Public sector website tender guide for Dublin councils in 2026

The verdict in three sentences

For a council website redesign, a below-threshold competitive procedure is almost always the right route, because the budget stays well under the EU threshold of about €221,000 excl. VAT for services bought by sub-central authorities. A serious portal, WCAG 2.1 AA compliant (EN 301 549) with a multi-department editorial CMS, costs €40,000 to €90,000 excl. VAT in 2026. The real risk is the timeline: allow 6 to 9 months from specification to launch, and a 40 price / 60 quality weighting to avoid abnormally low bids.

Thresholds and procedures to know in 2026

In Ireland, public bodies follow EU directives transposed into national law plus Office of Government Procurement guidance; contracts are advertised on eTenders. As in France, the estimated value covers the full contract term, maintenance included. The most common mistake is forgetting 3 years of support and crossing a threshold unknowingly.

Thresholds are revised every two years by the European Commission, and Irish national advertising thresholds follow current OGP circulars: check the notice in force at launch. A 4-year build + support framework with a €150,000 maximum stays below the EU threshold and avoids a second tender for maintenance.

Typical budget for a council portal

Writing a specification that attracts the right bidders

• Weighted criteria: quality 60% (methodology, public sector references, accessibility, security, sustainability), price 40%. A lower price weight reduces abnormally low bids.
• Explicit accessibility requirements: WCAG 2.1 AA target, accessibility statement published, as required by the EU Web Accessibility Directive.
• Hosting: in the EU, with GDPR data processing terms; Irish public bodies also review cloud guidance from the OGCIO.
• Sustainability: target page weight under 1 MB, eco-design criteria increasingly used.
• Reversibility: ownership of code and content, open-source CMS preferred, bilingual Irish/English support where required.

Realistic timeline: 6 to 8 weeks to draft and approve internally, 4 weeks of tendering, 3 to 4 weeks of evaluation, then 4 to 6 months of delivery.

Mini case study

Aoife, digital lead at a Dublin-area council, estimates her redesign at €65,000 excl. VAT and support at €12,000 a year. Over 4 years, the requirement reaches €65,000 + €36,000 = €101,000 excl. VAT (build then 3 years of support), so it must be advertised openly on eTenders. By structuring a framework with a €120,000 maximum, she stays below the EU threshold, secures transparency and saves a second tender estimated at 15 staff days, roughly €4,500 of internal time. Thomas, her counterpart at an agglomeration near Montpellier, reaches the same figures under a French MAPA.

FAQ

Should maintenance be included in the estimated contract value?

Yes, if it belongs to the same functional requirement. A €65,000 build with 3 years of support at €12,000 equals €101,000 excl. VAT, which changes advertising obligations.

What price/quality weighting should we use?

40/60 is the most common split for digital professional services. Dropping price to 30% is defensible when methodology and accessibility are decisive.

How long does a public portal redesign take?

Allow 6 to 9 months overall, including 4 to 6 months of delivery. Delays mostly come from content migration and multi-department sign-offs.

Is WCAG compliance mandatory for councils?

Yes, the EU Web Accessibility Directive applies to public sector bodies in Ireland and France, with an accessibility statement required. In France, failing to publish it can cost up to €50,000.

Can an agency outside Ireland bid?

Yes, public procurement is open to EU operators and, under conditions, to third-country suppliers. Tax clearance and equivalent certificates are required.

Let's scope your project. Share your draft requirements or specification: we help you estimate build and support budgets, choose the procedure and plan the 6 to 9-month timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.