Quite unusually for a PfG, procurement/tendering is mentioned a lot in the document.
For example…
- As part of the National Economic Plan (to be agreed as part of Budget 2021), an action (unspecified) will be taken to support SMEs to compete for public service contracts. Will a bespoke initiative for small businesses replace the Go-2-Tender programme currently funded by InterTradeIreland?
- A procurement strategy for EVs will be published. The aim is that by 2025, contracting authorities will only be allowed to purchase low or no-emissions cars and light goods vehicles.
- A sustainable procurement policy will be developed and implemented (building on OGP’s guidance of December 2019).
- The OGP will be tasked to update all procurement frameworks in line with green procurement practices.
- The OGP will also be directed to support the adoption of new technologies (unspecified) through the development of new public service procurement frameworks.
- Green procurement will be mandated in all public procurements within three years (above which value threshold?).
- Procurement techniques will be used to lead the transition to the circular economy.
- The procurement of retrofitting will be centralised (presumably managed and coordinated by the National Retrofit Delivery Body).
- OGP will play a key role in rolling out the Public Sector Decarbonisation Strategy (to 2030) through the central procurement of energy-related investments and services.
- Procurement policy for social housing will have strong social clauses (and product and design standards?) in line with the new green procurement policy.
Interesting times ahead for those of us in the procurement and tendering environment.
