Irish Cattle Breeding Federation

Open Now

Notices Tracked

Sectors

How Irish Cattle Breeding Federation buys: competition & SME-access profile

Open-market vs limited-competition mix · average bids · SME-access ratio

Professional Services IT Services Construction

Procurement Intelligence

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is the national body responsible for cattle breeding, genetic evaluation and related data services for the Irish herd, operating as a central service organisation for farmers, breed societies, AI companies and the wider agri‑food sector.[7] It manages large-scale animal and performance databases, runs progeny testing programmes (e.g. Tully Progeny Test Centre), and provides decision-support tools for dairy and beef farmers.[7] Procurement activity is typically focused on specialised IT systems and data services to support national genetic evaluation platforms, professional and research services in animal breeding and genomics, and occasional construction or facilities works at its sites in Cork and Kildare.[2][7] As an eTenders-registered contracting authority, it runs formal competitive procedures, such as the current "Systems Services Provider" tender referenced on Irish tender alert platforms.[1][4][6]

Strategic Context

ICBF’s strategic priorities centre on enhancing national cattle genetics and sustainability metrics, underpinned by robust data infrastructure and research capacity, as reflected in its annual reporting and operation of the Tully Progeny Test Centre.[7] This drives ongoing investment in core IT platforms, data management systems and laboratory/progeny test facilities rather than very large building programmes, with spending shaped by sectoral programmes and funding streams supporting genetic improvement and climate-related efficiency. Its use of framework-style system service procurement (e.g. current systems services provider tender) suggests a focus on long-term service relationships rather than one‑off purchases.[1][4][6]

Typical Suppliers

Specialist IT systems and hosting providers capable of supporting large livestock and genetics databases, including systems services providers procured via eTenders.[1][4][6]
Agri-tech and data analytics firms providing cattle performance recording, genetic evaluation tools and integration services for farm management platforms.[7]
Animal breeding and genetics consultancies, research organisations and laboratories collaborating on progeny testing and genetic evaluation programmes (e.g. services linked to Tully Progeny Test Centre).[7]
Facilities and construction contractors for maintenance, upgrades or minor capital works at office locations in Ballincollig and the Tully Progeny Test Centre in Kildare.[7]
Professional service providers (audit, financial, and legal advisors) supporting governance and compliance for a nationally significant cattle breeding body.[7]

Supplier Tips

Register on eTenders and monitor ICBF’s buyer profile (via eu-supply/ETENDERS) to track upcoming opportunities; review previous notices such as the systems services provider tender to understand their technical and service expectations.[1][3][4][6]
Be prepared to demonstrate proven capability in managing high-volume, mission‑critical agricultural data and integrating with existing genetic evaluation and cattle performance systems; references from agri‑tech or livestock data projects will be particularly persuasive.[1][6][7]
For professional and research services, align proposals with ICBF’s core objectives around genetic improvement, sustainability and herd performance, and highlight how your methodologies and data governance standards support rigorous, nationally scalable programmes.[7]

Updated 26 July 2026

The most recent Irish Cattle Breeding Federation tenders subscribers were alerted to: