asked the Minister for Finance the practices in relation to tenders for Government supplies particularly in regard to whether or not such tenders are open tenders or otherwise; if he will make a statement on whether or not he proposes any changes to bring about a more open situation in that general regard; and the total amount of such tenders for each of the last three years.
Written Answers. - Government Contracts Procedures.
55.
Government contracts procedures allow for both open and selective tendering for supply contracts to Government Departments. While the invitation to tender by open advertisement is adopted in most cases, there are instances where it is more practical to invite tenders directly from a predetermined list of firms. Selective tendering or restricted tendering using lists are appropriate to specialist areas where an open invitation to tender would almost certainly result in excessive administrative costs and time delays.
In certain areas therefore, lists of suitable firms have been drawn up from which tenders are invited. Advertisements are placed in the press regularly inviting firms to apply for inclusion on such lists. The lists are frequently revised so that they embrace the maximum possible number of suitable firms.
It would be impractical to dispense with this form of tendering. My Department will shortly be issuing a comprehensive document on Government contracts procedures which will regulate tendering for Government business in such a way as to promote open competition and the encouragement of new and previously untried firms. It is intended-that the new procedures will be published so that they will be available to all potential suppliers to Government Departments. It is hoped that this unprecedented step will be of benefit to firms in promoting a better understanding of tendering requirements and thereby result in greater openness in the Government contracts area.
In the time available it was not possible to obtain figures for the total amount of Government supply tenders for each of the last three years.