I propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1005 together.
Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector.
Procurement processes for the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.
The evaluation process comprised of 2 stages as follows:
1) a compliance check where applicants can pass or fail, and
2) evaluation of the submissions of those applicants that pass stage 1.
The compliance check (stage 1) consisted of three Department officials at Higher Executive Officer, Agricultural Inspector and acting Assistant Principal levels. This stage involved assessing if the required documentation and other compliances as outlined in the RFT has been met/submitted with the submission, for example, receipt before closing date, eESPD document received, etc. The personnel carrying out the compliance checks had no other role to play in the subsequent evaluation, review or scoring of the submissions.
The adjudication panel (stage 2) in respect of the tender competition for the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector in Ireland consisted of Chair at Principal Officer level and two outside panellists. The independent evaluation panel were selected for the individual skills and professional expertise they could bring to the process.
I am satisfied that all members of the evaluation team were impartial and independent in the context of the procurement procedure and had the required experience and knowledge to carry out the evaluation.
All members of the evaluation team properly completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms.
