Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
431. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of contracts granted by her Department, or by agencies under the auspices of her Department, from 1 January 2012 to date in 2013; the total value of these contracts; the percentage value of these for which no tenders were required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27351/13]
View answerThe annual expenditure in respect of goods and services of the Department is in the order of €400 million, €40 million in respect of Citizens Information Board and €1.3 million in respect of the Pensions Board. The quarterly Prompt Payments Report to Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation is available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie . This return includes all commercial payments from the Department and its agencies, including payments to transport providers under the Free Travel Scheme and utility providers under the Household Benefits Package.
The Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the National Procurement Service (NPS) based in the Office of Public Works (OPW), focusing especially at achieving procurement savings, including the use of shared framework agreements for the provision of an increasing number of categories of supplies and services.
Award of tenders without a competitive process is only permitted in exceptional circumstance and then only in conformity with criteria set down in EU directive 18/2004. In compliance with Department of Finance Circular 40/02, any proposal to award a contract above €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) without a competitive process is reviewed in advance by the Department’s Internal Audit Unit. In accordance with Circular 40/02 full returns of such procurements are signed off by the Secretary General and submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General before 31 March in the following year and copied to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In addition, all such procurements above €25,000 must first be approved by the Project Governance Committee (PGC), a committee of the Department’s Management Board, chaired by the Secretary General. Where procurement is specifically for IT external service provision, or consultancy, all such contracts are approved by the governance committee.
With regard to the Citizens Information Board any proposal to award a contract above €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) without a competitive process is reviewed in advance by the Board’s Senior Management Team and by the Audit and Risk Committee which is a committee of the Board. The Board applies, in all cases, very restrictive conditions for use of single or restricted tendering for procurements of goods or services.
It is the policy of the Pensions Board to use open tendering process for all contracts. All contracts greater than €20,000 not being awarded by competitive tender must be authorised by the Chairperson of the Finance & Audit Committee or Chief Executive.
The total value of contracts awarded on foot of a competitive tender advertised on eTenders, including contracts awarded under DSP framework agreements, since 01 January 2012 is €22.9 million. The total value of contracts awarded by way of a non-competitive or single tender process was €0.94 million or 4% of the competitively tendered contracts.
The Department is committed to achieving value for money in the procurement of supplies and services essential to support its work in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner. The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tables and I am satisfied the Department applies, in all cases, very restrictive conditions for use of single or restricted tendering for procurements of goods or services.
|
Tender |
RFT publication date |
Contract Commencement Date |
Value of Contract (incl VAT) |
Contract Awarded to |
|
IT consultancy services for the support & maintenance of the department’s corporate portal |
23-Nov-12 |
04-Mar-13 |
€600,000 |
Hewlett Packard Ireland Ltd |
|
Provision of IT managed services for the Civil Registration Service. |
15-Nov-12 |
04-Feb-13 |
€621,687 |
Hewlett Packard Ireland Ltd |
|
Provision of expert advice & assistance with the design and delivery of an employment service model |
05-Nov-12 |
30-Nov-2012 |
€114,260 |
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion London |
|
Training Services for Special Investigation Unit and Central Prosecutions |
05-Oct-12 |
30-Apr-13 |
€27,750 |
La Touche Bond Solon Training Limited |
|
Supply of A4 Scanners |
11-Jul-12 |
01-Aug-12 |
€69,184 |
Digital Imaging Services |
|
IT consultancy support for the design, development & implementation of a new www.welfare.ie website |
31-May-12 |
7-Sept-2012 |
€569,958 |
Hewlett Packard Ireland Ltd |
|
Provision of a Media Monitoring Service for the Department Of Social Protection |
28-May-12 |
12-Oct-2012 |
€48,708 |
Media World Ltd |
|
Delivery of Projects to Support the Department’s Service Delivery Modernisation (SDM) Programme |
16-May-12 |
Framework Agreement |
€1,227,284 |
See details below contracts within DSP framework |
|
Provision of Security Services at the Department of Social Protection |
01-May-12 |
16-Dec-2012 |
€1,814,000 |
At Risk Security |
|
Production Support & Consultancy for Payment & Agency Reconciliation Project (PARP) and Oracle Financials & Business Objects |
23-Mar-12 |
01-Aug-2012 |
€2,750,000 |
Fujitsu (Ireland) Limited |
|
Provision of Grounds Maintenance Services |
15-Mar-12 |
01-Jun-2012 |
€60,660 |
Steve Noone Landscaping |
|
Provision and Deployment of Hardware Security Modules |
24-Feb-12 |
06-Sept-2012 |
€60,265 |
SafeNet UK Limited |
|
Repair and Maintenance of Data Processing (Computer) equipment |
21-Feb-12 |
01-July-2012 |
€1,331,197 |
Hewlett Packard Ireland Ltd |
|
Repair and Maintenance of Data Processing (Computer) equipment |
21-Feb-12 |
01-July-2012 |
€73,889 |
Unity Technology Solutions |
|
Transport Services |
23-Jan-12 |
15-Oct-2012 |
€376,000 |
William Tracey & Sons |
|
Provision of Pest Control Services |
13-Jan-12 |
01-Jul-2012 |
€21,429 |
Rentokil |
|
Actuarial Review of Social Insurance Fund |
8-Dec-2011 |
02-Mar-2012 |
€153,750 |
KPMG Ireland |
|
Hygiene Maintenance/Washroom Services |
14-Nov-2011 |
1-Apr-2012 |
€40,000 |
OCS Cannon Hygiene |
|
Appointment of Security Partner to provide on-going Information Security support |
08-Nov-2011 |
01-Apr-2012 |
€83,025 |
Deloitte & Touche |
|
Evaluation of JobBridge -National Internship Scheme |
1-Nov-2011 |
18-Apr-2012 |
€60,725 |
Indecon |
|
Supply of Facial Image Matching Software (SAFE Programme) |
01-Jul-2011 |
27-Apr-2012 |
€259,330 |
3M Ireland Limited |
|
Tender |
Contract Commencement Date |
Value of Contract (VAT incl) |
Contract Awarded to |
|
Payment and Generic Scheme |
30-Aug-2012 |
€1,687,612 |
Accenture |
|
Provision of ICT Resources for Regional Service Development |
16-May-2013 |
€1,272,000 |
Deloitte |
|
Provision of ICT Resources for BOM Modelling Development Team |
16-May-2013 |
€826,560 |
Deloitte |
|
Continuing operation and development of the Central Test function in the BOMi environment |
7-Jan-2013 |
€1,199,250 |
BearingPoint Ireland Limited |
|
Support and Continuing development and operation of the Release and Environment Management Processes |
07-Jan-2013 |
€1,445,250 |
BearingPoint Ireland Limited |
|
Business Change/Enhancement on the Business Object Model Implementation (BOMi) |
07-Jan-2013 |
€2,386,200 |
BearingPoint Ireland Limited |
|
Production support and essential Maintenance of the Business Object Model Implementation (BOMi) |
07-Jan-2013 |
€3,693,075 |
BearingPoint Ireland Limited |
|
Review of Pension Priority Order |
14-Aug-2012 |
€18,150 |
Mercer |
|
Tender |
Value of Contract (VAT inclusive) |
Contractor |
Reason for not undertaking a Competitive Process |
|
Analysis & Measurement of Deprivation & Poverty Project |
€321,322 |
ESRI |
The specialised expertise required is not available elsewhere |
|
Maintenance of the Social Welfare Appeals Office system |
€54,090 |
IBM |
The Social Welfare Appeals Office relies on a custom built computer application to support its core business activities. Renewal of the contract was regarded as the most viable option in order to ensure continuity of provision of this essential service |
|
Strategic input to the DSP technical architecture group |
€43,000 |
Microsoft |
Microsoft representation on the Departments Technical Architecture Group (TAG) providing specific assistance in relation to how the Department might adopt the Microsoft tools and techniques to take account of DSP technical architecture. |
|
Mobile Opportunity Exploration |
€33,388 |
Accenture |
Project to inform the development of mobile applications on Microsoft’s Windows 8 and Windows 8 mobile platform to support DSP Inspectors which utilised the Accenture/Avanade knowledge and experience and had to be completed in advance of a significant exploratory project. |
|
Profiling of Live Register customers for the Pathways to Work Programme |
€33,745 |
ESRI |
ESRI worked with DSP in development of Customer profiling and has all the software & data relating to the development of that model and are therefore the only body in a position to do the profiling in the time period. |
|
Gartner Subscription Service |
€162,600 |
Gartner Ireland Ltd |
The Gartner subscription service provides a unique source of information, insight and advice that assists ISD to formulate its strategy and architecture as well as providing detailed technical information to support the Department's adoption of new and evolving technologies |
|
Review of Long-Term Pensions Policy in Ireland |
€130,000 |
OECD |
The OECD is uniquely qualified to conduct this review. |
|
Upgrade of CoreExpense (T&S System) and CoreTime (T&A) systems |
€80,980 |
Core International |
Necessary upgrade of proprietary Core systems. |
|
Maintenance of the Toshiba CTX telephone system |
€60,323 |
ATS |
ATS is the only provider of the required maintenance service. |
|
Purchase additional Daon licences for Public Service Card |
€23,092 |
Daon |
Daon is the only suppliers of such licences |
|
Tender |
RFT publication date |
Contract Commencement Date |
Value of Contract (incl VAT) |
Contract Awarded to |
|
Data Strategy |
26-Mar-12 |
June 2012 |
€34,440 |
DNM Technology |
|
Hainault House, Tallaght, internal alterations/modifications |
24-May-12, 21-Jun-12 |
July 2012 |
€54,544 |
Simon Bernard Ltd |
|
Provision of HR support and advice to CIB and network companies |
22-Jun-12 |
Sept 2012 |
€70,686 |
Graphite HRM |
|
Research: Qualitative Study MABS Casework |
02-Aug-12 |
Oct 2012 |
€30,135 |
IPSOS MRBI |
|
Review of National Advocacy Service |
31-Jul-12 |
Oct 2012 |
€12,300 + subsistence where required |
Round Table Solutions |
|
Provision of the EFQM Goldstar Service Excellence QA programme in CIB and all our Delivery Partners |
28-Mar-12 OJEU |
Nov 2012 |
€325,476 |
Centre for Competitiveness |
|
Design and print management services |
30-Mar-12 OJEU |
Dec 2012 |
Demand dependant |
Clickworks Ltd. |
|
Marketing & Media Services to promote new telephone numbers |
08-Oct-12 |
Dec 2012 |
€159,000 |
Marketing Network |
|
Managed ICT Helpdesk |
24-Sept-12 |
Dec 2012 |
€309,045 |
Arkphire |
|
Research on the role of Employment Schemes in Service Delivery in CISs |
09-Nov-12 |
Jan 2013 |
€33,754 |
TMA Consultancy |
|
Tender |
Value of Contract (VAT inclusive) |
Contractor |
Reason for not undertaking a Competitive Process |
|
Golden Pages & Phone Book Listing for MABS, CISs, CIPS |
€100,516 |
Truvo Ltd |
Sole supplier. |
|
An accredited course delivery for a Certificate in Management Skills for the managers of Advocacy Services |
€32,933 |
Institute Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) |
Several companies consulted. ITB only one capable of delivering the programme. |
|
Insurance Services 2012/13 for Citizens Information Bureau (CIB) Citizens Information Centres (CICs) and Citizens Information Phone Services (CIPS) |
€143,422 |
IPB Insurance Brokers |
In Aug 2012 there was a proposal from DPER for the State Claims Agency (SCA) to underwrite insurance but this would have excluded CISs, CIPS. Further clarification was been sought by the time the renewal date was due and it was decided not to go to tender until the situation was clarified. |
|
Improvements to the ECMS/advocacycase.ie |
€35,000 |
Engine Solutions |
Company holds intellectual property for the software to be upgraded |
|
MAIH Campaign- Radio/Online/Print |
€98,892 |
Marketing Network |
Campaign required in a tight timeframe as requested by DSP, on behalf of Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears. |
|
Delivery of accredited Training Programme to managers in CIS+ |
€32,933 |
Institute of technology, Blanchardstown [ITB] |
Continuation with provider as second delivery of programme. |
|
Name of Tender (Description/Purpose |
RFT Publication Date |
Contract Commencement Date |
Value of Contract (including VAT) |
Contract Awarded to |
|
Supply of IT Infrastructure Hardware |
19 - Nov 2012 |
6 - Dec 2012 |
€9,833.85 |
DCB Group |
|
Tenders are invited for the implementation of an upgrade-solution for the Board's virtualised IT environment |
21 - November 2012 |
6 - Dec 2012 |
€15,322.50 |
Unity Technology Solutions |
|
MS Software Licenses - Microsoft Software Licensing |
18 - Dec 2012 |
21 - Dec 2012 |
€16,698.23 |
Kelway IT Solutions Limited |
|
Name of Tender (Description/Purpose |
RFT Publication Date |
Contract Commencement Date |
Value of Contract (including VAT) |
Contract Awarded to |
|
Purchase of PCs under PC Framework (procured through ictprocurement.gov.ie PC framework) |
16-Aug-2012 |
11-Sept-2012 |
€30,440.66 |
PC Peripherals |
|
Supply of Internal audit services |
30-May-2012 |
12-Oct-2012 |
€25,461 |
D’Arcy Lynch partners |
|
Accountancy Services |
7-Dec-2012 |
7-Mar-2013 |
Agreed Hourly rates contracted for services as required |
Crowleys DFK |
