Introduction

An Garda Síochána has concluded a four‑year framework agreement for the supply of road traffic management equipment, with an estimated total value of €1.5 million. The open procedure, published under reference T.090.2025, covers five distinct lots – from traffic cones to LED road flare kits – and was awarded to three Irish and UK‑based suppliers. The contract notice (538867‑2026) was published in the Official Journal on 4 August 2026.

The procurement secures essential equipment for traffic control, public order and safety operations across Ireland, with all equipment delivered to the Garda headquarters in Dublin. The framework, which runs for 48 months, emphasises innovation and recycled materials, reflecting the authority’s strategic commitment to sustainable procurement.

Why This Framework Matters

An Garda Síochána is the national police service of Ireland, responsible for public order, road safety and traffic management. This framework ensures that frontline officers have a reliable supply of critical equipment – illuminated signs, checkpoint signage, LED road flares, warning triangles and traffic torches – to manage incidents, control traffic and enhance safety.

All lots are structured as single‑supplier framework agreements without reopening of competition, providing operational stability and direct access to proven equipment. The framework also integrates innovative purchasing with a focus on recycled equipment, in line with the authority’s environmental goals.

Contract Overview

An Garda Síochána conducted an open procedure for the supply of road traffic management equipment. The procurement was divided into five lots, each covering a specific equipment category. The framework is a single‑supplier agreement without reopening of competition, with no minimum purchase obligation and a maximum value of €1.5 million over the total duration (48 months). The contract is covered by the GPA and is not financed by EU funds.

• Lot 1 – Traffic Cones: awarded to James Boylan Safety Ltd t/a JBS Group.
• Lot 2 – Checkpoint signs: awarded to James Boylan Safety Ltd t/a JBS Group.
• Lot 3 – LED Road Flare Kits: awarded to James Boylan Safety Ltd t/a JBS Group.
• Lot 4 – Warning Triangles: awarded to J W Balfour Ltd.
• Lot 5 – Traffic Torches: awarded to Hunter Apparel Solutions Limited.

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting Authority	An Garda Síochána_1192
Winning Bidders	James Boylan Safety Ltd (Lots 1‑3), J W Balfour Ltd (Lot 4), Hunter Apparel Solutions (Lot 5)
Contract Subject (CPV)	34992100 Illuminated traffic signs; 34923000 Road traffic‑control equipment; 35200000 Police equipment; 34928470 Signage
Procedure Type	Open procedure
Legal Basis	Directive 2014/24/EU
Total Estimated Value	€1,500,000 (excl. VAT)
Value per Lot	€300,000
Number of Lots	5
Contract Duration	48 Months
Award Criteria	Technical Evaluation (Quality)
Bids Received	2‑3 per lot (electronic submissions)
EU Funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Review Organisation	The High Court of Ireland

Project Scope

The framework covers the supply and delivery of road traffic management equipment for An Garda Síochána. The scope includes:

• Traffic Cones (Lot 1): High‑visibility cones for traffic control and scene management.
• Checkpoint Signs (Lot 2): Illuminated and reflective signage for Garda checkpoints and road safety operations.
• LED Road Flare Kits (Lot 3): Battery‑powered, energy‑efficient flares for emergency and traffic control.
• Warning Triangles (Lot 4): Reflective warning triangles for vehicle breakdowns and incident scenes.
• Traffic Torches (Lot 5): Handheld, high‑intensity torches for traffic direction and signalling.

All equipment must comply with relevant safety and quality standards, with an emphasis on durability and suitability for Irish weather conditions.

About the Contracting Authority

An Garda Síochána (Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin) is the national police service of Ireland. The procurement is managed by its Finance Department, with the tender office acting as the buyer. The authority is a body governed by public law, controlled by the central government, and its primary activity is public order and safety. It serves a population of over 5 million people across Ireland.

About the Winning Companies

• James Boylan Safety Ltd t/a JBS Group (Monaghan, Ireland) – medium‑sized operator, awarded lots 1, 2 and 3 (Traffic Cones, Checkpoint signs, LED Road Flare Kits). JBS Group is a specialist in safety equipment and traffic management solutions.
• J W Balfour Ltd (Dublin 15, Ireland) – small enterprise, awarded lot 4 (Warning Triangles). The company has extensive experience in supplying signage and safety products to public sector clients.
• Hunter Apparel Solutions Limited (Derry, United Kingdom) – medium‑sized operator, awarded lot 5 (Traffic Torches). Hunter Apparel is known for high‑quality lighting and safety equipment.

All winners submitted tenders electronically. No subcontracting was declared for any of the lots.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• All tenders were submitted electronically.
• The framework has a 48‑month duration with no minimum purchase obligation.
• No EU funding was used for this procurement.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• The strategic procurement aim is innovative purchase with a focus on recycled equipment.

Opportunities for Suppliers

Suppliers of road traffic management equipment should note the following:

• Quality is paramount: The award criterion is purely technical evaluation, so product quality, durability and innovation are critical.
• Sustainability matters: All lots require recycled equipment, so suppliers should highlight eco‑friendly materials and circular economy practices.
• Electronic submission is mandatory; ensure your e‑tendering capabilities are robust.
• The framework is covered by the GPA, meaning international suppliers can participate in similar future tenders.
• Suppliers should demonstrate proven experience in supplying traffic management equipment to public safety authorities.

What Businesses Should Watch

• Similar road‑safety and traffic‑control tenders from other Irish public bodies (e.g., local authorities, transport agencies).
• Extensions or follow‑on lots for additional Garda equipment (e.g., PPE, communication devices).
• Innovation‑led procurements focusing on smart traffic management, IoT‑enabled signage, and sustainable materials.
• Opportunities for subcontracting with the framework winners (JBS Group, J W Balfour, Hunter Apparel).

IrelandTender Procurement Intelligence

This contract is a useful case study in how Irish public safety authorities procure essential road traffic management equipment through specialised framework agreements. An Garda Síochána has secured a €1.5 million framework that ensures frontline officers have access to high‑quality, innovative and sustainable equipment.

The most notable feature of this tender is the exclusive use of technical evaluation as the award criterion, reflecting the critical importance of product quality, reliability and innovation over price. The emphasis on recycled equipment also signals a strong commitment to sustainability and circular procurement.

The 2‑3 bids received per lot indicate a competitive but specialised market, where suppliers with proven track records and eco‑friendly offerings are best positioned to win. The single‑supplier framework structure provides An Garda Síochána with a secure, reliable supply chain for essential equipment.

Key Takeaways

• An Garda Síochána awarded a €1.5 million framework for road traffic management equipment across five lots.
• Winners: James Boylan Safety Ltd (Lots 1‑3), J W Balfour Ltd (Lot 4), Hunter Apparel Solutions (Lot 5).
• Award criteria: Technical Evaluation (quality) – price weighting not disclosed.
• Between 2 and 3 tenders were received per lot, all submitted electronically.
• Contract duration: 48 months (4 years).
• Strategic procurement: Innovative purchase with a focus on recycled equipment.
• The framework ensures a reliable supply of critical traffic management equipment for public safety operations.

Conclusion

This framework agreement may not make national headlines, but it reflects something structurally important about how Irish public safety authorities procure essential operational equipment. By awarding a €1.5 million framework for road traffic management equipment to three established suppliers, An Garda Síochána ensures that frontline officers have access to high‑quality, innovative and sustainable products. The contract demonstrates the importance of technical quality, innovation and environmental responsibility in public procurement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is An Garda Síochána?
An Garda Síochána is the national police service of Ireland, responsible for public order, traffic enforcement, and safety.

Q: What equipment is covered by this framework?
The framework covers traffic cones, checkpoint signs, LED road flare kits, warning triangles, and traffic torches.

Q: What is the total value of the framework?
The estimated total value is €1,500,000 (excl. VAT), with each lot valued at approximately €300,000.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?
No. The procurement project is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the award criterion?
The award is based on technical evaluation (quality), with no weighting for price disclosed in the notice.

Q: How many tenders were received?
Between 2 and 3 tenders per lot, all submitted electronically.