Irish EPA Secures €1.12 Million Framework for Particulate Matter Monitoring Instruments

A multi-supplier framework agreement for the supply, delivery, installation, servicing, and maintenance of equivalent automatic particulate matter monitoring instruments worth up to €1.12 million has been awarded by the Education Procurement Service (EPS) on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The contract, won by EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems Ltd and Cura Terrae Air Limited, demonstrates how Ireland's environmental watchdog is modernising its national ambient air monitoring network to meet EU air quality requirements.

Introduction

Every citizen in Ireland deserves to breathe clean air. Monitoring air quality is essential for protecting public health and the environment, and for ensuring compliance with EU air quality directives. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a significant step to enhance its air monitoring capabilities by awarding a new framework agreement for particulate matter monitoring instruments.

While not a headline-grabbing consumer deal, this contract is fundamental to ensuring that Ireland's national ambient air monitoring network is equipped with modern, reliable instruments to measure particulate matter (PM) in the air. It reveals a great deal about how Irish public sector bodies are investing in environmental monitoring infrastructure to meet EU requirements.

Why This Contract Matters

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for monitoring air quality across Ireland, in accordance with the requirements of the EU CAFE Directive (2024/2881). The national ambient air monitoring network consists of sites across the Republic of Ireland that continuously monitor air quality, including particulate matter (PM) levels.

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, which can have serious health effects when inhaled. Accurate, continuous monitoring of PM levels is essential for protecting public health, informing policy decisions, and ensuring compliance with EU air quality standards.

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice referenced: 31b10f45-d2f7-4f2a-9a6b-64f4a1ed13f1-03
• Contract award notice published: 28 July 2026 (OJ S 143/2026)
• Date winner chosen: 12 May 2026
• Contracts concluded: 16 June 2026

Contract Overview

The Education Procurement Service (EPS), on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), conducted an open procedure for a multi-supplier framework agreement for the supply, delivery, installation, servicing, and maintenance of equivalent automatic particulate matter monitoring instruments. The contract covers up to 32 analysers to be replaced across the national ambient air monitoring network over a 4-year period.

The estimated value of the framework is €1,118,700. The contract duration is 48 months. The framework is a multi-supplier framework, partly without reopening and partly with reopening of competition. The procurement received three tenders, with EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems Ltd and Cura Terrae Air Limited selected as winners.

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting Authority	Education Procurement Service (EPS) on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Winning Bidders	EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems Ltd, Cura Terrae Air Limited
Contract Subject	Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (CPV 38000000), Pollution-monitoring devices (CPV 38344000), Analysis apparatus (CPV 38432000)
Procedure Type	Open procedure
Legal Basis	Directive 2014/24/EU
Estimated Value (ex-VAT)	€1,118,700.00
Contract Duration	48 Months
Maximum Number of Analysers	32
Award Criteria	Quality (75%), Cost (25%)
Bids Received	3
EU Funding	None disclosed
Covered by GPA	Yes
Review Organisation	The High Court of Ireland

Project Scope

The framework agreement covers the supply, delivery, installation, servicing, and maintenance of equivalent automatic particulate matter monitoring instruments. The scope includes:

• Supply: Provision of up to 32 particulate matter analysers for the national ambient air monitoring network.
• Delivery: Delivery of instruments to EPA sites across the Republic of Ireland.
• Installation: Professional installation and commissioning of instruments at EPA monitoring sites.
• Warranty: Warranty coverage for the supplied instruments.
• Servicing and Maintenance: Ongoing servicing and maintenance of instruments to ensure continued performance and compliance with EU requirements.

The instruments must be suitable for the continuous automatic measurement of particulate matter in ambient air, in accordance with the requirements of the CAFE Directive 2024/2881. The instruments must be robust, reliable, and supported by satisfactory service and maintenance arrangements.

About the Contracting Authority

Education Procurement Service (EPS) is a central procurement body established to provide procurement services to the Irish education and public sectors. EPS manages procurement on behalf of various public bodies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the Irish government agency responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. The EPA monitors air quality across the country through the national ambient air monitoring network, in accordance with EU air quality directives.

About the Winning Companies

EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems Ltd is a micro Irish company based in Drogheda, County Louth, specialising in environmental monitoring equipment and solutions. The company provides air quality monitoring instruments, pollution monitoring devices, and related services to the public and private sectors.

Cura Terrae Air Limited is a small UK-based company (Stroud, Gloucestershire), specialising in environmental monitoring and consultancy services. The company provides air quality monitoring instruments and solutions, with expertise in particulate matter monitoring and compliance with EU air quality requirements.

Procurement Analysis

Procedure: An open procedure was used, which is the most transparent and inclusive method under EU law, allowing any interested supplier to submit a bid. Three tenders were received.

Competition: Three bids were received, with two suppliers selected for the framework. This reflects a competitive market for specialised environmental monitoring instruments.

Award Criteria:

• Quality (75%): The quality of the instruments, including their performance, reliability, and suitability for the monitoring requirements.
• Cost (25%): The total cost of the instruments and associated services.

Quality Emphasis: The 75% weighting for quality reflects the critical importance of instrument performance, reliability, and compliance with EU requirements in environmental monitoring. Accurate, reliable data is essential for protecting public health and informing policy decisions.

Framework Structure: The agreement is a multi-supplier framework, partly without reopening and partly with reopening of competition. This hybrid structure provides flexibility for the EPA to procure instruments and services while maintaining competition.

GPA Status: The procurement is covered by the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), meaning it was, in principle, open to qualifying international bidders. The winning bidders are from Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Additional Procurement Facts

• Three tenders were received for this procurement.
• Two suppliers were selected for the multi-supplier framework.
• The framework covers up to 32 analysers over 4 years.
• Quality is weighted at 75%, cost at 25%.
• The instruments must comply with CAFE Directive 2024/2881 requirements.
• No EU funding was used for this procurement.
• Disputes or review requests fall to The High Court of Ireland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The environmental monitoring instruments market is specialised, with a limited number of suppliers capable of providing instruments that meet EU air quality monitoring requirements. The three bids received for this contract reflect the specialised nature of the market.

The 75% weighting for quality reflects the critical importance of instrument performance, reliability, and compliance in environmental monitoring. Accurate, reliable data is essential for protecting public health and ensuring compliance with EU air quality standards.

The multi-supplier framework provides flexibility for the EPA to source instruments and services from multiple suppliers, ensuring competition and continuity of supply.

Economic Significance

At €1.12 million over 4 years, this framework agreement represents a significant investment in air quality monitoring infrastructure. The contract ensures that Ireland's national ambient air monitoring network is equipped with modern, reliable instruments to measure particulate matter.

For the two winning suppliers, the framework provides a stable, multi-year revenue stream and the opportunity to serve Ireland's environmental monitoring network.

Future Procurement Opportunities

This framework agreement covers particulate matter monitoring instruments through approximately 2030. Related procurement opportunities may include:

• Other air quality monitoring instruments (gas analysers, meteorological equipment)
• Laboratory and analytical equipment
• Environmental monitoring services and consultancy
• Data management and analysis systems

Opportunities for Suppliers

Environmental monitoring equipment suppliers active in the Irish public sector should note the emphasis on quality (75%) over cost (25%) in this framework. Suppliers must demonstrate instrument performance, reliability, and compliance with EU requirements to compete successfully.

Key success factors include: high-quality instruments that meet EU CAFE Directive requirements, proven reliability and performance, strong service and maintenance capabilities, and competitive pricing.

What Businesses Should Watch

• Similar environmental monitoring opportunities from the EPA and other Irish public bodies.
• The evolution of EU air quality monitoring requirements.
• Opportunities for subcontracting with EMS or Cura Terrae Air.
• The expansion of the national ambient air monitoring network.

IrelandTender Procurement Intelligence

This contract is a useful case study in how Irish public sector bodies invest in environmental monitoring infrastructure to meet EU requirements. The EPA has secured a €1.12 million framework for particulate matter monitoring instruments, with two suppliers selected through a competitive open procedure.

The most notable feature of this tender is the 75% weighting for quality, which reflects the critical importance of instrument performance, reliability, and compliance in environmental monitoring. Accurate, reliable data is essential for protecting public health and ensuring compliance with EU air quality standards. The quality weighting sends a clear signal to suppliers that performance and compliance are more important than price alone.

The multi-supplier framework structure provides flexibility for the EPA to source instruments from multiple suppliers, ensuring competition and continuity of supply. The hybrid framework (partly without reopening and partly with reopening of competition) allows for both direct call-offs and competitive mini-procurements.

The requirement for instruments to meet CAFE Directive 2024/2881 requirements ensures that Ireland's air quality monitoring network is aligned with the latest EU standards. This is essential for ensuring that Ireland complies with its obligations under EU air quality legislation.

For suppliers, the lesson is that quality, reliability, and compliance are the most important factors in environmental monitoring procurement. Companies that can demonstrate instrument performance, compliance with EU requirements, and strong service capabilities are best positioned for these frameworks.

Supplier Takeaways

• Quality is the dominant factor (75% weighting).
• Compliance with CAFE Directive requirements is essential.
• Instrument performance and reliability are critical.
• Strong service and maintenance capabilities are required.
• Cost (25%) is important but secondary to quality.
• Multi-supplier frameworks offer opportunities for multiple suppliers.

Key Takeaways

• EPA awarded a €1.12 million framework for particulate matter monitoring instruments to EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems Ltd and Cura Terrae Air Limited.
• The contract covers up to 32 analysers for the national ambient air monitoring network.
• Award criteria: Quality (75%), Cost (25%).
• Three bids were received, with two suppliers selected.
• Contract duration: 48 Months.
• The framework ensures Ireland meets EU air quality monitoring requirements.

Conclusion

This is not a contract that will make national headlines, but it reflects something structurally important about how Ireland invests in environmental monitoring infrastructure to protect public health and meet EU obligations. By awarding a €1.12 million framework for particulate matter monitoring instruments to two suppliers, the EPA ensures that Ireland's national ambient air monitoring network is equipped with modern, reliable instruments. The contract demonstrates the importance of quality, reliability, and compliance in environmental procurement, and the value of multi-supplier frameworks in ensuring competition and continuity of supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

It is the Irish government agency responsible for protecting and improving the environment, including monitoring air quality across Ireland.

Q: What is particulate matter (PM)?

It is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, which can have serious health effects when inhaled.

Q: What is the CAFE Directive?

The CAFE (Clean Air For Europe) Directive (2024/2881) sets air quality standards and monitoring requirements for EU member states.

Q: Who are the winning bidders?

EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems Ltd (Ireland) and Cura Terrae Air Limited (United Kingdom).

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

No. The notice confirms the project is not financed with EU funds, though it is governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 521388-2026, OJ S 143/2026, published 28 July 2026.