Donnacha Phelan, Author at Keystone Procurement

Small businesses can win public sector work.

Small businesses can win local public sector work – if you know the system

Many small businesses are missing out on the opportunities to win public sector work in their local communities. I wrote an article for LaoisToday on the great opportunities to win public work in my home county of Laois for those who get to know the system. The approach I described works for…

Donnacha Phelan23rd March 2018

Bid Management Business Growth Keystone Column Procurement Training

Keystone Column 95 – Growth through Sluamor Consortiums!

This week on the Keystone Column we would like to talk about a project of ours that we're very excited about. We believe that SMEs can expand and compete through cooperative engagements like business consortiums and networks. It makes sense for businesses, particularly micro-businesses and small businesses in so many ways. That is why…

Donnacha Phelan6th November 2017

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Keystone Column 91 – Risky Procurement Strategy: National Broadband Plan

Last week open-access broadband provider SIRO announced its withdrawal from the Government's National Broadband Plan tender process. SIRO, which is a joint venture between the ESB and Vodafone, said it "cannot develop a competitive business case to justify continued participation" in the tender process. With just two bidders remaining, this raises concerns…

Donnacha Phelan6th October 2017

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Keystone Column 89 – Data Protection & GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force across the EU on the 25th May 2018, replacing the existing data protection framework. It emphasises transparency, security and accountability by data controllers and processors, while at the same time standardising and strengthening the right of European citizens to data…

Donnacha Phelan22nd September 2017

Keystone Column Procurement Sourcing Procurement Strategy Procurement Training

Keystone Column 87: Disruption from Natural Disasters

Welcome to this week’s column. This week, disruption from natural disasters - managing the risks to supply chains. We're witnessing the massive damage caused to communities and businesses in Texas and Louisiana by Hurricane Harvey and the deluge of wind and water it brought, while here in Ireland the Innisowen peninsula continues its…

Donnacha Phelan3rd September 2017

Bid Management Keystone Column Procurement Training

Keystone Column 82 – When not to bid

Welcome to the Keystone Column. This week we look at how to deal with losing bids in a procurement process, and as usual this week's free weekly list of Irish government tenders is included in out e-Tenders report. Dealing with losing bids It can be hard to accept the submission of losing…

Donnacha Phelan4th August 2017

Bid Management Business Growth Keystone Column

Keystone Column 77 – CETA and procurement

Welcome to the Keystone Column. This week we celebrate Canada Day by looking at CETA and procurement - the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada brings some interesting procurement opportunities. As usual, we conclude with our weekly list of current Irish public tenders. CETA and Procurement We make no…

Donnacha Phelan29th June 2017

Bid Management Business Growth Keystone Column

Keystone Column 76 – Public expenditure data

Welcome to the Keystone Column. This week we look at just how compliant local authorities are with government regulations on publishing procurement expenditure - and why this matters for Irish businesses. As usual, we conclude with our weekly list of current Irish public tenders. Publishing public expenditure data in Ireland The…

Donnacha Phelan22nd June 2017

Keystone Column 75 - Risk Adverse Buyers.

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Keystone Column 75 – Risk Averse Buyers

Welcome to the Keystone Column. This week how to sell to risk averse buyers i.e most public buyers. More evidence of increasing costs in Ireland. As usual, we conclude with our weekly list of current Irish public tenders. Business news Increasing costs The Irish Times has details of a new Eurostat survey…

Donnacha Phelan15th June 2017

Bid Management Keystone Column

Keystone Column 74 – Politics of procurement

Welcome to the Keystone Column. This week some updates about procurement regulations and a look at the politics of procurement: what the parties proposed for procurement in this week's UK general election and what it means for Irish polictics. Plus a SMART business in Clare. As usual, we conclude with our weekly…

Donnacha Phelan8th June 2017