The national network arrangements under the Leader II programme are being co-financed by the European Commission on the basis of 75 per cent EU and 25 per cent Exchequer contribution rates. The European Commission insisted, at the outset, that the contract for the administration of the national network would be awarded on the basis of an open competitive tendering procedure.
The procedures for the award of public service tenders are laid down in Council Directive 92/50/EEC of 18 June 1992. These procedures were followed in every respect by my Department and included publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 9 August 1996 of the notice of the invitation to tender; the preparation of a detailed brief for organisations to administer the network — this document was issued to more than 30 bodies and individuals who indicated an interest in the tender — convening an information session in my Department's offices on 4 September 1996 to further brief and respond to questions from interested parties — this session was open to all those who had requested copies of the brief and was attended by 13 people representing various interested bodies.
Following these arrangements, seven bids were submitted to my Department on or before the closing date of 20 September 1996. These were subject to rigorous evaluation and assessment based on objective criteria. The evaluation procedure included requests to four of the tenderers to make formal presentations to my Department on their submissions and subsequent formal discussion with three of those tenderers. The Department's recommendation on the award of the contract was submitted to the Government Contracts Committee, a body which is independent of my Department. The Department's recommendation was ratified by that committee. My Department maintained close contact with the European Commission throughout the process I have described.
While the tender recommended and selected was not the lowest tender received, it was the lowest priced of the three tender bids considered most suitable. The successful tender was selected on the basis of being the most economically advantageous having regard to the terms and conditions contained in the brief and the service to be delivered.
I am satisfied that proper procedures were followed at all times, that the tenders were examined in a thorough and objective manner and that the correct decision was made.