Contracted Training Services for the Provision of Training Services for Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

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 the provision of training services to the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board. The contractor is expected to deliver a range of training programs aimed at enhancing the skills and qualifications of participants. The scale of the work encompasses multiple training sessions over a specified duration, with a focus on various disciplines.

The key activities include:

• Training Program Development: Design and develop training programs tailored to the needs of the participants.
• Delivery of Training: Conduct training sessions, which may include both face-to-face and online formats.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Implement assessment methods to evaluate participant progress and program effectiveness.
• Reporting: Provide regular reports on training outcomes and participant feedback.
• Compliance: Ensure all training programs meet the required standards and regulations set by the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board.

Specific training programs mentioned include:

• Lean Management Green Belt Programme: 5 days of training, with a maximum of 15 participants.
• Other Programs: Additional programs may be included as per the requirements of the Education and Training Board.

The contractor must ensure that all tutors possess recognized qualifications and relevant professional experience, with a minimum of 110 hours of learning, including at least 24 hours of face-to-face tutored sessions.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of training services is aligned with the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board's strategic objectives to enhance educational outcomes and workforce skills in the region. This initiative is part of a broader government policy aimed at improving vocational training and education access. The Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board has a history of collaborating with various training providers to deliver quality educational programs. The urgency of this procurement reflects the ongoing demand for skilled training services to support local workforce development.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,500,000 for each of the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employers Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €2.6 million
• Product Liability: €2.6 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Access to personnel with relevant qualifications and experience as detailed in the tender documents.
• 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 the balance between price and quality. There are no minimum scoring thresholds specified for individual criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template with specified page limits.
• CVs: For key personnel, with a maximum of 2 pages per CV.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the provided template.
• Case studies: At least 2 case studies demonstrating relevant experience, with values ranging from €20,000 to €100,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All documents must be submitted via eTenders, adhering to any specific format rules outlined in the tender documents.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extension structure: Not specified for this tender.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon completion of training sessions and submission of reports.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance metrics will be established to evaluate training effectiveness and participant satisfaction.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate the contract with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €1,500,000 may limit participation to larger firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The absence of specified past experience requirements could lead to a wide range of bid quality.
• The lack of detailed SLAs/KPIs may result in ambiguity regarding performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender would typically have:

• A proven track record in delivering training services, with the necessary qualifications and experience.
• The capacity to meet the insurance requirements and turnover threshold.
• The ability to provide qualified personnel with relevant experience in the training disciplines specified.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, but may be permissible depending on the capabilities of the bidding firm. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at 5-10 days, considering the documentation and compliance requirements. The presence of a turnover threshold close to the contract value may indicate a competitive bidding environment, potentially favoring established firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Not specified.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: Not specified.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 4 - Tenderer’s Statement
• Method statement template (if provided in the RFT)
• Pricing schedule template (if provided in the RFT)