Consultancy in Genetic Genomic Breeding Program Design and Implementation

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 Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) seeks consultancy services to support its large-scale genetic genomic evaluations in livestock. The contract requires expertise in designing and implementing breeding programs, developing new phenotypes relevant for livestock breeding, and creating, validating, and deploying individual animal sustainability and climate-oriented metrics. These metrics are to be integrated into existing breeding programs.

The estimated service provision is 150 days per year. Services may be required on-site at ICBF offices.

Key activities and areas of expertise include:

• Genetic Genomic Evaluation: Operating large-scale, routine genetic genomic evaluations in livestock.
• Phenotype Development: Experience in developing new phenotypes specifically relevant for livestock breeding.
• Breeding Program Design: Expertise in developing new breeding programs according to specified details.
• Sustainability and Climate Metrics:
• Development of individual animal sustainability metrics.
• Development of climate-oriented metrics for individual animals.
• Validation of these metrics.
• Deployment of these metrics.
• Integration of these metrics into breeding programs.

The estimated expenditure for these services is €700,000 (excluding VAT) over the initial three-year term, with potential extensions.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), an organisation focused on genetic improvement in Irish livestock. The need for consultancy arises from ICBF's ongoing work in large-scale genetic genomic evaluations and the strategic imperative to integrate sustainability and climate-oriented metrics into livestock breeding programs. This aligns with broader agricultural policy objectives concerning environmental impact and sustainable farming practices. The procurement is conducted under the open procedure, as per the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

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

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13,000,000 (thirteen million euro) any one claim, unlimited any one period.
• Public Liability: €6,500,000 (six million five hundred thousand euro) any one claim, unlimited any one period.
• Product Liability: Not specified for this tender.
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000 (one million euro) limit in the aggregate per insurance year.
• Cyber Liability: €2,000,000 (two million euro) any one occurrence and in the aggregate per insurance year.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Tenderers must demonstrate a proven track record and capability for providing a professional, high-quality, accurate, and compliant service similar to the services required. Specific minimum project numbers or values are not detailed in the provided extract.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Services may be required on-site at ICBF offices.

Tenderers must also submit a European Single Procurement Document (eESPD) and confirm satisfaction of selection criteria.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). The specific weighting and sub-criteria for scoring are not detailed in the provided extract. Tenderers must pass each selection criterion to be evaluated.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform (www.etenders.gov.ie).

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must follow the RFT format and respond to each element in order. The RFT document itself is the primary response framework.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Appendix 2 must be completed. Prices must be all-inclusive (excluding VAT), in Euro, and valid for 6 months from the Tender Deadline.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• European Single Procurement Document (eESPD).
• Tenderer's Statement (Appendix 3), signed and on letterhead.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: eTenders.gov.ie. File size limit is 250MB per file, with a total limit of 2GB. Tenders must be submitted by clicking the "Submit" button.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

• Term: Three years.
• Extension: The Contracting Authority may extend the term for up to one year, with a maximum of two such extensions.
• Payment terms: Subject to and made in accordance with the Services Contract at Appendix 5.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Liquidated damages or penalty regimes: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Termination clauses: Either party may terminate with 14 days' notice if no queries are raised within 14 days of invoice submission (this appears to be a payment clause, not general termination). Breach remediation is required within 30 days.
• IP ownership: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Sub-contracting rules: Tenderers must designate a single Prime Contractor responsible for the Services Contract, irrespective of subcontracting. Subcontractors may need to submit separate eESPDs.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified in the provided extract.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Estimated value vs. contract length: The estimated value of €700,000 over three years suggests an average annual spend of approximately €233,333. This is a moderate value for a consultancy contract of this nature.
• Insurance requirements: The specified insurance limits, particularly for Employer's Liability (€13m) and Public Liability (€6.5m), are substantial for a consultancy role, suggesting a potential for significant risk exposure or a desire for very high protection. Cyber Liability cover of €2m is also notable.
• Lack of detailed award criteria: The absence of specific scoring weights for award criteria means bidders cannot precisely tailor their technical and commercial proposals to a defined scoring matrix.
• On-site requirement: The possibility of on-site service provision requires bidders to consider the logistical implications for their personnel.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as an open procedure, indicating it is intended to be accessible to a range of economic operators. However, the substantial insurance requirements (€13m EL, €6.5m PL, €1m PI, €2m Cyber) may present a significant barrier for very small or newly established consultancies.

• Who can credibly bid: Firms with established expertise in genetic genomic evaluations, livestock breeding program design, and the development of sustainability/climate metrics. They must be capable of meeting the high insurance thresholds.
• Consortium or sub-contracting: Allowed. Larger enterprises are encouraged to include SMEs, and SMEs are encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises. A Prime Contractor must be designated.
• Indicative bid-prep effort: Moderate. Significant effort will be required to complete the eESPD, detail technical expertise, and ensure compliance with insurance and contractual terms.
• Pwin signal: No incumbent is named. The open procedure and encouragement of SME participation suggest a competitive field. The primary competitive factors will likely be technical expertise in the niche areas of genetic genomics and sustainability metrics, alongside meeting the stringent insurance requirements.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: [Consultancy in genetic genomic breeding program design and implementation.docx]
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided extract.
• Contact / clarification portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Appendix 5: Services Contract