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Bid Readiness Checker

Answer 6 questions and get an honest score, gap analysis, and step-by-step action plan for winning Irish public sector contracts.

Step 1 of 6

Have you bid on public tenders before?

Scoring one specific tender rather than your firm overall? Use thebid or no-bid scorecard.

What Does It Take to Win an Irish Government Tender?

Many capable Irish businesses lose out on public contracts not because of weak services, but because of missing compliance documents or unfamiliarity with the procurement process. A missing tax clearance certificate or an inadequate insurance level can disqualify a bid before it's even read.

This tool assesses the key readiness factors, eTenders registration, tax clearance, insurance, experience, and certifications, and gives you a score out of 10 with specific gaps to address before you invest time writing a tender response.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bid readiness?
Bid readiness means having the compliance, documentation, and capacity in place to submit a credible tender. In Ireland, this typically includes eTenders registration, a current tax clearance certificate, appropriate insurance, and relevant experience or certifications.
Do I need to be registered on eTenders to win a public contract?
Yes. eTenders.gov.ie is the Irish government's official procurement portal. You must register your business there to receive tender notifications and submit bids for Irish public contracts. Registration is free.
What is a tax clearance certificate and why do I need it?
A tax clearance certificate from Revenue confirms that your tax affairs are in order. It is a mandatory requirement for most Irish public sector contracts. You can apply online through Revenue's myAccount or ROS portal.
What insurance do I need to bid on Irish government tenders?
The minimum requirement varies by contract type and value, but most tenders require Public Liability insurance (typically €6.5M) and, for service contracts, Professional Indemnity insurance. Construction contracts usually also require Employer's Liability.
Can a small business win an Irish government tender?
Yes. The OGP (Office of Government Procurement) has specific policies to support SME access to public contracts, including breaking large contracts into lots and limiting turnover requirements to twice the contract value. Many tenders under €25,000 are reserved for smaller suppliers.

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