David Stanton
Question:272 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the value of contracts for which a Department or State agency must invite tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/01]
Vol. 543 No. 5
272 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the value of contracts for which a Department or State agency must invite tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/01]
It is a basic principle of Government procurement that a procedure based on competitive tendering should be used unless exceptional circumstances apply. Contracts are advertised in newspapers, on the national procurement website, or a number of contractors, sufficient to ensure effective competition, may be invited to submit tenders directly where appropriate. In general, with contracts of lower value a less formal procedure is appropriate.
EU public procurement directives apply to contracts above certain thresholds. Under these directives there is an obligation on contracting authorities to advertise contracts in the Official Journal of the European Communities and to follow specific tendering procedures.