The provision of Occupational Therapy Services for Kilkenny County Council

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

Kilkenny County Council seeks to establish a panel of qualified Occupational Therapists to provide services related to various housing grant schemes. The panel will support the assessment of applicants' needs for adaptations to their homes, ensuring compliance with relevant housing grant schemes. The anticipated volume of assessments includes approximately 310 assessments per annum, comprising 270 initial assessments and 40 follow-up assessments.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• Home Visits: Conduct assessments of applicants' needs in their homes or proposed accommodations.
• Assessment Reports: Prepare detailed reports outlining the necessary adaptations, including specifications of works required, to be submitted within three weeks of the assessment request.
• Emergency Assessments: Respond to urgent requests for assessments within 48 hours, with reports due within 48 hours post-assessment.
• Re-assessments: Conduct follow-up assessments at no additional cost if initial reports lack clarity or if applicants' circumstances change.
• Liaison: Communicate with builders, architects, or Council officials to clarify assessment details as needed.
• Compliance: Ensure all reports comply with legislative requirements and adapt to any changes in housing grant schemes during the panel's duration.
• Availability: Maintain availability for assessments during normal business hours (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00).

The panel will be established for three years, with the potential for a one-year extension, depending on funding availability. The Council reserves the right to amend the scope of services as new housing grant schemes may be introduced.

3. Background & buyer context

Kilkenny County Council is the housing authority responsible for implementing housing grant schemes that assist eligible applicants with home improvements. The establishment of this panel aligns with the Council's ongoing commitment to support individuals with disabilities through tailored adaptations to their homes. The procurement of Occupational Therapy services is timely due to the evolving needs of applicants and the potential introduction of new grant schemes. The Council aims to enhance the efficiency of its processes by ensuring that qualified Occupational Therapists are readily available to assess and report on applicants' needs.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Level: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €500,000
• Employers Liability Level: €13 million (if applicable)
• Certifications:
• Proof of current registration with CORU.
• Membership of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland or other accredited body.
• Past experience: Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in delivering Occupational Therapy services of a comparable nature and scale.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Applicants must provide evidence of meeting these requirements in their submissions.

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 price and quality. A minimum scoring threshold of 100 marks out of 200 for relevant experience is required.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method Statement: Complete the provided response document, adhering to any specified page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for all key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing Schedule: Use the designated template for pricing, detailing fees per case.
• Case Studies: Provide two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with values ranging from €150 to €300.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission Portal: Applications must be submitted electronically via the eTenders messaging system.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The panel will operate for three years, with a possible one-year extension, subject to funding.
• Payment Terms: Fees are fixed per case, with payments made on a case-by-case basis. Invoices must be submitted within 15 days of report completion.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Reports must be submitted within three weeks of assessment requests, with emergency assessments due within 48 hours.
• Termination Clauses: The Council reserves the right to terminate the panel due to unsatisfactory performance or changes in government policy, with one month's notice.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Limited Panel Size: Only five Occupational Therapists will be admitted to the panel, which may restrict competition and availability.
• Emergency Response Requirements: The requirement for emergency assessments within 48 hours may pose challenges for availability and scheduling.
• Re-assessment Costs: The expectation for re-assessments at no additional cost could impact profitability if frequent re-inspections are required.
• Funding Dependency: The continuation of the panel is subject to available funding, which may introduce uncertainty.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the following characteristics:

• Credible Bidders: Firms with a minimum of three years' experience in Occupational Therapy and relevant qualifications are eligible.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: The tender does not specify restrictions on consortium bids, allowing for collaborative applications.
• Bid Preparation Effort: Preparing a bid may require several days to compile necessary documentation and evidence of qualifications.
• Pwin Signal: The limited number of panel members may favor established firms, but the open nature of the tender allows for new entrants with the requisite qualifications.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RE_ Tender for Occupational Therapist Panel 2026.zip
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Use the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Minimum Requirements
• Qualification Questionnaire
• Method Statement Template