INVITATION TO TENDER
HSE on behalf of
The Limerick Children’s Services Committee (CSC)
1. Context
The Limerick City Children’s Services Committee (CSC), established in 2007 consists of senior level representatives of all statutory agencies[1] that have a remit around delivering services to children and their families. It is charged with improving the well-being and safety of children by supporting and strengthening families, by facilitating collaboration within Limerick services to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children and by progressing strategic planning and policy in relation to children’s services in the city. To this end, it has been assigned the following tasks:
§ facilitate, coordinate and maximise interagency collaboration in Limerick City in relation to child services;
§ secure support for the joint implementation of policies and initiatives, which require inter-agency action;
§ assist the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy and associated policy;
§ foster cross-agency communication between the various associated agencies and service providers in Limerick City;
§ in support of the Limerick Regeneration Programme, prioritise the development, delivery and integration of services for children and families in communities targeted under the Regeneration Programme[2].
To enable the fulfilment of these tasks, the CSC has committed to developing a robust evidence-base that will enable a broad-based understanding of the needs, interests, capacities and life experiences of children/youth in Limerick - and their families, focusing in particular on children and families living in regeneration communities. Consequently, the Committee, with the support of an advisory Research Sub-group[3], has agreed a Strategic Research and Development Framework, the broad aim of which is to inform the planning and action of the Limerick Children’s Services Committee, and its constituent agencies, in relation to the design, delivery and co-ordination of services through a comprehensive, integrated and longitudinal programme of research.
The research framework will consist of the following separate, though inter-related, research strands:
§ strand 1: An integrated baseline analysis of the experiences and needs of children (up to 18 years) and families in the city, especially those residing in regeneration areas;
§ strand 2: A series of public consultations with service users (children and parents) and service providers across the city;
§ strand 3: A mapping of existing service provision and investment for children and families in Limerick;
§ strand 4: A mapping of local and national policies;
§ strand 5: A review of evidence-based good practice models of service delivery to children and families.
The HSE on behalf of the CSC - is currently inviting tenders for strand 3 of the above Framework.
2. Research Specifications
2.1 A mapping of local service provision for children and families in Limerick: Purpose
There is a dual purpose to this research strand. Firstly, the research seeks to identify existing levels of service provision and investment in services for children and families in the city - particularly within the communities targeted for renewal and regeneration - with a view to assessing gaps and overlaps in service provision, and potential for service integration.
Secondly, the research strand seeks to present the Limerick City CSC with a service map that analyses the extent to which existing service provision is addressing identified need and outcome areas for children and families, particularly a) from the perspective of making a difference to the lives of children and families and b) from the perspective of value for money. A parallel baseline data gathering exercise is currently being undertaken by the CSC and this data will be used to complement the analysis of the service-mapping research piece.
2.2 Research Methodology and Terms of Reference
The Research Sub-Group of the Limerick City CSC has agreed a service mapping framework to guide the level and nature of information to be collected in the research. This will guide all elements of the research process and how the final data should be presented to the CSC. For information, the framework document is attached alongside this tender document.
Consequently, the successful researcher will be required to fulfil the following tasks:
§ make contact with providers of services for children and families from statutory, community and voluntary sectors to gather requisite information in accordance with the aforementioned service mapping framework[4];
§ analyse the composite data from all services contacted in accordance with the requirements of the mapping framework.
§ present the data to the Limerick City CSC as a tool to inform its planning in accordance with the CSC function outlined on the previous page.
2.3 Output
The central output of the research will be the production of a research report that satisfies the aforementioned research purpose. It is expected that the final report will be comprehensive and of publishable standard and will be finalised in consultation with assigned representation of the CSC and/or CSC Research Sub-group.
The CSC will place substantial emphasis on the presentation of the research report, expecting that its content will demonstrate a high level of analysis that will inform the strategic direction of the Limerick CSC and enable reflection on the existing strategies of the CSC’s member agencies.
The copyright and all other intellectual property rights associated with all materials/reports produced related to the research shall be owned by the member agencies of the CSC.
The CSC (and its member organisations) will remain the sole owners of all end-products e.g. reports, etc, irrespective of whether or not the project is terminated prior to its completion.
The ownership of any data collected will reside with the CSC (and associated organisations). No publications should be proposed by the researcher on foot of such research following the expiry of the contract without prior written permission from the CSC.
2.4 Timescale
The expected schedule of the project is as follows:
Commencement of research contract: July 2010
Submission of draft report: November 1st, 2010
Date for final draft: November 19th, 2010
2.5 Management and Support
The successful researcher will be accountable to the Children’s Services Committee for the research. The CSC will have overall responsibility for supervising complete delivery of the research. A structure for managing, monitoring and supporting the research project on behalf of the CSC will be agreed with the successful researcher prior to signing of contract.
The research consultant will be expected to present the interim and final report to the Children’s Services Committee.
All data collected in the course of the research will be confidential to the commissioning body and the member agencies.
3 Required Format of Tender
3.1 General Information
The following information must be contained within the research proposal:
· Name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address of applicant and/or organisation with which the current contract will be placed.
· Name and position of contact person dealing with the contract.
· Confirmation of acceptance by the researcher of all conditions outlined in the invitation to tender.
· An up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate.
· Details of previous research undertaken, particularly research relevant to the proposed programme of work.
3.2 The Proposal
Tenders should detail their proposed approach to the study. They should also provide the following information:
§ A statement demonstrating the researcher’s understanding of the research tasks and proposed outputs.
§ A statement of how the researcher proposes to tackle the assignment, clearly stating:
o the key issues involved;
o the various stages of the project;
o the personnel responsible for the task along with details of their experience, qualifications and expertise;
o the proposed time input of each individual.
§ Details of at least three relevant references where similar work has been carried out must be given. Details should include the name, address and telephone number of the organisation for which this work was carried out, including a specific contact person in each case. The CSC may make contact with these referees as part of the assessment of tenders process.
3.3 Financial Information
All costs must be quoted in EURO (€). Tenders must cost each element of the work outlined in their proposal and the sum should include all costs associated with the delivery of the research. V.A.T., where applicable, should be shown separately – but must appear on the proposal. A breakdown of the total cost should be provided i.e. the number of days, daily rates being charged in respect of each individual to be involved in the project etc.
Payment will be phased and linked to progress as follows:
· 30% upon signing of contract;
· 30% upon submission of interim report;
· Final 40% upon receipt of final report and satisfactory conclusion of the overall project.
The figure quoted must be the best and final offer for the award of the contract and must be a single fixed figure quotation. The budget (inclusive of all expenses, additional costs, taxes or duties incurred) should not exceed €12,500.
4 Criteria for award of contract
4.1 Award Criteria
The contract will be awarded to the qualifying tender on the basis of the following award criteria in order of priority:
· Quality of proposal and level of conformance with the requirements specified in the previous sections.
· Quality of research personnel proposed.
· Demonstrable and proven expertise in providing the type of work specified in previous sections, in particular a demonstrated capacity to complete and present research findings in a manner that will support planning, integration and evaluation activity of the Limerick CSC.
· Cost.
· Evidence of familiarity with local and children’s policy context.
5 General Conditions
The commissioning body does not bind itself to accept the lowest tender. It reserves the right to reject in whole or in part any or all tenders received.
The commissioning body will not be liable in respect of any costs incurred in the preparation of tenders.
A hard and electronic copy of the proposal should be submitted to:
Margaret Mastriani
Children’s Services Committee Co-ordinator
87 O’Connell Street,
Limerick.
.
And marked clearly Children’s Services Committee Research Proposal
Final date for submission of proposals is 5 p.m. on 05/07/2010.
Queries should be directed to:
Margaret Mastriani
Children’s Services Co-ordinator
Phone 061/483453
This research programme is being implemented with the financial support of the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Limerick Regeneration Agency
1
[1] Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, Probation Services, Department of Education and Science, National Education Welfare Board, Limerick City Council, City of Limerick VEC and Limerick City Regeneration Agencies.
[2] For more details on the Limerick Regeneration Programme, visit http://www.limerickregeneration.ie
[3] Comprising representation from the CSC, the Regeneration Agencies, PAUL Partnership, the Targeting Educational Disadvantage project at Mary Immaculate College and the Shannon Consortium Strategic Innovation in Education Initiative at the University of Limerick.
[4] The CSC has prior relationship with the majority of services and will guide the researcher in making such contact. The CSC will also publicise the research in advance to ensure optimal co-operation with the researcher(s).