€800k planned expenditure on facilities and management services at DoH HQ

The Department of Health published a tender earlier this year seeking the provision of “facility management services” at its headquarters in Dublin.

The tender, which had a deadline of 14 April for applicants, outlined a figure of €800,000 to be spent on the services.

This newspaper asked whether the Covid-19 pandemic had led to any changes in the tender.

“The facilities management tender for Miesian Plaza has not been withdrawn or cancelled,” a Department spokesperson told the Medical Independent (MI)  earlier this month.

“However, it was necessary to extend the tender response deadline by two weeks, from 30 March to 14 April as a result of Covid-19.

“While the Covid-19 response is the Department’s number-one priority and there may be further delays, it is fully anticipated that a service provider will be appointed by early June 2020.”

In March, the Department told MI that “following the move to Miesian Plaza in July 2018, it was decided to initially retain the existing  service (as used by the landlord) through the transition, following which a competitive tender would be issued”.

“The figure of €800,000 (mentioned in the tender) is for the entire building and the costs are split over the four resident departments. Currently, costs are in the €500,000 region but do not include the security services and additional security guards required.”

The spokesperson said the tender relates to “facilities management services” necessary to maintain basic building services in Miesian Plaza, such as cleaning, cleaning supplies and security services.

“This is a building that houses over 900 staff from four Government departments and these services are common to commercial buildings of this size.”

The spokesperson added that “the main facilities provided are the cleaning of all office areas, open plan areas, kitchens, meeting rooms, toilets, plant rooms, canteen and reception area”.

“The provision of materials and machinery for same and the organisation of recycling of waste. Stocking and restocking of supplies throughout the building and the removal of waste is also included.

“In addition, the tender seeks to include the provision of security services and security guard on a 24/7 basis. Further facilities include meeting room set-up/tear-down and cleaning. The current supplier of services is Clarus Property Management.”