NORTH EASTERN REGIONAL DRUG & ALCOHOL TASK FORCE
TENDER FOR AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF FUNDED PROJECTS
INTRODUCTION / CONTEXT
In **Apply on the website**, ten Regional Task Forces covering the
entirety of Ireland were set up on foot of recommendations from the
Government?s National Drugs Strategy (NDS). This was to facilitate a
more effective response to the substance misuse problem across Ireland
and involve those directly affected by the problem in the development
of a region based strategic plan. Furthermore, in late **Apply on the
website**, following the recommendations of the Steering Group Report
on the National Substance Misuse Strategy, alcohol was incorporated
into the remit of all Task Forces.
The North Eastern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force (NE-RDATF) brings
together members, representing the community, voluntary and statutory
sectors, public representatives and key interest groups to develop and
co-ordinate a collective and integrated response to drug and alcohol
problems in the north east region which covers the counties of Cavan,
Louth Meath & Monaghan. It supports a range of community-based
projects and initiatives which respond to drug and alcohol problems.
These projects and initiatives have been established under the Task
Force remit to develop and co-ordinate a collective and integrated
response to drug and alcohol problems across the region. The terms of
reference for Drug & Alcohol Task Forces are as follows:
* To coordinate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy in
the context of the needs of the region/local area
* To implement the actions of the National Drugs Strategy where Task
Forces have been assigned a role
* To promote the implementation of evidence-based local/regional
drug and alcohol strategies and to exchange best practice
* To support and strengthen community-based responses to drug and
alcohol misuse
* To maintain an up-to-date overview on the nature and extent of
drug and alcohol misuse in the area/region
* To identify and report on emerging issues and advocate for the
development of policies or actions needed to address them
* To monitor, evaluate and assess the impact of the funded projects
and their continued relevance to the local/regional drugs task force
strategy and to recommend changes in the funding allocations as deemed
necessary
As directed by the Drugs Policy Unit (DPU) in the Department of
Health, all Drug and Alcohol Task Forces need to ensure the following
is prioritised when allocating funding on an annual basis:
* Needs identified in the region with reference to emerging drug
trends and patterns in substance misuse, the evidence base for
interventions and the importance of maintaining the drug focus of
initiatives
* Outcome of evaluation process of individual projects. Any proposal
to make a material change to the purpose of a funded project must have
Departmental approval
* The need to safeguard public funding. The DATF should be informed
of any financial control and/or governance issues prior to decisions
on individual project allocations
* The need to protect front line service provision in line with
Government policy. It is expected that DATF?s should seek to make
reductions, if applicable, primarily from funding provided to projects
in respect of administration, including pay and non-pay costs
* Financial sustainability of a project
* Ongoing monitoring to identify and address gaps in service
provision based on evidence to maximise resources and minimise overlap
or duplication
Previous instructions which issued from the DPU required that projects
were to be assessed against key elements:
* They must be drug and alcohol targeted and evidence-based
* They must show and record tangible outputs and outcomes
* They must contribute in a measurable and meaningful way to the
regional drug strategy
* They must address current gaps and local needs in their
areas/region; and
* Demonstrate clear links with the priorities as set out in the
National Drug Strategy and the Regional Strategic Plan.
EVALUATION OF EXISTING PROJECTS
At present, the NE-RDATF directly supports seven projects throughout
the region dealing with issues of substance misuse and related social
problems. Given the current challenges within the Irish economy, the
NE-RDATF now wish to develop a clear understanding of how its current
and future resources can best be utilised to meet the changing needs
of the population in the region, and to prepare for the advent of
population based funding in the years ahead. To undertake this
assessment, we wish to engage a Consultant/Contractor to evaluate
current funded Projects and to develop a roadmap for future targeted
projects in conjunction with the identified goals of the National
Drugs Strategy **Apply on the website** and its recent Mid-Term
Review, recent HSE reports and the Slaintecare implementation
strategy; and in relation to potential reorientation of services in
line with the emerging needs of the region.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ASSIGNMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Conduct an evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of each of
the seven funded projects and provide a report on each project
separately and working together under the following headings:
* Aims & Objectives of Project - Assess the aims, objectives and
relevance of the project to drug and alcohol specific work
* Outputs & Outcomes of Project - Record and evaluate tangible
outputs and outcomes of the projects
* Relevance to emerging needs - An assessment of the capacity and
adequacy of projects to respond to local established or emerging needs
and gaps in service provision within the region
* Adherence to proven best practice/effective methods - Description
of models of positive practice (e.g. adherence to quality standards
frameworks etc) or evidence based activities which are in operation
within projects and appropriately recorded
* Review of resource allocation linked to value for money,
geographical region, etc
* Identify programmes/services that should be developed/supported
into the future in relation to priority issues and in terms of the
Department of Health Drug Policy Unit (DPU) and NE-RDATF objectives
* Engagement of project/services with other stakeholders and new
Regional Health areas.
It is envisaged that the appointed Contractor will undertake, at a
minimum, the following activities to achieve the requirements of the
NE-RDATF:
* Examine evidence-based assessment models in existence
* Examine the current baseline of staffing and funding; identifying
key staffing requirements & service risks
* Engage with both project managers, staff and service users where
appropriate
* Adapt existing assessment model for use with NE-RDATF projects
and/or design assessment models and processes as may be
required/recommended arising from the evaluation
* To support NE-RDATF with collation, analysis and interpretation of
project information
* Provide liaison support to NE-RDATF with the rollout of assessment
process now and in the future
* Provide NE-RDATF with a final report and recommendations
The appointed contractor will also be required to provide the
following:
* Deliver this work within the agreed prescribed time frame contract
period.
* Provide regular updates on progress to the Task Force Coordinator
and/or our Finance & Governance group.
* Submit a Draft Report to include an executive summary and a series
of recommendations to the Finance & Governance group within the agreed
time frame. Draft document to be submitted to the NE-RDATF for
feedback must include clear findings based on the analysis of
information gathered and collated.
* Final document will be signed off and agreed by the Finance &
Governance group. Appointed contractor will then be required to meet
and present on the findings of the evaluation to the NE-RDATF Task
Force Committee.
* Following on from the presentation of final document to the
NE-RDATF, present the evaluation finding to each Project
Promoter/Service Provider to give each the opportunity to discuss the
findings of the evaluation specific to their project.
* The appointed contractor will be required to comply with the
requirements of the submission of garda vetting and tax compliance.
APPLICATION DETAILS
The budget available for the total project will be no more that
?**Apply on the website**,**Apply on the website** (inclusive of VAT
& travel and other expenses). Given the financial constraints over the
last number of years, the NE-RDATF would ask potential bidders to
consider this in preparing tender costs. All applicants must possess a
tax clearance certificate, as well as relevant professional indemnity
and insurance. The final report must be available within a maximum of
**Apply on the website** weeks of commission.
Consultant/Contractor should state the following in their submissions
to NE-RDATF:
* Their approach and methodology in undertaking this commission
* The team member(s) they propose to deploy, and their specific
experience in the field of substance misuse consultancy assignments
* Curriculum Vitae (including the name of organisations for whom
consultancy work has been completed)
* Relevant samples of previous work
* Their overall cost of conducting the assignment, and the
distribution of consultancy days amongst their team, including the
number of days required to complete the task, the number of days each
person will be employed on the task, the cost per day.
The NE-RDATF will not be bound to accept the lowest or any tender.
Once the tender has been accepted, any price increases during the term
of contract will not be accepted
TENDER ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
A tender assessment panel will examine all tenders received. The panel
will have to be satisfied that the method and programme of work meet
the project?s objectives and are cost effective. The panel will also
consider other criteria to include:
* Clear demonstration and understanding of the issues being addressed
* Demonstration that the tender has the level, depth, nature of and
the relevant skills and experience in the area. Evidence that they
possess the necessary skills to carry out the study
* Proposed qualitative/quantitative research design and data
analysis
* Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage and complete the
contract within the agreed timeframe
* Overall assessment and quality of proposal
* Declaration of any potential conflict of interest
* Confirmation from applicant that they are in receipt of current
garda vetting documentation. Where an agency/individual is not in
receipt of garda vetting, they must confirm they are able to source
same
* Development of a proposed rating scale for all projects
* Value for money
TIMEFRAME
Closing date for receipt of tender applications is FRIDAY **APPLY ON
THE WEBSITE**TH JANUARY **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE** AT 4PM. Applications
that are delivered late or incomplete after that time will not be
considered. Applications will be accepted by email to **Apply on the
website**.
Informal enquiries to Andy Ogle, Coordinator, NE-RDATF at: **Apply on
the website** or **Apply on the website** **Apply on the website**.
IMPORTANT NOTE: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TENDERER TO ENSURE THE
TENDER IS RECEIVED BY THE NE-RDATF ON TIME. No responsibility for late
arrival of emails or correspondence will be accepted by NE-RDATF.
Short listing will apply following initial assessment of tenders, and
selected applications for this commission will be required to attend
an interview and make a presentation to the NE-RDATF Finance &
Governance group; the date for possible interviews & presentations
will be in mid-February **Apply on the website**.
* The appointed Contractor must be in a position to begin work by the
first week of March **Apply on the website**.
* A Draft Report must be submitted by the successful Contractor to
the NE-RDATF Finance & Governance group by Monday **Apply on the
website**th April **Apply on the website**.
* The Final Report must be submitted to the NE-RDATF Finance &
Governance group by Friday **Apply on the website**th May **Apply on
the website**.
Compliance to the timeframe set out above is necessary to enable the
NE-RDATF to develop a workplan based on the clear recommendations of
this report.
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
