Provision of School-based Research and Ancillary Services to examine primary school children’s experience of, and perspectives regarding, online engagement.

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 design, delivery, and reporting of a representative survey assessing primary school children's experiences and perspectives regarding online engagement, particularly focusing on social media and generative AI. The successful contractor will engage with a minimum of 20 schools and recruit at least 1,200 students aged 8 to 13 years.

Key activities include:

• Research Design: Develop a comprehensive project plan that includes research questions, methodology, data analysis approach, and agreed milestones.
• Sampling Approach: Create a representative sampling strategy that considers factors such as school size, gender status, rural-urban distribution, and digital access.
• Survey Instrument Development: Design a survey instrument suitable for children, primarily consisting of quantitative questions.
• Ethical Approval: Ensure compliance with ethical standards, including child safeguarding measures.
• Pilot Testing: Conduct a pilot survey to assess the relevance and clarity of the questions.
• Survey Administration: Administer the survey in the selected schools.
• Data Analysis: Perform statistical analysis of the collected data, including descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Reporting: Produce a progress report, a draft research report, and a final report in both Word and PDF formats. Additionally, create a child-friendly version and an infographic summarizing the findings.
• Launch Event: Host an event to present the final research outputs.

The contractor must ensure that all outputs are delivered in accordance with the agreed timelines and quality standards.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Coimisiún na Meán's strategic objectives to enhance children's online safety and engagement with digital media. The initiative is part of a broader effort to inform policy decisions regarding children's interactions with online platforms. The commission has been established under the OSMR Act, which mandates it to oversee and enforce regulatory frameworks for online safety. The research will complement existing studies, such as the EU Kids Online project, and aims to fill gaps in understanding children's online experiences.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of at least €430,000 for each of the past three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employers’ Liability Insurance: €13m
• Public Liability Insurance: €6.5m
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1m
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of 2 comparable projects completed in the last 5 years, with at least one involving research with a nationally representative sample of children.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The contract will be awarded to the tenderer submitting the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). A minimum score of 60% is required in the methodology and approach criteria to proceed to price evaluation.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template, adhering to page limits.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, with a specified page count.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the pricing schedule using the designated format.
• Case studies: Provide details of two relevant projects, including value range.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted electronically via eTenders. Specific format rules apply.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The contract is for 15 months from the commencement date.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made based on valid invoices submitted in accordance with Coimisiún na Meán's terms.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Specific SLAs/KPIs are not detailed in the documents.
• Termination clauses: Not specified for this tender.
• IP ownership: The contractor retains ownership of the research outputs, but Coimisiún na Meán has rights to use the findings.
• Sub-contracting rules: Sub-contracting is allowed, but the prime contractor must be clearly identified.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• The requirement for a minimum turnover of €430,000 may limit participation to larger firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The need for extensive engagement with schools and ethical approval processes may pose challenges for firms without established networks in the education sector.
• The contract duration of 15 months may require rapid mobilization and delivery, which could be challenging for firms with limited resources.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) considering this tender should assess the following:

• Credible bidders: Firms with experience in educational research, particularly those with established relationships in primary schools, will be well-positioned to bid.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Bidders may form consortia, but one entity must take overall responsibility.
• Bid-preparation effort: Preparing a competitive bid may require several days of work, particularly in developing a robust methodology and project plan.
• Pwin signal: The presence of established firms in the sector may indicate a competitive landscape, but the specific focus on children's online experiences may open opportunities for specialized research firms.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: IK0_PRIMARY_RFT_V1.1.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be submitted via the eTenders messaging function.
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 – Specification of Services, Appendix 2 – Survey Themes, Appendix 3 – Coimisiún na Meán Terms and Conditions.