Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance the procedure for a design and consultancy firm to be considered for inclusion in a suitable Office of Public Works framework agreement. [47266/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) is involved in the procurement and development of a wide variety of building projects. It considers the use of Framework Agreements, as provided in Directive 2004/18/EC to be a method of procuring building professionals, which best meets the business needs of the organisation.

At present the OPW has in place a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of professional services, namely Architectural Services, Civil & Structural Engineering Services, Quantity Surveying Services and Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Services.

Documentation regarding this multi-supplier Framework Agreement competition was advertised by the OPW in the national newspapers on 30 January 2007 and was published on the Government e-Tenders Procurement Portal — www.etenders.gov.ie. The closing date for receipt of tender submissions was 12 March 2007.

Following evaluation and assessment of the tender submissions received, successful firms were included in the Framework Agreement. In line with the terms of the Framework Agreement, firms will be commissioned on a project by project basis following a further competitive process.

The Framework Agreement will be in place for an initial period of at least two years and all participants will be subject to performance measurement and continuous improvement reviews throughout that period.

A Contract Award Notice detailing the list of successful firms included in the Framework Agreement was published on the Government e-Tenders Procurement Portal on 14 February 2008.