Provision of Training and Learning Development Programme Services

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 for the provision of Training and Learning Development Programme Services. The scope encompasses Learning Design, Content Development, Skills-Pathway Development, and AI-Literacy Pathways. The Contracting Authority, Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI), reserves the right to procure additional, broadly similar services under this contract at its discretion.

The constituent activities and specifications include:

• Learning Design: Developing structured learning experiences tailored to specific skill development needs.
• Content Development: Creating educational materials, which may include digital resources, manuals, or interactive modules.
• Skills-Pathway Development: Designing and implementing structured learning routes to achieve specific vocational or technical competencies.
• AI-Literacy Pathways: Developing training programmes focused on understanding and utilising Artificial Intelligence technologies.

The estimated requirement is for 75 consultant days per month across the blended services. The contract is for an initial term of 24 months, with a potential extension of up to 12 months. The estimated expenditure over the full potential term is €1,485,000 (excluding VAT). Tenderers must understand this is an estimate based on current and future expected usage.

3. Background & buyer context

Digital Manufacturing Ireland (DMI) is procuring these Training and Learning Development Programme Services to enhance skills and knowledge within the digital manufacturing sector. This procurement aligns with broader EU and Irish government objectives to foster digital transformation and workforce development. The services fall under the Light Touch Regime (LTR) of Directive 2014/24/EU, allowing for procedural flexibility while adhering to core EU procurement principles. The services are classified under CPV code 80000000-4 (Education & Training Services). DMI aims to encourage participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourages larger enterprises to include SMEs in their proposals.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered compliant:

• Turnover requirement: Average annual turnover of €594,000 (excl. VAT) in each of the last three financial years, or if more recently established, €594,000 (excl. VAT) for the period of trading.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim or series of claims arising out of a single occurrence.
• Product Liability: €1.0 million for each and every claim excluding defence costs.
• Professional Indemnity: €1.3 million for each and every claim excluding defence costs.
• Cyber Liability: €1.0 million for each and every claim.
• 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.

Tenderers must also declare via the eESPD that no mandatory grounds for exclusion apply, or if they do, that sufficient measures demonstrate reliability. Tenderers relying on the capacity of other entities (subcontractors) must ensure these entities also meet relevant criteria and submit separate eESPDs.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award criteria will determine the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). The tender documents do not specify the exact weighting or scoring mechanism for award criteria. However, the evaluation process will assess compliant tenders based on criteria outlined in Part 3.3 of the RFT. A minimum score of 50% of the total marks available for each criterion is required. Responses will be assessed against minimum requirements, with higher scores awarded for exceeding them.

6. Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTenders.gov.ie platform. Key submission requirements include:

• Method statement / response document: Tenderers must use the provided Tender Response Template (TRT) and adhere to specified page limits. Material exceeding page limits will not be evaluated.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Must be completed using Appendix 2. Prices must be all-inclusive (excluding VAT), expressed in Euro, and remain valid for three months from the Tender Deadline.
• Case studies: Not specified for this tender.
• Declarations:
• Electronic Single Procurement Document (eESPD).
• Tenderer's Statement (Appendix 3), confirming acceptance of RFT requirements and Services Contract terms.
• Declaration as to Personal Circumstances of Tenderer (Appendix 4).
• Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference Number for online verification.
• Mandatory site visit: A site visit to DMI's premises at National Technology Park, Castletroy, Limerick, V94 237R will be organised on a date to be agreed between 10:00 and 16:00. Tenderers must confirm attendance by contacting Ms Lesley Doody at [email protected].
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the 'electronic tenderbox' on www.etenders.gov.ie. File size limits apply: 250MB per file, 500MB total. Tenders must be in Word or PDF format and not contain corrupt files. External hyperlinks are not permitted.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The Services Contract will have an initial term of 24 months. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the term for up to one additional year, subject to legal obligations. Payments will be made in accordance with the Services Contract (Appendix 5). Tenderers must confirm acceptance of the Services Contract terms by signing the Tenderer’s Statement; amendments to the contract are not permitted. Currency variations over the contract term will be borne by the Tenderer. The successful Tenderer must comply with all applicable environmental, social, and labour laws. The contract also includes provisions regarding the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The procurement is conducted under the Light Touch Regime (LTR), which allows for greater flexibility in procedure but requires adherence to TFEU principles. The estimated value of €1,485,000 (excl. VAT) over 24 months, with a potential extension, suggests a significant ongoing requirement. The requirement for 75 consultant days per month indicates a substantial volume of work. The mandatory site visit, though organised on an agreed date, requires proactive engagement from tenderers. The emphasis on SME participation, while a policy driver, may require larger enterprises to structure proposals to include SMEs. The RFT explicitly states that the Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest priced or any tender.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured to allow participation from a range of providers, including SMEs, potentially through consortia or subcontracting arrangements. A credible bidder would likely possess demonstrated expertise in learning design, content development, and potentially AI-literacy training. The turnover requirement of €594,000 average annual turnover suggests that very small, newly established businesses might find it challenging to meet this criterion without forming a consortium.

Consortia and subcontracting are explicitly permitted under paragraph 2.5. Larger enterprises are encouraged to include SMEs in their proposals, and SMEs are encouraged to form relationships with other SMEs or larger enterprises if the scope is beyond their capacity.

The bid preparation effort is not explicitly stated but would likely involve significant time for developing the response template, pricing schedule, and confirming compliance with all requirements, potentially requiring several days of dedicated effort. The tender does not indicate an incumbent or provide signals about the strength of any particular bidder, suggesting a competitive process.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFT Provision of Training and Learning Development Programme Services.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not surfaced in provided text.
• Contact / Clarification Portal: Messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Most important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Services Contract