Skip to main content
Normal View

Departmental Websites

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Questions (517, 518)

Seán Fleming

Question:

517. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the organisations, companies and persons that have received briefings about the new eTenders website; when these briefings were held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16457/13]

View answer

Seán Fleming

Question:

518. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any organisations, companies or persons that have requested briefings on the new eTenders website which are yet to take place; when these briefings will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16458/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 518 together.

The Government website www.etenders.gov.ie is a fully managed electronic tendering system that meets Ireland's requirements in relation to the European Union's requirements to meet the EU target for achievement of 100% capability for electronic tendering.

This website is the official Government website for public tenders for goods, services and works. It serves as a repository for notices above EU thresholds and which must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union. In accordance with policy guidelines from my Department contracting authorities are also obliged to publish all tender notices for goods and services with a value greater than €25,000 on the eTender website.

An upgrade to the site was launched on 12th November 2012. The new site, as well as publishing contract notices has a wide range of additional functionality that in effect will allow other aspects of the procurement process to be completed electronically, including assessment, awarding and contract management. This additional functionality is improving and generating efficiencies for both the public and private sectors.

Prior to launching the new site, the supplier representative bodies including Chambers Ireland, IBEC, ISME and the Small Firms Association were briefed on the new system and electronic copies of Supplier User Manuals were supplied to them for distribution to their respective membership. The National Procurement Service meets these bodies on a regular basis.

Also prior to the launch, registered Suppliers and Buyers on the system, in excess of 70,000 users, were informed about the proposed change of system and user manuals were sent to each of them electronically. Suppliers were also informed of the up-coming change of system at various Meet the Buyer events and other such seminars.

Prior to and since the launch of the new site, the NPS has organised a number of demonstrations for Buyers on the new site with several thousand buyers attending. Since the system went live on 12th November demonstrations of the new system have been given to suppliers at Meet the Buyer events. The National Procurement Service has also agreed with the Construction Industry Federation to give a seminar on the new system to them on a date to be agreed by them.

Top
Share