggest the tender is genuinely open. However, the high insurance levels might favour firms already operating at a scale that necessitates such cover. The absence of an incumbent means there is no direct competitive history to assess. The tender is likely open to multiple providers, with the award based on the best overall proposal.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: T.038.2026 RFT_LMD - Two Day Team Senior Leadership-Management Coaching for AGS.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Services Contract