Establishment of a Single-Party Framework Agreement for the Provision of Coordination Services to the Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network Programme

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 contractor will provide coordination services for the Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network Programme, which connects new and established business owners with experienced mentors. The contractor's responsibilities include:

• Mentor Coordinator Role: Review applications for mentorship, arrange discussions with clients, and ensure timely matching with appropriate mentors.
• Operational Responsibilities:
• Coordinate approximately 300 new 1:1 assignments annually, averaging 25 assignments per month.
• Maintain a database of approximately 215 active mentors, ensuring effective use across client needs.
• Conduct initial meetings with clients to understand their challenges and requirements.
• Provide a shortlist of 3-5 mentor profiles for client selection.
• Ensure mentors do not exceed five simultaneous assignments and complete tasks within agreed timelines.
• Monitor service quality and ensure timely reporting from mentors.
• Conduct post-assignment reviews to capture client feedback and improve service delivery.

The contractor must manage relationships with various stakeholders, including Enterprise Ireland staff and clients from government-funded agencies. The role requires a strong understanding of the Irish startup ecosystem and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being procured as part of Enterprise Ireland's ongoing efforts to support Irish businesses through mentorship. The Mentor Network Programme is designed to assist companies at various stages of growth, particularly those employing between 10 and 249 people. The programme aligns with Enterprise Ireland's strategic goals to enhance business development and innovation in Ireland. The incumbent service provider is not specified in the documentation.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €90,000 in one of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public/Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Cyber Liability: €500,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of one comparable project involving matchmaking services for SMEs, delivered within the last 24 months.
• Personnel: The Mentor Coordinator must have proven experience in delivering similar services at scale.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The price/quality split is 60/40. There are no minimum scoring thresholds specified for individual criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template with a maximum of six A4 pages.
• CVs: Two-page CVs for each proposed resource, detailing roles and responsibilities.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in the Tender Response Document.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not stated.
• Submission portal: eTenders, following specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: The framework agreement lasts for a maximum of two years, with an option to extend for up to 12 months.
• Payment terms: Monthly payments based on satisfactory service delivery, not exceeding one-twelfth of the annual fixed fee.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Specific targets for assignment completion and reporting timelines.
• Termination clauses: Enterprise Ireland reserves the right to terminate the agreement for non-performance.
• IP ownership: Not specified in the documentation.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the primary contractor must manage all aspects of service delivery.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The requirement for a minimum turnover of €90,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The expectation of managing a large portfolio of mentors and assignments could pose operational challenges for less experienced bidders.
• The lack of specified case study requirements may create ambiguity in demonstrating past performance.
• The absence of a specified incumbent may indicate a competitive environment but also uncertainty for new entrants.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises with:

• Experience in providing coordination or matchmaking services, particularly in a mentoring context.
• The capacity to manage a large database of mentors and client assignments.
• Ability to meet the specified insurance and turnover requirements.
• The option to form consortiums or subcontracting arrangements is allowed, enabling smaller firms to collaborate.
• Bid preparation is likely to require several days of effort, particularly in gathering documentation and formulating a response.
• The presence of a strong incumbent or previous winners may indicate a competitive landscape, but the single-party framework could provide opportunities for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 2026-017 Tender Mentor Network Programme - ITT Live v1.0.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Not specified
• Important attachments: Tender Response Document, Framework Agreement draft, and any additional appendices mentioned in the tender documentation.