Invitation to Tender for a Social Media and Creator Agency Partner

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

Bord Bia seeks a strategic partner agency with expertise in social media and creator marketing to enhance its capabilities in these areas. The contract will involve the following activities:

• Campaign Development: Design and execute social media campaigns targeting both B2C and B2B audiences.
• Content Creation: Develop engaging content tailored for various social media platforms.
• Creator Management: Identify and collaborate with creators to amplify campaign reach.
• Performance Reporting: Provide regular performance reports and insights to Bord Bia.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Integrate sustainable practices into campaign strategies.

The contractor must demonstrate experience in delivering similar projects, with a focus on innovative approaches to audience engagement and brand positioning. The contract duration is 24 months, with the possibility of a 12-month extension based on performance and budget availability.

3. Background & buyer context

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is responsible for promoting Ireland's food, drink, and horticulture sectors. This procurement aligns with Bord Bia's strategic objectives to enhance its marketing capabilities in response to evolving consumer preferences and market dynamics. The initiative is part of a broader effort to position Ireland as a leader in sustainable food production and consumption. The timing of this tender reflects the increasing importance of digital marketing and creator partnerships in the food industry.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €400,000 for the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6.5 million or foreign equivalent.
• Professional Indemnity: €1.3 million for each claim or foreign equivalent.
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million (if applicable).
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of three comparable projects delivered in the last three years, with at least one project for Bord Bia.
• 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 a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, with a minimum scoring threshold of 50% for qualitative criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, adhering to any page limits.
• CVs: For key personnel involved in the project, with no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing template included in the Tender Response Document.
• Case studies: Provide three relevant case studies demonstrating past experience.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders postbox facility.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: 24 months, with one potential 12-month extension.
• Payment terms: Not specified.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Regular performance reporting required.
• Termination clauses: Not specified.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but must be disclosed in the tender submission.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The requirement for a minimum turnover of €400,000 may limit participation from smaller agencies.
• The lack of specified insurance requirements for certifications could lead to ambiguity in compliance.
• The contract's reliance on sustainability initiatives may require bidders to demonstrate significant expertise in this area, which could be a barrier for some firms.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate the necessary financial and technical capacity. Viable bidders are likely to be agencies with:

• Experience in social media and creator marketing.
• Established financial standing, with a turnover exceeding €400,000.
• Capacity to collaborate with other SMEs or larger firms if needed.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing SMEs to pool resources. Bid preparation is expected to require several days of effort, particularly for developing case studies and pricing proposals. The presence of an incumbent or previous winners may indicate a competitive landscape.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Final ITT - Social Media Tender.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Not specified
• Important attachments: Appendix A (Specification of Requirements), Tender Response Document.