Dublin City Council Increases Active Travel Design Framework by €2.6 Million

Dublin City Council has issued a modification notice increasing the value of its Active Travel Design Services framework by €2.6 million, from €7 million to €9.6 million. The framework, originally established in August 2023 with four engineering firms, has been expanded due to unforeseen additional design requirements for priority active travel routes and BusConnects integration.

Introduction

Active travel infrastructure—cycling and walking routes—is a key priority for Dublin City Council as it works to reduce carbon emissions and improve urban mobility. The council's Active Travel Design Services framework supports the design and delivery of these routes.

Dublin City Council has issued a modification notice increasing the framework's value by €2.6 million, from €7 million to €9.6 million. The modification, permitted under Article 72 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU, reflects unforeseen design demands arising from additional major projects, bespoke design requirements, and coordination with BusConnects and city centre transportation plans.

This modification ensures continuity of design services for Dublin's active travel programme.

Why This Modification Matters

Active travel infrastructure is essential for Dublin's climate and mobility goals. This modification ensures that design services can continue without disruption.

This modification matters because it:

• Supports active travel: Enables design of cycling and walking routes
• Maintains continuity: Avoids disruption from changing designers
• Significant increase: €2.6 million added to the framework
• Unforeseen demands: Additional projects and bespoke designs
• BusConnects integration: Coordination with bus network plans
• Inclusive design: Onboarding Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs)
• Existing suppliers: Jacobs, Arup, Mott MacDonald, DBFL

Contract Timeline

• Original framework established: 1 August 2023
• Original contract notice: 2023/S 097-304727 (17 May 2023)
• Original award notice: 2023/S 195-611083 (5 October 2023)
• Modification notice published: 20 August 2026 (OJ S 160/2026)
• Modification effective: 1 August 2023 (retrospective)

Modification Overview

Dublin City Council has issued a modification notice under Article 72 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU to increase the framework's value. The modification is justified under multiple provisions of Article 72.

Key features include:

• Original value: €7,000,000
• Increase: €2,600,000 (37.1% increase)
• New value: €9,600,000
• Justification: Article 72 (1)(a), (b), (c), (e)
• Suppliers: Jacobs, Arup, Mott MacDonald, DBFL
• Services: Active travel design, supervision, contract administration

Key Modification Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Dublin City Council
Framework suppliers	Jacobs Engineering Ireland Ltd, Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd (Arup), Mott MacDonald Ireland Ltd, DBFL Consulting Engineers
Original framework value	€7,000,000.00
Modification value	€2,600,000.00
New framework value	€9,600,000.00
Percentage increase	37.1%
Legal basis	Article 72 of Directive 2014/24/EU
Contract subject	Active Travel Design Services (CPV 71300000)
Original framework established	1 August 2023
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes

Justification for Modification

The modification is justified under multiple provisions of Article 72 of Directive 2014/24/EU:

Article 72 (1)(a) – Price Revision Clauses

• Clause 26 of the contract allows for price changes in line with the Consumer Price Index
• This clause is being exercised, increasing the price chargeable

Article 72 (1)(b) – Additional Works/Services

• Additional design services have become necessary
• Changing contractor would cause significant inconvenience and duplication of costs
• Technical and economic reasons prevent change of contractor

Article 72 (1)(c) – Unforeseen Circumstances

• The need for modification was brought about by circumstances that could not be foreseen
• The modification does not alter the overall nature of the framework
• Increase is under 50% of the original value (37.1%)

Reasons for Additional Demands

• Additional major projects: New projects have come on-stream since the framework was established
• Bespoke designs: Designs beyond Cycle Design Manual (CDM) and DMURS standards
• Stakeholder requirements: Onboarding Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs)
• Coordination: Integration with city centre transportation plans and BusConnects
• Significant reworking: Design solutions require extensive reworking

About the Framework Suppliers

Four engineering firms are appointed under the framework:

• Jacobs Engineering Ireland Ltd – Global engineering and design firm
• Ove Arup & Partners Ireland Ltd (Arup) – Global engineering and design consultancy
• Mott MacDonald Ireland Ltd – Global engineering, management, and development consultancy
• DBFL Consulting Engineers – Irish civil and structural engineering consultancy

Procurement Analysis

• Modification type: Value increase under Article 72
• Justification: Multiple grounds under Article 72 (1)(a), (b), (c), (e)
• Increase: 37.1% (under the 50% limit)
• Reason: Unforeseen additional design demands and complexity
• Continuity: Avoiding disruption and duplication of costs
• No re-tender: Modification avoids new procurement procedure

Additional Procurement Facts

• The modification is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The modification is retrospective to 1 August 2023.
• The modification does not alter the overall nature of the framework.
• All four suppliers remain on the framework.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.
• Supports Dublin's active travel programme.

Market & Industry Perspective

The active travel design market in Ireland is growing, driven by government commitments to sustainable transport. The BusConnects programme and active travel investment are creating significant demand for design services.

Key trends in this market include:

• Active travel investment: Government funding for cycling and walking infrastructure
• BusConnects: Bus network transformation
• Inclusive design: Engagement with Disabled Persons Organisations
• Bespoke solutions: Designs beyond standard manuals
• Multi-disciplinary: Integration of transport, urban planning, and environmental services

Economic Significance

The €2.6 million increase ensures continued design services for Dublin's active travel programme. The modification supports:

• Infrastructure delivery: Enables completion of priority routes
• Continuity: Avoids disruption from changing designers
• Cost efficiency: Avoids duplication of costs
• Sustainable transport: Supports Dublin's climate goals

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the framework now modified, future opportunities include:

• Further modifications: Potential additional value increases
• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered in the future
• Other active travel projects: Additional routes and projects
• Related services: Construction supervision and contract administration

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this framework is already established, future opportunities exist for engineering firms:

• Re-tender: The framework will be re-tendered in the future
• Other Irish public bodies: Similar active travel frameworks
• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Related services: Construction supervision and project management

What Businesses Should Watch

• Dublin City Council's future procurement notices
• Other Irish local authorities' active travel tenders
• BusConnects programme updates
• National Transport Authority procurement
• Changes to Irish transport and procurement regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This modification notice is a significant example of contract variation under Article 72. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €2.6 million increase (37.1% of original)
• Justification: Multiple grounds under Article 72
• Unforeseen circumstances: Additional projects and complexity
• Continuity: Avoiding disruption and duplication
• Established suppliers: Jacobs, Arup, Mott MacDonald, DBFL

For suppliers, this modification highlights the importance of:

• Contract flexibility: Price revision clauses in contracts
• Unforeseen demands: Additional design requirements
• Continuity: Maintaining existing relationships
• Regulatory compliance: Article 72 justifications

Supplier Takeaways

• Ensure contracts include price revision clauses
• Be prepared for unforeseen additional demands
• Maintain relationships with public sector buyers
• Monitor for future re-tendering opportunities
• Develop active travel and sustainable transport expertise
• Consider inclusive design requirements (DPO engagement)

Key Takeaways

• Dublin City Council increased Active Travel Design framework by €2.6 million
• New framework value: €9.6 million (from €7 million)
• Justification: Article 72 of Directive 2014/24/EU
• Suppliers: Jacobs, Arup, Mott MacDonald, DBFL
• Reasons: Additional projects, bespoke designs, BusConnects integration
• Increase: 37.1% (under 50% limit)
• Retrospective to 1 August 2023
• No EU funding used

Conclusion

This modification notice represents a significant increase in Dublin City Council's Active Travel Design Services framework. The €2.6 million increase, justified under Article 72 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU, reflects the growing complexity and scale of Dublin's active travel programme.

The modification ensures continuity of design services from the four established suppliers—Jacobs, Arup, Mott MacDonald, and DBFL—avoiding the disruption and costs associated with changing designers. The additional funding will support bespoke designs, coordination with BusConnects, and inclusive design requirements.

As Dublin continues to invest in active travel infrastructure, this framework will play a vital role in delivering safe, sustainable transport solutions for the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is this modification notice?

Ans: A notice increasing the value of Dublin City Council's Active Travel Design Services framework by €2.6 million.

Q: What was the original framework value?

Ans: €7,000,000.

Q: What is the new framework value?

Ans: €9,600,000.

Q: Why was the modification needed?

Ans: Due to unforeseen additional design demands from new projects, bespoke designs, and BusConnects integration.

Q: Who are the framework suppliers?

Ans: Jacobs, Arup, Mott MacDonald, and DBFL Consulting Engineers.

Q: What legal basis was used?

Ans: Article 72 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Q: Is this a new procurement?

Ans: No, it is a modification to an existing framework established in August 2023.

Q: Is this funded by the EU?

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

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 577272-2026, OJ S 160/2026, published 20 August 2026.