Design Services to the SFPA

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 Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) seeks design services to enhance its operational capabilities. The contractor will be responsible for a range of design-related tasks that support the SFPA's objectives in marine and fisheries management. The scope includes the following activities:

• Design Development: Creation of design concepts and detailed designs for various SFPA projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with SFPA staff and external stakeholders to gather requirements and feedback.
• Documentation: Preparing design documentation, including specifications, reports, and presentations.
• Review and Revisions: Iterative design reviews based on feedback from SFPA and other stakeholders.
• Compliance: Ensuring all designs meet relevant regulations and standards applicable to marine and fisheries management.

The contractor must demonstrate experience in delivering similar design services, particularly in the context of public sector projects. The work will be conducted primarily at the SFPA's offices, with potential site visits to relevant marine locations as required.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of design services is part of the SFPA's ongoing efforts to improve its operational efficiency and effectiveness in managing Ireland's fisheries. This initiative aligns with government policies aimed at sustainable fisheries management and compliance with EU regulations. The SFPA has historically engaged various contractors for similar services, but this tender represents a new opportunity for firms to contribute to the agency's mission. The strategic driver for this procurement is to enhance the SFPA's capabilities in delivering its services effectively while ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €270,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance: Bidders must hold the following insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million limit for one claim or series of claims.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Professional Indemnity: €100,000 limit for any one claim or series of claims.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Bidders must have successfully delivered a minimum of three (3) contracts of comparable scale and relevance within the last three (3) 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 a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: At least three examples of relevant projects, each valued at a minimum of €50,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The initial contract length is 12 months, with the possibility of three 12-month extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon receipt of valid invoices, subject to the terms outlined in the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Specific performance indicators will be established to measure the contractor's effectiveness.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate the contract with 14 days' notice if material breaches occur.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property created during the contract will belong to the SFPA.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontracting is permitted but must be disclosed and approved by the SFPA.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €270,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Insurance requirements: The high indemnity limits required could pose a barrier for some bidders, particularly SMEs.
• Experience requirement: The need for three comparable projects within the last three years may exclude newer firms or those without extensive public sector experience.
• Tight timelines: The expected contract start date shortly after the award may not allow sufficient time for onboarding and project initiation.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that possess the necessary design expertise and meet the financial criteria. Viable bidders typically include design firms with experience in public sector projects, particularly in marine or environmental contexts.

• Consortium or sub-contracting: Allowed, which may enable smaller firms to partner with larger entities to meet requirements.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Estimated at 10-15 days for preparation, including documentation and case studies.
• Pwin signal: The presence of established firms in the sector may indicate a competitive landscape, but the SFPA's encouragement of SME participation could provide opportunities for collaboration.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT - Design Services to the SFPA - Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderers’ Statement