Provision of Services to Assess Potential Health Benefits of Polar Lipids Sourced from Under-Utilised Pelagic Fish Species and Co-Products

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

This tender seeks services to assess the potential health benefits of polar lipids derived from under-utilised pelagic fish species and their co-products. The contractor will be responsible for conducting research and analysis to identify and quantify these benefits.

The scope of work includes:

• Research and Analysis:
• Investigating and documenting the potential health benefits associated with polar lipids.
• Focusing on lipids sourced from under-utilised pelagic fish species and co-products.
• Conducting scientific assessments to support identified health benefits.
• Reporting:
• Producing comprehensive reports detailing the findings of the health benefit assessments.
• Providing data and analysis that can inform future product development and market strategies for BIM.
• Collaboration:
• Working with BIM to understand specific requirements and objectives for the assessment.
• Ensuring all services are provided in accordance with the terms of the Services Contract and the Call for Tender (CFT).
• Compliance:
• Adhering to all applicable EU and national laws, including environmental, social, and labour law.
• Maintaining appropriate insurance levels as specified in the tender documents.
• Ensuring all personnel involved are qualified, trained, and competent.
• Contractual Obligations:
• Acting as an independent contractor, not an employee of BIM.
• Assuming full responsibility for the discharge of all obligations under the agreement.
• Indemnifying BIM against liabilities arising from negligence, breach of contract, or other defaults.
• Complying with data protection legislation and confidentiality requirements.

The contractor will be expected to provide services with due care, skill, and diligence, and to obtain all necessary licences and permits for the performance of the services. The contractor is responsible for the employment, remuneration, taxes, and work permits of its personnel.

3. Background & buyer context

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's Seafood Development Agency, is procuring these services. The tender aligns with BIM's objective to promote the sustainable development of the Irish seafood sector. This initiative likely supports the broader strategy of maximising the value derived from Irish fisheries, including the utilisation of co-products and under-utilised species. By assessing the health benefits of polar lipids, BIM aims to identify new market opportunities and enhance the economic viability of processing under-utilised pelagic fish resources. The procurement is driven by a strategic interest in innovation and value addition within the Irish seafood industry.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: €1,000,000
• Employer's Liability Insurance: €13,000,000
• Tenderers must declare they have or will obtain these insurances by the contract commencement.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria and scoring mechanism are not detailed in the provided contract annex. Typically, public sector tenders in Ireland follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality. The specific weighting for quality and price, and any sub-criteria for quality assessment (e.g., technical merit, methodology, personnel experience), would be detailed in the full Request for Tender (RFT) document. Any minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall would also be specified in the RFT.

6. Submission requirements

The specific submission requirements are not fully detailed in the provided contract annex. However, based on standard tender processes and the contract structure, bidders would typically be required to submit:

• A comprehensive response detailing their understanding of the scope of work and proposed methodology.
• Evidence of compliance with eligibility and selection criteria, including insurance certificates.
• A detailed pricing schedule outlining all costs associated with the provision of services.
• Curriculum Vitae (CVs) for key personnel assigned to the project, demonstrating relevant experience.
• Any required declarations, such as a Tenderer's Declaration, Tax Clearance Certificate, and confirmation of bona fide status.
• A signed Services Contract, indicating acceptance of its terms and conditions.
• The submission must be made via the eTenders platform by the specified deadline.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract has an "Effective Date" and an expiry date, forming the "Term". The Client reserves the right to extend the Term for a period or periods up to a specified number of months, with a maximum number of extensions permitted, subject to legal obligations. Payment of Charges is subject to the Contractor's compliance with the agreement, submission of valid invoices with supporting documentation, and BIM possessing the Contractor's current Tax Clearance Certificate. Invoices are deemed accepted if no queries are raised within 14 calendar days. The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 apply. The Contractor is liable for and indemnifies BIM against losses arising from negligence, breach of contract, or default. Neither party is liable for indirect losses, except in cases of fraud, personal injury, or death. The Contractor's aggregate liability is capped at 100% of the Charges paid or projected. BIM may withhold 25% of payments (up to 50% of total Charges) if dissatisfied with performance, to be released upon remedy. Time of delivery is of the essence; late delivery may result in termination and recovery of excess costs. Liquidated damages of 10% per week (up to 100% of the invoice value) may be deducted for late delivery, with potential for termination if the threshold is met. All Intellectual Property Rights in materials produced for the agreement vest in BIM. The Contractor indemnifies BIM against third-party IPR breaches. Confidentiality obligations apply to all information exchanged. The Contractor must comply with Data Protection Legislation.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The contract value of €90,000 is relatively low for a services contract, which might suggest a focused, specific scope or a pilot project. The absence of specified turnover requirements or detailed selection criteria for past experience could indicate that the buyer is open to a wider range of bidders, including smaller specialist firms, or that these details are in other tender documents not provided. The contract length and go-live date are not specified, creating uncertainty for bidders regarding the project timeline and duration. The significant insurance requirements (€6.5m Public Liability, €13m Employer's Liability) are notable for a contract of this value and may be a barrier for smaller entities. The contract explicitly states that BIM is under no obligation to purchase any minimum number or value of Services, indicating a call-off or framework-like arrangement where demand may fluctuate.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender appears to be structured to allow specialist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid. The relatively modest contract value of €90,000 suggests that a single SME, or a small consortium, could credibly undertake the work. The absence of explicit turnover or extensive past experience requirements (as far as can be determined from the provided text) further supports this. Consortium bidding or subcontracting is not explicitly prohibited or encouraged in the provided text, but the contract structure implies a prime contractor responsible for all obligations. The bid preparation effort would likely involve understanding the scientific scope, developing a research methodology, and preparing a detailed pricing schedule, potentially requiring 5-10 days of effort for a specialist firm. The "Pwin" signal is neutral; there is no clear indication of an incumbent or a pre-determined winner. The key is the bidder's scientific expertise in polar lipids and health benefits.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Annex 4 - Services Contract (BIM 2026-31).pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified
• Most important attachments:
• Annex 4: Services Contract (BIM 2026-31).pdf
• Call for Tender document (referenced but not provided)
• Submission documents (referenced but not provided)