Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 804: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a decision has been made on the awarding of the recent contract tendered for the printing of register of electors application forms; the company to whom this contract was awarded; the reason the contract was awarded to this company; whether or not this company is in receivership; the reasons for this company being in receivership; whether or not the reasons relate to the fact that the company has liabilities outstanding to the Revenue Commissioners; whether or not the company has a tax clearance certificate. [17912/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The assessment of a tenderer's financial and economic standing is a key part of any procurement process. Establishing the appropriate suitability criteria that are relevant and appropriate to a particular contract is, of course, a matter for the contracting authority concerned. This is because the contracting authority is in the best position to gauge the appropriate levels of financial capacity that are appropriate to the needs of that specific contract.

In this regard, tenderers must declare that they have the necessary capacity to carry out a contract and must be in a position to produce the necessary documentation when requested. That documentary evidence (e.g. bank statements, audited accounts, proof of professional indemnity, etc.) need only be produced when a tenderer has been short-listed or is coming under consideration for the award of a contract. Contracting authorities are advised to check these issues throughout a procurement process up to the point of awarding a contract to ensure that such circumstances have not changed. If the financial situation of the tenderer has changed they can be excluded from any further participation in the competition.

Any tenders received from companies in receivership are considered on their own merits, taking account of the circumstances of the case and the provisions of the relevant tender competition.