The verdict in three sentences
For an investment promotion agency, the multilingual website is an investor prospecting tool, not one more institutional brochure. A well-drafted tender sits in 2026 between 60,000 and 180,000 EUR excluding VAT, with a quality weighting of 60-70 % so the lowest bidder does not win by default. Allow 5 to 9 months between publication on eTenders and go-live, of which 2 to 3 months are pure procedure.
What the specification must lock down
Public web tenders rarely fail on price: they fail on a vague specification. An investor-facing site must describe its journeys precisely: sector pages, regional sites and industrial parks, incentives and grants, an enquiry form for investment support and booking a meeting with a sector executive.
| Specification item | Expected level in 2026 | Budget impact |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | EN, Irish (Official Languages Act), plus DE, FR or ZH for target markets | + 15 to 25 % per written language |
| Accessibility | WCAG 2.1 AA under the EU Web Accessibility Directive, audit included | + 4,000 to 9,000 EUR |
| Hosting | EU data centre, GDPR compliant, NCSC guidance | 6,000 to 15,000 EUR per year |
| CMS | Headless with a 2 or 3 level approval workflow | + 8,000 to 20,000 EUR |
| Investor portal | Case tracking, attachments, notifications | + 15,000 to 40,000 EUR |
| Performance | Green Core Web Vitals, CDN, 99.9 % uptime | included if required in the spec |
| Warranty and support | 12 months warranty, then call-off maintenance | 8 to 15 % of contract value per year |
Additional languages are more than translation: each one needs tested layouts, editorial review and SEO keyword research in the target market. This is often the underestimated line that derails the schedule.
Budget and weighting: 2026 benchmarks
The table below gives 2026 orders of magnitude seen on comparable contracts (state agencies and public bodies). These are estimates, not official prices.
| Scope | Estimated budget excl. VAT | Recommended quality weighting | Total timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multilingual site, 30-50 pages | 60,000 - 90,000 EUR | 60 % | 5 to 6 months |
| Site + workflow CMS + audited accessibility | 90,000 - 130,000 EUR | 65 % | 6 to 7 months |
| Site + investor portal + CRM | 130,000 - 180,000 EUR | 70 % | 7 to 9 months |
| Tender guarantee (if requested) | 1 to 1.5 % of the estimate | - | with the bid |
| Performance bond (if requested) | 3 to 5 % of contract value | - | at award |
| Retention (if requested) | 5 to 7 % depending on contract | - | released at final acceptance |
A 60-70 % quality weighting is justified by the deliverable: a poorly designed site costs more to rebuild than it cost to build. The scoring grid should mark methodology, similar references, the project lead's profile, the accessibility approach and a homepage prototype.
Realistic schedule from publication to go-live
| Step | Indicative duration |
|---|---|
| Drafting specification and instructions, internal sign-off | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Publication and bid period | 30 days typical above EU thresholds |
| Evaluation, clarifications, award | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Standstill period and contract signature | 2 to 4 weeks |
| UX design, mock-ups in each language | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Development, content migration, acceptance testing | 8 to 14 weeks |
| Accessibility and security audit, go-live | 3 to 4 weeks |
Mini case study
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Siobhan, head of digital at an investment promotion agency in Dublin (illustrative persona), has an estimate of 120,000 EUR excluding VAT. A 1.5 % tender guarantee means 1,800 EUR per bidder. With a 65/35 weighting, a bid scored 85/100 on quality at 115,000 EUR earns 0.65 x 85 + 0.35 x (100,000 / 115,000 x 100) = 55.25 + 30.43 = 85.7 points. A bid scored 60/100 at 100,000 EUR earns 39 + 35 = 74 points. The best technical bid wins despite a 15,000 EUR gap, which is exactly the intended effect.
FAQ
What budget should an investment agency plan for a multilingual website?
In 2026, allow 60,000 to 90,000 EUR excluding VAT for a 30-50 page multilingual site and up to 180,000 EUR with an investor portal connected to a CRM. EU hosting adds 6,000 to 15,000 EUR per year.
Must hosting stay in the EU?
For a public body collecting personal data from investors, EU hosting is the safe default under GDPR. The specification should state the required availability, for example 99.9 %.
Which quality weighting should we use?
A quality score between 60 and 70 % protects the deliverable. Below 50 %, the cheapest bid almost always wins, at the cost of a rebuild within 24 months.
How long does the full project take?
From 5 to 9 months between publication and go-live, including roughly 2 to 3 months of procedure. Extra languages and the accessibility audit add 3 to 6 weeks if not planned early.
Can a non-Irish agency bid?
Yes, EU procurement rules open contracts above thresholds to suppliers across the EU, often in a consortium with a local partner. The instructions to tenderers must list the required documents and any guarantee, often 1 to 1.5 % of the estimate.
Let's scope your project. We help you frame the scope, budget estimate and quality scoring grid before publication, or answer your tender with a multilingual prototype. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
