Management Service for Onsite Crèche Facilities

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 |--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|------------------------------|------------------| Tallaght University Hospital Management Service for Onsite Crèche Facilities 85000000 €200,000 not stated Open 1 Tallaght 36 months 29 June 2026, 12:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the management of onsite crèche facilities at Tallaght University Hospital. The successful contractor will operate the crèche, primarily serving hospital staff, and ensure compliance with applicable legislation and best practices in early years/childcare. The service is expected to run year-round.

Key activities include:

• Operational Management: Overseeing daily operations of the crèche.
• Staffing: Hiring qualified childcare staff to meet regulatory requirements.
• Facility Maintenance: Responsible for cleaning, lighting, heating, plumbing, and electrical works, including fire alarm systems.
• Equipment Management: Utilizing equipment, furniture, fixtures, bedding, toys, and books provided by the hospital, which remain the property of the hospital.
• Compliance: Adhering to health and safety regulations and childcare standards.
• Communication: Engaging with parents and hospital staff to ensure service quality and satisfaction.

The contractor must manage up to 46 full-time equivalent places for children aged 3 months to 6 years, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Tallaght University Hospital's commitment to providing essential services to its staff, enhancing work-life balance and supporting employee retention. The decision to seek a contractor for the crèche service stems from the hospital's recognition of the need for reliable childcare options for its employees. The hospital has historically operated the crèche internally but is now looking to outsource this service to improve efficiency and service quality.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €500,000 (excl. VAT) over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,000,000
• Product Liability: €6,000,000
• Professional Indemnity: €2,000,000
• Content's Cover: €100,000
• 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 following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: At least 2, demonstrating relevant experience with a value range of €50,000 to €200,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: 36 months, with the possibility of two 12-month extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with 3 months' written notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but a single entity must be designated as the Prime Contractor.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €500,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Geographic constraints: Not specified, but any implicit local preference could restrict competition.
• Service continuity: The contract's reliance on consistent staffing and compliance with childcare regulations may pose operational challenges for new entrants.

10. SME fit assessment

The tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in childcare services. Viable bidders should have:

• Relevant childcare management experience and the necessary insurance coverage.
• The capacity to manage staffing and operational requirements effectively.
• The option to form consortia or subcontract to meet the tender requirements.

Bid preparation may require approximately 10-15 days, considering the documentation and compliance checks. The presence of a turnover threshold suggests that established firms with a proven track record in similar contracts may have a competitive advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: a 27052026 RFT TUH Services Template Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: TUH796
• Contact email: www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Services Contract