As a public sector body, we strive to ensure that we receive the best value for money in the procurement of goods and services, that we are open and transparent in our dealings and that we pay our suppliers promptly.
Procurement
We are committed to obtaining best value for money and maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in all our procurement and purchasing activities. The purchase of goods and services by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is conducted using a competitive process. This is in accordance with our procurement policy.
Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Frameworks
It is our policy to use National Frameworks where possible. Suppliers are encouraged to tender for these Frameworks when advertised by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). These Frameworks are also advertised on www.etenders.gov.ie and the Official Journal of the European Union OJEU/TED.
We engage with suppliers and use National Framework Agreements for goods and services. These include, but are not limited to, the following services:
- Consultancy/professional services
- Research services
- Legal services
- Certain specialist training services
- Travel management services
- Utilities (e.g., electricity, natural gas, etc.)
- Insurance and brokerage services
- Waste and record management
- Confidential shredding services
- Microsoft licensing services
- Network/communications equipment
- Translation services
- Facilities management services
- Marketing, print and stationery
- Taxi services
- Health and safety services
- Office furniture/equipment
- Mobile communications and services
- IT consumables/external support services
How we buy
For supplies and services below €5,000 (excluding VAT), we will typically seek three written, competitive, quotes from suppliers or service providers. Typically, suppliers are selected from public domain sources (for example, internet searches).
For supplies and services between €5,000 and €50,000 (excluding VAT), we will typically seek not less than three written, competitive, proposals from suppliers or service providers. Typically, suppliers are selected from public domain sources (for example, internet searches)
We advertise contracts above €50,000 (excluding VAT) on the Irish Government procurement portals e-Tenders. This is in accordance with Circular 05/2023. All suppliers are encouraged to register with e-Tenders and are asked to monitor the e-Tenders website on a regular basis to identify tendering opportunities.
If a contract is above the European threshold (currently €221,000 (excluding VAT)), we advertise the tender in the supplement of the Official Journal of the European Union OJEU/TED and also on e-Tenders.
Tender documents are made available on the e-Tenders portal site for any interested party wishing to tender for goods or services for the FSAI.
How we spend
Details of payments made for goods and services valued at €20,000 or more are published quarterly in the Purchase Orders section on this page.
Our tender competitions over €25,000
Details of all our current and historical tenders over €25,000 (excluding VAT) for all other tender competitions not covered under the OGP Frameworks are available on www.etenders.gov.ie.
Public Sector publication of contract award notices
The Government launched an initiative in April 2014 (Circular 10/14) to assist Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the area of Public Sector procurement. One of these measures requires public buyers to publish all award details for contracts valued over €25,000 (excluding VAT) on the e-Tenders website on completion of the contract signing.
All stand-alone contract awards and mini competitions under the OGP Frameworks can be found on the Office of Government Procurement website.
All contracts awarded from the period 2018 for goods and services over €25,000 and VAT can be found in the ‘Published tenders’ section on the e-Tenders website.
This report is updated annually and is in line with our Procurement Plan.