Office of Government Procurement

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2018

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Ceisteanna (73)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

73. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the network coverage requirement criteria has been removed from consideration in the tender process under the mobile voice and data communications and associated products and services framework; if so, the reason behind the decision; if the requirement for previous client references have also been removed; if so, the reason; if the staff from the Office of Government Procurement have contacted private company procurement teams to push tariffs, pricing, products and services provided by company (details supplied); if there is a protocol to be observed by the Office of Government Procurement staff relevant to attending the launch events of products and services by the company; if so, if the protocols are being observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26065/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Procurement is a key element of the Government's Reform agenda. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) was established to drive the reform agenda, adopt a strategic approach to public procurement, leverage the State's spending power and deliver savings for the State.

Framework agreements are one of a number of ways in which the OGP engages with the market to achieve value for money in the delivery of much-needed public goods and services. Framework agreements are established through competitive procurement processes and are agreements with suppliers or service providers which set out terms and conditions under which specific contracts can be awarded during the term of the agreement.

The OGP actively engages with our Public Sector clients and their representatives on the Public Procurement Reform Programme and the procurement solutions available to them. In relation to the ‘Mobile Voice and Data Communications and Associated Products and Services Framework’, the network coverage requirement criterion is available for use by Contracting Authorities and has been used in the majority of mini-competitions to date. It is a matter for individual Contracting Authorities to determine appropriate award criteria to meet their requirements under any mini-competition drawn from the framework. The requirement for previous client references was part of the selection criteria for the Framework. The OGP has protocols and ethical guidelines in place relevant to staff attending events and product launches by private companies and all staff are subject to and aware of these protocols.