The supply and delivery of DIY Artificial Insemination (AI) and/or Applied Practical Animal Ultrasound Scanning training courses to Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) invites responses to this Request for Tender (RFT) from economic operators (tenderers) for the supply and delivery of DIY Artificial Insemination (AI) and/or Applied Practical Animal Ultrasound Scanning training courses . The purpose of this RFT is to appoint one or more training providers with the appropriate knowledge and experience in DIY Artificial Insemination (AI) Training and Applied Practical Animal Ultrasound Scanning. The successful training providers are estimated to train approximately 100 participants annually, running DIY Artificial Insemination (AI) training courses and/or Applied Practical Animal Ultrasound Scanning on a monthly basis. The tenderers will be assessed on a number of criteria including value for money, location/area served, group size catered for, availability of training facilities where applicable and reputation/experience. The services concerned will primarily be required in the Laois and Offaly area but LOETB may require the training courses to be delivered in alternative locations. The breakdown of how many courses will run will be subject to demand. The courses are aimed at part time farmers in the Laois and Offaly area with off-farm income supplementation. A key aim of the LOETB’s Agricultural Strategy is to ensure continuation of part-time farming despite having off-farm income or if possible, give farmers in the Laois and Offaly regions the technical skills to create their own off-farm income e.g Bovine Pregnancy Scanner. As part of this strategy there is an emphasis on the sustainability and viability of Irish farms and farming families for future generations by equipping farmers in the Laois and Offaly region with the ability to pregnancy scan their own animals and DIY AI as required. It may result help significantly reduce the associated costs to their holding. LOETB would envisage a focus on practical application of knowledge in particular areas of labour deficits. This course will be aimed at all 6,809 farmers (approx.) in the Laois and Offaly region who may in a position to avail of this training service on their own farms or as an off-farm income generator. This project is subject to the availability of funding and this RFT will be based on most economically advantageous tender submitted for all the listed requirements.