RFP for the provision of Training to support upskilling of Beer Dispense Technicians in Ireland

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 Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks proposals from suitably qualified training providers for the provision of training to support the upskilling of Beer Dispense Technicians in Ireland. The programme is intended to commence in January 2026 and run until the end of 2028, with potential extensions up to December 2029. The Food Drink Ireland Skillnet Network anticipates that the network may adjust its requirements over time and may decide not to proceed with all listed courses.

The successful provider will be expected to deliver training that equips participants with the competencies to build, service, and maintain beer dispense and cooling systems in on-trade locations such as pubs, hotels, and event venues. The learning outcomes must be both knowledge and skills-based, covering:

• Latest technology in beer dispense systems
• Beer cooling systems
• System installation
• Line cleaning
• Hygiene and food safety

Participants must demonstrate acquired knowledge and practical, hands-on skills. The RFP notes that company time constraints and the difficulty of releasing employees for extended periods should be considered. Tenderers are encouraged to propose part-time, blended, distance learning, or e-learning options.

Associated requirements for the successful provider include:

• Collecting all evaluation data required by the Network and submitting it to the Network manager in a standardised format by agreed dates.
• Acknowledging Food Drink Ireland Skillnet funding, the Network, and project partners in all public information provided on courses, in the required format.
• Providing reports, data, and information by deadline dates and in the prescribed format established by the network contract and Skillnets guidelines.
• Supplying any additional information requested by the Network.

Certification of the programme is a highly desirable element, though not mandatory. The contract will be a single-party agreement. Invoicing is to be on a course-by-course basis, with alternative invoicing arrangements possible for courses exceeding one year.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is driven by the Food Drink Ireland Skillnet Network's objective to support the upskilling of Beer Dispense Technicians in Ireland. The Food Drink Ireland Skillnet is an enterprise-led learning network established in 2013, dedicated to training within the Irish Food and Drink sector. It is jointly funded by member companies and grant assistance from Skillnet Ireland Ltd, which is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The network aims to drive growth through investment in the specialist skills and expertise of the sector's workforce. Funding is confirmed annually, influencing the contract duration. The contracting body for this procurement is Ibec, the promoter of the Food Drink Ireland Skillnet Network.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• Certifications: Certification of the programme is a highly desirable element, but not a mandatory requirement.
• Past experience:
• Organisational track record and experience in delivering similar programmes to similar learners (weighted 25%, minimum score 15).
• Relevant experience in delivering similar projects, specifically the successful design, development, and delivery of similar training programmes, ideally within a network structure (with multiple organisations) in the Food Sector or transferable to the Food and Drink sector.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Tenderers must state if they are able to deliver the course in every county in Ireland.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The selection will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), with the following criteria and weighting:

A minimum overall score of 43 is required for a tender to be considered.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted as a soft copy via email to [email protected]. The submission must adhere to the format specified in Appendix II of the RFP. Failure to comply may result in rejection. Required tender contents include:

• Cover sheet: As provided in Appendix III.
• Company Details: Name and address.
• Contact Person Details: First name, surname, telephone, email, title/position.
• Organisation Overview: A summary of the organisation, its activities, services, and structure, including an outline of relevant experience in delivering similar projects.
• Proposal: An outline of the proposed course(s), including:
• Target learners
• Programme duration
• Programme structure / module overview / method of delivery
• Assessment process (if applicable)
• Qualifications received (if applicable)
• Minimum/maximum number of trainees per course
• Confirmation of ability to deliver in every county in Ireland.
• Cost: A breakdown of costs for each programme, quoted in Euros and inclusive of VAT. Fees should be fixed amounts for courses.
• Outline of Relevant Experience and References: Minimum of 2 references, specifying the capacity of work and brief details of training delivered (programme name, duration, number and type of trainees).
• Completed, signed, and dated declaration: As provided in Appendix IV.

Only one tender per tenderer is permitted.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: 1 year, with the option to extend annually up to a maximum of 4 years. Extensions are contingent on satisfactory performance, business needs, and budget availability.
• Payment: Invoices are to be submitted on a course-by-course basis. Alternative invoicing can be arranged for courses exceeding one year.
• Reporting: The successful provider must collect and pass evaluation data to the Network manager in a standardised format on agreed dates. They must also provide reports, data, and information as prescribed by the network contract and Skillnets guidelines.
• Confidentiality: All information provided by tenderers must be treated in strict confidence, subject to the Food Drink Ireland Skillnet Network's obligations under law, including the Freedom of Information Act.
• Intellectual Property: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting: Not specified for this tender.
• Guarantees/Bonds: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The estimated contract value of €20,000, with a potential duration of up to 4 years, suggests a low-value, potentially framework-like arrangement. The absence of guaranteed expenditure means the actual value could be significantly lower than €20,000 per year. The contract's funding is confirmed annually, introducing an element of uncertainty regarding its continuation beyond the initial term. The requirement for delivery in "every county in Ireland" could be a significant operational challenge for smaller providers. The emphasis on blended/e-learning options indicates a need for modern delivery methods.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with specialised expertise in delivering vocational training programmes, particularly those with experience in the food and drink sector or with transferable skills. The relatively low indicative value and the focus on a specific technical skill set (beer dispense technicians) suggest that a niche training provider could be a strong contender.

• Credible bidders: Organisations with a proven track record in designing and delivering technical training programmes, ideally with experience working with industry networks or multiple companies. Experience in blended or e-learning delivery is advantageous.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Not explicitly mentioned, but the nature of the work might allow for partnerships if a single entity cannot cover all aspects.
• Bid-prep effort: Moderate. While the scope is specific, the need to detail programme structure, delivery methods, assessment, and provide references will require significant effort. Estimating 5-10 days for preparation.
• Pwin signal: The tender is open, and no incumbent is named. The award criteria heavily favour quality and relevance of the training programme (40%) and organisational track record (25%), suggesting that a provider with a strong, relevant offering and demonstrable experience has a good chance of winning, regardless of size, provided they meet the minimum scores.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFP for Provider of Training Programme for Beer Dispense Technicians Skills training 2026.doc
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact / Clarification Portal: eTenders Questions and Answers facility. Queries via phone or email will not be responded to.
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix I – Specification of Requirements
• Appendix II – Instructions to Tenderers
• Appendix IV – Declaration