National Transport Authority Awards €3.54M WAN Connectivity Contract to eircom Limited

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has awarded a contract for the provision of WAN connectivity and associated services for its ITS (Leap Card integrated ticketing) and BMO (Bus Market Opening) communication networks to eircom Limited (t/a eir business). The €3.54 million contract covers the supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of secure WAN connectivity for the NTA's communication networks. The contract runs for 4 years and was awarded following an open procedure that attracted a single tender.

Introduction

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has conducted an open procedure for the procurement of WAN connectivity and associated services for its ITS (Leap Card integrated ticketing system) and BMO (Bus Market Opening) communication networks. The contract covers the supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of secure WAN connectivity for these critical transport infrastructure systems.

The contract, valued at €3,542,230.79, has been awarded to eircom Limited (t/a eir business). The contract runs for 4 years and was awarded following an open procedure that attracted a single tender. No subcontracting was declared.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that the National Transport Authority has secure, reliable WAN connectivity to support its critical ticketing and bus market systems.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports public transport: Enables Leap Card and bus market systems
• Significant value: €3,542,230.79
• Long-term commitment: 4-year contract
• Critical infrastructure: Supports ticketing and bus network communications
• Large winner: eircom is a major Irish telecom provider
• Sole bidder: Only one tender received
• No subcontracting declared

Contract Timeline

• Winner chosen: 24 January 2024
• Contract concluded: 18 June 2024
• Contract duration: 4 years
• Notice published: 3 September 2026 (OJ S 170/2026)

Contract Overview

The National Transport Authority conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Single lot: One contract covering all WAN connectivity services
• Awarded value: €3,542,230.79
• Estimated value: €4,000,000.00
• Duration: 4 years
• No framework agreement: Direct services contract
• Evaluation: Price and Quality (weightings not specified)
• Winner: eircom Limited (t/a eir business) (large enterprise)
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	National Transport Authority (NTA)
Contract title	Provision of WAN Connectivity and Associated Services for the ITS and BMO Communication Networks
Main CPV	30200000 Computer equipment and supplies
Additional CPVs	30210000, 30230000, 32400000, 51610000, 51300000, 72700000, 72000000, 32424000, 32425000, 32412100, 32420000, 32421000, 32422000, 32412110, 32413000, 32413100, 32417000, 30237110, 48200000, 72315000, 72511000, 72315100
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Awarded value (EUR)	€3,542,230.79
Estimated value (EUR)	€4,000,000.00
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	4 years
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price and Quality (weightings not specified)
Location	Dublin, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
Subcontracting	No
Number of tenders	1

Scope of Services

The contract covers WAN connectivity and associated services for two critical NTA networks:

• ITS (Leap Card integrated ticketing system): The integrated ticketing system for public transport in Ireland
• BMO (Bus Market Opening system): The system supporting the opening of the bus market

Services Include

• Supply of WAN connectivity equipment
• Installation and commissioning
• Maintenance of secure WAN connectivity
• Network-related services

About the Contracting Authority

National Transport Authority (NTA) is an Irish public body responsible for transport planning and regulation in Ireland. The Authority has responsibility for a wide range of transport functions, including public transport services, transport infrastructure, and integrated ticketing systems.

About the Winning Supplier

eircom Limited (t/a eir business) is the largest telecommunications provider in Ireland, offering a wide range of broadband, voice, TV, and business services. eir business is the division focused on providing connectivity solutions to enterprise and public sector customers.

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: 2 Heuston South Quarter, St. Johns Road, Dublin 8, Ireland (NUTS: IE061)
• Registration number: 907674
• Specialisation: Telecommunications and connectivity solutions
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two criteria:

• Price: Overall cost of the services
• Quality: Quality of the proposed solution and service delivery

Note: Specific weightings are not provided in the notice.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: Only one tender was received (sole bidder).
• SME participation: No SME bids were received.
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting was declared.
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement: This is a direct services contract.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic objectives specified.
• 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 contract value is €3,542,230.79.
• The estimated value is €4,000,000.00.
• The contract duration is 4 years.
• Only one tender was received.
• The winner is a large enterprise.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• The contract supports the Leap Card and Bus Market Opening systems.
• Review deadlines fall to The High Court of Ireland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish telecommunications and network services market is dominated by a few large providers, with eir being the largest. Public sector connectivity contracts often attract limited competition due to the scale and complexity of requirements.

Key trends in this market include:

• Connectivity demand: Growing need for secure WAN connectivity
• Public sector: Strong demand from government agencies
• Large providers: Major players dominate
• Long-term contracts: 4-year contracts provide stability
• Security focus: Emphasis on secure connectivity

Economic Significance

At €3.54 million, this contract represents a significant investment in connectivity for the National Transport Authority. The contract will:

• Support public transport: Enable Leap Card and bus market systems
• Ensure security: Provide secure WAN connectivity
• Support large enterprise: eircom is a major Irish telecom provider
• Provide long-term stability: 4-year contract
• Enable integration: Support integrated ticketing and bus market operations

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 4-year contract period
• Related services: Additional network and connectivity services
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities (none declared)
• Other transport agencies: Similar connectivity contracts

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for telecommunications and network suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Related services: Other network and connectivity contracts
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with eircom
• Other public bodies: Similar connectivity tenders

What Businesses Should Watch

• National Transport Authority's future procurement notices
• Irish public sector connectivity tenders
• Network and telecommunications market trends
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This WAN connectivity contract is a notable example of Irish public sector telecommunications procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €3.54 million over 4 years
• Sole bidder: Only one tender received
• Large winner: eircom is a major Irish telecom provider
• Critical infrastructure: Supports Leap Card and bus market systems
• Long-term: 4-year contract
• No subcontracting: No subcontracting declared

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Scale capability: Ability to provide large-scale WAN connectivity
• Security expertise: Secure connectivity solutions
• Public sector experience: Understanding of government requirements
• Competitive pricing: Price is a key evaluation criterion
• Quality demonstration: Quality is also a key criterion

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate scale capability for WAN connectivity
• Show security expertise
• Build public sector experience
• Offer competitive pricing
• Demonstrate quality
• Monitor Irish public sector connectivity procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• NTA awarded a €3.54M WAN connectivity contract to eircom Limited
• Single lot covering WAN connectivity for ITS and BMO networks
• Duration: 4 years
• Evaluation: Price and Quality (weightings not specified)
• One tender received (sole bidder)
• Winner: Large enterprise
• No subcontracting declared
• Supports Leap Card and Bus Market Opening systems

Conclusion

This WAN connectivity contract ensures that the National Transport Authority has secure, reliable connectivity to support its critical Leap Card integrated ticketing and Bus Market Opening systems. By awarding the contract to eircom Limited, the Authority secures a leading telecommunications provider with the scale and expertise to deliver complex WAN connectivity solutions.

The sole bidder situation reflects the scale and complexity of the requirements, which may be beyond the capacity of smaller providers. The long-term (4-year) nature of the contract provides stability for both the Authority and the supplier.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of scale capability, security expertise, and public sector experience in winning Irish public sector connectivity contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the National Transport Authority?

Ans: An Irish public body responsible for transport planning and regulation, including public transport services and integrated ticketing.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €3,542,230.79.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: eircom Limited (t/a eir business), a large Irish telecommunications provider.

Q: What is being procured?

Ans: WAN connectivity and associated services for the ITS (Leap Card) and BMO (Bus Market Opening) communication networks.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price and Quality (weightings not specified).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 4 years.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: One tender was 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 systems does this contract support?

Ans: The Leap Card integrated ticketing system (ITS) and the Bus Market Opening system (BMO).

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 607137-2026, OJ S 170/2026, published 3 September 2026.