Single-Tender Action
As Gaeilge: Gníomh Aon-Tairisceana
Also known as: STA, Direct Award, Sole-Source Award, Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication
Last reviewed April 2026
A direct award to a single supplier without a competition, allowed only in narrowly defined circumstances and subject to audit scrutiny.
An Irish term for procurement awarded without a competitive process, also known as direct award or sole-source award. Permitted under Regulation 32 of S.I. 284/2016 only in exceptional circumstances such as extreme urgency caused by unforeseeable events, where only one supplier can deliver for technical reasons or exclusive rights, or where a previous open competition received no suitable tenders. Public bodies must record the rationale on a Single Tender Action form. The Comptroller and Auditor General regularly flags non-compliant single-tender awards in annual reports.
In the Tenderwatch data
- Appears in 7 notices captured in the last 12 months on Tenderwatch (as at August 2026).
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Related terms
Negotiated Procedure
A flexible EU procedure where the authority negotiates terms with shortlisted bidders: only allowed in defined circumstances.
Public Spending Code
Ireland's rules for ensuring value for money in public expenditure, published by DPENDR.
Office of Government Procurement (OGP)
Ireland's central purchasing body, established 2014: manages national frameworks and sets procurement policy.
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.