As part of the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) review announced in August 2016, Pobal has issued a Request for Information (RFI). Pobal has stated this request is a “market sounding exercise to obtain market information in respect of Telecare Equipment in relation to the Seniors Alert Scheme”. The response document is now available on the Irish government’s eTenders website.
The RFI document states that in particular, Pobal wishes to seek responses from “Organisations or other independent experts or professionals, who provide goods and services in the area of telecare or telehealth, who want to engage with us to help us understand the current market for Telecare and Telehealth.” Pobal add that “If you are an entity listed above and / or have information that you feel is pertinent to the Seniors Alert Scheme then we would be grateful if you could complete and return the form…”[my emphasis].
The 17 questions contained in the RFI document are outlined below. To download the full RFI, you can register on Ireland’s eTenders website.
You do not have to answer every question on the response form as it states “you may choose to answer all or some of the questions”. Therefore, if you are short of time, or do not want to complete the whole form, the most relevant part for you may be ‘Question 2.13: Other Issues’. This question allows for “any additional information or commentary that you believe is relevant” that has not been addressed in the other questions.
The deadline for submissions is 3.00pm, on Thursday the 2nd March 2017. Further information, clarifications & submissions can be emailed to procurement@pobal.ie.
Request for Information for Telecare Equipment: The questions from Pobal’s RFI document…
2.1 Contact Details
2.2 Organisation Profile
Please tell us about your organisation. When was it established, how many employees and volunteers at how many locations, your core business, product / service range and any other relevant information?
2.3 Third Parties or Acquisitions
Please tell us about any third party alliances or relationships. Are there any planned acquisitions or potential major industry developments?
2.4 Market Analysis
Please tell us who are the main manufacturers and suppliers of Telehealth and Telecare equipment and services operating in this market, what way is the market heading and what are the main cost drivers within the market.
2.5 Product / Service Analysis
Please identify the range of products and services that your organisation offers. Where applicable please include information such as manufacturer name, model name, the key functions of the products and what you think are the main benefits of the products.
2.6 Product / Service Analysis
How intuitive and / or user friendly are the products and / or platforms that your organisation offers?
2.7 Implementation
Please provide information on your distribution and installation channels and any partners you work with in the implementation of same. Also please provide information on the standard skills / competencies / qualifications required (if any) for successful implementation of the supply and / or installation of Telecare/health products or services that you provide. What is the typical timeframe required for the installation of equipment and is there any additional information you wish to include?
2.8 Training and Ongoing Support
In your experience is user training required for your products / services and if so how many days? What on-going user supports are available and are any books or manuals available?
2.9 Monitoring / Unit / Installation Costs
Please outline what are the typical costs and / or subscription rates for your standard Telecare/health or Telecare/health services particularly in relation to monitoring costs that might have to be borne by the user . If as asked in 2.8 above training is recommended then what is the typical daily rate for training or is it included in basic costs? It would also be helpful if information can be provided regarding any other cost drivers.
2.10 Technical – Physical
Please provide details of any governance codes or industry certification standards which your organisation is currently in receipt of, or is in the process of applying for. In addition please provide any information on quality assurance procedure and Garda vetting.
2.11 Technical – Configuration / Customisation
If necessary how configurable is the solution to the specific needs of an organisation or is bespoke work required? If bespoke work is required what expertise would be an essential requirement and would third parties be possibly involved?
2.12 Technical – Interoperability
What are the key integration criteria necessary to ensure a successful implementation where integration with other systems, services or products is required? Are there any systems with which your product, systems or services cannot integrate? Please provide any information on your products interoperability regarding monitoring standards such as EN 50134 , Parts 2, 3, 5 and 7.
2.13 Other Issues
Please provide any additional information or commentary that you believe is relevant and that we have not addressed in the questions above (i.e., licencing issues, contract clauses, small business consideration, proposal preparation costs, etc.). Highlight any factors that would make competing for this contract desirable or undesirable for your organisation.
2.14 Contract / Award
Please discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with a single award and/or a multiple award contract for the supply of Telecare/health equipment. What do you consider the more desirable option and why?
2.15 Best Procurement Strategy
Based on your organisations experience, what procurement strategy represents the most effective approach when considering the cost, time, and resources required to efficiently bid for the supply and installation of Telecare/health equipment in connection to the Seniors Alert Scheme?
2.16 Lotting Strategy
Please provide an indication of the ‘Lot’ make up that would be attractive for your organisation to bid for. For example does the SAS programme lend itself to be broken up into smaller lots or the entire service bundled into one overall lot? A lot is defined broadly as a specific ‘bundle’ of work that has particular characteristics that makes it different from other ‘bundles’. Please also discuss alternate contracting mechanisms to include sector-specific, location-specific, etc. What do you consider the more desirable LOT structure option and why?
2.17 Innovation
What innovative methods could be introduced to the supply and installation of Telecare/Telehealth equipment in connection with the Seniors Alert Scheme?
See related:
Termination of Ireland’s Senior Alert Scheme
Seniors Alert Scheme “Under-subscribed”