Fáilte Ireland Awards €1.5M Financial Advisory Framework to BDO

Fáilte Ireland-National Tourism Development Authority has awarded a Single Party Framework agreement for specialist economic, financial, analytical, and appraisal services for tourism investment to BDO. The €1.5 million framework runs for 48 months (4 years) and covers financial consultancy, economic analysis, and appraisal services to support tourism investment decisions. The contract was awarded following an open procedure that attracted seven tenders.

Introduction

Fáilte Ireland-National Tourism Development Authority, the Irish government agency responsible for tourism development, has conducted an open procedure for the procurement of specialist economic, financial, analytical, and appraisal services for tourism investment. The framework supports Fáilte Ireland in evaluating and appraising tourism investment projects across Ireland.

The framework, valued at €1.5 million, has been awarded to BDO, a leading professional services firm. The contract runs for 48 months (4 years) and includes economic analysis, financial consultancy, project appraisal, and analytical services. The framework is structured with reopening of competition for individual assignments.

Seven tenders were received, demonstrating strong competition in the Irish financial consultancy market. BDO is classified as an SME and no subcontracting was declared.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that Fáilte Ireland has access to expert financial and economic advisory services to support informed decision-making on tourism investment.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports tourism development: Provides expert advice for tourism investment decisions
• Significant value: €1,500,000 framework
• Long-term commitment: 48-month framework agreement
• Comprehensive scope: Economic, financial, analytical, and appraisal services
• Quality focus: Quality weighting of 60%
• Strong competition: Seven tenders received
• SME participation: BDO is an SME

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice: 7207cc09-6415-403c-aa50-20564d9554b3-01
• Contract concluded: 21 August 2026
• Contract duration: 48 months (4 years)
• Notice published: 31 August 2026 (OJ S 167/2026)

Contract Overview

Fáilte Ireland conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Single lot: One framework covering all economic, financial, analytical, and appraisal services
• Estimated value: €1,500,000
• Maximum framework value: €1,500,000
• Duration: 48 months (4 years)
• Framework type: With reopening of competition
• Evaluation: Quality (60%), Cost (40%)
• Winner: BDO (SME)
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Fáilte Ireland-National Tourism Development Authority
Contract title	EV/2026/02 SPF for Specialist Economic, Financial, Analytical and Appraisal Services for Tourism Investment
Main CPV	66171000 Financial consultancy services
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Estimated value (EUR)	€1,500,000.00
Maximum framework value (EUR)	€1,500,000.00
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	48 months (4 years)
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Quality (60%), Cost (40%)
Location	Dublin, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
Subcontracting	No
Number of tenders	7
Strategic procurement	Reduction of environmental impacts (climate change adaptation)

Scope of Services

The framework covers the following services:

• Economic analysis: Analysis of tourism investment projects and their economic impact
• Financial consultancy: Financial advice and analysis for tourism investment decisions
• Analytical services: Data analysis and research to support investment appraisal
• Appraisal services: Project appraisal and evaluation for tourism investments

Strategic Procurement – Environmental Objectives

The procurement includes environmental objectives:

• Aim: Reduction of environmental impacts
• Description: As stated in the ITT
• Approach: Climate change adaptation
• Green Procurement Criteria: No Green Public Procurement criteria

About the Contracting Authority

Fáilte Ireland-National Tourism Development Authority is the Irish government agency responsible for tourism development. The Authority works to promote Ireland as a tourist destination, support tourism businesses, and develop tourism infrastructure and products.

About the Winning Supplier

BDO is a leading professional services firm providing audit, tax, advisory, and consultancy services. BDO Ireland is part of the BDO International network.

• Size: Micro, small, or medium enterprise
• Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
• Registration number: 73365
• Specialisation: Financial advisory, economic analysis, and consultancy
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two main criteria:

• Quality (60%): Quality of the proposed solution and service delivery
• Cost (40%): Overall cost of the services

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: Seven tenders were received.
• SME participation: The winner, BDO, is an SME.
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting was declared.
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• Framework with reopening: The framework is with reopening of competition.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: Includes environmental objectives (climate change adaptation).
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland.

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 has a maximum value of €1,500,000.
• The contract duration is 48 months (4 years).
• Quality is heavily weighted at 60%.
• Cost accounts for 40% of the evaluation.
• Seven tenders were received.
• The winner, BDO, is an SME.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• Strategic procurement includes climate change adaptation.
• Review deadlines fall to The High Court of Ireland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish financial consultancy market is competitive, with both large international firms and Irish consultancies competing for public sector contracts. Fáilte Ireland, as the national tourism development authority, requires expert advice to support tourism investment decisions.

Key trends in this market include:

• Tourism investment: Growing investment in tourism infrastructure
• Economic analysis: Strong demand for economic impact assessments
• Quality focus: 60% weighting on quality
• SME participation: SMEs compete effectively
• Environmental focus: Climate change adaptation in tourism investment

Economic Significance

At €1.5 million, this framework represents a significant investment in tourism advisory services. The contract will:

• Support tourism development: Enable informed investment decisions
• Drive economic growth: Support tourism sector growth
• Support SME: BDO is an SME
• Provide long-term stability: 4-year framework
• Enable environmental adaptation: Climate change adaptation in tourism

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 4-year framework period
• Related services: Additional tourism advisory and consultancy services
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with BDO
• Other public bodies: Similar financial advisory frameworks

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for financial consultants:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with BDO
• Related services: Other public sector advisory contracts
• Tourism sector: Specialist tourism economic analysis

What Businesses Should Watch

• Fáilte Ireland's future procurement notices
• Irish public sector financial advisory tenders
• Tourism investment and development trends
• Climate change adaptation in tourism
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This financial advisory framework is a notable example of Irish public sector consultancy procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €1.5 million over 4 years
• Quality focus: 60% weighting on quality
• SME winner: BDO is an SME
• Competition: Seven tenders received
• Tourism focus: Supports tourism investment decisions
• Environmental: Climate change adaptation included

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality demonstration: Quality accounts for 60% of evaluation
• Competitive pricing: Cost accounts for 40%
• Financial expertise: Economic and financial analysis capabilities
• Public sector experience: Understanding of public sector requirements
• SME status: SMEs can compete effectively

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate high quality – 60% of evaluation is quality-based
• Offer competitive pricing – 40% weighting
• Build financial and economic analysis expertise
• Develop public sector experience
• Monitor Fáilte Ireland and Irish public sector advisory opportunities
• Consider SME status as an advantage

Key Takeaways

• Fáilte Ireland awarded a €1.5M financial advisory framework to BDO
• Single lot covering economic, financial, analytical, and appraisal services
• Duration: 48 months (4 years)
• Evaluation: Quality (60%), Cost (40%)
• Seven tenders received
• Winner is an SME
• No subcontracting declared
• Strategic procurement: Climate change adaptation

Conclusion

This specialist economic and financial advisory framework ensures that Fáilte Ireland has access to expert consultancy services to support tourism investment decisions over the next four years. By awarding the contract to BDO, an SME, the Authority secures high-quality advisory services while supporting Irish enterprise.

The 60% weighting on quality reflects the importance of expert advice in investment decision-making, while the 40% weighting on cost ensures value for money. The seven tenders received demonstrate strong competition in the Irish financial consultancy market.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of quality, competitive pricing, and public sector experience in winning Irish public sector advisory contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Fáilte Ireland?

Ans: The Irish government agency responsible for tourism development, promoting Ireland as a tourist destination, and supporting tourism businesses.

Q: What is the value of the framework?

Ans: €1,500,000.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: BDO, a professional services firm and SME based in Dublin.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Specialist economic, financial, analytical, and appraisal services for tourism investment.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (60%) and Cost (40%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 48 months (4 years).

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Seven tenders were received.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

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

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: The High Court of Ireland.

Q: What strategic objective is included?

Ans: Reduction of environmental impacts through climate change adaptation in tourism investment.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 598912-2026, OJ S 167/2026, published 31 August 2026.