Request for Tenders for the Establishment of Single Party Framework Agreements for the Provision of Section 68 Review Services in four (4) lots

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 Higher Education Authority (HEA) seeks to establish a single-supplier framework agreement for Section 68 Review Services across four distinct lots. Each lot focuses on a specific area of review, including Financial Review, Organizational Review, Culture Review, and Governance Review. The contractor will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments and providing recommendations based on the findings.

The day-to-day activities of the contractor will include:

• Lot 1: Financial Review

• Assessing financial statements and performance metrics.

• Evaluating compliance with financial regulations and standards.

• Lot 2: Organizational Review

• Analyzing organizational structures and operational efficiencies.

• Conducting stakeholder interviews to gather insights.

• Lot 3: Culture Review

• Evaluating workplace culture and employee engagement levels.

• Implementing surveys and focus groups to collect data.

• Lot 4: Governance Review

• Reviewing governance frameworks and practices.

• Assessing compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Each lot will operate independently, and services will be called off directly from the appointed Framework Member without further competition. The contractor must be prepared to respond to Call-Off Requests that specify the scope of services, key deliverables, and timelines. The HEA does not guarantee the volume or frequency of services to be procured under any lot during the term of the Framework Agreement.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of these services aligns with the HEA's strategic objectives to enhance the quality and effectiveness of higher education institutions in Ireland. The establishment of the framework is part of the HEA's Section 68 Review Framework, which aims to ensure compliance and improve governance across the sector. This initiative is timely as it responds to ongoing demands for accountability and transparency in public funding and educational outcomes.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €100,000 for each of the last three financial years (2022, 2023, and 2024).

• Insurance:

• Employers Liability: €12.7 million

• Public Liability: €6.5 million

• Professional Indemnity: €1.5 million

• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.

• Past experience: Minimum of seven years’ relevant professional experience, including experience in a review, audit, advisory, or regulatory capacity.

• 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, focusing on the price/quality split. There are no minimum scoring thresholds specified per criterion or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document (using the provided template, with no specified page limit).
• CVs for key personnel (no specified page count).
• Pricing schedule (using the specified template).
• Case studies (minimum of two, with values ranging from €100,000 to €200,000).
• Declarations (including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest).
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with all documents in PDF format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The framework agreement will have an initial term of one year, with the possibility of extending for up to three additional years. Payment terms will be governed by the Framework Agreement and specific Call-Off Requests. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) will be established in the Call-Off Requests. The contractor must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including environmental, social, and labor laws. Subcontracting is permitted, but the Prime Framework Member must retain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The cumulative turnover requirement of €100,000 per lot may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The absence of specified geographic constraints may lead to a broader pool of bidders, but also increases competition.
• The lack of guaranteed volume or frequency of services may lead to uncertainty in revenue for the appointed Framework Members.
• The requirement for a minimum of seven years’ experience may disadvantage newer firms or those without extensive portfolios.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate relevant experience and meet the insurance and turnover requirements. Bidders should consider forming consortia or subcontracting arrangements to enhance their capacity to meet the criteria. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at several days, depending on the number of lots pursued. The incumbent's strength and the absence of named past winners may signal a competitive environment, but the framework's structure allows for multiple awards across lots.

11. Where to dig deeper

• RFT filename: HEA RFT Section 68 Review Framework.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Award Criteria including Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderers’ Statement