On the 1st January 2014 the National Procurement Service (NPS) officially transferred from the Office of Public Works and was integrated into the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The OGP will buy centrally all of the common goods and services on behalf of the entire public sector – this represents a dramatic change in Irish public procurement. The approach to be used is called Category Management, which divides spend into categories of goods and services, as follows:
| Category | Sourcing priorities | Responsibility |
| Utilities | Electricity, Gas, Fuels, Water | OGP |
| Professional services | Actuarial, Advisory, Architect, Audit, Banking, Communication, Financial, Insurance, Legal, Quantity Surveying, Research | OGP |
| ICT office | Hardware, Software, Services, Telecoms – Data / Equipment / Mobile / Voice, ICT Professional Services, Office Equipment | OGP |
| Marketing, print, stationery | Advertising, Public Relations, Creative Media, Creative Services, Promotional Events, IT Consumables / Peripherals, Marketing Printing, Office Printing, Office Supplies, Production Printing | OGP |
| Travel & HR | Car Hire, Employee Assistance Programme, Health and Safety, Hotel / Meetings / Incentives / Conferences / Events, Pension, Recruitment, Travel Agency/Travel Services, Training, Temporary Staff/Contractors Transport–Air/Rail/Road, Postage, Couriers | OGP |
| Fleet & Plant | Equipment, Fuel, Maintenance, Other Plant (Lifter, Generator etc.), Vehicles Purchased, Vehicle Fit Out, Vehicle Rental/Leasing/Fleet Hire | OGP |
| Facilities management | Building Maintenance, Catering Equipment / Supplies and Services, Cleaning Equipment / Supplies and Services, Document Management, Fittings / Furnishings, Health and Safety, Laundry, Rental, Security, Sports Equipment, Uniforms / Clothing, Waste Management | HSE |
| Building, maintenance, minor works |
Minor Building Works and Civils
Building, Civil, Electrical, Materials, Mechanical, Road, Plant / Equipment Hire (including Driver / Operator)
|
Local authorities |
| Lab diagnostics |
Laboratory, Diagnostics and Equipment (including; Health Informatics)
Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Diagnostic Systems and Supplies
|
Education |
| Medical professional |
Medical Professional Services
Carers (Disability Care, Senior Care), Care Services, Locums (Medical Professional)
|
HSE |
| Medical equipment & supplies |
Medical Equipment, Medical Diagnostic Equipment, Medical Diagnostic Services, Health Information Systems
Surgical Equipment and Supplies, Blood / Blood Products, Drugs and Medicines, Medical Gases
|
HSE |
| Veterinary and Agriculture |
Livestock, Feed, Consumables, Equipment, Other, Services, Supplies, Veterinary
|
Education |
| Defence & Security |
Aircraft, Aircraft Maintenance
Military Equipment, Military Equipment, Maintenance, Naval Vessels, Naval Vessels Maintenance, Ordinance Equipment, Other Military Supplies, Military Vehicles / Maintenance
|
Defence |
With this aggregation in demand, we’re going to see far more use of framework agreements in Ireland and large contracts divided into lots. The bar will be higher for SMEs to write winning tenders, but Bid Management Services can help. Contact us for advice today.
