Request for Tenders for the provision of Research on International Approaches to School Workforce Planning

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 contract involves conducting research on international approaches to school workforce planning. The successful contractor will be responsible for a comprehensive analysis of various global strategies, policies, and practices related to the planning and management of school workforces. This research aims to inform the Department of Education and Youth on best practices and innovative approaches that can be adapted to the Irish context.

The contractor's day-to-day activities will include:

• Literature Review: Conducting a thorough review of existing research and publications on international workforce planning in education.
• Data Collection: Gathering quantitative and qualitative data from various countries regarding their workforce planning strategies.
• Interviews and Surveys: Engaging with educational stakeholders, including policymakers, school administrators, and educators, to gather insights on effective workforce planning practices.
• Analysis and Reporting: Analyzing the collected data to identify trends, challenges, and successful strategies in workforce planning.
• Recommendations: Developing actionable recommendations for the Department of Education and Youth based on the research findings.
• Progress Reporting: Providing updates to the Department every 4-6 weeks on emerging findings and insights.
• Final Report: Delivering a comprehensive final report by November 2026, summarizing the research findings and recommendations.

The contractor must ensure that all research adheres to ethical standards and data protection regulations.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the Department of Education and Youth's initiative to enhance the effectiveness of school workforce planning in Ireland. The procurement aligns with the government's broader educational reform policies aimed at improving educational outcomes through better resource allocation and workforce management. The Department seeks to leverage international best practices to inform its strategies, thereby enhancing the quality of education provided in Irish schools. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor for this research project.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million (not required if self-employed)
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Bidders must demonstrate successful completion of at least two similar projects within the past seven years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Bidders must provide evidence of their compliance with these criteria in their submissions.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Bidders must achieve a minimum of 50% in each criterion to be considered for the award. The overall scoring will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the template provided in Appendix 1, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Complete the Pricing Schedule in Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Provide at least two case studies of similar projects, with values ranging from €50,000 to €140,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via the eTenders platform, adhering to the specified format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The initial contract term is 24 months, with a potential extension of up to 6 months.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made upon receipt of invoices, subject to the terms outlined in the Services Contract.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Progress reports are required every 4-6 weeks, with a final report due by November 2026.
• Termination clauses: The contract may be terminated with 14 days' notice.
• IP ownership: All intellectual property generated during the contract will belong to the Department of Education and Youth.
• Sub-contracting rules: Subcontracting is permitted, but the Prime Contractor must retain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The requirement for a minimum of two similar projects may limit participation to more established firms, potentially excluding smaller businesses.
• The tight timeline for the final report (November 2026) may pose challenges for bidders in terms of data collection and analysis.
• The absence of specified geographic constraints may lead to a broader pool of bidders, but it also raises concerns about the relevance of international practices to the Irish context.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in educational research and workforce planning. Viable bidders should have:

• A proven track record in conducting similar research projects, ideally with international comparisons.
• The ability to collaborate with other SMEs or larger firms if needed, as consortiums are allowed.
• An estimated bid preparation effort of approximately 10-15 days, considering the documentation and research required.
• A moderate Pwin signal, as the absence of an incumbent may level the playing field for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 20260609 School Workforce RfT Final.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: Queries must be directed through the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie.
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement