Request For Tender

 

Project Title:  Barrow Mobility Marketing

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) has driven and funded many social and economic development projects in County Kilkenny over three decades. These projects include tourism, village renewal, and community support initiatives.

To support these communities further KLP is proposing to pilot a bus service in the Barrow Valley region of east Kilkenny and the adjacent area by way of a minibus offering a looped service.  The project will be monitored and a report on its success and limitations will be completed.

This request for tender is focused on the marketing support of the pilot in the period up to and during May to October 2026.

Context to the Marketing: The aim of the Barrow Bus service is to research the sustainability and issues that might pertain to the longer-term provision of a looped service in this area and other rural parts of County Kilkenny without adequate public transport coverage.  The service will do this through the temporary provision (for the length of the study period: May to October 2026) of a minibus providing a looped route linkage to visitor sites, settlements, existing conventional transport, and other mobility services.

The service will be open to the general public but will focus its operations on supporting visitors who wish to visit and explore the region, without a private car. The service will provide direct evidence of the popularity and limitations of the looped transport service as the numbers travelling, their ‘origin of journey’ and ‘ultimate destinations’ points will be recorded and analysed in a final report.

Proposal

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership is seeking tenders from suitably qualified parties to provide a marketing service in the execution of this pilot scheme.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake a strategic marketing campaign to promote the Barrow Bus service and the initiative generally for Summer 2026.  The client is open to negotiation on the final shape of that campaign, but the default request for tender includes the requirement that there be the organisation and delivery of a marketing campaign over the 25 weeks of the Barrow Bus service.

The project envisages a coordinated suite of marketing materials to support and enhance the marketing campaign. This would cover graphic design, branding, a bus wrap, and PR to launch and promote the service. On completion of the pilot, we require event management and publicity services to highlight the research findings.

A budget of €7,000 is envisaged. Please include the following elements in your tender price.

  • Graphic design and branding, including bus wrap
  • Printed promotional materials
  • Video
  • Press releases
  • Print & Radio Advertising
  • Social Media campaign
  • Press launch
  • Event to present findings
  • Email marketing

 

Tender Proposal Layout

Proposals should be structured as follows:

Organisational Profile

  • Provide a profile demonstrating the organization’s competency and sustainability to undertake the proposed contract.

Delivery Staff Profile(s) and Experience

  • Provide profiles of key staff proposed for the project.

Overview of Previous Work

  • Provide examples of previous relevant work experience.

Contract Price

  • Submissions must include a breakdown of individual costs, including VAT and expenses.

Methodology/Approach Outline

  • Describe the approach to each proposed stage of the project and timeline.

Selection Process

Interested parties should provide the following information:

  • Experience: Details of experience in delivering projects of a similar nature (30 marks).
  • Team Skills: Skill set and experience of the delivery team (30 marks).
  • Availability: Confirmation of availability to commence the project (20 marks).
  • Price: Including VAT and expenses (20 marks).

 

Submission Details

Please send completed proposals by email to cleo.murphy@cklp.ie by 16 January 2026

For any queries, please contact Cleo Murphy on 086-8244 305

 

Requirements

The successful bidder must provide proof of current Tax Clearance and Professional Indemnity Insurance prior to the contract commencement.