Written answers
Thursday, 1 December 2022
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Departmental Contracts
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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277. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60089/22]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The majority of contracts granted for DSP without having to go to public tender since 2020 (and including 2021 and 2022, year to date) were in response to the Covid-19 pandemic or lack of availability in the market, and are detailed as follows:
Name of Company | Nature of Service | Year | Business Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAR Security Group | Provision of security services | 2020 | DSP's mini-competition was delayed due to staffing issues with providers as a result of the Covid pandemic. The single tender was awarded to the incumbent provider for a period of 4 months during the interim tender period. |
| The Printed Image Ltd | Supply of Covid-19 PPE equipment and supplies | 2020 | DSP's contracted cleaning suppliers and PPE suppliers were not able to meet DSP's PPE orders at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, due to disruption of supply. We procured PPE, necessary to continue operations, via alternative suppliers. |
| Metbell Ltd | Supply of Covid-19 PPE equipment and supplies | 2020 | As above |
| J&C Hendrick Ltd | Supply of Covid-19 PPE equipment and supplies | 2020 | As above |
| Codex Ltd | Supply of Covid-19 PPE equipment and supplies | 2020 | As above |
| Energy Distribution | Supply of Covid-19 PPE equipment and supplies | 2020 | As above |
| KOS Ergonomics | Provision of In-person Ergonomic Assessments | 2022 | DSP Health & Safety unit sought this service from the OGP contracted provider, Quadra. Quadra confirmed they were unable to supply this service until further notice due to their workload. DSP H&S sought and received quotes from 3 further suppliers, and selected KOS Ergonomics based on price, nationwide coverage and availability. |
| Pelko, The Back Shop, KOS Ergonomics | Advanced Ergonomic / Orthopaedic Chairs | 2022 | Advanced Ergonomic/Orthopaedic Chairs are often specialist, customised items and DSP Health & Safety follow specific medical/ergonomic expert recommendations. Pelko are the OGP contracted chair supplier, and we purchase Advanced Ergonomic/Orthopaedic chairs from them as a default. Where a medical recommendation specifies a product (chair) from another supplier for a specialist solution, e.g. KOS Ergonomics, or Back Shop, we purchase from that supplier. |
- The qualifying criteria for the security contract was the ability to provide an integral service to the Department at the onset of Covid-19 with no gap in provision, allowing essential services to remain open during a changing environment of restrictions and requirements.
- The qualifying criteria for the PPE was the ability to immediately deliver an emergency product (PPE) for distribution across the Department to ensure essential services remained functioning during a time of high demand and low supply.
- The qualifying criteria for in-person ergonomic assessments was the ability to supply the service when the incumbent provider could not.
- The qualifying criteria for advanced ergonomic/orthopaedic chairs was the provision of specialised equipment required for users to function safely in their workspace.
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