Provision of International Climate Negotiation and Carbon Markets 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 contract involves the provision of International Climate Negotiation and Carbon Markets Services. The contractor will engage in activities related to climate negotiations and the functioning of carbon markets, which may include:

• Policy Development: Assisting in the formulation of national and international climate policies.
• Negotiation Support: Providing expertise during climate negotiations at various levels, including UNFCCC meetings.
• Market Analysis: Conducting assessments of carbon markets, including price trends, regulatory impacts, and market opportunities.
• Capacity Building: Offering training and workshops for stakeholders involved in climate negotiations and carbon market operations.
• Reporting: Preparing reports on negotiation outcomes, market developments, and policy impacts.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating discussions among government agencies, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to align interests and strategies.

The contractor is expected to allocate a maximum of 120 days over the 12-month contract period, based on an 8-hour workday. The contract may be extended for an additional 3 months at the discretion of the Contracting Authority.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with the Irish government's commitment to addressing climate change and fulfilling international obligations under the Paris Agreement. The Department of Climate Energy and the Environment seeks to enhance its capacity for effective participation in climate negotiations and the development of carbon markets. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to meet national climate goals and improve Ireland's environmental performance. The urgency of this procurement reflects the increasing complexity of international climate negotiations and the need for specialized expertise.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence, per insurance year.
• Professional Indemnity: €1.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Cyber and Data Protection cover: €1 million per occurrence in the annual aggregate.
• 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, balancing price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement: A response document following the provided template, with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel, with no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the named template.
• Case studies: At least two, with no specified value range.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie, adhering to specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: 12 months, with a possible extension of up to 3 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the Prime Contractor must be designated.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The estimated contract value of €140,000 may suggest a low turnover threshold, which could limit competition.
• The absence of specified past experience or personnel requirements may lead to a wide range of bidder qualifications, potentially affecting the quality of submissions.
• The lack of clarity on geographic constraints may create uncertainty for bidders regarding eligibility.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in climate negotiation and carbon markets. Viable bidders should possess:

• Relevant experience in international climate negotiations or carbon market operations.
• The capacity to meet insurance requirements.
• The ability to collaborate with other SMEs or larger firms if necessary.

Consortium bidding is permitted, allowing smaller firms to pool resources. Bid preparation may require several days of effort, depending on the complexity of the submission. The presence of a potentially low turnover threshold and the absence of a specified incumbent may signal a moderate Pwin for SMEs.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Request for Tender for the provision of International Climate Negotiation and Carbon Markets Services.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