The Provision of Contracted Training Services for Donegal ETB

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 Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) seeks to establish a Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of contracted training services across 11 distinct lots. The framework aims to deliver training to approximately 34,000 students throughout the ETB area, covering a wide range of skills and disciplines.

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

• Training Delivery: Conducting courses in various fields, including:

• Lot 1: Business, Administration, Financial Services, Management, Sales and Marketing, Media Skills, Web Development, and Entrepreneurship.

• Lot 2: Information Technology and Engineering Skills.

• Lot 3: Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Science and Technology, Natural Resources, and Built Environment Skills.

• Lot 4: Health and Social Services Skills.

• Lot 5: Hairdressing, Beauty, and Complementary Therapies Skills.

• Lot 6: Transport, Distribution, and Logistics Skills.

• Lot 7: Food and Beverage, Tourism, and Sport & Leisure Skills.

• Lot 8: Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Science Skills.

• Lot 9: Core Personal Skills, General Learning, Language Skills, and Arts and Crafts Skills.

• Lot 10: Research and Education/Training Skills.

• Lot 11: Security, Guarding, and Emergency Services Skills.

• Tutor Qualifications: Each lot requires a minimum of two qualified tutors per course, with tutors needing:

• A minimum of four years of post-qualification experience in their field.

• At least one year of practical tutoring or teaching experience.

• Course Administration: Managing course logistics, including scheduling, materials preparation, and student assessments.

• Compliance and Reporting: Adhering to health and safety regulations, providing necessary documentation, and reporting on course outcomes and student feedback.

• Language Requirements: Some courses may need to be delivered through the medium of Irish.

The framework will operate on a cascade and mini-competition basis, allowing for flexibility in service delivery as needs arise.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of contracted training services by Donegal ETB aligns with the strategic objective of enhancing educational and vocational training opportunities in the region. This initiative is part of a broader government policy aimed at improving workforce skills and employability. The ETB has a history of providing diverse educational services and aims to expand its training offerings through this framework. The decision to procure these services now reflects an ongoing commitment to meet the evolving needs of the local economy and workforce.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Cyber Insurance: €2 million
• Professional Indemnity: not specified
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel:
• Minimum of two qualified tutors per lot.
• Tutors must have a minimum of four years of post-qualification experience and one year of teaching experience.
• 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 a balance between price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template, adhering to any page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for all proposed tutors, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the specified pricing template.
• Case studies: Provide two case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with a value range of €50,000 to €500,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term + extension structure: Initial term of 2 years, extendable up to 4 years.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made according to the Services Contract terms, with all prices quoted remaining valid for 12 months.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified for this tender.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to terminate contracts if national procurement arrangements provide better value.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is allowed, but the successful Tenderer must designate a Prime Contractor responsible for the Framework Agreement.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and red flags include:

• The requirement for a minimum of two qualified tutors per lot may limit participation from smaller firms that cannot meet this staffing requirement.
• The absence of specified turnover and past experience requirements may lead to uncertainty regarding the competitive landscape.
• The framework's reliance on cascade and mini-competition methods may create challenges for firms unfamiliar with these procurement processes.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can demonstrate the capacity to deliver training services across various disciplines. Viable bidders will likely have:

• Experience in educational or training services, particularly in the specified skill areas.
• The ability to provide qualified tutors with the required experience.
• A willingness to collaborate with other SMEs or larger firms if necessary.

Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are permitted, allowing smaller firms to partner with others to meet the requirements. The indicative bid-preparation effort is estimated at several days, depending on the number of lots applied for. The presence of established training providers may signal a competitive environment, particularly if incumbents are involved.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Contracted Training Call for Tender.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Messaging Facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications, Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement, Appendix 6 — Services Contract.