Provision of a CPD Certificate in Professional Engineering – NFQ Level 9, Minimum 5 ECTS

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 delivery of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificate in Professional Engineering, accredited at NFQ Level 9 and carrying a minimum of 5 ECTS credits. The successful contractor will be responsible for managing and delivering this educational programme over a maximum duration of 36 months, which includes an initial term of 24 months and a potential 12-month extension.

Key activities include:

• Programme Delivery: Conducting up to five cohorts per programme year, with a maximum of 20 participants per cohort.
• Learning Environment: Providing an accessible learning environment, which may include online, blended, or in-person formats.
• Curriculum Development: Ensuring the programme meets the required learning outcomes in areas such as professional practice, project management, and technical writing.
• Assessment and Certification: Monitoring assignments and providing certification upon successful completion of the programme.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records of learner attendance, assessments, and financial transactions.
• Quality Assurance: Implementing quality assurance measures and complying with applicable laws and regulations.
• Reporting: Submitting participant evaluations and a final cohort report within 15 working days of programme completion.

The contractor must also ensure the programme is validated and accredited by a recognised Irish higher-education awarding body, maintaining authority to certify participants throughout the contract term.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Limerick Chamber Skillnet's mission to address workforce and skills needs through subsidised training. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance professional development for engineers and technical professionals in Ireland. The tender is being issued now to establish a framework for delivering this accredited programme, responding to identified skills gaps in the engineering sector. The buyer has not specified an incumbent provider for this contract.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Certifications: Evidence of current NFQ Level 9, minimum 5 ECTS validation/accreditation and certification authority.
• Past experience: At least one comparable accredited professional-development programme delivered successfully in the previous three years for engineers or technical professionals.
• Personnel: A qualified delivery team with programme-management capacity and suitable contingency arrangements.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

A minimum score of 60% is required for each quality criterion to proceed to price evaluation. The price will be evaluated based on the lowest qualifying evaluated price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Complete the prescribed Tender Response Document.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Use the named template provided in the tender documents.
• Case studies: At least one comparable programme delivered successfully in the previous three years.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, tax compliance, and conflict of interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically through the eTenders postbox before the deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extension: Initial term of 24 months, with one optional extension of up to 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance and funding.
• Payment terms: Fees are fixed for the initial term and may be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index if the extension is exercised.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be reviewed against delivery dates, attendance administration, learner support, assessment turnaround, and participant feedback.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated for material breach not remedied within 14 days, loss of validation, or insolvency.
• IP ownership: Pre-existing intellectual property remains with its owner; the contractor grants a non-exclusive license for programme reports.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The maximum framework value of €396,000 is a ceiling and does not guarantee income, which may limit financial viability for bidders.
• The requirement for a minimum of one comparable programme delivered in the last three years may disadvantage newer entrants.
• The absence of a specified incumbent may lead to uncertainty regarding market competition.
• The contract's reliance on external funding for the optional extension could pose risks if funding is not secured.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid must have:

• Experience in delivering accredited professional development programmes, particularly in engineering or technical fields.
• The capacity to meet the insurance and certification requirements.
• A qualified delivery team with relevant expertise and experience.
• The ability to manage the administrative and logistical aspects of the programme.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, suggesting that bidders should be prepared to deliver the programme independently. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at several days, considering the documentation and evidence required. The presence of a minimum comparable experience requirement may signal a competitive environment, potentially favoring established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 01_Request_for_Tenders_LCS-CPD-2026-02.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments:
• Proposed Single-Party Framework Agreement
• Tender Response Document
• Pricing Schedule