Open Competition for the Provision of Innovation services 536

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This procurement seeks expert and authoritative consulting services in the area of Innovation Services. The services will support both SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts) and STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering & Maths) disciplines, with a specific focus on the social and economic impact of research. The total value of the contract will not exceed €200,000 (excluding VAT) over its duration. Maynooth University reserves the right to increase or reduce the scope and duration of services at its sole discretion.

The services will be delivered through a multi-party framework agreement, expected to involve up to seven operators who meet the minimum criteria. Contracts under this framework can be awarded via direct drawdown from a capable provider who submitted the most economically advantageous tender for a specific requirement, or through a mini-tender competition among framework members. For projects valued under €4,999, the University may directly select one framework operator. Framework members must ensure their rates are consistent with those submitted in their tender response.

Key topics to be covered include:

• Start-Up, Spin-Out/Spin-In Strategy & Support
• Design Thinking, Value Proposition Design, Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Customer Discovery & Validation
• Commercialisation Feasibility, Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Readiness & Funding Process
• AI in Entrepreneurship - Future Skills
• Communicating Social & Economic Impact of Research & Innovation
• Innovation Challenge Activities

Potential service activities include:

• Design, content development, and delivery of services.
• Facilitation of workshops and presentations.
• Co-development of outputs.
• Feedback and impact evaluation.

The framework agreement will be for an initial term of two years, with the option to extend by two further one-year periods.

3. Background & buyer context

Maynooth University is a dynamic, research-led institution with a history dating back to the 18th century. It serves over 17,000 students across science and engineering, humanities, and social sciences. The university has achieved significant global recognition, ranking in the top 90 of the Times Higher Education Young University rankings in 2024. Its strategic plan, "Maynooth University Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028," outlines an ambitious path focused on excellence, opportunity, and impact.

MaynoothWorks is the university's office for Knowledge Exchange, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, functioning as its Technology Transfer Office. MaynoothWorks aims to connect university research with social and economic impact, manage intellectual property, engage with industry, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. It also operates the Maynooth University Innovation Centre, an "Action Space" designed to challenge the university community, foster research impact, incubate spin-outs, and support company growth through collaboration. This procurement directly supports MaynoothWorks' objective to improve the university's ability to innovate and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset by seeking external expertise in innovation services.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Criterion Requirement