It is my Department's policy in relation to any competitive process undertaken in accordance with Regulation 55 of S.I. No. 284/2016 and without the assistance of any external agencies (e.g. The Office of Government Procurement or the Education Procurement Service) that unsuccessful tenderers are provided with:
• The name of the successful tenderer;
• A scoring breakdown including their own scores and that of the successful tenderer;
• A justification of their own scores for qualitative award criteria outlining the associated strengths and weaknesses of their submission;
• The relative characteristics and advantages of the successful tenderers scores only relating to qualitative award criteria where the successful tenderer has been scored higher;
• The expiry date of standstill (where applicable).
My Departments Central Procurement Unit review such feedback prior to issue to ensure the principles of fairness, proportionality, mutual recognition and transparency are upheld. In cases where external agencies oversee the procurement process, that agency fulfils the role outlined above.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
