UCDOPP5600 - MBA Study Tour

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 establishment of a panel agreement for the provision of international workshop services for MBA students at University College Dublin (UCD). The contractor is responsible for organizing and managing international study tours, which include various logistical and educational components. The scale of the work encompasses multiple travel options, with each option catering to groups of approximately 40 to 70 students.

Key activities include:

• Travel Arrangements: Booking flights, arranging accommodations, and managing transportation logistics for students.
• Program Development: Designing educational itineraries that include visits to relevant companies, cultural sites, and academic institutions.
• Hospitality Management: Coordinating dining arrangements and hospitality services during the tours.
• Safety and Risk Management: Implementing safety protocols and risk management policies to ensure the well-being of participants.
• Local Coordination: Providing a local guide or program manager available 24/7 for emergencies and support during the tours.
• Documentation Support: Assisting with visa applications and providing necessary travel documents for participants.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing processes for collecting feedback from participants to improve future tours.

The contractor must demonstrate experience in organizing similar international tours and possess a network of contacts to facilitate the educational components of the tours.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of UCD's initiative to enhance the educational experience of its MBA students through international exposure. The programme aligns with UCD's strategic goals to provide global learning opportunities and foster international collaboration. The procurement is timely as UCD seeks to expand its offerings in response to increasing demand for international study experiences among students. The incumbent provider is not specified, indicating an opportunity for new entrants to compete.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: A minimum turnover of €100,000 during any of the three previous fiscal years if applying for one option. If applying for multiple options, the turnover requirement shall be €100,000 per option.
• Insurance: Bidders must provide evidence of the following insurances:
• Public Liability: Not specified
• Employer's Liability: Not specified
• Product Liability: Not specified
• Professional Indemnity: Not specified
• Cyber: Not specified
• Motor: Not specified
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of successfully organizing three comparable international tours within the last five years.
• 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 both price and quality. Specific minimum scoring thresholds for each criterion are not detailed.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: A detailed response following the provided template, with no specified page limit.
• CVs: Curriculum Vitae for key personnel involved, with no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: A detailed pricing schedule using the specified template.
• Case studies: Evidence of three comparable projects, with no specified value range.
• Declarations: Including European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made through eTenders, adhering to any specific format rules outlined in the tender documents.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: The contract may be extended for up to 12 months, with a maximum of three such extensions.
• Payment terms: Not specified.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with one month’s written notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover threshold of €100,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller operators.
• The lack of detailed insurance requirements may raise concerns about liability coverage during international tours.
• The absence of specified geographic constraints may lead to confusion regarding the scope of service delivery.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should have:

• Relevant experience in organizing international tours or workshops, particularly in an educational context.
• The capacity to meet the turnover requirements, which may necessitate collaboration or subcontracting for smaller firms.
• A network of contacts in the relevant geographic areas to facilitate educational visits and engagements.
• The bid preparation effort is estimated to require several days, considering the need for detailed documentation and case studies.
• The presence of incumbents or established firms may signal a competitive environment, but the absence of specified incumbents opens opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: UCDOPP5600 MBA STUDY TOUR Response.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Qualification Questionnaire
• Appendix 4: European Single Procurement Document (ESPD)
• Appendix 6: Services Contract