Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names of the OEM IT brands represented in the ITC016F the Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision Of Network And Firewall Products, Solutions, Ancillary Equipment and Associated Services; if he will highlight the OEM IT brands on the tender that are EU-owned; and his views on the way in which the tender assists with EU digital sovereignty. [22742/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The tender for “ITC016F Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of Network & Firewall Products, Solutions, Ancillary Equipment and Associated Services” was advertised on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) in October 2024 and was open to all resellers and manufacturers of Network and Firewall equipment that could meet the criteria set out in the tender requirements and specifications.

The purpose of the Framework is to aggregate the State’s spend in respect of Network and Firewall Equipment, Solutions and Associated Services based on a set of requirements and specifications agreed by a cross-sector group of subject matter experts. The tender and the resultant framework adhere to all applicable laws, policies and guidance. The Framework supports Irish Public Service Bodies in procuring the equipment and services necessary to build, configure and operate their IT networks.

A total of 41 individual tender responses from 28 distinct Economic Operators were received, with equipment from 12 distinct manufacturers (both EU-owned and non-EU-owned) included in these responses. Following assessment and evaluation of the responses, in accordance with the rules of the competition, a total of 14 Economic Operators were appointed to the Framework (the “successful Tenderers”) across three lots including equipment from 7 manufacturers. In each case, the successful Tenderer is an accredited reseller of the equipment proposed in their tender response.

All successful Tenderers are companies registered in Ireland, including a number of Irish Small / Medium Enterprises.

The seven original equipment manufacturers included from successful Tenderers in response to the request for tenders are as follows:

• Check Point (Firewall)
• Cisco Systems (Network and Firewall)
• Fortinet (Network & Firewall)
• HPE Aruba (Network)
• Huawei (Network)
• Juniper Networks (Network & Firewall)
• Palo Alto Networks (Firewall)