Multi-party Framework Agreement for the provision of Strategic IT Resourcing Services to the Central Bank of Ireland

Central Bank of Ireland

Technology will play a significant part in achieving the Central Bank’s strategic goals of increased automation and digitalisation, increased organisational resilience and embedding data science and analytics as a core capability. The Information Management and Technology Directorate (IMTD) of the Bank must be able to respond to and meet the evolving technology needs and expectations of the Central Bank’s business functions that it supports into the future. The Central Bank is currently in the process of designing a new IT Target Operating Model which will focus on delivering a service-oriented approach to IMTD’s customers. These services will be continually optimised through a new Practice Framework and the increased use of Product/Platform teams. As an enabler of this strategic change, the Central Bank wishes to replace its current IT resourcing models by a new Strategic Partnership Framework, initially covering: a) ICT Flex Capacity: Provides flexible and timely access to specialised professionals across all ICT disciplines on an individual basis. The Central Bank is consuming a ‘role’ or a group of roles, to be managed by the Central Bank. b) Team Capacity: Engages a dedicated, specialised team for a specific, measurable objective like a set number of sprints or a fixed scope (e.g., Windows upgrade on 1000 laptops). The Central Bank is consuming a ‘team’ which is managed by the partner and measured on metrics related to team performance. c) ICT Services: ICT Services will be defined as specific areas of scope which will be supported by a partner contributing to the delivery of services by IMTD. This might include supporting a function, practice, or platform etc. Each ICT Service will have a defined scope, RACI, duration, deliverables, service levels, commercials and a service management wrap appropriate to the service being provided. They will typically work alongside existing IMTD resources as a component adding capacity and capability towards delivering an enhanced service to IMTD’s internal customers. The Central Bank’s intention is to enter strategic partnership relationships with two strategic partners to provide resources through these resourcing models, although additional/alternative models may be used as the Central Bank's technology needs evolve. Candidates should note that the Central Bank’s intention is to scale with the strategic partner that is ranked highest in the ITN competition. See attached documentation for more information.

Deadline

The time limit for receipt of tenders was 2024-09-16. The procurement was published on 2024-08-19.

Suppliers

The following suppliers are mentioned in award decisions or other procurement documents:

Who?

• Central Bank of Ireland

What?

• IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support › Software programming and consultancy services

Where?

• Eastern and Midland › Dublin

Procurement history

Date	Document
2024-08-19	Contract notice
2026-08-21	Contract award notice

Contract notice (2024-08-19)
Object
Scope of the procurement
Title: Multi-party Framework Agreement for the provision of Strategic IT Resourcing Services to the Central Bank of Ireland
Short description:

Short description

Technology will play a significant part in achieving the Central Bank’s strategic goals of increased automation and digitalisation, increased organisational resilience and embedding data science and analytics as a core capability. The Information Management and Technology Directorate (IMTD) of the Bank must be able to respond to and meet the evolving technology needs and expectations of the Central Bank’s business functions that it supports into the future.

The Central Bank is currently in the process of designing a new IT Target Operating Model which will focus on delivering a service-oriented approach to IMTD’s customers. These services will be continually optimised through a new Practice Framework and the increased use of Product/Platform teams.

As an enabler of this strategic change, the Central Bank wishes to replace its current IT resourcing models by a new Strategic Partnership Framework, initially covering:

a) ICT Flex Capacity: Provides flexible and timely access to specialised professionals across all ICT disciplines on an individual basis. The Central Bank is consuming a ‘role’ or a group of roles, to be managed by the Central Bank.

b) Team Capacity: Engages a dedicated, specialised team for a specific, measurable objective like a set number of sprints or a fixed scope (e.g., Windows upgrade on 1000 laptops). The Central Bank is consuming a ‘team’ which is managed by the partner and measured on metrics related to team performance.

c) ICT Services: ICT Services will be defined as specific areas of scope which will be supported by a partner contributing to the delivery of services by IMTD. This might include supporting a function, practice, or platform etc. Each ICT Service will have a defined scope, RACI, duration, deliverables, service levels, commercials and a service management wrap appropriate to the service being provided. They will typically work alongside existing IMTD resources as a component adding capacity and capability towards delivering an enhanced service to IMTD’s internal customers.

The Central Bank’s intention is to enter strategic partnership relationships with two strategic partners to provide resources through these resourcing models, although additional/alternative models may be used as the Central Bank's technology needs evolve. Candidates should note that the Central Bank’s intention is to scale with the strategic partner that is ranked highest in the ITN competition. See attached documentation for more information.

Type of contract: Services
Products/services: Software programming and consultancy services 📦
Information about lots
Tenders may be submitted for maximum number of lots: 0
Description
Internal identifier: 0
Estimated value excluding VAT: 200 000 000 EUR 💰
Description of the procurement:

Technology will play a significant part in achieving the Bank’s strategic goals of increased automation and digitalisation, increased organisational resilience and embedding data science and analytics as a core capability. The Information Management and Technology Directorate (IMTD) of the Bank must be able to respond to and meet the evolving technology needs and expectations of the Central Bank’s business functions that it supports into the future. The Central Bank is currently in the process of designing a new IT Target Operating Model which will focus on delivering a service-oriented approach to IMTD’s customers. These services will be continually optimised through a new Practice Framework and the increased use of Product/Platform teams. As an enabler of this strategic change, the Central Bank wishes to replace its current IT resourcing models by a new Strategic Partnership Framework, initially covering: a) ICT Flex Capacity: Provides flexible and timely access to specialised professionals across all ICT disciplines on an individual basis. The Central Bank is consuming a ‘role’ or a group of roles, to be managed by the Central Bank. b) Team Capacity: Engages a dedicated, specialised team for a specific, measurable objective like a set number of sprints or a fixed scope (e.g., Windows upgrade on 1000 laptops). The Central Bank is consuming a ‘team’ which is managed by the partner and measured on metrics related to team performance. c) ICT Services: ICT Services will be defined as specific areas of scope which will be supported by a partner contributing to the delivery of services by IMTD. This might include supporting a function, practice, or platform etc. Each ICT Service will have a defined scope, RACI, duration, deliverables, service levels, commercials and a service management wrap appropriate to the service being provided. They will typically work alongside existing IMTD resources as a component adding capacity and capability towards delivering an enhanced service to IMTD’s internal customers. The Central Bank’s intention is to enter strategic partnership relationships with two strategic partners to provide resources through these resourcing models, although additional/alternative models may be used as the Central Bank's needs evolve. Candidates should note that the Central Bank’s intention is to scale with the strategic partner that is ranked highest in the ITN competition. See attached documentation for more information.

Description of the procurement

Technology will play a significant part in achieving the Bank’s strategic goals of increased automation and digitalisation, increased organisational resilience and embedding data science and analytics as a core capability. The Information Management and Technology Directorate (IMTD) of the Bank must be able to respond to and meet the evolving technology needs and expectations of the Central Bank’s business functions that it supports into the future.

The Central Bank is currently in the process of designing a new IT Target Operating Model which will focus on delivering a service-oriented approach to IMTD’s customers. These services will be continually optimised through a new Practice Framework and the increased use of Product/Platform teams.

As an enabler of this strategic change, the Central Bank wishes to replace its current IT resourcing models by a new Strategic Partnership Framework, initially covering:

a) ICT Flex Capacity: Provides flexible and timely access to specialised professionals across all ICT disciplines on an individual basis. The Central Bank is consuming a ‘role’ or a group of roles, to be managed by the Central Bank.

b) Team Capacity: Engages a dedicated, specialised team for a specific, measurable objective like a set number of sprints or a fixed scope (e.g., Windows upgrade on 1000 laptops). The Central Bank is consuming a ‘team’ which is managed by the partner and measured on metrics related to team performance.

c) ICT Services: ICT Services will be defined as specific areas of scope which will be supported by a partner contributing to the delivery of services by IMTD. This might include supporting a function, practice, or platform etc. Each ICT Service will have a defined scope, RACI, duration, deliverables, service levels, commercials and a service management wrap appropriate to the service being provided. They will typically work alongside existing IMTD resources as a component adding capacity and capability towards delivering an enhanced service to IMTD’s internal customers.

The Central Bank’s intention is to enter strategic partnership relationships with two strategic partners to provide resources through these resourcing models, although additional/alternative models may be used as the Central Bank's needs evolve. Candidates should note that the Central Bank’s intention is to scale with the strategic partner that is ranked highest in the ITN competition. See attached documentation for more information.

Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
Place of performance: Dublin 🏙️
Duration: 10 years
Duration
Start date: 2025-09-01 📅
Information about options
Options ✅
Description of options:

The duration of the Framework Agreement is intended to be seven (7) years, although the Central Bank has the right to terminate it earlier. The Central Bank also has the right to extend the duration of the Framework Agreement by any period or series of periods up to a total of three (3) consecutive 12-month periods so that the Framework Agreement may ultimately have a maximum total duration of ten (10) years.

Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged minimum number: 6
Maximum number: 6
Envisaged number of candidates: 6
Title
Lot Identification Number: LOT-0001

Procedure
Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition ✅
Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU
Administrative information
Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate: 2024-09-16 12:00:00 📅
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English 🗣️
Information about negotiation
The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations ✅
Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated ✅
Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
Framework agreement with several operators ✅
Description
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:

The duration of the Framework Agreement reflects the strategic partnership nature of the Central Bank's requirements.

Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
Maximum number of participants: 2
Tendering terms
Tenderers may submit more than one tender
Electronic invoicing: Allowed
Electronic payment will be used ✅

Legal, economic, financial and technical information
Conditions for participation
Exclusion ground: Purely national exclusion grounds

Contracting authority
Name and addresses
Name: Central Bank of Ireland
National registration number: 6342077W
Postal address: New Wapping Street, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1
Postal code: D01 F7X3
Postal town: Dublin
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
E-mail: tenders2@centralbank.ie 📧
Phone: +353 (0) 1 2246000 📞
Fax: +353 (0) 1 2245550 📠
URL: http://www.centralbank.ie 🌏
Address of the buyer profile: http://www.centralbank.ie 🌏
Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
Main activity
Economic and financial affairs
Communication
Documents URL: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/listContractDocuments.do?resourceId=4126896 🌏
Participation URL: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/viewTenders.do?resourceId=4126896 🌏
There is a maximum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure ✅
The criteria will be used to select the candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure ✅
Electronic submission: Required

Complementary information
Additional information

The figure in the estimated value section represents the Central Bank’s current best estimate of the anticipated total value of the contract if fully extended, but it is not possible to be definitive in this regard by virtue of nature of the relevant services. The figure represents an estimate only and does not amount to a guarantee that any purchases will be made pursuant to the Framework Agreement. The total value may be significantly lower, or indeed significantly higher than the figures estimated.

Review body
Name: The High Court of Ireland
National registration number: The High Court of Ireland
Department: The High Court of Ireland
Postal address: Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7
Postal code: D07 WDX8
Postal town: Dublin
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
E-mail: highcourtcentraloffice@courts.ie 📧
Phone: +353 1 8886000 📞
Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:

As set out at regulation 7 of the European Communities (Public Authorities' Contracts) (Review Procedures) Regulations SI 130/2010, as amended.

Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Source: OJS 2024/S 162-500636 (2024-08-19)

Contract award notice (2026-08-21)
Object
Scope of the procurement
Short description:

The Central Bank of Ireland (the ‘Central Bank’) tendered for the provision of a Strategic Partnership Framework, initially covering: a) ICT Flex Capacity: Provides flexible and timely access to specialised professionals across all ICT disciplines on an individual basis. The Central Bank is consuming a ‘role’ or a group of roles, to be managed by the Central Bank. b) Team Capacity: Engages a dedicated, specialised team for a specific, measurable objective like a set number of sprints or a fixed scope (e.g., Windows upgrade on 1000 laptops). The Central Bank is consuming a ‘team’ which is managed by the partner and measured on metrics related to team performance. c) ICT Services: ICT Services will be defined as specific areas of scope which will be supported by a partner contributing to the delivery of services by the Central Bank. This might include supporting a function, practice, or platform etc. Each ICT Service will have a defined scope, RACI, duration, deliverables, service levels, commercials, and a service management wrap appropriate to the service being provided. They will typically work alongside existing Central Bank resources as a component adding capacity and capability towards delivering an enhanced service to the Central Bank's internal customers.

Estimated value excluding VAT: 200 000 000 EUR 💰
Maximum value of the framework agreements in this notice: 200 000 000 EUR 💰
Description
Internal identifier: 2024P213
Information about options
Description of options:

The initial term of the framework agreements is 7 years. The Central Bank has the right, at its discretion, to extend the term for a further period or periods of up to 3 years on the same terms and conditions, subject to the Central Bank’s obligations at law, so that the Contract may ultimately have a maximum total duration of 10 years. Having regard to the nature of the Central Bank’s requirements, the contract value identified in sections 2.1.3 (Value) and 6.1 (Result lot identifier: LOT0001) of this notice represents the Central Bank’s best estimate at the time of award rather than a fixed value. The final value of the framework agreement may be higher or lower than the estimated figure.

Award criteria
Quality criterion (name): Quality
Cost criterion (name): Cost
Justification for not indicating the weighting of the award criteria: N/A

Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded ✅
Lot Identification Number: LOT-0001
Contract Number: 455508
Date of conclusion of the contract: 2026-07-29 📅
Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 6
Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Maximum value of the framework agreement: 200 000 000 EUR 💰
Tender identifier: 000154968
Identifier of lot or group of lots: LOT-0001
Information about tenders
Name of the tendering party: Version 1 Software Limited
Name and address of the contractor
Name: Version1 Software Limited
National registration number: 257302
Postal address: 4th Floor, Four Park Place, Adelaide Road
Postal code: D02 VOR2
Postal town: Dublin
Region: Dublin 🏙️
Country: Ireland 🇮🇪
E-mail: tendernotices@version1.com 📧
Phone: 018657800 📞
URL: https://www.version1.com/ 🌏
Size of the economic operator: Large
Tender identifier: 000154717
Information about tenders
Name of the tendering party: Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services
Name and address of the contractor
Name: Ernst and Young_86592_(Main Account)
National registration number: Does Not Apply
Postal address: EY Building, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Postal code: D02 YA40
E-mail: eytendersirl@ie.ey.com 📧
Phone: 014750555 📞
URL: https://www.ey.com/en_ie 🌏

Contracting authority
Name and addresses
Region: Dublin 🏙️

Complementary information
Review body
Dublin 🏙️
Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:

Information about review deadlines: In accordance with Regulation 7 of SI 130/2010 as amended

Source: OJS 2026/S 163-584583 (2026-08-21)

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