Open Data Procurement for the Public Service

The Open Data Unit (ODU) has been working with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) for a year and a half to create these two new Frameworks to allow Public Sector Bodies (PSBs) to easily and efficiently procure data management skills, storage and services and to send their staff on a range of open data training courses.  The long and detailed process came to a successful conclusion last month when the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth, TD announced the launch of the two new Open Data Framework Agreements on 18 February.  These frameworks will enable PSBs to meet their obligations under the new Open Data and the Re-Use of Public Sector Information (PSI) Directive 2019 (“Open Data Directive”).  This Directive was transposed into Irish law on the 22nd July 2021 via S.I. No. 376/2021 as publicised by Circular 20/2021/.

The first framework is the Technical Services Framework for Open Data and Data Management and covers a wide range of tasks- for example Data Audits, Data Maturity Assessments, Data Extraction, Transform and Load (ETL), provision of a Fully Hosted and Managed Open Data Platform Solution and a wide range of data management services including, advice and support on managing a comprehensive Data Ecosystem, API development, etc.

Three services providers qualified under this framework and were ranked as contracts will be awarded through a direct drawdown cascade methodology.  The framework members in order of rank are;

1. Derilinx
2. Keitaro AB
3. Urban Tide

Public Service Bodies that wish to use the framework may drawdown the services by completing a Notification to Activate Services Form (NASF) which is available for download from the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) Buyer Zone at https://buyerzone.gov.ie/contracts/4426. The NASF must be submitted to the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) at the following email address: spotbuy@ogp.gov.ie.

The second framework is the Framework Contract for the provision of National Training Services for the Irish Government Open Data Initiative.  This is a single supplier framework and will provide training courses to public servants in the following courses;

1. General Introduction to Open Data 
2. Open Data & Re-Use of Public Service Information (PSI Directive) – Implications for public bodies
3. Open Data Audits and Data Publication
4. Introduction to Data Analytics and Visualisations
5. Data Anonymisation Techniques
6. Introduction to Linked Data

The successful supplier for this framework is Urban Tide and PSBs can complete their NASF (only one per organisation needed) and return it to the OGP, in advance of the courses beginning after Easter.  The training courses will be provided both in person and online, depending on the demand and current circumstances.

This is going to be an exciting year for Open Data management in Ireland and the Open Data Unit is doing everything it can to ensure that Irish PSBs are fully equipped to rise to the challenge.  Public Sector staff are encouraged to contact the ODU or the OGP if they need help on procurement.