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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tenders for Leader II.

Ivor Callely

Question:

151 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of tenders received in his Department to administer the Leader II national network arrangements in Ireland; the names of the companies which tendered; the dates on which tenders were received in his Department; the dates on each of the tenders; whether the accepted tender was the lowest tender; where on the scale of tenders received the successful tender was in terms of price tendered; the value of the successful tender; the reason the tender was awarded to the successful company (details supplied); whether any partner in the successful tenderer is a paid State employer or paid out of State funds, if so, the name of this person; the salary he is paid; the basis on which the decision was made in respect of the successful tenderer; whether there is a danger of conflict of interests; and if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/97]

My Department received bids from seven tenderers for the administration of the Leader II national networking arrangements in Ireland; the tenders were received in my Department on or before Friday, 20 September 1996; three tenders were dated 20 September 1996, two tenders were dated September 1996 and one tender was dated 19 September 1996; while the tender selected was not the lowest tender received it was the lowest priced of the three tender bids considered most suitable in terms of price, three tenders received were lower than the selected tender.

The procedure followed in the tendering process was in accordance with the EU rules governing the award of public service contracts and involved a thorough process of evaluation including submission for approval by the Government Contracts Committee. The successful tender was selected as it was considered to be the most economically advantageous bid having regard to the service to be provided.

In accordance with the terms of the tender the contract is awarded initially for a period of one year. The contract may be renewed at that stage or a further competition may be held. The tender cost accepted for the first year is £280,441 including VAT.

A partner in the company of the successful tenderer has been a State employee on full-time secondment from the company, for the last four years. In accordance with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 a full declaration of his interests was made. The person involved is employed in another Department and as he had no involvement in the tendering or selection procedure I am satisfied that there is no conflict of interest.

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