Provision of quantitative and qualitative research to identify the most helpful non-therapeutic parenting supports for parents of children with additional needs and practitioners who support them

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 conducting quantitative and qualitative research aimed at identifying effective non-therapeutic parenting supports for parents of children with additional needs, as well as training and support for practitioners assisting these families. The research is expected to engage a minimum of 200 parents and will focus on their experiences and needs throughout their parenting journey.

Key activities include:

• Survey Design and Implementation: Develop and administer surveys targeting parents and practitioners.
• Data Collection: Engage at least 200 parents in the survey, ensuring diverse representation.
• Qualitative Interviews: Conduct interviews with selected parents and practitioners to gather in-depth insights.
• Analysis: Analyze quantitative data from surveys and qualitative data from interviews to identify key themes and insights.
• Reporting: Prepare a comprehensive report detailing findings, recommendations for parenting supports, and training needs for practitioners.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Present findings to relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

The research must be completed within the 12-month contract period, with potential for a 6-month extension based on performance and needs.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated in response to identified gaps in support for parents of children with additional needs and the practitioners who assist them. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality aims to enhance the availability of relevant parenting supports and practitioner training. This initiative aligns with broader government objectives to improve services for families facing diverse challenges. No incumbent provider is mentioned in the documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €70,000 (excluding VAT) over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of two related projects completed in the last five years, demonstrating scale and services provided.
• Personnel: Key personnel must have a minimum of 18 months of research experience.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The overall scoring will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, balancing price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the template provided in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Provide details of at least two relevant projects, including value and scope.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: Tenders 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: 12 months, with the possibility of two 6-month extensions.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the documentation.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority may terminate the contract with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not explicitly stated; typically, the contractor retains rights to their methodologies and findings.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the Prime Contractor must be designated.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €70,000 is precisely the estimated contract value, which may limit competition to firms with similar financial profiles.
• The requirement for a minimum of 200 parents to be engaged in the survey may pose challenges for smaller firms without established networks in this demographic.
• The absence of specified certifications may create uncertainty regarding compliance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in research and evaluation, particularly in social services or educational contexts. Bidders should ideally have:

• A proven track record in conducting similar research projects.
• The capability to engage with diverse parent groups.
• The option to form consortia or subcontract is available, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with larger entities.
• Preparation for the bid may require approximately 10-15 days, depending on the availability of resources and existing documentation.
• The presence of a specific turnover threshold may indicate a competitive landscape, but the lack of an incumbent may provide opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Quantitative and qualitative research to identify the most helpful non-therapeutic parenting supports.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: 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: Tenderer’s Statement