Selling to the Public Sector in Ireland and Internationally
Growth through Procurement - Connecting Companies to Irish Public Sector Opportunities
Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for supporting Irish businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. We partner with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. The ultimate objective is increased exports, employment, and prosperity in Ireland.
Public Procurement
Enterprise Ireland’s public procurement team is working across public sector organisations to raise awareness of the innovative capabilities and solutions of Irish small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and how they can deliver value to public sector contracts.
The Government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the economy. Public Procurement accounts for 16% of GDP. In turn €8.5 billion is spent on supplies and services.
How does Enterprise Ireland work with Irish SMEs to target and win public procurement contracts?
Enterprise Ireland is committed to working with Irish SMEs to facilitate and maximise the contract opportunities available through the public sector. The key focus of the public procurement team is to raise awareness of the innovative solutions provided by indigenous SMEs to the public sector in Ireland. Connecting with local subcontractor and sub suppliers in the supply chain to shortlisted bidders in flagship public sector projects through “meet the buyer events”.
The Department is made up of a team of Marketing Advisors whose role is to:
- Identify and qualify procurement opportunities.
- Build client capability
- Facilitate buyer / client meetings in order to accelerate the procurement process
- Develop and implement new approaches to public sector procurement in collaboration with key stakeholders
- Identify “blocks” to SME access to the public sector market and implement the appropriate solutions.
Our main activities:
- Meet the Buyer Events
- IFIs Opportunities (International Financial Institutions) – World Bank, EC, EBRD, EIB, ADB etc
Tender Opportunities - Info sessions
Capacity Building
Networking and Consortia Building - Irish Public Sector Opportunities
Highlighting OGP pipeline
OGP Opportunities and Capacity Building Seminars
Targeting and winning public procurement contracts
Our public procurement team works with contracting authorities to help identify innovative solutions, products and services developed and provided by Irish companies. Our initiatives to increase the engagement between public sector bodies and SMEs will focus on the following sectors:
- Construction
- Health
- Justice
- Education
- Transport
- Utilities
- Software and services
Enterprise Ireland supports and other supports
In addition to sourcing tender opportunities for companies, Enterprise Ireland offers a range of funding and capability-building activities that will help prepare and enhance companies’ ability to successfully bid and win public contracts. Please see links below for further details.
Tendering Opportunity Websites & Useful Links (Ireland)
Tendering Opportunity Websites & Useful Links (UK & Europe)
| Source | Description |
| TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) | TED is the online version of the 'Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union', dedicated to European public procurement. |
| Information on European Public Procurement | National public procurement databases |
| eTenders NI | Etenders NI site which allows supplying organisations to take part in tender opportunities led by the N.I public sector and regulated contracting authorities through which all procurement is channelled |
| Central Procurement Directorate NI | As the leading organisation for public procurement in Northern Ireland, the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) reviews and develops NI procurement policy and provides the NI Public Sector with best value for money procurement services. Website also provides details of provides a range of helpful information on public procurement for current and prospective suppliers |
| UK Government Procurement | Provides an integrated commercial and procurement services for government and UK public sector including health, Local government, devolved administrations, education and not-for-profit organisations. |
| Constructionline UK | Register of pre-qualified suppliers for construction contracts, used by approx 8,000 buyers from over 2,000 organisations |
| Public Contracts Scotland | This portal gives free access to contract opportunities in Scotland. |
| Sell2Wales | Procurement website set up by the government that is aimed to help win contracts in public sector across Wales and for public sector buyers to advertise and manage tender opportunities |
| UN Procurement Division | Provides effective and quality expert procurement services and business advice to UN headquarters and other UN organisations while achieving best value for money and ensuring competitiveness and transparent process in accordance with established regulation, rules and procedures. |
| World Bank Procurement | Procurement under World Bank-financed projects results in the award of about 20-30,000 contracts with a total value of about $20 billion annually |
Events
Search our Events Calendar 'Meet the buyer'.
Further Information
Public Procurement Profile for SMEs
Growth Through Procurement
Useful Links
Key contacts
Clients of Enterprise Ireland should contact their Development Adviser in the first instance.
You may also contact the Enterprise Ireland Public Procurement Team:
