About ESB
Our history, our people and our principles
Frequently asked questions
Procurement FAQs
- What are the current thresholds that apply to contracts awarded in compliance with the Utilities Directive?
- Do ESB publish Award Notices?
- Do I need to supply a Tax Clearance Certificate in order to do business with ESB?
- What are your standard payment terms?
- How can I find out if my product or service meets your specification?
- Do ESB always award contracts to the lowest priced bidder?
- What term of contract do you normally award?
- How does a new supplier who has no track record with ESB become a preferred supplier?
What are the current thresholds that apply to contracts awarded in compliance with the Utilities Directive?
Read current legislation information on the European Commission website.
As of January 2010 the thresholds are as follows:
| Use | Threshold |
|---|---|
| January 2010 Procurement thresholds | |
| Contract type | Threshold |
| Supplies & services | €387,000 |
| Works | €4,845,000 |
Contracts valued at or above these amounts must be advertised via the OJEC.
Do ESB publish Award Notices?
Yes we do. They are published in the OJEC - check Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) for regular updates.
Do I need to supply a Tax Clearance Certificate in order to do business with ESB?
In the case of all contracts of a value of €10,000 (inclusive of VAT) or more within a 12-month period, contractors are required to produce a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
Read the Guidelines for Tax Clearance at Revenue.ie
What are your standard payment terms?
Our standard payment terms are nett monthly account.
Invoices are paid at the end of the month following the date of the invoice, e.g. invoices dated August are paid at the end of September (once delivery/performance has been effected).
However, if your contract specifies a different payment term, then the term of the written contract prevails. ESB complies with the Prompt Payment Act, 1997.
How can I find out if my product or service meets with ESB's specification?
Please contact one of our Procurement Managers - contact details are available on the right - to discuss the matter initially.
Assuming we have a need for the product or service, we may suggest that you meet with our technical specialist, who will explain our specification in more detail.
Do ESB always award contracts to the lowest priced bidder?
No. Our award criteria vary depending on the contract to be awarded but in general the most economically advantageous tender is accepted.
In addition to price, further possible criteria might be applied, such as:
- Total cost of ownership
- Compliance with specification
- Delivery times
- Quality
- Technical merit
- Environmental characteristics
- After sales service and technical assistance
- Guarantees and warranties
- Acceptance of ESB's Terms and Conditions of Contract
- Compliance with tax clearance requirements
The specific criteria for each tender will be identified in our tender documents.
What term of contract do you normally award?
For Framework Agreements, our policy is to award contracts for up to 5 years as determined by prevailing market conditions.
How does a new supplier who has no track record with ESB become a preferred supplier?
We are always happy to find new suppliers who are innovative, customer focused and cost competitive.