Dublin City Council Awards €3M Traffic Management Framework to Freeflow Traffic Management

Dublin City Council has awarded a single-party framework agreement for traffic management and bollard management services to Freeflow Traffic Management. The €3 million framework covers a three-year period and includes the implementation of traffic management, traffic-free, and cycle installation schemes across the Dublin City Council administrative area, mainly within the city centre, as well as daily bollard removal and installation at various locations.

Introduction

Dublin City Council has conducted an open procedure for the establishment of a single-party framework agreement for traffic management and bollard management services. The framework covers a period of three years and is valued at up to €3 million.

The services include traffic management for the implementation of various traffic management, traffic-free, and cycle installation schemes as they are required throughout the Dublin City Council administrative area, mainly within the city centre. The contract also covers the management of bollards which are removed and installed daily at various locations.

Freeflow Traffic Management, an SME based in County Longford, has been awarded the framework. The contract was concluded on 1 January 2026 and runs for three years. The project is subject to funding availability.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that Dublin City Council has a reliable provider for traffic management and bollard management services to support urban mobility and city centre operations.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports urban mobility: Traffic management for city centre operations
• Enables cycling infrastructure: Cycle installation schemes
• Significant value: €3,000,000 framework
• Long-term commitment: 3-year framework agreement
• City-wide coverage: Dublin City Council administrative area
• SME participation: Winner is an SME
• Cost focus: Cost weighting of 70%

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice: 0227debf-3d79-4b79-a422-3671fa47f361-01
• Contract concluded: 1 January 2026
• Contract duration: 3 years
• Notice published: 25 August 2026 (OJ S 163/2026)

Contract Overview

Dublin City Council conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Single lot: One framework covering all traffic management and bollard management services
• Estimated value: €3,000,000
• Maximum framework value: €3,000,000
• Duration: 3 years
• Framework type: Single-party framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• Evaluation: Cost (70%), Quality/Merit (30%)
• Winner: Freeflow Traffic Management (SME)
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Dublin City Council
Contract title	Single Party Framework Agreement for the provision of Traffic Management and Bollard Management for Dublin City Council
Main CPV	63712700 Traffic control services
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Estimated value (EUR)	€3,000,000.00
Maximum framework value (EUR)	€3,000,000.00
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	3 years
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Cost (70%), Quality/Merit (30%)
Location	Dublin, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
Subcontracting	No
Number of tenders	3
Strategic procurement	No strategic procurement

Scope of Services

The framework covers two main service areas:

1. Traffic Management Services

• Implementation of various traffic management schemes
• Traffic-free schemes
• Cycle installation schemes
• Services required throughout the Dublin City Council administrative area
• Mainly within the city centre

2. Bollard Management Services

• Removal and installation of bollards
• Daily operations at various locations
• Management of bollards across the city

About the Contracting Authority

Dublin City Council is the local authority for Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. The Council is responsible for a wide range of services including traffic management, urban planning, and infrastructure maintenance. The Traffic Department manages the city's traffic systems and implements schemes to improve urban mobility and safety.

About the Winning Supplier

Freeflow Traffic Management is an Irish SME based in Aughnashannagh, Balinalee, County Longford. The company specialises in traffic management services, including the provision of traffic control, temporary traffic management, and related services for public and private sector clients.

• Size: Micro, small, or medium enterprise
• Headquarters: Aughnashannagh, Balinalee, Co. Longford, Ireland (NUTS: IE063)
• Registration number: 478364
• Contact: Brian Brady (brian.brady@fftm.ie)
• No subcontracting declared

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two main criteria:

• Cost (70%): Overall cost of services
• Quality/Merit (30%): Quality of the proposed solution and service delivery

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: Three tenders were received.
• SME participation: The winner, Freeflow Traffic Management, is an SME.
• No subcontracting: The winner declared no subcontracting.
• No EU funding: The procurement is not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement with reopening: The framework is without reopening of competition.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement objectives were specified.
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland.
• Project subject to funding: The project is subject to funding availability.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The framework is a single-party framework agreement.
• The contract duration is 3 years.
• The estimated value is €3,000,000.
• Cost is heavily weighted at 70%.
• The project is subject to funding availability.
• Documentation was available at www.etenders.gov.ie (Resource ID 6881622).
• The winner is an Irish SME.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish traffic management services market is characterised by a mix of large and small operators, with many SMEs providing specialist services to local authorities. Dublin City Council, as the largest local authority in Ireland, regularly procures traffic management services to support urban mobility and city operations.

Key trends in this market include:

• Urban mobility: Increasing focus on sustainable transport
• Cycling infrastructure: Growing investment in cycle schemes
• Traffic-free zones: Expansion of pedestrianised areas
• Cost efficiency: Strong emphasis on cost in procurement
• SME participation: Local SMEs compete effectively

Economic Significance

At €3 million, this framework represents a significant commitment to traffic management services in Dublin. The contract will:

• Support urban mobility: Implement traffic management and traffic-free schemes
• Enable cycling: Support cycle installation schemes
• Manage city infrastructure: Daily bollard management
• Support SME: Freeflow Traffic Management is an Irish SME
• Provide long-term stability: 3-year framework agreement

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 3-year framework period
• Related services: Additional traffic management and infrastructure services
• Other local authorities: Similar traffic management procurements in other Irish cities
• Cycle infrastructure: Growing demand for cycle scheme implementation

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for traffic management suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Subcontracting: Potential subcontracting opportunities with Freeflow Traffic Management
• Other local authorities: Similar tenders from other Irish local authorities
• Specialist services: Cycle infrastructure and traffic-free zone implementation

What Businesses Should Watch

• Dublin City Council's future procurement notices
• Other Irish local authority traffic management tenders
• Cycle infrastructure and sustainable transport projects
• Irish public sector procurement opportunities
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This traffic management framework is a notable example of Irish local authority services procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €3 million over 3 years
• Cost focus: 70% weighting on cost
• SME winner: Freeflow Traffic Management is an SME
• Single-party framework: Sole supplier arrangement
• City-wide coverage: Dublin City Council administrative area
• Subject to funding: Project dependent on budget availability

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Cost accounts for 70% of evaluation
• Quality demonstration: Merit accounts for 30%
• Local presence: Being established in Ireland
• Public sector experience: Understanding local authority requirements
• SME status: SMEs can compete effectively

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 70% of evaluation is cost-based
• Demonstrate quality and merit – 30% weighting
• Build experience with local authority traffic management
• Develop capability in cycle infrastructure and traffic-free schemes
• Monitor Irish local authority procurement opportunities
• Consider SME status as an advantage

Key Takeaways

• Dublin City Council awarded a €3M traffic management framework to Freeflow Traffic Management
• Single lot covering traffic management and bollard management services
• Duration: 3 years
• Evaluation: Cost (70%), Quality/Merit (30%)
• Three tenders received
• Winner is an Irish SME
• Project subject to funding
• No subcontracting declared

Conclusion

This traffic management and bollard management framework ensures that Dublin City Council has a reliable provider for essential traffic management services over the next three years. By awarding the contract to Freeflow Traffic Management, an Irish SME, the Council supports local enterprise while ensuring cost-effective service delivery.

The 70% weighting on cost reflects the importance of value for money in local authority procurement, while the 30% weighting on quality/merit ensures that service quality is not compromised. The three tenders received demonstrate moderate competition in this market segment.

The project's dependency on funding availability highlights the importance of budget considerations in public sector procurement, particularly for infrastructure-related services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Dublin City Council?

Ans: The local authority for Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, responsible for traffic management and other municipal services.

Q: What is the value of the framework?

Ans: €3,000,000.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: Freeflow Traffic Management, an Irish SME based in County Longford.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Traffic management services (traffic management, traffic-free, and cycle installation schemes) and bollard management services (daily removal and installation).

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

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

Q: How long is the framework?

Ans: 3 years.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Three tenders were received.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

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

Q: Is the project subject to funding?

Ans: Yes, the project is subject to funding availability.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 586427-2026, OJ S 163/2026, published 25 August 2026.