Consultancy services to prepare a Smart Eastern Corridor Framework

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The Southern Regional Assembly seeks consultancy services to develop a "Smart Eastern Corridor Framework." This framework will align with the objectives of the FutureECOS Interreg Europe project. Its purpose is to support the development of a future-proofed, prosperous, connected, and future-focused economic growth corridor within the Southern Region of Ireland.

The framework will outline how integrated planning and coordinated action among public bodies can foster digital innovation, smart technologies, placemaking, and citizen-centred approaches. It will identify measures to enhance the economic competitiveness of the Eastern Corridor, improve quality of life, and support balanced, sustainable regional development. The final output will provide evidence-based recommendations and practical guidance for future regional planning policy, specifically informing the next Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern Corridor.

The core activities for the successful tenderer include:

• Framework Development: Preparing the Smart Eastern Corridor Framework document.
• Alignment with FutureECOS: Ensuring the framework is consistent with the objectives of the FutureECOS Interreg Europe project.
• Integrated Planning Strategy: Demonstrating how coordinated action between public bodies can achieve project goals.
• Digital Innovation and Smart Technologies: Identifying and recommending the integration of these elements.
• Placemaking and Citizen-Centred Approaches: Incorporating these principles into the framework.
• Economic Competitiveness Enhancement: Proposing strategies to strengthen the corridor's economic standing.
• Quality of Life Improvement: Recommending measures to enhance resident well-being.
• Sustainable Regional Development: Ensuring recommendations support balanced and sustainable growth.
• Evidence-Based Recommendations: Providing data-driven insights and practical guidance.
• Policy Input: Informing future regional planning policy for the Eastern Corridor and the RSES.

The contract duration is fixed at 12 weeks from the contract award date.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is driven by the Southern Regional Assembly's objective to foster economic growth and enhance quality of life within its region. The initiative is directly linked to the FutureECOS Interreg Europe project, indicating a strategic focus on smart and sustainable regional development at a European level. The development of a "Smart Eastern Corridor Framework" is intended to inform and shape future regional planning policy, specifically the next iteration of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern Corridor. This suggests a proactive approach to future-proofing the region's economic landscape through integrated planning and the adoption of smart technologies.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must meet the following criteria to be considered for evaluation:

• Economic and Financial Standing:

• Tax Clearance: Provision of a tax clearance access number and tax reference number for online verification.

• Declaration: Completion and submission of the Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).

• Technical and Professional Ability:

• Project Team Qualifications: Demonstration that the proposed project team possesses relevant qualifications, skills, and experience. This includes:

• A description of the proposed team, identifying the Project Manager/Team Leader.

• Details of academic qualifications and relevant professional experience of key personnel.

• The proposed role and responsibilities of each team member.

• Tenderers must declare their ability to provide documentary evidence of personnel qualifications and experience upon request.

• Professional Experience: Demonstration of relevant professional experience, expertise, and capacity to deliver the services. This requires:

• A description of relevant projects undertaken within the last five years by the tenderer and/or named key personnel. These projects must demonstrate experience in integrated spatial planning, placemaking, smart cities and regions, digital innovation, liveability assessments, policy and framework development, regional development, and/or the preparation of strategic planning, policy, or guidance documents.

• Brief case studies or examples of comparable projects, outlining services provided and outcomes achieved.

• Two satisfactory references for similar services provided within the last five years by the tenderer or named key personnel.

• Insurance: The successful tenderer will be required to hold the following insurances for the term of the Services Contract:

• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million

• Public Liability: €6.5 million

• Product Liability: Not specified

• Professional Indemnity: Not specified

• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.

• Personnel: Not specified beyond the project team qualifications and experience detailed under Technical and Professional Ability.

• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation process will assess tenders based on quality only, as the cost element is fixed price and capped at the available budget.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria