Many owner-managed businesses in Ireland still feel they’re being edged out of public procurement competitions. It’s a familiar frustration, too small to qualify for frameworks, too specialised to tick every box, and too stretched to bid solo for large contracts.
We’ve previously explored how businesses can strengthen their bid strategies through training, external support, and a sharper focus on bid management. But increasingly, a different route is proving effective for ambitious SMEs: the consortium model.
Frameworks and DPSs
Public bodies are increasingly turning to supplier frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs) to streamline procurement and pre-select trusted suppliers for recurring or strategic work. While this approach offers efficiency and compliance, the eligibility criteria, such as multi-disciplinary capabilities, high turnover thresholds, and substantial staffing, can unintentionally exclude smaller or niche providers, even those with a strong track record. For some long-standing suppliers, it can feel less like evolution and more like exclusion.
In reality, there is an alternative. Companies can consider forming:
- A cross-sector consortium brings together businesses with complementary skills from different industries to tackle complex projects collaboratively.
- A sector-specific consortium unites businesses within the same industry, aligning their strengths to jointly deliver larger-scale work.
Both models offer smaller firms a way to scale and access contracts that would otherwise be out of reach, without the need to merge or restructure.
Debt-Free Business Growth: The Smart Route Forward
The beauty of a consortium is that it allows for debt-free growth. There’s no need for expensive capital investment or large-scale expansion. Instead, members pool resources, align strategies, and leverage their combined strength to bid for larger tenders.
This model is ideal for forward-thinking, growth-oriented companies. It does, however, require commitment. Members must share common goals, be willing to collaborate, and take a long-term view.
With the right governance and clear internal processes, a consortium can become a highly credible supplier, capable of taking on high-value public contracts. It allows each business to grow through shared success, without overextending itself financially.
Plan Long, Win Big: The Importance of Structure and Patience
Creating a successful consortium is not an overnight process. It starts with sourcing the right partners, companies that offer complementary services, similar values, and a shared vision. A flexible mindset is essential, but so is rigour: sectors must watch for competition law implications and seek professional advice before formalising agreements.
Critically, the most successful consortia are those that build strong governance structures first. Buyers are increasingly sophisticated and can distinguish between a hastily-formed bid partnership and a well-structured, experienced network of collaborators. The latter inspires trust and wins contracts.
If your business wants to grow, compete at scale, and tap into Ireland’s rich stream of public procurement opportunities, collaboration might just be the future.
Key Takeaways for SMEs in 2025
You’re not too small, you just need scale: arrangements aren’t designed to exclude you, but they do demand breadth. A consortium gives you that.
Think debt-free: Growth doesn’t always require more staff or more spend. Strategic collaboration is often enough.
- Build before you bid: Governance, trust, and clarity between members must come first.
- Seek legal advice early: Competition law applies, and structuring the right way protects everyone involved.
- Buyers want reliability: A well-prepared, cohesive group will always stand out over an ad-hoc alliance.
Together You Can Be More
In the world of public procurement, fortune truly favours the brave, and the organised. Building a consortium isn’t just a workaround; it’s a powerful tool for transformation.
So if you’ve ever felt excluded from the tendering table, perhaps it’s time to bring your own chairs, and your own team.
