Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2022-09-30
Buyer: Department of Foreign Affairs/An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha
Country: IE
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 48000000 | 72260000: Software-related services | 72261000: Software support services | 72263000: Software implementation services
Estimated value: 825300 EUR

Technical requirements: The Department of Foreign Affairs is placing this voluntary transparency notice to alert economic operators of its intention to modify the Facial Recognition contract in accordance with Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 284/2016)
It is intended that this modification will extend the current contract for a period of 24 months to allow sufficient time to run a procurement process and to implement a new system.
This transparency notice does not place any obligation on the authority to enter into this modification.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is placing this voluntary transparency notice to alert economic operators of its intention to modify the Facial Recognition contract in accordance with Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 284/2016)
It is intended that this modification will extend the current contract for a period of 24 months to allow sufficient time to run a procurement process and to implement a new system.
This transparency notice does not place any obligation on the authority to enter into this modification.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is placing this voluntary transparency notice to alert economic operators of its intention to modify the Facial Recognition contract in accordance with Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 284/2016)
It is intended that this modification will extend the current contract for a period of 24 months to allow for the development of a new tender.
In January 2022, a procurement exercise was initiated to procure a new FRS (Facial Recognition Solution) based on agreed target architecture. As part of the two-staged process, a PQQ was issued and evaluated, to shortlist potential economic operators.
Due to delays in procuring the new solution as a result in delays to the PIPS implementation project, the Department are not in a position to procure and implement the FRS solution in time for the conclusion of the current contract.
To avoid a break in service the Department of Foreign Affairs requires a further extension of its original contract for an additional 24 months. This extension is seen as modification under the provisions outlined in Regulation 72 of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 284/2016)
In such instances, contracts may be modified without a new procurement procedure in accordance with Article 72(1)(b) of the Procurement Directive in the following exceptional circumstances:
1. For additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor, irrespective of their value, that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement:
2. Where a contractor change cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, software, services or installations procured under the initial procurement;
3. Where a contractor change would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the contracting entity; and


Winner: Daon
Award value: 825300