Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names of external security companies currently on the Office of Government Procurement supplier framework to provide security personnel to public bodies, in tabular form. [25860/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Security Services Framework was established on the 14th September 2020 and will expire on the 13th September 2024.

In line with best practice and in adherence with EU Public Procurement legislation, the tender process for the Supply of Security Services was advertised in a transparent and open manner. A Prior Information Notice (PIN) was issued via the eTenders portal on 31st October, 2019 advising the market of OGP’s intention to run a competition for the provision the security services within the next 12 months. The design phase of the Framework also included market engagement which was sought via eTenders in the form of a Request for Information.

Subsequently an Open Procedure Contract Notice was published on the eTenders portal (publication date: 05^thMarch, 2020; closing date: 01^stMay, 2020) inviting suitably qualified service providers to tender. A tenderers briefing was also facilitated by the OGP on the 24^thNovember 2022.

To maximise SME access the OGP structured the tender into fifteen geographical lots, in addition the minimum annual turnover for each lot was reduced.

As part of the qualifying criteria for the Framework, tenderers had to declare that their organisation held a relevant, current and valid PSA licence or licences and that their organisation met the statutory licensing requirements as set out by the PSA under the Private Security Services Act, 2004. In addition, Framework members must also declare at each Mini-Competition that they continue to hold the relevant PSA Licence and evidence of same is a required condition of the contract.

The OGP is satisfied that its tender process was robust, transparent and open and that it acted in the spirit the Circular 05/2023 and Circular 10/2014. The OGP actively applied the principles by making every effort to allow participation by all potential tenderers, whilst being mindful of the Office’s core business of delivering value for the taxpayer.

The list of companies appointed to the Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of Security Services is below.