THE TIMELINE

Competitions which have been published before 15 May 2023 can be completed on the existing platform, while all new competitions must be published on the new platform from Go-Live.

The current platform will continue until May 2024 to enable all in progress competitions to be completed on the current platform. These will not migrate to the new platform. The deadline for completion of competitions on the current platform is 19 May 2023. All competitions (and the first stages of multi stage competitions) must be concluded in the current platform before that date to protect their integrity. The OGP are aware that there will be exceptional circumstances where this may not be possible and we are actively investigating options for these competitions.

All new competitions will start on the new platform once it is live in April 2023. Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS, Utilities QS) and Frameworks will be available on the new platform from Go-live to facilitate drawdowns.

Start up guides are available here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9a109-etenders-is-changing-updates-for-businesses/  for suppliers and here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5a81a-etenders-is-changing-updates-for-contracting-authorities for Contracting Authorities.

HOW WILL THE SWITCHOVER WORK?

Will data migrate to new platform?

Data prioritised for go-live:
• Organisation and User information
• Framework and DPS information
• Access to remaining data critical for users

The agreed continuation of the existing contract for an additional 12 months will:
• Facilitate uninterrupted access to data until May ’24
• Provide additional time to consider alternative solutions

The new platform has strong formatting and validation on specific fields e.g.
• Drop down lists for counties
• Validation for VAT number formats

Business continuity and clarity were key criteria in the approach to the switchover

• All new competitions must start on the new platform from Go-Live 15th May 2023
• Competitions started before 15th May, should be completed on existing platform.

New Functionality changes

There are new functionality features that will address existing underutilised functionality in relation to :
• eQuestionaire
• eEvaluation
• eAward

New functionality features will incorporate increased digitalisation allowing for greater efficiencies and will support:
• Simplified Self-Serve
• Evidence repository
• Reporting tool

Testing / Training Site

The testing/training site for the new platform is available at the following link: https://irish-acc.eurodyn.com/epps/home.do.

To access the site, users can either create a dummy CA profile or, if they wish to use a CA organisation already set up on the site by a colleague, they can request the admin user/CAPC of the dummy account to add them as a user and assign them admin/CAPC rights.

While both contracting authority and supplier registration details will be transferred to the new platform, users will need to re-input certain details, along with some additional ones, when activating their account on the new platform. Starting from 15 May, users can log on and confirm their details to access the platform.

New competitions will be published from 22 May onwards.

For further information tailored for contracting authorities, please visit the dedicated webpage at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5a81a-etenders-is-changing-updates-for-contracting-authorities/.

Support for Suppliers

The OGP will regularly update the Small and Medium Size Enterprise (SME) Advisory Group, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement. A communications sub-committee to the SME Advisory Group will also be updated on the eTenders roll out.