Single Operator Framework for the Provision of Recruitment and Campaign Recruitment Services for Nurses

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 tender seeks a contractor to provide recruitment and campaign recruitment services for nurses within the Irish Prison Service. The contract spans a four-year term with no extensions. The contractor will manage the recruitment process for nurses, ensuring candidates meet specific qualifications and experience criteria.

• Recruitment Services: Source and recruit suitably qualified nurses with at least 12 months of experience as Registered General Nurses or Registered Psychiatric Nurses for permanent positions.
• Campaign Management: Develop and execute recruitment campaigns to attract qualified nursing candidates.
• Candidate Screening: Conduct initial screening and interviews to ensure candidates meet the Irish Prison Service's requirements.
• Panel Interviews: Coordinate and manage panel interviews, providing a list of suitable candidates to IPS HR within 7 days of the panel interviews closing.
• Compliance: Ensure all recruitment activities comply with relevant Irish and EU regulations, including data protection and employment laws.
• Reporting: Provide regular reports on recruitment activities and outcomes to the Irish Prison Service.
• Locations: Services are to be provided across various Irish Prison Service locations as required.

3. Background & buyer context

The Irish Prison Service is procuring these services to address staffing needs within its facilities, ensuring a consistent supply of qualified nursing staff. This initiative aligns with broader public sector recruitment strategies and aims to enhance healthcare services within the prison system. The procurement is driven by the need for specialized recruitment expertise to manage and streamline the hiring process for nursing roles, which are critical to maintaining healthcare standards in prisons.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €142,000 in the past three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• 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 price/quality split follows the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Tender Response Document (TRD), no page limit specified.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Appendix 2, format not specified.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, electronic submission only, file size limits apply.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for a four-year term with no extensions. Payment terms are not specified, but prices must remain valid for 12 months. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) are not detailed. The contract includes standard termination clauses, allowing termination with 14 days' notice for breaches. Intellectual property ownership and subcontracting rules are not specified. No parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are mentioned.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies a high insurance requirement, which may limit participation to larger firms. The contract value is relatively low (€158,000) compared to the insurance thresholds, potentially indicating a preference for established firms. There is no provision for contract extensions, which may affect long-term planning for bidders. The requirement for rapid candidate presentation (within 7 days) could challenge firms without existing recruitment pipelines.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in recruitment services, particularly within the healthcare sector. Firms must meet the turnover and insurance requirements. Consortium bids and subcontracting are allowed, encouraging collaboration among SMEs. Bid preparation is moderate, likely requiring several days to compile the necessary documentation and response. The presence of an incumbent is not mentioned, suggesting an open field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CFT Recruitment and Campaign Recruitment Services for Nurses.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: 7996532
• Clarification portal: eTenders messaging facility
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement