The verdict in three sentences
Redesigning the website of a regional development agency in Dublin, aimed at investors and companies setting up in the region, costs EUR 40,000 to 90,000 excl. VAT in 2026. Staying below the EU threshold, the agency can run a lighter national procedure, with specifications that require WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility (EN 301 549) and EU-based hosting. Allow 5 to 7 months between publishing the notice and going live, then application support of EUR 6,000 to 12,000 per year.
The tender framework: procedure, thresholds and lots
A development agency funded by public bodies is generally a contracting authority under the EU procurement directives, transposed in Ireland by the 2016 regulations. The estimated contract value determines the procedure. For 2026, the EU threshold for services awarded by sub-central contracting authorities is EUR 221,000 excl. VAT (2024-2025 thresholds, check for revisions): an institutional website therefore almost always stays below it. In Ireland, contracts above EUR 25,000 excl. VAT should be advertised on the national eTenders platform.
| Estimated value (EUR excl. VAT) | Procedure | Minimum advertising | Indicative consultation period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | Direct quotes | 3 quotes recommended | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 25,000 to 90,000 | Below-threshold open procedure | eTenders | 4 to 6 weeks |
| 90,000 to 221,000 | Below-threshold open procedure | eTenders, wider publicity | 5 to 8 weeks |
| Over 221,000 | EU open or restricted procedure | eTenders and OJEU | 2 to 3 months |
Splitting into lots is encouraged. Three lots split naturally: design (UX, visual design, accessibility), development and integration, and application maintenance and support. A single lot remains possible if justified, for instance to avoid accountability gaps between design and development.
Budget by lot and the requirements that move it
| Lot or item | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | What drives the price up |
|---|---|---|
| Lot 1: UX design, visual design, content | 12,000 to 25,000 | User workshops, copywriting, 3 languages |
| Lot 2: development and integration | 22,000 to 55,000 | CMS, company directory, property map |
| Accessibility audit and statement | 3,000 to 7,000 | Number of templates audited |
| EU hosting (year 1) | 2,000 to 6,000 | Certified sovereign cloud vs standard EU cloud |
| Project total | 40,000 to 90,000 | 5 to 7 months |
| Lot 3: annual support | 6,000 to 12,000 per year | Ticket volume, on-call |
Accessibility and EU hosting: what the specifications must require
Public sector bodies must publish an accessibility statement under the EU Web Accessibility Directive, transposed in Ireland by the 2020 regulations. The specifications should therefore require a target conformance level (WCAG 2.1 AA, full conformance on key templates), a third-party audit and delivery of the statement. For hosting, data stored in the EU with a provider not exposed to extraterritorial laws is usually enough for a public information site; certified sovereign offers are reserved for sensitive data.
| Requirement | Recommended wording in the specifications | Budget impact |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | WCAG 2.1 AA, third-party audit, statement provided | EUR 3,000 to 7,000 |
| Hosting | Data in the EU, provider not subject to the US Cloud Act | EUR 2,000 to 6,000 per year |
| Eco-design | Page weight under 1 MB | Low if planned from design stage |
| Security | NCSC guidance, penetration tests before go-live | EUR 2,500 to 5,000 |
| Reversibility | Code and content handed over, open-source CMS | Neutral |
| Languages | English and Irish, option for German or French | EUR 2,000 to 5,000 |
Mini case study
Aoife, communications manager at a regional development agency in Dublin, estimates the need at EUR 68,000 excl. VAT: lot 1 at EUR 18,000, lot 2 at EUR 42,000, accessibility and hosting at EUR 8,000, plus support at EUR 9,000 per year for 3 years. The total contract value, support included, reaches EUR 95,000 excl. VAT: it must be advertised on eTenders. She runs the below-threshold open procedure, publishes in January, awards in March, starts in April and goes live in September. The target: grow qualified investment enquiries via the site from 35 to 60 per year. If a single additional investment creates 40 jobs, the project cost per job created stays under EUR 2,400.
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FAQ
What budget should a regional development agency plan for its website in 2026?
Allow EUR 40,000 to 90,000 excl. VAT for design and development, plus EUR 6,000 to 12,000 excl. VAT per year of support. Note: support over the contract term counts towards the threshold calculation.
Must the contract be split into lots?
Lots are encouraged under the EU directives, but a single lot is possible if justified. Three lots (design, development, support) is the most common split.
Is accessibility really mandatory?
Yes for public sector bodies, with a published accessibility statement. The conformance audit costs EUR 3,000 to 7,000 excl. VAT depending on the number of templates.
Do we need certified sovereign hosting?
Not always: it is recommended for sensitive data. For a public information site, an EU host not subject to extraterritorial laws is enough, at EUR 2,000 to 4,000 per year.
How long from tender notice to go-live?
Allow 5 to 7 months: 4 to 8 weeks of consultation, 2 to 3 weeks of evaluation, then 4 to 5 months of delivery.
Let's scope your project. Send us your specifications or objectives: we help you estimate the need, split the lots and meet accessibility and hosting requirements, with a realistic schedule. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33 or request a quote.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
