Irish Procurement Glossary

The standards used to evaluate tenders and select the winning bid. In Ireland, contracting authorities must use either lowest price or Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) criteria. MEAT criteria typically include quality, price, technical merit, delivery time, and after-sales service.

As Gaeilge: Critéir Dámhachtana

Procurement below EU directive thresholds (currently €143k for central government goods/services, €221k for sub-central authorities, €5.5M for works). These follow national rules set by the Office of Government Procurement. Contracts under €25k require a minimum of three quotes; contracts between €25k and €50k should be advertised; above €50k must be advertised on eTenders.

As Gaeilge: Soláthar Faoi Bhun an Tairsí

A procurement procedure used for complex contracts where the contracting authority cannot define the technical specifications in advance. The authority conducts a dialogue with shortlisted candidates to develop solutions before inviting final tenders. Common for large IT projects and PPP arrangements in Ireland.

As Gaeilge: Idirphlé Iomaíoch

The formal advertisement published when a contracting authority wants to buy goods, services, or works. In Ireland, above-threshold notices must be published on eTenders.gov.ie and in the Official Journal of the EU (via TED). Below-threshold notices over €25k should be published on eTenders.

As Gaeilge: Fógra Conartha

A public body that buys goods, services, or works using public funds. In Ireland this includes government departments, local authorities (county and city councils), the HSE, state agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA), semi-state bodies, Education and Training Boards (ETBs), universities, and other publicly funded entities.

As Gaeilge: Údarás Conarthach

Common Procurement Vocabulary — an EU-wide classification system for public procurement. Each code has 8 digits identifying the type of goods, services, or works being procured. Used across all EU member states including Ireland. Example: 45000000 = Construction work, 72000000 = IT services.

As Gaeilge: Cód CPV

An electronic system that remains open for new suppliers to join throughout its duration. Unlike frameworks, suppliers can apply at any time. The OGP uses DPS arrangements for categories like professional services. All competitions under a DPS must follow EU rules.

As Gaeilge: Córas Ceannacháin Dinimiciúil

Ireland's national e-procurement platform at etenders.gov.ie. All Irish public sector contracts above €25,000 should be advertised here. Suppliers must register to search, receive alerts, and submit bids. Managed by the Office of Government Procurement.

As Gaeilge: eTairiscintí

The EU rules governing public procurement above certain value thresholds. The main directives are 2014/24/EU (public sector), 2014/25/EU (utilities), and 2014/23/EU (concessions). Transposed into Irish law as S.I. No. 284/2016 (European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016).

As Gaeilge: Treoracha Soláthair an AE

An agreement between one or more contracting authorities and one or more suppliers that establishes the terms (particularly price and quantity) for contracts to be awarded during a given period. In Ireland, the OGP manages national frameworks for common categories. Suppliers join through a competition, then receive orders or compete in mini-competitions.

As Gaeilge: Comhaontú Creata

A policy requiring public bodies to consider environmental criteria when buying goods, services, and works. From 2025, Irish contracting authorities must include green criteria in contracts over €50,000 as per DPER Circular 20/2019 and the EPA's Green Public Procurement Guidance. Covers energy, transport, cleaning, paper, textiles, food, construction, and IT.

As Gaeilge: Soláthar Poiblí Glas

A subdivision of a contract that can be tendered for separately. Irish and EU rules encourage dividing large contracts into lots to allow SMEs to bid for parts they can deliver. A tender for office supplies might have Lot 1: Stationery, Lot 2: IT consumables, Lot 3: Furniture.

As Gaeilge: Lota

The evaluation method that considers quality and other factors alongside price. Contracting authorities assign weightings to criteria (e.g., 60% quality, 40% price). Required for most above-threshold contracts in Ireland. Sub-criteria must be transparent and published in the tender documents.

As Gaeilge: An Tairiscint is Buntáistí ó Thaobh na hEacnamaíochta de

A competition held among suppliers already on a framework agreement or DPS. The contracting authority invites all framework members (or a defined sub-group) to submit offers for a specific requirement. Common under OGP frameworks.

As Gaeilge: Mioniomaíocht

The category of procurement notice. Key types: Prior Information Notice (PIN) — advance warning of planned procurement; Contract Notice (CN) — the formal invitation to tender; Contract Award Notice (CAN) — announcement of who won. Ireland uses TED notice types: cn-standard, cn-social, can-standard.

As Gaeilge: Cineál Fógra

Ireland's central purchasing body, established in 2014. The OGP manages national frameworks and contracts for common goods and services. Public bodies must use OGP arrangements where they exist. The OGP also sets procurement policy, provides guidance, and manages eTenders.gov.ie.

As Gaeilge: An Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais

The simplest EU procurement procedure where any interested supplier can submit a tender. There is no pre-qualification or shortlisting stage — all submissions are evaluated. Most commonly used procedure in Irish public procurement. Suitable for straightforward requirements.

As Gaeilge: Nós Imeachta Oscailte

An advance notice published to alert the market about planned procurement. Not a call to tender — it signals upcoming opportunities so suppliers can prepare. In Ireland, PINs can also be used to reduce minimum time limits for subsequent procedures.

As Gaeilge: Fógra Réamheolais

Ireland's set of rules and procedures for ensuring value for money in public expenditure. Published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). Applies to all public bodies and covers appraisal, planning, and management of public investment projects.

As Gaeilge: An Cód Caiteachais Phoiblí

A two-stage EU procurement procedure. Stage 1: any supplier can express interest and submit a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Stage 2: only shortlisted candidates (minimum 5) are invited to tender. Used for complex or high-value contracts in Ireland.

As Gaeilge: Nós Imeachta Srianta

The minimum requirements suppliers must meet to be considered for a contract. In Ireland these typically include: financial standing (turnover, insurance), technical capability (relevant experience, qualifications), tax clearance (valid Tax Clearance Certificate from Revenue), and legal standing (company registration, no criminal convictions).

As Gaeilge: Critéir Roghnúcháin

Refers to EU Directive 2014/24/EU which consolidated and modernised previous procurement directives. Transposed into Irish law as S.I. No. 284/2016. Covers all "classical" public sector procurement (i.e., not utilities or defence).

As Gaeilge: Treoir Aonair um Sholáthar

A mandatory waiting period (minimum 14 calendar days) between notifying tenderers of the contract award decision and signing the contract. Allows unsuccessful bidders to challenge the decision. Required for above-threshold contracts under Irish and EU law.

As Gaeilge: Tréimhse Sos

A certificate from Revenue confirming that a business is tax compliant. Required for all Irish public contracts above €10,000. Suppliers must have a valid certificate at the time of contract award. Can be verified online by contracting authorities through Revenue's electronic Tax Clearance system.

As Gaeilge: Deimhniú Imréiteach Cánach

The online version of the Official Journal of the EU for procurement. All EU member states, including Ireland, must publish above-threshold contract notices on TED. Available at ted.europa.eu. TenderWatch sources its data from the TED API.

As Gaeilge: TED (Tairiscintí Leictreonacha Laethúla)

A formal offer submitted by a supplier in response to a contract notice. In Irish public procurement, tenders must be submitted through eTenders by the stated deadline. Late tenders are not accepted. The term is also used informally to refer to the contract opportunity itself.

As Gaeilge: Tairiscint

The value above which specific procurement rules apply. Irish thresholds (2024-2025): €25k (seek quotes), €50k (advertise on eTenders), €143k (EU threshold — central government), €221k (EU threshold — sub-central authorities), €5.538M (EU threshold — works). Thresholds are revised every two years by the European Commission.

As Gaeilge: Tairseach