Invitation for Tenders for A Study to Identify Research Priorities for the Therapy Professions in Ireland CONTENTS Section Page 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. KEY DELIVERABLES 2 3. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS 3 4. FURTHER INFORMATION & QUERY HANDLING 3 5. TIMETABLE 3 6. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/FORMAT OF TENDER 3 7. EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION OF TENDER 4 8. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF TENDER 5 1
1. Introduction The Health Research Board, in association with the Department of Health and Children (Therapy Advisory Unit), invites proposals for a research project to identify research priorities for the therapy services in Ireland. The therapy professions (which include Chiropody/Podiatry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Orthoptics, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy) constitute a growing proportion of the Irish public healthcare workforce, playing an important and very significant role in the provision of healthcare. The recent paradigm shift from treatment intervention which focuses on cure, to one which focuses on quality of life outcomes and changes in the way services are delivered, has strengthened in many ways the potential role of the Therapies. More than ever, there is a need to ensure that evidence is sought and applied for the effective and efficient delivery of services at both a systems and individual level. There is a need to determine research priorities for the therapy professions in the context of needs in the wider healthcare arena, thereby ensuring a focused, coherent and co-ordinated approach for future therapy research and investment and achievement of optimal outcome from all resources. 2. Key deliverables of research programme The research study should identify research priorities for Therapy services as perceived by the professions themselves, but also key stakeholders to include the Department of Health and Children, the Health Services Executive, Higher Education Institutes, Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, other relevant statutory, voluntary and charitable bodies and consumers. It should use a robust methodology to consult with the relevant stakeholders and to determine key research priorities for the six therapy professions. Key research priorities must be aligned with current and future health services needs. The key deliverables of the research are: A review of relevant policy documents both nationally and internationally [e.g. Quality and Fairness A Health System For You (2001), Primary Care A New Direction (2002)] in relation to healthcare research objectives. The investigation of the views of a range of key stakeholders to include the professions themselves, the Department of Health and Children, Health Services Executive, other relevant statutory, voluntary and charitable bodies and consumers. The collation of evidence which will determine the future direction and priorities for therapy research. A report (including an executive summary) identifying research priorities for the therapy professions in Ireland. Recommended timeframes for these identified priorities It is important that the research design would be iterative and involve all stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of the research. It is desirable that the research team be represented by more than one of the six therapy discipline. The Health Research Board is commissioning this research on behalf of the Therapy Advisory Unit in the Department of Health and Children and the successful tenderer will be expected to meet regularly with personnel from the Therapy Advisory Unit to discuss progress over the lifetime of the project. 2
3. Financial Arrangements A total of 70,000 (inclusive of VAT if applicable) is available to fund this research programme. It is anticipated that that research programme should be conducted over a period of approximately one year. The Health Research Board will administer the award through the host institution of the principal applicant. 4. Further Information and Query Handling Every effort has been made to ensure that this documentation contains all the necessary information for completion of tenders. However, in the interests of equity, requests for additional information, clarification on the content of this document and all other queries of substance (other than in relation to purely factual or procedural matters) must be made in writing or by email. Any additional information elicited will be made available to all potential tenderers who have obtained a copy of this document via the e-tenders website or directly from the Health Research Board. Any queries should be submitted by email or in writing only to: Dr Mairead O Driscoll Head of Unit Policy, Evaluation and External Relations Health Research Board 73 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2 E-mail: modriscoll@hrb.ie 5. Timetable The timetable in relation to this tender process is as follows: Latest date and time for receipt of tenders 12pm on 10 July 2007 Award of contract anticipated End July 2007 Contract commencement anticipated September 2007 6. Specific Requirements of research programme/format of Tender Tenders must address all the requirements and must be in the format listed below. Tenders not in this format will not be considered. Proposals should be submitted in Word format by email to modriscoll@hrb.ie before 12pm on 10 July 2007. A hard copy of the proposal and a signed acceptance/declaration by the principal applicant and authorised signatory of the host institution (see below under General Information) must be submitted to the Health Research Board before 12pm on 10 July 2007. General Information The following must be supplied: Name, address, telephone number, email address and fax number of principal applicant 3
Name, address, telephone number and email address of all co-applicants associated with the tender Details of the sites where the research programme will be conducted and the institution nominated to be the host institution for management of the tender contract Confirmation of acceptance by the principal applicant and the relevant authorised signatory of the host institution (CEO, Dean of Research or equivalent) of the conditions outlined in this invitation to tender. Details about the applicant team and management of the study Name of principal applicant, institution, current role and details of experience and track record and publications Details of all co-applicants on the applicant team and experience of working in this area Details of collective experience of conducting a study of this nature Details of collaboration between the health and academic setting Proposed arrangements for recruitment and supervision of research personnel, where appropriate A breakdown of who will do what over the lifetime of the project Details of the suggested work-plan, timeframe and deliverables Details about the study design and methodology The applicant team must demonstrate robustness and feasibility of the study design proposed. Schedule of costs of the research programme All costs must be quoted in euro ( ) and must be inclusive of VAT where applicable. Proposals must include a detailed summary and justification of the costs of conducting the research proposal. Other information Tenderers should provide any other information which may be relevant to this proposal. 7. Examination and Evaluation of Tenders Tenders will be examined initially by reference to the completeness of proposals relative to the tender documentation. Proposals will then be assessed on the basis of the following award criteria (scored from 100 marks and weighted as indicated) Criteria Score 1 The research track record and experience of the applicant team 10 2 The experience and understanding of the Irish health service and in particular the six therapy professions involved 15 3 The quality and rigour of the proposal for determining research priorities 40 4 Evidence that the programme will be well managed 15 5 Evidence that institutional infrastructure and support is available to support the programme 10 6 Most economically advantageous proposal in terms of deliverables, timeframe and cost 10 4
No unsolicited communications from tenderers will be entertained during the evaluation period. A number of the most competitive tenderers may be invited to make presentations on their proposals for the purpose of elaboration, clarification and/or aiding misunderstanding. 8. General Conditions of Tender 8.1 This Invitation for Tenders shall form part of the contract document. The contract will not be concluded/take effect until 14 days after the unsuccessful tenderers have been notified of the result of this tendering procedure. 8.2 The Health Research Board will use its best efforts to hold confidential any information provided by tenderers subject to their obligation under law, including the Freedom of Information Act which came into force on 21 April 1998. Tenderers should indicate, when tendering, what parts of their tenders are commercially sensitive and which they consider should be kept confidential should an FPOI request be received. The Health Research Board will consult with tenderers about any such sensitive information before making a decision on any FOI request received. Similarly, the Health Research Board requires that all information provided pursuant to this invitation to tender will be treated in strict confidence by tenderers. 8.3 Tenderers should be aware that national legislation applies in other matters such as Official Secrets, Data Protection and Health and Safety. 8.4 Tenderers must have regard to statutory terms relating to minimum pay and to legally binding industrial or sectoral agreements in preparing tenders. 8.5 Information supplied by tenderers will be treated as contractually binding. However, the Health Research Board reserves the right to seek clarification or verification of any such information. 8.6 Any conflicts of interest involving a tenderer must be fully disclosed to the Health Research Board particularly where there is a conflict of interest in relation to any recommendations or proposals put forward by the tenderer. 8.7 Before a contract is awarded the successful tenderer will be required to promptly produce a Tax Clearance Certificate, or in the case of a non-resident tenderer, a statement from the Revenue Commissioners confirming suitability on tax grounds. In addition, contractors must retain records of tax reference numbers for any subcontractors where payments exceed 650 (incl. VAT). Tenderers should note that the provision of the Department of Finance Circular 22/95 apply and the Health Research Board may require sight of Tax Clearance Certificates for any subcontractor where payments exceed 2,600. 8.8 In the event of a group of respondents jointly submitting an acceptable offer, the contract will be awarded to Host Institution of the Principal Applicant who acts as the agreed prime contractor. This person is responsible for the delivery of all services provided for under the terms of the contract and shall assume all duties, responsibilities and costs associated with the position of prime contractor. 8.9 The successful tenderer shall be responsible for the delivery of all services provided for within the contract on the basis of a fixed price agreement set at the beginning of the contract. Prices quoted in the tender cannot be increased during the currency of the tender. Similarly, terms and conditions cannot be altered. 5
8.10 The Health Research Board retains the right to withhold payment where the successful tenderer has failed to meet his/her contractual obligations in relation to the delivery of services to an acceptable level of quality. 8.11 The Health Research Board will not be liable in respect of any costs incurred by tenderers in the preparation of tenders or any associated work effort. 8.12 Responses to this Invitation to Tender will be evaluated in their own right. No recognition will be given to information previously submitted. One hardcopy of the tender must be submitted in a sealed envelope, marked Tender: Study to identify research priorities for the therapy professions in Ireland and addressed to: Dr Mairead O Driscoll Head of Unit Policy, Evaluation and External Relations Health Research Board 73 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2 to arrive at the above address not later than 12pm on 10 July 2007. An electronic copy of the proposal must also be forwarded by email to modriscoll@hrb.ie to arrive before 12pm on 10 July 2007. Tenders delivered after this time will not be accepted. 6