The Office of Government Procurement regularly publishes information notes as part of Strand 5 of the National Public Procurement Framework. It should be noted that these documents will be subject to amendment and review periodically and the most up to date version will be published on this website. These notes are not intended as legal advice or a legal interpretation of Irish or EU law on public procurement.
The Office of Government Procurement’s Cloud Services Procurement Guidance Note is provided to assist public sector organisations to understand and manage the key contractual and commercial considerations when procuring cloud computing services.
Public sector organisations can use the guidance note as a useful, easy-reference toolkit to assist them when preparing tender documentation for cloud services and, in particular, the services contract and commercial provisions that form essential parts of that documentation.
The note builds on existing guidance issued by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer that recognises the many advantages and benefits associated with the use of cloud computing services and clearly sets out the strategy for the adoption of cloud solutions for all new and renewed public service ICT systems.
The detailed information contained in the OGP Guidance note will help public sector organisations to avail of the value in cloud services through tendering in an informed manner and in compliance with public procurement regulations.
OGP Cloud Services Guidance Note February 2021
DownloadA short introductory note on the Concessions Directive explains the context of the new Concessions regime, whilst the Information Note on the Application of the Concessions Directive is also provided for anyone requiring further guidance on the use or form of Concessions contracts.
As we move from the emergency phase of the pandemic, OGP has updated our Covid-19 and public procurement information notes to reflect new changes.
The purpose of this information note is to assist in the preparation of a Corporate Procurement Plan
This note contains information on how the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) is to be used.
This information note is to advise public bodies/contracting authorities of the implications of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for public procurement and the actions they may consider taking in respect of existing and future contracts in this regard.
The purpose of this information note is to outline the role of a Procurement Officer in organisations that carry out public procurement.
This note has been created to advance the use and awareness of strategic procurement such as environmental, sustainability, disability access, training for young or disadvantaged people.
The developing situation around the spread, containment and control of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) may mean contracting authorities come under pressure to deliver essential goods and/or services in greater volume or speedier timeframes than otherwise expected.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) recognises that contracting authorities need support and assistance in relation to procurement and as a result, OGP has produced this information note to support contracting authorities in managing procurements where urgency is required. Where the procurement is unaffected by Covid-19 related issues, contracting authorities should ensure their procurements use competitive processes to ensure value for money, transparency and equal treatment, as detailed in our national public procurement guidelines . Please refer to Q&A at the end of this information note that addresses common questions you may have with respect to procurement and Covid-19.
March 22th Update: Updates include information on the Regulations, prompt payment legislation and on an information note published by OGP in relation to works.
Procurement planning is an integral part of business planning for contracting authorities. The purpose of this information note is to assist in the preparation of a Corporate Procurement Plan. Completing a plan will help contracting authorities to benchmark their current procurement policies and practices and assist in identifying future procurement needs.
Last updated: December 2020
This is the Office of Government Procurement’s Information Note on Brexit and Public Procurement. It highlights various steps a public body should consider to prepare for the impact of Brexit.
This information note is dynamic in nature and will be subject to amendment and review periodically.
For Brexit related queries please email Brexit@ogp.gov.ie
It should be noted that this information note is not intended as legal advice or a legal interpretation of Irish or EU law on public procurement.
Part of the OGP’s remit is to support better procurement practice and provide contracting authorities with information they can use to achieve this. The purpose of this information note is to outline the role of a Procurement Officer in organisations that carry out public procurement. The Procurement Officer is important to ensuring organisations meet their procurement obligations.
The European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) plays a crucial role in the digital transformation of public procurement. The ESPD is a tool that makes it easier to participate in public procurement. It is a single self-declaration form of suitability, financial status and abilities of a company used as preliminary evidence in all public procurement procedures in the EU above the EU threshold. The ESPD enables the participating companies to declare that they are not in a situation in which they may have to be excluded from the procedure, and that they meet the selection criteria.
This note contains information on how the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) is to be used.
All public bodies must now issue and accept the ESPD form for all procurement exercises above the EU threshold. In its electronic format, the ESPD is known as eESPD.
Guidance for contracting authorities on using the eESPD on eTenders is available here
Guidance for suppliers creating an eESPD response is available here
The Government is keen to explore the scope for the inclusion of social considerations in public contracts where they are suited to the objective of the contract and would have the greatest impact. The purpose of this Note is to help policy makers and practitioners understand how procurement can be used to facilitate the advancement of existing social policy objectives as well as the wider context and implications of including them in particular procurement projects. There are a wide range of policy areas which come under the heading of social considerations including: environmental sustainability, disability access, training for young or disadvantaged people. The OGP cannot decide for other contracting authorities or at a whole-of-Government level what social considerations should be included in the frameworks and contracts that it puts in place on their behalf. However, it can help facilitate the process of incorporating those objectives, once agreed, into planned procurement projects.
The GDPR will apply from 25 May 2018. It aims to protect the privacy of all EU citizens and prevent data breaches. It will apply to any public or private organisation processing personal data. Established key principles of data privacy remain relevant in the new data protection legislation but there are also a number of changes that will affect commercial arrangements, both new and existing, with suppliers. The purpose of this information note is to advise public bodies/contracting authorities of the implications of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for public procurement and the actions they may consider taking in respect of existing and future contracts in this regard.
The Concessions Directive is a new procurement regime introduced in 2014. It provides for a distinct set of procurement rules in respect of large-scale complex contracts most often occurring in the infrastructural development sector. As such, it has limited applicability in an Irish context and the standard procurement regime for public contracts as set out in the Classic Directive will continue to apply as the default procurement regime.
The short introductory note on the Concessions Directive explains the context of the new Concessions regime. For anyone requiring further guidance on the use or form of Concessions contracts, an Information Note on the Application of the Concessions Directive is also provided.
