Public procurement notice: Modification Of A Contract/Concession During Its Term
Published: 2024-01-24
Buyer: Road Safety Authority
Country: IE
Contract type: Works
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 48000000 | 48200000 | 48311000 | 72211000: Systems and user software programming services | 72212514

Technical requirements: The Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 set out a commitment for Ireland to introduce Driving Licences as polycarbonate cards, as required by EU Directive 2006/126/EC of 20 December 2006 on Driving Licences. The target date for the first issue of the polycarbonate driving licences was 19 January 2013. At the request of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, RSA agreed to take the lead in introducing the new driving licences along with a programme of changes to improve the overall Driver Licensing Service.
A contract was advertised in 2013 for a Central Licence Processing Unit ("CLPU"), which offered organisations an opportunity to assist the RSA in delivering a Driver Licensing Service that builds on the experience of others, utilises technology to enable and enhance the ‘joined up’ aspects of government and the private sector, and contributes to Ireland’s compliance with Directive 2006/126/EC. The primary scope of the CLPU was to process applications received for the issuance of learner permits and driving licences in Ireland. This involves interfacing with an Agent Network and a Plastic Card Delivery Unit along with the provision of associated services.
RSA is invoking Article 72(1)(b) of Directive 2014/24/EU in respect of this modification, as set out at VII.2.2 of this notice. However, the RSA is also satisfied that there is sufficient justification for this modification under Article72(1)(c) of Directive 2014/24/EU. Specifically, due to the unforeseeable impact of Covid-19 and the unforeseeable impact of the multiple licence extensions imposed as measures to combat the pandemic, the work to identify the future service delivery model for the NDLS was delayed until late Q2 2022. This work is ongoing and will provide the future road map and procurement plan. As a result, the CLPU Contract needs to be extended beyond its current term to ensure continuity of services until the procurement process for an amalgamated NDLS contract is complete.
A contract was awarded to Abtran Limited in 2013 for an initial period of 6 years with the option to extend for a further two periods, each lasting up to two years (i.e. a total duration of 10 years). However, for the reasons set out in section VII.2.2, a need has arisen to extend the contract for a further period of up to 4 years bringing the total maximum contract duration to 14 years.
The need for additional services arises from the fact that there is an ongoing process within the RSA for the amalgamation of all contracts falling under the NDLS into one contract. The procurement process for this amalgamated NDLS contract was due to start in Q1 2020, however, due to the impact of Covid-19 and impact of the multiple licence extensions imposed as measures to combat the pandemic, the work to identify the future service delivery model for the NDLS was delayed until late Q2 2022 and is still ongoing. As a result, the CLPU Contract needs to be extended beyond its current term to ensure continuity of services until the procurement process for the amalgamated NDLS contract is complete.In addition, a change in contractor would cause both significant inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs for the RSA. In particular, a change in contractor would disrupt continuity of service and would compromise the RSA's ability to carry out the NDLS.


Winner: Abtran Ltd