Citizens Information Board Awards €1.46 Million Payroll Framework to Crowleys DFK

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) has awarded a €1.46 million single-supplier framework agreement for payroll processing services to Crowleys DFK. The six-year framework will provide payroll services for 22 CIB-funded service delivery companies across Ireland, covering approximately 779 payees.

Introduction

Accurate and efficient payroll processing is essential for any organisation. For the Citizens Information Board (CIB) and its network of funded service delivery companies, reliable payroll services ensure that employees are paid correctly and on time, in compliance with Irish tax and employment regulations.

CIB has awarded a single-supplier framework agreement for payroll processing services to Crowleys DFK. The framework, valued at €1.46 million over six years, will provide payroll services for 22 CIB-funded service delivery companies across Ireland, covering approximately 779 payees.

This procurement ensures that CIB-funded organisations can access professional, compliant payroll services, reducing administrative burden and ensuring payroll accuracy.

Why This Contract Matters

Payroll management is a critical function for any organisation. Accurate payroll ensures employee satisfaction, compliance with tax and employment laws, and efficient administration. This framework provides professional payroll services to 22 organisations across Ireland.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports 22 organisations: Provides payroll services to CIB-funded service delivery companies
• Covers 779 payees: Manages payroll for employees across the network
• Ensures compliance: Professional payroll processing ensures tax and employment law compliance
• Reduces administrative burden: Frees up organisations to focus on their core mission
• Significant value: €1.46 million framework
• Quality-focused: Quality weighting of 70%, cost 30%
• Single supplier: Simple, efficient procurement structure

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 12 August 2026 (OJ S 154/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: 3ed3bda5-4941-4215-99b7-0835c828a503-01
• Winner chosen: 7 July 2026
• Contract concluded: 27 July 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified
• Coverage end date: 72 months from start

Contract Overview

The Citizens Information Board conducted an open procedure for this procurement. The framework is a single-supplier agreement for payroll processing and related services.

Key features include:

• Single lot: Payroll processing and related services
• Duration: 72 months (6 years)
• Value: €1,460,000 (estimated)
• Coverage: 22 service delivery companies, 779 payees
• Evaluation: Quality (70%) and Cost (30%)
• Framework type: Without reopening of competition
• Optional drawdown: Each service delivery company can choose to use the framework

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Citizens Information Board (CIB)
Winning bidder	Crowleys DFK
Contract subject	Payroll processing and related services (CPV 79211110)
Procedure type	Open procedure
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Estimated value (EUR)	€1,460,000.00
Framework duration	72 Months (6 years)
Coverage	22 service delivery companies, 779 payees
Bids received	4
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Quality (70%), Cost (30%)
Subcontracting	No
Framework type	Single supplier, without reopening of competition

Project Scope

The framework covers the provision of payroll processing and related services for CIB-funded service delivery companies.

Service Coverage

• 22 service delivery companies: Organisations funded by the Citizens Information Board
• 779 payees: Employees paid through the PAYE tax system
• Services:
  • Payroll processing
  • PAYE tax compliance
  • Employee payment administration
  • Related payroll services

Framework Structure

• Single supplier: One provider appointed under the framework
• Optional drawdown: Each service delivery company can choose to use the framework
• Duration: 72 months (6 years)
• No reopening of competition: Direct drawdown from the appointed supplier

About the Contracting Authority

Citizens Information Board (CIB) is an Irish public body (body governed by public law) responsible for providing information, advice, and advocacy services to citizens. CIB funds a network of service delivery companies across Ireland that provide information and advice services to the public. The organisation is based in Dublin.

About the Winning Company

Crowleys DFK is a medium-sized Irish accounting and professional services firm based in Dublin. The company provides a wide range of services including audit, tax, payroll, and business advisory. Crowleys DFK is a member of DFK International, a global network of independent accounting firms. The company's winning bid of €1,460,000 was the successful tender among four bids received.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used, allowing any interested economic operator to submit a tender.
• Competition: Four bids were received, representing healthy competition in the Irish payroll services market.
• Evaluation criteria: Quality (70%) and Cost (30%). The heavy weighting on quality reflects the importance of accuracy, compliance, and reliability in payroll processing.
• Single supplier: The framework appoints a single supplier, providing simplicity and consistency.
• Optional drawdown: Service delivery companies can choose to use the framework, providing flexibility.
• Long duration: 6-year framework provides stability for both CIB and the service delivery companies.
• No subcontracting: Crowleys DFK will deliver the services without subcontracting.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• Framework agreement without reopening of competition.
• Four bids were received.
• No subcontracting was declared by the winner.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• Supports CIB-funded service delivery companies across Ireland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish payroll services market is served by a mix of large accounting firms, specialist payroll providers, and medium-sized firms like Crowleys DFK. Public sector payroll procurement often favours quality and reliability over price, given the importance of payroll accuracy and compliance.

Key trends in this market include:

• Compliance focus: Payroll providers must stay up to date with Irish tax and employment regulations
• Quality priority: Public buyers prioritise accuracy and reliability
• Digital transformation: Increasing use of cloud-based payroll systems
• Outsourcing: Organisations increasingly outsource payroll to specialists
• SME participation: Medium-sized firms can compete effectively

Economic Significance

At €1.46 million, this framework represents a significant investment in payroll services for CIB-funded organisations. The contract ensures:

• Payroll accuracy: Employees are paid correctly and on time
• Compliance: Tax and employment law compliance
• Efficiency: Reduced administrative burden for service delivery companies
• Support for public services: Enables organisations to focus on their core mission
• SME support: The contract supports a medium-sized Irish firm

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Contract execution: Payroll services delivered over 6 years
• Additional service delivery companies: New CIB-funded organisations may join the framework
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered after 6 years
• Other public bodies: Similar payroll frameworks by other Irish public bodies

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this framework is awarded, future opportunities exist for payroll service providers:

• Other public bodies: Similar payroll frameworks by other Irish public bodies
• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Related services: HR, pensions, and other related services
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered after 6 years

What Businesses Should Watch

• Other Irish public bodies' payroll procurement notices
• Changes to Irish tax and employment regulations
• Emerging payroll technologies (cloud, automation, AI)
• EU procurement regulations
• CIB's future procurement notices

IrelandTender Procurement Intelligence

This payroll services framework is a well-structured procurement for a critical administrative function. Several features stand out:

• Quality focus: Quality weighting of 70% reflects the importance of accuracy, compliance, and reliability
• Single supplier: Simple and efficient procurement structure
• Optional drawdown: Flexibility for service delivery companies
• Long duration: 6 years provides stability
• Comprehensive coverage: 22 organisations and 779 payees

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality: Demonstrating accuracy, compliance, and reliability (70% of evaluation)
• Competitive pricing: Cost accounts for 30% of evaluation
• Experience: Experience with public sector and not-for-profit organisations
• Technology: Modern payroll systems and digital capabilities

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate quality, accuracy, and compliance—70% of evaluation is quality-based
• Offer competitive pricing—cost accounts for 30%
• Show experience with public sector and not-for-profit payroll
• Invest in modern payroll technologies and digital capabilities
• Monitor other Irish public bodies for similar payroll opportunities
• Build relationships with public sector buyers

Key Takeaways

• Citizens Information Board awarded a €1.46 million payroll framework to Crowleys DFK
• Single supplier framework for 22 CIB-funded service delivery companies
• 779 payees covered
• Evaluation: Quality (70%), Cost (30%)
• 4 bids received
• Duration: 72 months (6 years)
• No subcontracting
• Supports payroll for organisations providing information services across Ireland

Conclusion

This payroll services framework represents a significant procurement for the Citizens Information Board and its network of funded service delivery companies. By appointing Crowleys DFK as the single supplier, CIB ensures that 22 organisations across Ireland have access to professional, compliant, and reliable payroll services.

The 70% quality weighting reflects the importance of payroll accuracy, tax compliance, and reliability. The long 6-year duration provides stability for both CIB and the service delivery companies.

As CIB's network continues to deliver essential information and advice services to citizens across Ireland, this framework will support the efficient administration of its funded organisations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Citizens Information Board?

Ans: An Irish public body that funds and supports service delivery companies providing information, advice, and advocacy services to citizens.

Q: What is the value of the framework?

Ans: €1,460,000 (estimated).

Q: Who won the contract?

Ans: Crowleys DFK, a medium-sized Irish accounting and professional services firm.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Payroll processing and related services for 22 CIB-funded service delivery companies.

Q: How many payees are covered?

Ans: 779 payees.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (70%) and Cost (30%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 72 months (6 years).

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 559899-2026, OJ S 154/2026, published 12 August 2026.