Written Answers. - Appointment of Consultants.
Liam Aylward
Question:
76
Mr. Aylward
asked the
Minister for Finance
the changes, if any, that have been made in the method of appointment of consultants to Office of Public Works projects; the manner in which such appointments are made; if a rota system still exists; and the basis on which a firm of quantity surveyors was recently appointed to a project (details supplied) when it had only recently completed a large project for the Office of Public Works.
[10319/95]
There have been no changes in the method of appointment of consultants to the Office of Public Works in recent years. The selection of consultants for appointment is made by an in-house consultants selection committee from a list of firms-individuals in each discipline who have asked to be considered for work for the Office of Public Works. Selections are in all cases referred to the accounting officer and Minister of State for approval.
Selection from the lists is based on the following criteria: (a) the requirements of the subject needing the consultant. For example, for very large projects or projects of a specialist nature, criteria such as the capacity of a firm, special expertise, experience etc. are taken into consideration. These include in the case of quantity surveyors, a proven ability to manage and control construction costs effectively. (b) The proximity of a firm's offices to the project requiring a consultant. (c) The number and value of commissions awarded to a consultant by the Office of Public Works in recent years.
For projects estimated up to IR£1 million one firm is selected and a suitable fee is negotiated with that firm. Where a project is estimated to cost in excess of IR£1 million submissions are normally sought from at least three firms. Discussions are held with these firms on the basis of an outline brief, consultant's approach to the project etc. One firm is then chosen on the basis of the submissions and discussions and the best technical advice available.
In cases where it is estimated that the value of a consultancy commission will exceed 200,000 ECU, approximately IR£156,000, the commission is publicly advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities as required under European Council Services Directive. In certain cases specified in the Directive, for example security, derogations from this requirement can apply.
In the circumstances of the particular case referred to in the question, as access by civilians to areas occupied by military personnel would be involved, the Department of Defence considered that a derogation from the European Council Services Directive should be invoked. This was done. As this commission was unusually demanding because of extraordinary time and logistical constraints the selection procedures were varied in this case. The selection committee having chosen three quantity surveying firms for consideration initiated negotiations with the firm which was considered most suitable. The Government Contracts Committee accepted this approach. Had these negotiations been unsuccessful the next most suitable firm would then have been considered.
Following the negotiations and having regard to their particular experience on another complex contract, it was considered that the firm selected would provide the level of expertise and service required to ensure that the contract could be completed within the budget and their employment was approved.
