Online Digital Reference Content for Schools

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 requires the provision of online digital reference content for learners aged 4-19 years, supporting the Irish curriculum. The content will be made available through the www.scoilnet.ie website. The service encompasses the development, publishing, selling, customisation, and integration of this online digital reference content as a core business activity.

Key components and activities include:

• Content Elements:
• Encyclopaedia
• Dictionary
• Multimedia learning objects
• World atlas
• Content Suitability:
• Suitable for learners aged 4-19 years.
• Supportive of, but not necessarily core to, the Irish curriculum.
• Broad range of high-quality materials applicable to a range of subject areas.
• Service Delivery:
• Development, publishing, selling, customising, and integrating online digital reference content.
• Delivery of these services over the last 3 years.
• Provision of at least one, preferably two, reference websites for review demonstrating similar implemented and operational services.
• Supply of two satisfactory references for services provided within the last 3 years.
• Technical Requirements:
• User interface design, usability, and accessibility functions.
• AI enhancement of the service.
• Service Management:
• Content update and refresh policy.
• Value-added content and services.
• Marketing, promotion, and training.
• Maintenance and support.
• Project management and contract management.
• Reporting:
• Details of average annual manpower and managerial staff assigned to production and supply over the next 2 years and possible extensions.
• Details of products/projects provided and estimated contract values for services delivered over the last 3 years.

The service will be made available via the www.scoilnet.ie website.

3. Background & buyer context

Dublin West Education Centre (DWEC) is procuring online digital reference content for schools. This initiative aligns with the broader objective of providing access to digital learning and teaching material for schools, teachers, and learners through the Scoilnet platform. The procurement is conducted under an open procedure, as per the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. The estimated expenditure suggests a significant investment in digital educational resources. The Contracting Authority encourages participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and suggests larger enterprises consider how SMEs can be included in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Turnover requirement:
• Achieved annual turnover in excess of €500,000 per annum for each of the past three complete financial years, with at least 75% of turnover originating from reference content services to the education and/or consumer sector in each of those years.
• OR Achieved annual turnover in excess of €375,000 per annum from the provision of digital reference content services to the education and/or consumer sector for each of the past three complete financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €1 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Cyber Insurance: €1 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• Demonstrate engagement in developing, publishing, selling, customising, and integrating online digital reference content as a core business.
• Demonstrate delivery of these services over the last 3 years, with details of products/projects and estimated contract values.
• Supply two satisfactory references for services provided within the last 3 years.
• Personnel:
• Outline CVs of all relevant personnel dedicated to the services.
• Details of average annual manpower and number of managerial staff assigned to production and supply over the next 2 years (and possible two extensions).
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender, evaluated against the following criteria:

The award is based on a price/quality split. The minimum required marks for Quality & Breadth of Content, Quality of Product Design, and Quality of Proposed Service must be achieved.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following:

• Method statement / response document:
• Complete and submit the electronic version of the European Single Procurement Document (eESPD).
• Respond to each element in the order set out in the RFT.
• Do not alter or edit the RFT.
• CVs: Outline CVs of all relevant personnel dedicated to the services.
• Pricing schedule: Complete Appendix 2, with all prices quoted being all-inclusive (excluding VAT), expressed in Euro.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• eESPD.
• Tenderer’s Statement (signed, scanned copy on letterhead).
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Declaration that the preparation of the Tender was carried out independently.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Via the electronic tenderbox on www.etenders.gov.ie. Tenders must be submitted in English.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: Two Years, with an option for extension(s) of up to twelve months in total.
• Payment terms: As per the Services Contract at Appendix 5.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not detailed in the provided extract, but implied within the award criteria for Quality of Proposed Service.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender, beyond general clauses for breach or conflict of interest.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontractors must submit a separate eESPD. If a subcontractor's value exceeds 10% of the contract value, they must not be within the category of prohibited economic operators under Regulation (EU) No 833/2014.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Turnover requirement: The turnover requirement is split, with an alternative of €375,000 specifically from digital reference content services to education/consumer sectors. This could favour incumbent providers or those with a highly specialised focus.
• Content relevance: The emphasis on supporting, but not necessarily being core to, the Irish curriculum, alongside a requirement for AI enhancement, suggests a need for innovative and adaptable content.
• Website references: The requirement for nominated reference websites for review, where similar services are implemented and operational, may favour established providers with existing deployments.
• Open procedure with specific criteria: While an open procedure, the detailed financial and technical requirements, particularly the turnover split and specific experience, may limit the pool of eligible bidders.
• No explicit budget: The estimated value is provided as a range (€500,000 - €650,000), but no fixed budget is stated, meaning tenders could be priced within or potentially above this range, subject to award criteria.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to allow participation from a range of businesses, but with specific requirements that may favour established entities.

• Who can credibly bid: A credible bidder would be a company with a proven track record in developing and delivering online digital reference content for the education or consumer sectors for at least three years. They must demonstrate strong financial standing, with annual turnovers meeting the specified thresholds, and possess the technical capability to deliver high-quality, accessible, and potentially AI-enhanced content. Companies with existing, well-regarded digital content platforms suitable for the 4-19 age range and the Irish curriculum context would be well-positioned.
• Consortium/sub-contracting: Consortiums are permitted, and SMEs are encouraged to explore forming relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises. Sub-contracting is also allowed, provided subcontractors meet specified criteria, particularly concerning foreign financial contributions and prohibited economic operators.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Preparing a compliant bid will require significant effort. This includes gathering financial data for three years, compiling detailed project experience, obtaining references, preparing CVs for key personnel, developing a comprehensive service proposal addressing all award criteria (especially quality aspects), and completing the eESPD and other declarations. An estimate of 15-25 working days for a dedicated bid team is reasonable.
• Pwin signal: The tender is an open procedure, suggesting it is intended to be competitive. However, the specific requirements for turnover from relevant sectors and the need for operational reference websites may indicate a preference for or advantage to incumbent providers or those with a highly specialised and established presence in educational digital content. The emphasis on quality across multiple criteria, with significant weighting, suggests that price alone will not determine the winner.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT_Digital Content Scoilnet Final.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 5: Services Contract