1. Introduction, Requirements 

1.1 Introduction

 South Dublin County Partnership is a local development company in South Dublin County, Ireland. We are a registered charity, and we develop and deliver projects to tackle poverty and social exclusion in the area, particularly in West Tallaght and North Clondalkin. We do this through working together with people, local groups and partner organisations and through the practice of community development. Our approaches to this work are underpinned and informed by a strong commitment to social justice 

1.2 Purpose of Request for Tenders (RFT) As over 50% of its funding is from public bodies, South Dublin County Partnership must ensure competitive tendering for the goods and services it buys. South Dublin County Partnership are looking to engage an appropriate body / consultant to support us in introducing a new performance management system.

 1.3 Timeframe SDCP are looking to do this piece of work with all of the line managers (20 people) over the next 3-4 months. 

1.4 Freedom of Information Tenderers are asked to consider if any of the information supplied by them should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity. If this is the case, tenderers should, when providing the information, identify same and specify reasons for its sensitivity. We will consult with tenderers about sensitive information before making a decision on any Freedom of Information request received. Please see section 2.5 in relation to the notification of scores to unsuccessful tenderers. If tenderers consider that none of the information supplied by them is sensitive, they should make a statement to that effect. Such information may be released in response to a Freedom of Information request.

1.5 South Dublin County Partnership Requirements SDCP are looking to go to tender for support around the introduction of a new performance management system. SDCP currently have a staff team of just under 120 people, spread across 15 offices in Tallaght, Clondalkin and Lucan. SDCP currently has an annual appraisal which all staff complete. A new performance management form, process and timeline have been drafted which will move away from an annual appraisal to a number of performance and development conversations throughout the year. SDCP are looking for a facilitator(s) to work with us in bringing together all those involved in line management in SDCP (circa. 20 people) over a number of days to discuss the approach to managing and developing performance in the organisation. It is important to ensure that the discussions and conversations bring everyone along. The location of these sessions will be in either Tallaght or Clondalkin and will allow space for smaller break out conversations. A shorter planning session with a smaller group to discuss the proposed content for the sessions would be beneficial. 

The facilitated sessions should cover the following areas;

 - Opportunities to reflect on what works well and what are the challenges in terms of managing performance in SDCP

 - Opportunities to reflect on ones own performance management skills 

- Review of our current forms and processes and proposed new forms and processes

 - Discussion on how best to communicate and embed the new performance management 

The sessions should provide considerable opportunities for discussion, role-play and small group conversations, and there should be some (limited) homework between the sessions. Please include in your response how best to manage and facilitate this process with the team. 

We would expect that the successful evaluator would be experienced in similar projects.

2.3 Contract award / Termination 

South Dublin County Partnership reserves the right not to proceed with the awarding of a tender contract South Dublin County Partnership does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. 

South Dublin County Partnership also reserves the right to reject in whole or in part, any or all tenders received. 

South Dublin County Partnership reserves the right to tender again or to terminate the contract at any stage. In the event that the contract must be revised or abandoned, provisions will be made by South Dublin County Partnership for the termination of the contractor(s) or proposed associates’ contract on payment of reasonable and agreed costs accrued to the date of termination. 

2.4 Format of tender 

To assist in the evaluation process, tenderers must structure their tenders in such a way that they match the overall structure of this section. The tenders should address, on a numbered point-by-point basis, each of the following points 1- 9. 

General Information 

1. Name, address, telephone number and email address of the tendering company. Name of person within the tendering company dealing with the tender process. 

Confirmations 

2. Confirmation of acceptance by the tendering company and any third parties of the conditions described in section 3 – 

General Conditions of tender below.

 3. Confirmation that the tendering company can meet South Dublin County Partnership’s requirements as set out in section 1.5. 

Previous experience 

4. Details of 2 contracts undertaken within the last 3 years demonstrating successful contract delivery and including a brief outline of why the contract was similar to the enquiry of this RFT. 

Method statement 

6. A method statement describing a proposed approach to meeting South Dublin County Partnership’s requirements as set out in section 1.5. 

Proposed resources

 7. Details of the individual/s who will be assigned to this project. Tenderers must demonstrate that they have the level and depth of expertise to provide high quality services in relation to the requirements as set out in section 1.5 of this RFT. Provide Curriculum Vitae’s with details including qualifications of project team members, their individual specialist knowledge and relevant expertise. 

Costs 

8. A total cost for the service should be provided. The price should be provided inclusive of VAT with the relevant rate of VAT indicated. The price should be quoted in euro. The total budget should not exceed €6,000 (incl. VAT) for the total contract. 

A breakdown of the proposed costs should be included as part of the tender response.

 9. Confirmation that the tender holds good for six (6) calendar months after the closing date for receipt of tenders. Tenders should be emailed to Simon Monds at simon.monds@sdcpartnership.ie Please cc Kim Dempsey at kim.dempsey@sdcpartnership.ie and Catherine Robinson at catherine.robinson@sdcpartnership.ie The deadline for the receipt of tenders is 5pm on Thursday, 22nd May, 2025. 

2.5 Acceptance and award criteria

 Acceptance criteria Tenders will be examined, in the first instance, by reference to the following acceptance criteria: 

a) Completeness of tender documentation as specified in section 2.4 (Format of Tender) above. 

b) Provision of 3 examples of previous experience as requested in section 2.4 above. 

Note: It is intended that only those tendering companies that meet the above qualifying criteria will be eligible for inclusion in the award process. 

Award criteria 

The contract will be awarded from the qualifying tenders applying the following award criteria: 

a) Method statement (35%) 

b) Proposed resources (35%)

c) Cost (30%) 

Total: 100% 

Based on its merits each criteria (with the exception of costs) will be rated as follows:

                      0 No response 

                      1 Poor 

                      2 Mediocre 

                     3 Good 

                    4 Very Good

                    5 Excellent 

Scoring Mechanism/Evaluation of Tenders 

• Method Statement 

his criterion refers to the tenderer’s proposed approach to Financial Consultancy Support in bringing in a Financial Management System 

• Proposed Resource 

This criterion refers to the individual(s) proposed to deliver the service, including qualifications of project team members, their individual specialist knowledge and relevant expertise.

• Cost 

The tender with the lowest cost shall be awarded the maximum score available under this criterion [30 marks]; the score of subsequent tenders under this criterion shall be calculated using the following formula: 

                  The lowest cost x maximum score available 

                        Cost for tender being evaluated 

Tenderers should note that South Dublin County Partnership may, when notifying unsuccessful tenderers of the results of this procurement competition, include the scores obtained by the tenderer concerned and the scores obtained by the preferred bidder in respect of each award criterion assessed by South Dublin County Partnership. 

2.6 Financial arrangements 

1. Payment for all services covered by this invitation to tender will be on foot of appropriate invoices. Invoicing arrangements will be agreed with the successful supplier, following the award of contract.

 2. Prices and terms quoted should hold good for at least six (6) calendar months from the final date for receipt of tenders. Similarly, terms and conditions cannot be altered during the currency of the contract.

 3. South Dublin County Partnership retains the right to withhold payment where a contractor has failed to meet its contractual obligations in relation to the delivery of goods/services to an acceptable level of quality.