2016/23 - Support Services for Small Business Innovation Research Programme

Dear Service Provider,

Enterprise Ireland wishes to establish a single-party framework agreement for the provision of consultancy services to facilitate and support the launch of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Ireland programme which is scheduled for launch in Q4 2016. The framework agreement will be for two (2) years, with the option to extend on an annual basis for an additional two (2) years up to a maximum of four (4) years subject to satisfactory performance, business needs and budgetary constraints. 

Service providers are invited to consult the associated documentation, which contains full further instructions regarding the preparation and submission of tenders.

Additionally, service providers are invited to consult the following information:

1)    Interested parties must register their interest on the eTenders web site (www.etenders.gov.ie) in order to be included on the mailing list for clarifications. All information relating to attachments, including clarifications and changes, will be published on the Irish Government Procurement Opportunities Portal (www.etenders.gov.ie) only. Registration is free of charge. The contracting authority will not accept responsibility for information relayed (or not relayed) via third parties

2)    This is the sole call for competition for this service.

3)    The contracting authority will not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by tenderers.

4)    Contract award will be subject to the approval of the competent authorities.

5)    It will be a condition of contract that tenderers are tax compliant and are in a position to produce a valid tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners when requested.

6)    If for any reason it is not posiible to admit to the framework agreement the tenderer invited following the conclusion of this competotive process, the contracting authority reserves the right to invite the next highest scoring tenderer to join the framework agreement.

7)    At its absolute discretion, the contracting authority may elect to terminate this procurement process, or any contract awarded at any time.

8)    Please note in relation to all documents, that where reference is made to a particular standard, make, source, process, trademark, type or patent, that this is not to be regarded as a de facto requirement. In all such cases it should be understood that such indications are to be treated strictly and solely for reference purposes only, to which the words "or equivalent" will always be appended.

9)    Without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment, the contracting authority is not obliged to engage in a clarification process in respect oftenders with missing or incomplete information. Therefore, tenderers are advised to ensure that they return FULLY COMPLETED documentation in order to avoid the risk of elimination from the competition.

Yours sincerely,

Enterprise Ireland