This document relates to the RFT for the same site uploaded here.

1. For more information on the Questions and Answers Facility please refer to the user guide:
Questions and Answers – for Buyers/Purchasers and Suppliers
07/05/2012
Question
Is there any specific requirement for dual (or multi-language) functionality? Does the replacement
system have to involve Joomla or can it be replaced by a new system with an appropriate and easy
to use CMS?
Answer
Hi. 1. The primary language of the site is English. Currently, flag icons at the bottom of each page
allow headings on the site to be translated into multiple languages. This facility should be retained.
However there is no specific requirement for multi-language functionality across the site. 2. There
is no specific requirement for the replacement system to be in Joomla!. Any suitable CMS may be
considered. Tenderers should however carefully consider any potential impact on timeframe and
budget related to changing the whole site to a new system. Tenderers should also bear in mind that
all existing content on the site is to be retained. Many thanks.
09/05/2012
Question
Are design prototypes to be included in the proposal ?
Answer
Hi. Not necessarily (we acknowledge that the turnaround time is short). We do however want to be
convinced that you have effective, innovative ideas for the site, in terms of design, IA and
branding... how you choose to convince us of that is up to you. Many thanks.
09/05/2012
Question
Can you please help with following Questions. (1) Whether companies from Outside Ireland can
apply for this ?? (From USA, India or Canada) (2) Whether we need to come over there for
meetings ?? (3) Can we perform the tasks outside Ireland ?? (From USA, India or Canada)
Answer
Hi. (1) Any company is eligible to make a tender submission, regardless of location. (2) We would
certainly require face-to-face meeting time as part of any design and implementation process. This
would take place in Ireland. (3) Some tasks may be capable of being performed remotely.
Consultation however will as previoulsy noted take place in Ireland and for ongoing technical
support an Irish base would be preferable. Many thanks.
09/05/2012
Question
Two questions; (a) Is there a budget for the project and (b) its mentioned that "We require advice on
the advisability of moving to an Irish hosting provider (and costings for same) as well as the
provision of ongoing technical maintenance and a technical help-desk function" - Will you also
consider a hosting provider in Northern Ireland?
Answer
Hi. (a) A maximum budget is not specifed in the tender documents. This is to increase price
competition among tenderers. As noted in the tender documents, the need to deliver real value for
money in an era of dramatically reduced public expenditure should be borne in mind by all
tenderers. (b) We will certainly consider NI hosting providers. As with all advice on this matter, we
would however need to see detailed pros and cons for any new hosting arrangement vs exisiting or
alternative arrangements. Many thanks.

2. 10/05/2012
Question
Some questions; (a) Why is there such a tight turnaround timescale on returning proposals and have
any agencies been shortlisted already?, (b) Are there any other parties involved in managing the site
other than the Heritage Council, and if so, what can you tell me about them?, (c) How many people
are responsible for maintaining the site and what''s the current process?, (d) what are some of the
current issues faced by those who maintain the site?, (e) should costs be quoted in euro, sterling,
VAT/VAT exempt? Thank You.
Answer
Hi. (a) The tight turnaround on returning proposals is due to the constraints of the EC project
timetable, with which we are obliged to comply. No agencies have been shortlisted already. (b)
There are no other agencies directly involved in managing the site other than The Heritage Council
of Ireland. The site editor appointed by the Arts and Humanities Research Board, UK, to manage
the site on their behalf when it was under their stewardship has been retained on a temporary basis
to ensure smooth handover to The Heritage Council, however this individual reports directly to The
Heritage Council. (c) At the moment a technical helpdesk service is provided by the hosting
company (Clook). One Heritage Council staff member is responsible for content management, with
the assistance of the external editor referred to in (b) above. Any changes to the site architecture that
are outside the scope of the CMS will be the subject of an ''ongoing maintenance'' arrangement with
the succesful bidder for this tender. (d) While adding new content is relatively intuitive and hassle
free, adding new sections or categories within the site is time consuming and the process less than
obvious! There are also several ''glitches'' with uploading images. Lack of ability to tag posts with
numerous labels is very restrictive... posts currently need to be physically entered into each section
under which they should appear, doubling up on work for the editor. (e) Costs should be quoted in
Euro. VAT should be listed and all VAT should be clearly distinguished from pre-VAT costs. Many
thanks.
10/05/2012
Question
In the specification "Notice to Tenderers" it states that "The Heritage Council of Ireland will remain
the sole owner of all end products e.g. domain name, brand, creative concepts, ideas, and any other
related items or documents, irrespective of whether or not the contract is terminated prior to its
completion." Just wondering is your expectation also that you will own source code? Are you
prepared to accept a license to use the cms instead.
Answer
Hi. The Heritage Council will require ownership of any custom code created for the Heritage Portal
site. In the even that the CMS used is not open source then a standard licensing agreement will be
put in place to govern its use. Many thanks.
15/05/2012
Question
In the specification, section 2.3, concerning SEO, its states; “The current site is not well optimised
for search. We will require; - A full assessment of the site from a search perspective - A
comprehensive SEO strategy, tailored to the site Seems to me there may well be a significant
amount of work involved in either/both of these, but I am unsure whether these are requirements
that are needed (a) when the contract is awarded, as part of the project, or (b) as part of the tender
process? Can you please clarify?
Answer
Hi. These requirements are intended to form part of the project (after award of contract). Many
thanks.

3. 15/05/2012
Question
In section 2.4 you refer to a requirement for re-branding - could you further define this requirement?
e.g. is there a requirement for full reibranding to include name, logo etc. Thanks
Answer
Hi. The name ''Heritage Portal'' will stay the same. Rebranding may include a new logo and will
certainly include a new ''look and feel'' for the website. The logo currently on the site (Cultural
Heritage: a Challenge for Europe) is the logo of the wider JPI project. The logo for the Heritage
Portal will be added to the additional documents section in the next 15 minutes. It is - I''m sure
you''ll agree - decidedly uninspiring. Many thanks.
17/05/2012
Question
Firstly thanks for all your replies so far, they are very helpful & informative. My question is just
about the move to User Generated Content. Could you detail a little more how you see this
working? Will you have a community manager who will encourage, moderate and ensure this
content flows? Will there be content provided by yourselves to keep the ball rolling? Roughly what
% of UGC would you like to be aiming for?
Answer
Hi. There will be a community manager. Content will be provided by ourselves, yes, but the aim
would be to reduce the amount of this over time, as the user community becomes more interactive.
An initial base target of 50:50 editor:user content generation would be refined over time to a point
where the majority of content is user generated. The move to user generated content will be enabled
both by a wider communications and marketing campaign, and by the website itself (redesigned to
optimise and facilitate user contribution). Many thanks.