Harris announces launch of Tender Advisory Service aimed at assisting SMEs
Announcing a new Tender Advisory Service (TAS) Simon Harris, T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Procurement stated, “given the €8 billion spent annually by Government on goods and services, we must ensure suppliers engaging with contracting authorities are treated in a fair, transparent and professional manner.”
The piloting of this service aims to better communicate with suppliers, particularly SMEs, and exact a more consistent approach to the carrying out of procurement processes across the public service.
The Minister added that, “the new service will allow potential suppliers to informally raise concerns about a particular live tender process. It will cover procurement processes carried out by the OGP or other public sector contracting bodies as outlined in the scheme.”
Experience to date suggests that the majority of queries will be routine and are likely to be resolved via telephone or e-mail channels. It is envisaged that services carried out under this pilot scheme should take no more than 3 working days. In a small number of instances involving tenders of greater complexity clarifications may take longer.
The pilot service will be operational from the 1st of February next and will be reviewed after twelve months. All communications under the scheme will be carried out in an impartial and transparent manner.
The service will be an informal one and in no way impede the rights of individuals to pursue their rights formally under the Remedies legislation.
Welcoming this initiative Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D. said: “A key part of the Action Plan for Jobs is ensuring that SMEs can secure more opportunities from the Government’s spend on procurement – thus supporting more jobs in Ireland. The new service announced by Minister Harris today is an important step in delivering on this, and I am delighted to welcome it”
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Media contact: Richard Troy, 087-0641625
Notes to Editor:
As part of the Government’s extensive public service reform programme public procurement has been targeted as an area that has the potential to drive efficiencies across the public service. The Office of Government Procurement was established last year to assist public bodies to purchase in a cost efficient and effective manner. Reform is this area enables the State to continue to deliver much needed public services.
TAS will operate through the OGP’s Customer Service Section.

