Procurement Policy Updates

New advice on early collaboration contracts has been published under the Capital Works Management Framework, specifically linked to projects designated as critical under the Critical Infrastructure Act.[7] The guidance explains how such critical projects may use the alternative procurement provisions in Circular 25/2026, including options for early collaboration-style contracts rather than traditional CWMF forms.[7] This gives contracting authorities delivering critical infrastructure more structured support in selecting and managing collaborative contract models that aim to improve risk sharing, programme certainty and contractor engagement.[7][9] For suppliers in construction and engineering, this may lead to more opportunities to engage under collaborative, often international, contract forms on a defined set of high-priority projects.[7][9]

The national eTenders platform has issued an important notice that the eForms software has been updated to the latest version as of 25 August 2026.[2][5] eForms are the EU-standard notice formats for public procurement, so software updates typically affect how contracting authorities create, publish and manage tender and award notices on the system.[2][5] Buyers may see changes to notice templates, data fields or validation rules, which can in turn alter what information suppliers must provide or how competitions are presented and searched.[2][5] For suppliers, the practical impact is mainly on how opportunities and award data appear and are structured in eTenders, and potentially on the consistency of notices with evolving EU reporting requirements.[2][5]

In early August 2026, a Request for Tenders was issued to establish a multi‑supplier framework agreement for procurement support services for goods and general services, to be managed by the Office of Government Procurement.[9] The planned framework will provide advisory and operational assistance to public bodies in designing, running and managing procurement procedures, centralising a significant volume of procurement support activity once awarded.[9] This is likely to standardise documentation, processes and quality of procedures across many sectors, as buying organisations rely more on framework providers and OGP‑aligned approaches.[9] For professional‑services suppliers specialising in procurement and advisory work, the framework represents a major opportunity but may also consolidate demand through OGP rather than dispersed individual contracts.[9]

The Central Works Management Framework (CWMF) has published new advice for contracting authorities on the use of Early Collaboration Contracts in public works projects. This guidance encourages earlier engagement between clients, contractors, and designers to improve project definition, manage risk and deliverability, and is likely to influence procurement routes and contract packaging for major capital projects. Construction suppliers and consultants may see increased use of early‑phase collaboration or two‑stage arrangements, with more emphasis on capability, team working, and risk management rather than lowest initial price alone. Public bodies delivering capital projects will need to consider when and how to deploy these early collaboration forms within the existing public works contracts suite.

The Government has published Ireland’s first National Public Procurement Strategy, 'Procuring for Our Future: National Public Procurement Strategy 2026–2030', setting a multi‑year policy framework for how public bodies plan and run procurement. It places stronger emphasis on SME access, strategic use of procurement to support climate and social objectives, and more consistent national practice across sectors. In practical terms, Irish suppliers can expect more structured engagement, clearer pipeline visibility and revised criteria in competitions linked to green, social, and innovation outcomes. Buyers will need to align procurement plans, procedures and documentation with the new strategy over the coming years, which is likely to influence evaluation models and selection requirements across most public tenders.

Alongside the new National Public Procurement Strategy, the OGP has released detailed 'Procuring for Our Future' sections that elaborate the vision, values, pillars, and enablers for public procurement to 2030. These sections reflect extensive engagement with Irish enterprises and highlight measures to reduce barriers for smaller suppliers, support innovation, and standardise good practice across contracting authorities. For suppliers, this signals upcoming adjustments in how opportunities are structured and evaluated, including a stronger focus on qualitative outcomes and responsible business practices. Contracting authorities will be expected to integrate these pillars into their procurement strategies, category management, and documentation templates over the strategy period.

Circular 25/2026, published in mid-August 2026, updates appraisal and procurement requirements for a limited set of Exchequer-funded projects designated as critical under the Critical Infrastructure Act. It allows these critical projects to depart from the Capital Works Management Framework and use standard international construction or consultancy contract forms, subject to conditions on permitted amendments and resourcing support. The usual derogation process under Circular 07/2010 is waived for these critical projects where a different contracting strategy is justified, but remains in place for non‑critical projects. For suppliers, this means that a small number of major transport, water and energy projects may now use non‑CWMF contract forms and potentially different risk allocations, while buyers gain more flexibility in selecting procurement and contracting strategies for those critical schemes.

In late August 2026 the eTenders platform announced an important update to its eForms software, bringing the system up to the latest version used for publishing procurement notices. This change affects how contracting authorities create and submit notices, including data fields and structure, and may subtly alter the way opportunities and contract information are displayed to suppliers. Buyers will need to familiarise themselves with the revised notice templates and any new mandatory fields to ensure compliant publication of tenders and awards. Suppliers should expect some changes in the layout and information presented in notices, but the core registration and tender submission processes remain in place, so practical impact is moderate and mostly procedural.

On 4 August 2026 a Request for Tenders was issued to establish a multi‑supplier framework agreement for the provision of procurement support services for goods and general services. The framework will cover advisory and operational support to public bodies in running competitions, drafting documentation and managing procedures, and is expected to centralise a significant volume of procurement support work once awarded. For consultancy and professional services firms, this represents a major new route to win recurring engagements with multiple public sector clients through a single framework competition. For buyers, the framework will provide a pre‑qualified panel of providers they can call on for expert procurement assistance, potentially improving compliance and capacity across the wider public service.

On 5 August 2026 the Office of Government Procurement published "Procuring for Our Future: National Public Procurement Strategy 2026–2030", setting out the medium‑term direction for Irish public procurement. The strategy provides a strategic framework for issues such as SME participation, sustainability, social value, digitalisation and professionalisation of the procurement function across the public service. While it does not by itself change statutory thresholds, it will guide future circulars, framework designs and operational policies, meaning suppliers can expect greater emphasis on strategic outcomes and potentially revised evaluation and reporting requirements over the coming years. Buyers will need to align their procurement planning, documentation and contract management practices with the priorities and measures laid out in the strategy as it is implemented.

The EU’s biennial procurement threshold update took effect on 1 January 2026 and applies in Ireland. The main advertised thresholds are now €5,404,000 for works, €140,000 for central government supplies and services, €216,000 for sub-central authorities, €750,000 for light-touch social services, and €432,000 for utilities supplies and services, all ex VAT. Contracts at or above these values require TED publication in addition to eTenders. This affects how buyers structure competitions and when suppliers must monitor EU-level notices.

The Government has updated procurement guidance to support SME participation by increasing the national advertising thresholds on eTenders. Supplies and services must now be advertised from €50,000 ex VAT, and works from €200,000 ex VAT, which reduces mandatory competition for smaller contracts. Buyers must also publish award information above €25,000 ex VAT and apply more proportionate financial capacity and insurance requirements. For suppliers, this changes which opportunities are openly advertised and should increase the volume of visible lower-value competitions while keeping more small awards outside formal tendering.

The Office of Government Procurement and Ministers Chambers and Higgins have opened a public consultation on Ireland’s first National Public Procurement Strategy. This is not yet a binding rule change, but it is a significant policy development that can lead to future reforms in thresholds, procedures, social value, SME access, and digital procurement. For suppliers, the consultation signals that the procurement system may be reshaped over the medium term, especially if the final strategy changes how competitions are designed or reported. Buyers should expect new policy direction to emerge from the consultation process.

The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has introduced updated guidance to support SME participation in public procurement, including significant increases in the national thresholds at which contracts must be advertised on eTenders.[6] The minimum advertising threshold for goods and services has risen from €25,000 to €50,000 (ex VAT), and for works from €50,000 to €200,000 (ex VAT), reducing mandatory competition for very small contracts while requiring improved publication of award information above €25,000.[1][6] The guidance also tightens expectations on proportional financial and insurance requirements and reiterates the obligation on public bodies to use central procurement arrangements where appropriate.[6] In practice, SMEs may see fewer very small tenders on eTenders but clearer transparency and more SME‑friendly criteria on advertised opportunities.

Delegated Regulations (EU) 2025/2150, 2025/2151 and 2025/2152 have revised the EU procurement thresholds, which have applied in Ireland since 1 January 2026 for all contracting authorities.[7] The main OJEU thresholds are now €5,404,000 for works, €140,000 for central government supplies and services, €216,000 for sub‑central supplies and services, €750,000 for light‑touch social and other specific services, and €432,000 for utilities sector supplies and services (all exclusive of VAT).[1][7][16] Contracts above these levels must be advertised on TED in addition to eTenders, affecting how buyers structure lots and estimate values and how suppliers assess when EU‑wide competition rules apply.[7][16] Although in force since January, these thresholds remain current and directly shape procurement planning and market opportunities for Irish businesses in 2026.

The Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works has announced a refreshed Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) website, improving access to standard public works contract documentation and guidance.[3] While the underlying contract forms (such as PW-CF and minor works forms) are not reported as having substantively changed in the announcement, the updated site consolidates current guidance, templates and manuals in a more user‑friendly structure.[3] For contracting authorities and construction suppliers, this makes it easier to locate the latest versions of public works contracts, inflation‑related measures and procedural guidance, reducing the risk of using outdated forms. Buyers should review their internal document libraries against the refreshed CWMF site to ensure alignment.

The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has introduced updated guidance aimed at improving SME access to public procurement opportunities. Key operational changes include raising the mandatory eTenders advertising threshold for goods and services from €25,000 to €50,000 and for works from €50,000 to €200,000 (both ex VAT), which will reduce formal tendering for smaller contracts and shift more activity to request-for-quotes type processes.[5][6] The guidance also requires publication of contract award information for all procurements over €25,000, and emphasises proportionate financial capacity and insurance requirements, which should ease participation barriers for SMEs.[5] Buyers must adjust internal procedures and templates to the new thresholds and transparency rules, while suppliers should monitor how the higher thresholds change the volume and profile of opportunities appearing on eTenders versus being sourced directly.

The European Commission’s biennial delegated regulations adjusting EU procurement thresholds took effect on 1 January 2026 and apply to all Irish contracting authorities.[1][13] The new thresholds (ex VAT) include €140,000 for central government supplies and services, €216,000 for sub-central authorities, €750,000 for light‑touch social and other specific services, €5,404,000 for works, and €432,000 for utilities sector goods and services, with contracts above these levels requiring publication on TED in addition to eTenders.[1][13] Practically, buyers must ensure tender strategies, choice of procedure and notice publication comply with these updated values, and suppliers should recalibrate their bid/no‑bid and pipeline planning around the new EU trigger points. These thresholds will remain in force for the 2026–2027 period unless further amended.

Government has approved the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2027, "Buying Greener", which frames how environmental and circular economy considerations must be embedded into Irish public procurement.[10] While the approval predates the last four weeks, current implementation activity and guidance updates are beginning to affect tender requirements, introducing more systematic green criteria, life‑cycle costing and environmental reporting obligations across sectors.[10] Buyers should incorporate the Strategy’s objectives into award criteria and technical specifications, particularly for high‑impact categories such as construction, transport, energy‑related goods and services, and facilities. Suppliers will increasingly need to evidence environmental performance, certifications and emissions data to remain competitive in public tenders.

The Office of Government Procurement has completed the public consultation process to inform Ireland’s first National Public Procurement Strategy.[11] While the final Strategy has not yet been published, this marks a transition from stakeholder input to drafting, and signals that cross‑government changes to procurement policy, governance, and digitalisation are likely in the medium term.[7][11] Contracting authorities should anticipate future strategic directives on issues such as SME access, social and green procurement, and professionalisation of the procurement function, which may require updates to internal policies once the Strategy is adopted. Suppliers can expect more structured and potentially more consistent procurement practices across the public sector as the Strategy is implemented.

Government has approved a new DPER Circular designed to increase implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) obligations across the public sector. The Circular consolidates and reinforces the requirement on contracting authorities to integrate environmental considerations into relevant tenders, aligning with national climate and sustainability commitments and pointing buyers to detailed GPP guidance and FAQs on the OGP site. In practice, buyers will be expected to embed green criteria, technical specifications, and award criteria more systematically in applicable competitions, and to document compliance more clearly. For suppliers, particularly in construction, energy, transport, ICT, and facilities, this means environmental performance, certifications and lifecycle impacts will carry greater weight in award decisions.

Government has approved updated guidance to support SME participation in public procurement, including significant increases in the national advertising thresholds on eTenders. The minimum value at which **goods and services** contracts must be advertised on eTenders rises from €25,000 to €50,000 (ex VAT), and for **works** from €50,000 to €200,000 (ex VAT). The guidance also tightens transparency obligations, requiring publication of contract award information for all procurements over €25,000 and reiterates the need for proportionate financial and insurance requirements to avoid excluding SMEs. For buyers, this provides more flexibility to use request-for-quotation processes below the new thresholds, while suppliers will see fewer small-value opportunities formally advertised but better transparency on awards above €25,000.

The Office of Government Procurement has launched a large-scale market consultation on the future procurement of AI solutions across the Irish public sector. The exercise seeks detailed input from AI suppliers and technology providers on requirements, risks, and contractual approaches, including feedback on proposed AI-specific contractual clauses. While not yet a binding framework, the consultation will shape how future national or sectoral AI frameworks and competitions are structured, including compliance, ethical, and data-governance conditions. Suppliers of AI tools and services should participate to influence specifications and ensure their offerings align with the State’s emerging AI procurement standards.

Government has issued Circular 17/2025, replacing Circular 20/2019, to boost Green Public Procurement (GPP) implementation across public bodies. It provides updated instructions mandating environmental considerations in procurement processes. Irish suppliers must now prioritize green credentials in bids, while buyers integrate GPP as default for goods, services, and works, impacting tender evaluations and contract awards.

The European Commission's biennial Delegated Regulations adjusting the EU procurement directive thresholds came into force on 1 January 2026. New thresholds apply across all Irish contracting authorities: €140,000 for central government goods/services, €216,000 for sub-central authorities, €750,000 for Schedule 3 social and other specific services, €5,404,000 for works, and €432,000 for utilities sectoral goods/services. Contracts above these values must be advertised on TED in addition to eTenders. Last verified: 2026-05-05.

Ministers Donohoe and Smyth announced an update to the OGP guidance supporting SME participation in public procurement. The revised guidance encourages contracting authorities to break large contracts into smaller lots, lower turnover and insurance requirements where proportionate, and accept open-book accounting and parent-company guarantees where appropriate. Aimed at reducing barriers that have historically locked smaller Irish suppliers out of central government contracts.

Government approved a new Circular replacing 20/2019 to implement Green Public Procurement (GPP) obligations from the Buying Greener strategy 2024-2027. It mandates updated GPP instructions for government departments and public sector, with compulsory reporting to monitor progress. Irish suppliers must now prioritise green criteria in bids across sectors, while buyers integrate GPP into all procurements for circular economy goals.