Public Procurement can be defined as the acquisition, whether under formal contract or not, of works, supplies and services by public bodies. It ranges from the purchase of routine supplies or services to formal tendering and placing contracts for large infrastructural projects.

The Procurement Section in the Finance Department has a coordinating role in ensuring that there is an organisational focus on good practice in procurement and procedures in place that will achieve value for money and ensure a high standard of openness, transparency and compliance with all relevant public procurement guidelines and legislation.

Kerry County Council Policy is to ensure procurement activities are conducted in a manner that is compliant with Public Procurement requirements and in line with best practice. Procurement Policy & Procedures

Kerry County Council is bound by EU Directives, Legislation and Government Policy in its procurement function. Contract Value thresholds determine which particular procedures are followed. Current thresholds can be found on the EU public procurement website: http://simap.ted.europa.eu/.

The EU Directives impose legal obligations on public bodies to use objective tendering procedures. Contracts with estimated values above the thresholds set out in the Directives must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

In accordance with Government policy, all contracts for Kerry County Council above €25,000 (excluding VAT) for supplies and services and above €50,000 (excluding VAT) for works must be advertised as part of a formal tendering process on Etenders.