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Procurement Policy

The Board is committed to achieving value for money in the procurement of supplies and services essential to support its work in providing services to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner. The Board is fully compliant with Procurement Guidelines published by the Department of Finance. The guiding principles are transparency and openness of competition. The Board participates fully in on-going initiatives of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) focusing especially on achieving procurement savings, including the use of shared framework agreements for the provision of supplies and services. All significant tenders are advertised on e-tenders as detailed below.

How we purchase

Procurement of goods and services is on the basis of competitive tendering. The following are the tendering methods used having regard to the estimated value of the contract:

  • All procurements above €25,000 are advertised on e-tenders and those over €135,000 are also advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union. Contracts above this threshold are awarded in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2004/18/EC as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Award of Public Authorities' Contracts) 2006 (S.I. 329 of 2006) [requirements are increasingly drawn down from OGP Frameworks]; Agreements established as a result of tenders advertised by the OGP on e-tenders];
  • All ICT related procurements exceeding €10,000 in value are advertised on the eTenders [requirements are increasingly drawn down from OGP Frameworks Agreements established as a result of tenders advertised by the OGP on e-tenders];

For all other procurements under €25,000 specifications are circulated to at least three providers.

What we purchase

The following is a broad indication of the main areas in which the Board purchases goods and services.

ICT Equipment and Services

The Board uses OGP and Department of Justice and Equality framework agreements and contracts where it is feasible. Such agreements are in place for the purchase of desktop computers, laptops, printers, and mobile phone services. Details of these arrangements may be viewed at http://ictprocurement.gov.ie/.

Where the Board has a need for other ICT services and equipment, requirements are advertised on the e-tenders website as and when they arise.

Provision of other Goods and Services

Stationery and office consumables are generally procured on the basis of centralised draw-down contracts awarded by the OGP, including cleaning services and photocopiers. Other services may be procured directly by the Board from time to time, through competitions advertised on eTenders.

How to access opportunities

It is the Board’s policy to use the government procurement website (http://www.etenders.gov.ie/) when advertising tenders. Suppliers/service providers who are interested in monitoring potential business opportunities should register on the e-tenders database so that they may be alerted whenever a tender of interest to their area of activity is published. Registration on the e-tenders suppliers database is free of charge.

Vendors interested in tendering for provision of goods or services which would not normally be advertised on e-tenders (below €10,000 for ICT and €25,000 for other categories) should send their details to the addresses below:

  • Organisation Unit: Michael O’ Connell, Legal Aid Board, Quay Street, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry.
  • ICT Equipment and Services: Dave Fennell, Legal Aid Board, Quay Street, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry

Payment of invoices

Payment of invoices by the Board is governed by the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997 as amended by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012. The legislation provides for the payment of interest on valid invoices which are unpaid after 30 days from the date of receipt.

Publication of Purchase Orders over €20,000

 As required under the Public Service Reform Plan published in November 2011, the Board publishes Purchase Orders for €20,000 or over on our website. Purchase Orders are published quarterly in arrears and reports commencing with quarter 3 2012 are available.