Written answers
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Office of Government Procurement
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
232. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform why the Office of Government Procurement has not granted a contract (details supplied) to the most economically competitive price submitted; if he will identify the sourcing team involved in the adjudication in this case; if he will explain why having decided to divide the country into 16 distinct lots for the purpose of this contract it subsequently decided to allocate the contract to a UK company for the entire country; if he will review this specific decision in light of the above and review the oversight of sourcing teams and their considerable powers; and if he will further clarify who is obliged to purchase from the preferred tenderer in circumstances where the public purse would be better served financially by allowing the entities obliged to purchase from cheaper providers who are Irish SME businesses. [3936/24]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for establishing central procurement arrangements for commonly available goods and services. In June 2023, the OGP established a central procurement solution for the Supply of Cleaning, Paper, Personal Hygiene & Period Equality Products.
In establishing this arrangement the OGP adhered to the requirements of the Public Procurement regime. In April 2022, a Prior Information Notice (PIN) was published, advising the market of OGP’s intention to establish such a solution and seeking their inputs. As part of the tender design process the views and requirements of Public Service Bodies were also sought. The tender was published on the eTenders portal on 9th November, with a closing date of 19th December 2022. OGP conducted a detailed briefing session for all interested tenderers on 24th November 2022.
In line with the requirements of Circular 10/14: Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement, the tender was divided into sixteen (16) geographical lots. The specific number of lots a single tenderer could be awarded was restricted to no more than five (5). In total four (4) tenderers were appointed to the Framework. All tenderers appointed to the Framework Agreement have Irish operations.
The published tender advised tenderers that the evaluation of the tenders was based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT), which included price and a published set of qualitative criteria.
Each tender submission was objectively and professionally evaluated by a Sourcing Team. This team comprised of subject matter experts from the HSE, the Local Government sector, Defence Force, Irish Prison Services, and the Education sector. OGP chaired the Sourcing Team.
The published tender identified the Public Service Bodies (non-commercial) that are in scope for the tender.
The OGP is satisfied that the tender process was robust, transparent and open, and adhered to all the requirements of the Public Procurement regime.
No comments