Exclusion Grounds
As Gaeilge: Forais Eisiata
Last reviewed April 2026
Reasons a bidder must (mandatory) or may (discretionary) be barred from competing: convictions, tax debt, insolvency, prior misconduct.
Set out in Regulations 57–58 of S.I. 284/2016. Mandatory exclusion grounds include conviction for organised crime, corruption, fraud, terrorist offences, money laundering, child labour, and human trafficking: exclusion is automatic and applies for five years. Discretionary grounds include breach of environmental/social/labour obligations, insolvency, professional misconduct, distortion of competition, conflict of interest, prior poor performance on a public contract, and significant misrepresentation in a procurement procedure. Self-cleaning is permitted in some cases: bidders can demonstrate remedial action and reliability to be re-admitted.
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Related terms
ESPD (European Single Procurement Document)
Standardised self-declaration confirming you meet exclusion grounds and selection criteria: required on EU-threshold tenders.
Selection Criteria
Minimum requirements a supplier must meet to be considered: financial standing, technical capability, tax clearance.
Conflict of Interest
Any situation where a person involved in a procurement has a private interest that could compromise impartiality, must be declared and managed.
Economic Operator
The EU procurement term for any supplier, contractor or service provider (an individual, firm, or consortium) that bids for or performs a public contract.
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