Procurement is a key element of the Government’s Public Service Reform Programme. Education spends approximately €1 billion on goods and services annually and it is essential that this money is spent in a way that achieves maximum value for money, adheres to government policy, national guidelines and EU directives for procurement, while providing a sustainable delivery of services for the taxpayer.

Third Level

Most higher education institutions (HEI’s) will have a Procurement & Contracts Office (PCO) where you can find information on current contracts, frameworks and arrangements and support for your procurement requirements.

Check the OGP website for procurement updates, links, and Schedule of frameworks and contracts. Register as a Buyer for buyer login to access contracts/FWAs/Arrangements.

Department Circulars relating to procurement are issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and previously the Department of Finance. You will find updates to Circulars here.

The Department of Education has a dedicated Procurement section on their website.

You will also find information on Circulars and procurement on eTenders.

UL Graduates

All Procurement Support Requests (PSR’s) must be sent to support@ogp.gov.ie . PSR’s for goods and services under the categories in the EPS portfolio will be sent via the OGP to EPS and a member of the EPS team will contact the HEI point of contact to initiate the sourcing process.  Most higher education institutions (HEI’s) will have a Procurement office where you can find information on current contracts and support for your procurement requirements. The HEI’s website may also provide you with a list of information and relevant links.

EPS Corporate Services support in 3rd level institutions led to the launch of a Corporate Procurement Plan (CPP) template for higher education at a joint Summit with the HEA in April 2018.

A Corporate Procurement Pack was presented to the delegates at the summit.  The pack contained key guidelines on compliance and policy/procedures information that will serve as  a valuable toolkit for procurement in the institutions.

Students sitting exam

Primary and Secondary Level

If you are procuring on behalf of a Secondary School and are under the management of an Education Training Board, you should contact the Board for advice on your procurement requirements. Information on this can be found on the Education and Training Boards Ireland website www.etbi.ie.

The Schools Procurement Unit (SPU) acts as the central coordinating function for procurement for all schools in the primary sector, all voluntary secondary schools, special schools and schools in the Community and Comprehensive (C&C) sector (including special schools but excluding schools under the remit of ETBs).  The SPU delivers advice and practical support to schools to help them achieve improvements in their procurement processes, practices and outcomes.

The Schools Procurement Unit’s Guidance for Schools on Good Procurement Practices is available to download: Guidance for Schools on Good Procurement Practices

Schools managed by Education and Training Boards (ETB) should contact ETB Head Quarters for advice on procurement. See more at www.etbi.ie

You can also contact the OGP Helpdesk for advice on purchasing under the national frameworks on 076 100 8000 or support@ogp.gov.ie or visit the OGP website for information on ogp.gov.ie

SPU Contact Details

Phone:  01-203 5899

Address: Emmet House, Dundrum Road, Milltown, Dublin 14. D14 V3K8

Website:  www.spu.ie

Email:  procurementsupport@jmb.ie

ETBI Details

Phone: 045-901070

Address: Piper’s Hill, Kilcullen Road, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland

Website:  etbi.ie

Email: info@etbi.ie

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