Ireland - South Dublin County Partnership: Invitation to Tender - Social Enterprise, Strategic Plan

Description

South Dublin County Social Enterprise Sector
Five Year Strategic Plan
Background
South Dublin County Partnership (SDCP) is a local development company supporting people and communities in the South Dublin County area with projects in: Enterprise and Employment; Lifelong Learning; Children & Families; Community Development and Health & Well-being. South Dublin County Partnership maintains a strong commitment to the social enterprise sector in the county evidenced through the provision of board support, training and networking opportunities.
To date SDCP has supported the establishment and development of social enterprise within South Dublin County in sectors such as recycling and waste materials diversion companies, childcare organisations and education companies. These companies and organisations like them improve the environment, support employment opportunities locally and regionally and work for the overall betterment of society. Collectively SDCP’s Social Enterprise Network members currently provide paid employment for over 100 individuals from disadvantaged areas within the county and a further 75 individuals in supported local work placements through TUS and CE. It is acknowledge nationally and at a European level that the social economy sector has growth potential and the capacity to provide sustained employment.
Social Enterprise Development South Dublin County
Forfas has defined Social Enterprise as:
‘An enterprise that trades for a social/societal purpose where at least part of its income is earned from its trading activity, is separate from government, and where the surplus is primarily reinvested in the social objectives’
The maintenance of services to marginalised communities in South Dublin County through the social enterprise construct has an essential community value in that it strengthens social cohesion, key to building sustainable local communities.
SDCP in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin County Council is inviting tenders from individuals/organisations with expertise in the area to develop a Social Enterprise Strategic Plan (2020 – 2025) for South Dublin County.
Project Objective:
To further expand the Social Enterprise sector across South Dublin County and ensure that the needs of the sector continue to be met, SDCP wishes to develop a five year strategic plan, the aim of which will be to identify opportunities to further develop a vibrant, dynamic and sustainable Social Enterprise sector in the county.
The South Dublin County Social Enterprise strategic plan will include the following:
Demographic profile South Dublin County
Analysis of the existing social enterprise sector within South Dublin County to include the following:

Identify the diversity of social enterprise activity across the SDCC area including the sectors within which social enterprises are currently operating to provide a more informed understanding of the social, economic and financial value and contributions of the social enterprise sector currently

Provide an overview of the scale and current impact of social enterprise activity within the area
Undertake a SWOT analysis of the social enterprise sector in South Dublin County

Detailed analysis of opportunities for social enterprise expansion within South Dublin County to include the following:

Identify industry areas that could support the growth of social enterprise in South Dublin County
Pin point specific opportunities within the county for social enterprise development and innovation
Highlight barriers, if any, to the further development of social enterprises within the area
Identify the supports needed for growth of start-up and the expansion of existing organisations within the sector

Development of a social enterprise strategic plan for South Dublin County to include the following:

An outline implementation plan, including identified KPI’s, to support the roll-out of a targeted social enterprise strategy for the area over the next 5 years (2020 – 2024)
Identify specific actions to be carried out in the strategic plan which link with SDCC Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 – 2021 strategic objectives (Goal 7 – Develop micro enterprise, community economic development and start-ups and goal 10 Reduce poverty, social exclusion and disadvantage, and improve levels of income for disadvantaged communities, including children and families)
An outline a promotional strategy to help educate, inform and promote the social enterprise sector regionally
Identify appropriate evaluation tools for use by social enterprise organisations operating within the sector to measure output and social impact

Presentation of research findings

Collate research findings into a detailed written report, executive summary and power point presentation
Present research key findings to SDCP Senior Management and be available to present overview of at an agreed meeting of key stakeholders

Responses must include:

Process/timetable listing key KPI’s (for reporting progress on various stages of development including the presentation of the final document to key stakeholders) and dates for meeting deadlines
Methodology to be used
Description of expertise and experience of all individuals to be involved in development of the strategic plan
Detailed budget
Referee: contact details must be supplied for 2 referees that SDCP can contact who has used the proposed consultant for similar/related work and two examples of similar work carried out

Project Budget
A budget allocation of up to €12,000 (including VAT) is available
Please outline clearly all fees. A detailed breakdown of costs associated with all elements of the project should be submitted. A current tax clearance certificate will be required. This contract will be awarded on the basis of a fixed price contract and as such, all costs must be quoted (and clearly indicated) as a fixed price in Euro.
Insurance
The successful bidder will be required to submit evidence of relevant professional indemnity insurance details.
Submitting a Tender

Consultants responding to this brief are required to nominate a lead person from their organisation as a point of contract
Consultants are required to provide details of all key staff and experience in the provision of these services
Late proposals will not be considered
All supporting material and documentation should be included in the response
All costs associated with the consultant’s response to the Request for Tender will be the responsibility of the consultant
Tender proposals may only be lodged by post as per the contact details below

Tender Acceptance

South Dublin County Partnership is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender and will award the contract to its best advantage
The successful tender must commit to completing the assignment on time and on budget
All unsuccessful tenders will be advised of the decision
There shall be no binding contract between the tender and SDCP unless or until a written contract is signed by both parties

SDCP expressly reserved the right to:

Extend the time of lodgement of responses to the Request of Tender and/or to vary the timings and process for their Request for Tender
Vary any requirement of the services required for the Request for Tender
Following evaluation, accept or reject any or all responses for the request for Tender
Seek and obtain clarification of any responses to the Request for Tender, including additional information
Request providers to amend their responses
Accept any proposal in part or in total

Tender Evaluation Process
Tenders will be evaluated based on the following:

Proposed methodology of the research
Outline project plan including proposed contingency
Relevant experience and track record of the researchers
A demonstrated understanding of the social enterprise sector
Ability to deliver the strategic plan within a given timeframe
Value for money
Outcome of reference checks

Freedom of Information
South Dublin County Partnership operates under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and all information held by SDCP (including proposals submitted in response to this brief) may be subject to requests under the Act.
Queries
Queries on any aspect of this tender may be emailed to: socialenterprise@sdcpartnership.ie by 12 noon on 16 July 2019 referencing ‘SDCP Social Enterprise Feasibility Study’
Contact
Submissions must be sent in a sealed envelope, marked “Social Enterprise, Strategic Plan” to the following address: Operations and Administration Department, South Dublin County Partnership, Unit D1, Nangor Road Business Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 12. Completed proposals must be received by 5pm, 25th July 2019.
This initiative is co funded by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin County Council.

Opportunity closing date

16 July 2019

Value of contract

to be confirmed