Competitive Dialogue
As Gaeilge: Idirphlé Iomaíoch
Last reviewed April 2026
A flexible EU procedure for complex contracts where the authority develops the solution with shortlisted candidates.
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.
In the Tenderwatch data
- Appears in 5 notices captured in the last 12 months on Tenderwatch (as at November 2026).
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Related terms
Restricted Procedure
A two-stage EU procedure: pre-qualification followed by invitation to shortlisted candidates.
Open Procedure
The simplest EU procedure: any supplier can submit a tender, with no shortlisting stage.
Contracting Authority
A public body that buys goods, services, or works with public funds: departments, councils, the HSE, ETBs, etc.
Get weekly Irish tender alerts by email
TenderWatch Pro
Bidding for Irish public contracts? Let Pro watch the feed for you
TenderWatch Pro matches every new Irish public tender against your capability statement, sends a monthly custom Sector Bid Pack, tracks expiring contracts before they re-tender, and exports award histories to CSV. EUR 490 a year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
See TenderWatch Pro