Development of Ireland’s Culinary Tourism Strategy

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 development of a comprehensive National Culinary Tourism Strategy aimed at enhancing Ireland's position as a premier food destination. The contractor will engage in various activities to achieve this goal, including:

• Research and Analysis: Conducting market research to identify trends in culinary tourism and assessing current offerings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with local producers, hospitality businesses, and communities to gather insights and foster partnerships.
• Strategy Development: Formulating actionable strategies that align with national tourism policies, particularly those outlined in "A New Era for Irish Tourism – National Tourism Policy."
• Implementation Planning: Creating a detailed implementation plan that includes timelines, responsibilities, and resource allocation.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing metrics for success and a framework for ongoing evaluation of the strategy's effectiveness.

The contractor will be expected to deliver a final report that encapsulates the findings and recommendations, along with a presentation to key stakeholders. The work will be conducted primarily in Ireland, with specific focus on regions identified as having potential for culinary tourism growth.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with the national ambitions outlined in "A New Era for Irish Tourism – National Tourism Policy," which emphasizes food and drink as essential components of Ireland's visitor experience. Fáilte Ireland seeks to bolster the culinary tourism sector to enhance visitor experiences, support local economies, and promote sustainability. The initiative is timely, given the increasing global interest in culinary experiences and the need for Ireland to position itself competitively in this market.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €200,000 over the past three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability Insurance with an indemnity limit of €13,000,000
• Public Liability Insurance with an indemnity limit of €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance with an indemnity limit of €1,300,000 for each claim
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable projects undertaken within the last three 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 the balance between price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel involved, with no specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the designated template.
• Case studies: Three examples of similar projects, with values ranging from €50,000 to €100,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to file size limits (maximum 250MB per file, 2GB total).

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: Initial contract for 6 months, with an option to extend for an additional 6 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made within 15 days of receipt of a correct invoice.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: All materials developed will be owned by Fáilte Ireland.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €200,000 may limit participation to established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The absence of specified geographic constraints may lead to a wider pool of bidders, but also increases competition.
• The lack of clarity on SLAs/KPIs could lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

A small Irish business considering this tender should assess the following:

• Who can credibly bid: Firms with experience in tourism strategy development, particularly in culinary sectors, and with the necessary insurance coverage.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: The tender does not explicitly mention consortiums or sub-contracting, but firms may consider these options if they can demonstrate collective capability.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparation may require several days to compile necessary documentation and case studies.
• Pwin signal: The tender does not indicate an incumbent, which may provide opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: ITT Culinary Tourism Strategy.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: not specified
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 – Fáilte Ireland Supply of Services Contract, Appendix 2 – Award Criteria C – Cost.