Laois County Council provides regular training to staff members throughout the year to ensure they are aware of their procurement obligations as set out in National and EU legislation and Government Policy.
One objective of Laois County Councils Corporate Procurement Plan is to develop access for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to take part in the Local Authorities procurement competitions. The Business Support Unit may provide support to SMEs through advice and training opportunities in tendering for public procurement contracts.
Laois County Council utilises many of the national contracts put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Categories include Energy, ICT, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Legal, Cleaning, Security services etc.
The OGP have prepared a short video providing an overview of Public Procurement in Ireland.
The Local Government Operational Procurement Centre (LGOPC) based in Kerry County Council maintains a dedicated public Procurement portal called Supplygov. The LGOPC is tasked with leading two categories of procurement on behalf of the public sector. With frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems for categories such as Plant Hire, Civil Engineering Materials, Bitumen and Minor Building Works to Residential/Commercial buildings.
Please see guidance for suppliers on how to register and respond to a RFT on the Supplygov portal
National and EU Tender opportunities are advertised on the European tendering platform eTenders which is used by all public sector bodies including Contracting Authorities. There are several interactive walkthrough videos for Suppliers on how to register and manage a tender process on the new eTenders platform.
The Local Government sector have published a Public Procurement Guide for SMEs and Sole Traders which aims to help Small to Medium Enterprises and Sole Traders make the most of the business opportunities within the Public Sector.
It introduces Public Procurement processes and procedures and explains how Contracting Authorities such as Laois County Council purchase goods, services and works. It encourages businesses of all sizes to engage with the many business tendering opportunities.
Business Support and advice is available from the Local Enterprise Office
For further information please contact the Procurement Team via email at procurement@laoiscoco.ie or by phone at 057 86 64000