Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force (MWRDTF)

Invitation to Tender to Undertake Research

1Background

1.1Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force (MWRDTF)

The Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force (MWRDTF) was established under the National Drugs Strategy 2001 – 2008, and continues under the Interim Drugs Strategy 2009 – 2016, to research, develop, implement and monitor a co-ordinated response to illicit drug use in the Mid West (counties Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary andLimerickCity). Membership of the MWRDTF comprises of representatives from the statutory, voluntary, and community sectors in the region.

1.2Community Substance Misuse Team (CMST)

The MWRDTF are seeking to develop a new strategic approach to addressing substance misuse in the Mid West region. It is the intention of the Task Force to establish a new Community Substance Misuse Team (CSMT) that will provide a responsive and flexible service to the current and emerging needs of the region.

The aim of the CSMT will be to develop, co-ordinate and deliver a range of services in the Mid West region which may include:

  • Treatment and rehabilitation services
  • Family support services
  • Prevention services
  • A holistic age appropriate service for U-18’s.

2Research Aims and Objectives

The MWRDTF is currently seeking a suitably qualified researcher to undertake the following two inter-related research tasks:

Strand 1:A feasibility study to identify an appropriate evidence-based model of operation for a Community Substance Misuse Team for the Mid West region

Strand 2:A baseline study of the current trends, needs and issues in relation to substance misuse in the Mid West region.

The specific objectives of each research strand are as follows:

Strand 1

The researcher will be expected to undertake:

  • A review of national and international literature to identify and analyse existing models of Community Substance Misuse Teams.

This exercise should involve a review of the structures and operation of Community Substance Misuse Teams in Ireland and internationally. Where possible, the review should focus on Teams/models of operation which have been proven through either research, evaluation or peer reviews to have positive outcomes.

Strand 2

It is expected that the researcher will:

a)Map substance misuse services currently being provided in the Mid West region. Specifically, this exercise should identify:

  1. What services are being provided?
  2. Who is providing the services?
  3. Who is accessing the services?
  4. Where are the services being delivered?
  5. Gaps in service provision

b)Identify current rates of substance misuse in the region – analysed by substance type, geography, gender, age, socio-economic group

c)Analyse emerging trends and needs in relation to drug misuse in the region.

3Research Outputs

Strand 1

It is expected that the research will produce a final report which identifies, describes, and costs the most appropriate model of operation for a Community Substance Misuse Team in the Mid West Region, which:

  • Is based on a model that has proven to have had positive outcomes elsewhere
  • Is appropriate to the geography of the region
  • Is appropriate to current needs in the region
  • Will work with existing services in the region
  • Will address existing gaps in service provision.

Strand 2

It is expected that the research will produce a final report which will:

  • in the immediate term, inform the strategic direction and workplan of the MWRDTF’s newly established Community Substance Misuse Team (CSMT),
  • in the longer term, provide a baseline to enable the CSMT to evaluate its impact.

4Research Methodology

It is anticipated that the research will comprise:

Strand 1:

  • A review of relevant local, national and international literature on relevant community substance misuse teams/models of operation.

Strand 2:

  • A review of secondary data sources, such as service user statistics compiled by service providers
  • A review of primary data collected for two recent studies (and which will be made available to the researcher):
  • MWRDTF Limerick City Sub-Group Strategic Plan
  • MWRDTF Review of existing projects funded by the MWRDTF
  • Consultation with relevant stakeholders by survey, focus group, or interviews (if required). Note: Consultation with stakeholders should only be used where the information from the existing primary and secondary data is not sufficient.

5Expertise, Management & Expectations

5.1Expertise

Tenders are invited from interested consultants with:

  • Experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Experience of undertaking literature reviews
  • Understanding of local and national policy context
  • Knowledge of drug and alcohol issues
  • Experience of writing research reports, feasibility studies, project and business plans
  • Experience of multi-agency collaboration

5.2Management and Expectations

The following terms and conditions regarding the management of the evaluation and the expertise expected from the consultant(s) also apply:

  • The chosen consultant(s) will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the code of ethics for social researchers established by the Sociological Association of Ireland, the British Sociological Association and other such bodies. Special attention needs to be paid to issues of confidentiality and compliance with the Data Protection Act.
  • The management of the project and the consultant(s) will be vested in a Research Steering Group to whom the consultant(s) will submit all research outputs.
  • Ownership of all research material and output rests with the contracting agency – the MWRDTF – along with decisions on all aspects of publication.
  • The consultant will be required to submit at least two drafts of the final research reports, the second of which will be informed by comments and suggestions by the Research Steering Group.
  • The Research Steering Group reserves the right to invite potential consultants to interview following short-listingin the event of several submissions being of comparable merit. This will be arranged according to mutual convenience. Candidates will be selected and/or short-listed against the following criteria:
  • Consistency with Terms of Reference
  • Quality of presentation
  • Proposed methodology
  • Ethical considerations
  • Cost/value
  • Relevant research experience of consultant(s)
  • Evidence of familiarity with policy context and relevant literature.

6.Project Schedule, Budget & Tender Submission

6.1Schedule

It is expected that the research will commence in October 2010, with a draft report to be submitted by Friday 28th January 2011, and the final report by Friday 18th February 2011.

6.2Budget

The maximum budget for the research is €20,000 inclusive of all costs including VAT.

6.3Tender Submission

When tendering for this piece of work the following criteria should be followed:

  • Contractors should detail their proposed approach to the project. A detailed schedule of action corresponding to each stage of the project will be expected from applicants. They should also furnish the following information:
  • Name of applicant(s) and/or organisation with which the current contract will be placed
  • Number, details of roles and input, and expertise of all staff to be involved in the project
  • Curriculum Vitae for all those who will have input
  • Relevant samples of previous work
  • Contact details for relevant referees
  • An up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate.
  • Tenders should clearly and individually cost each element of the work outlined in the proposal and the sum should include staff costs (and where relevant, third party expenses), travel, subsistence, word and data processing, printing, all other overhead expenses and VAT. Payment will be phased and linked to progress.
  • Tenders should be submitted by email or post, no later than 5pm Friday 24th September 2010, to:
  • Administrator,

Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force,

5 Steamboat Quay,

Dock road,

Limerick

E-mail:

Tel: 061- 445392

Web:

All Enquiries should be directed to the above contact details.

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