A tender competition for the supply and fit of Roll Over Protection Seating Systems for Defence Forces Troop Carrying Vehicles is currently being run in accordance with public procurement requirements and best practice to ensure that the system purchased will provide maximum protection for members of the Defence Forces both at home and overseas and also maximise value for money. The process commenced on 28 September 2009 when an open competition was advertised by the Defence Forces in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Defence Forces are obliged to carry out the procurement of goods and services in an open and transparent manner and in line with National and EU Public Procurement Guidelines. As this is an open tender competition, it is open to Irish firms and to firms across the EU and elsewhere to submit tenders submit tenders and compete for the contract.