Departmental Contracts Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Questions (124)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

124. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 14 April 2016, the reason this directive in relation to quantitative lots was not adhered to as should have been the case under European Union legislation; if he is aware that if this directive had been adhered to then smaller companies such as local suppliers, as the directive intends, could have been in a position to tender for this tender, which would have made the tendering process much more competitive and fair; if this tender could be reopened even at this stage, as compliance to the rules has not been adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8329/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) wishes to advise that this specific tender process (mini competition) is currently live and under evaluation.  Therefore the OGP cannot comment on this process at this juncture.  The mini competition is being carried out following on from a National Framework Agreement which was awarded in August 2015.

The OGP confirms that the National Framework Agreement (arising from which the mini competition is being conducted) was structured into sectoral lots in line with the objectives of Circular 10/14: "Initiatives to assist SME's in Public Procurement" whereby the government has introduced business friendly obligations on public procurers.  These measures include open tendering, breaking contracts into lots, lower financial qualification criteria, supporting consortia bids and requiring lower insurances. 

In this instance the framework tender process was structured with 10 lots of which 5 were specifically for the health sector.  The OGP encouraged collaborative consortia bids.  Forming a consortium is a decision only a supplier(s) can make.  IntertradeIreland have a specific training programme available to support businesses interested in putting consortia together. 

Five companies were appointed to the National Framework Agreement and four of the companies are SMEs based in Dublin, Cork, Monaghan and Galway.  This outcome has shown that ability of SMEs to compete and be successful in public procurement processes.

The OGP confirms that the framework tender process was carried out in a fair, open and compliant manner and all rules have been adhered to in the process.