RTÉ Awards Softcat a EUR 195,779 Cyber Security Contract Under Its Dynamic Purchasing System Computer Hardware and Software Services

Standfirst

A national broadcaster runs live services and large volumes of data and a steady stream of connected systems. Raidió Teilifís Éireann has now reported a EUR 195,779 award to Softcat plc for cyber security products and software. The contract sits inside a dynamic purchasing system with three lots but the notice reports only the first.

Introduction

Few organisations are as visible to the public as a national broadcaster. Behind the programmes sit networks and production tools and customer data that attackers may want to reach. Protecting them is a continuing task and not a project that finishes.

RTÉ is the Irish public service broadcaster and is classed in the notice as a body governed by public law. It set up a dynamic purchasing system or DPS for cyber security under the reference 25P041. A DPS is an electronic buying list that lets a buyer run mini competitions among approved suppliers over time.

The system covers three lots. Lot 1 is cyber security products and software including software supplied as a service. Lot 2 is managed services such as security operations centre and event monitoring. Lot 3 is professional services. This notice reports only lot 1.

Why This Contract Matters

Cyber security spending is rarely a single purchase. Licences and tools and services are bought in layers and renewed. A DPS lets a buyer add suppliers and buy as needs arise without starting a full tender each time.

The award also matters for its numbers. The winning tender is above the stated estimate and only two tenders were received. Both points deserve a careful reading and the notice leaves several questions open.

Contract Timeline

• 10/06/2026: the winner was chosen.
• 18/10/2026: the contract with Softcat plc was concluded.
• 21/10/2026: the notice was dispatched.
• 23/10/2026: the notice was published.

The contract was signed 130 days after the winner was chosen (editorial calculation). That is a long interval and the notice does not explain it. The notice was dispatched 3 days after signature (editorial calculation). The planned duration is 60 months. If it runs from signature it would end around 18/10/2031 (editorial projection). The notice gives no start date and no renewal terms.

Contract Overview

The notice records one lot and a single winner. RTÉ ran a restricted procedure to set up the DPS. The notice names a previous notice for the procedure. Under the DPS the buyer may order within each lot as needs arise.

The notice says the system can also be used by buyers not listed in it. That widens its reach beyond RTÉ but names no other user. The notice does not say who they could be.

Key Contract Details

Project Scope

Lot 1 covers cyber security products and software and includes software offered as a service. The notice points to a specification in an appendix that it does not reproduce. It gives no product names and no user numbers and no list of systems to protect.

The contracting authority has not disclosed what RTÉ actually bought under this award. The value and the lot description are all that the notice offers. Readers should not assume any particular tool or product.

About the Contracting Authority

Raidió Teilifís Éireann is based in Donnybrook in Dublin. The notice classes it as a body governed by public law with recreation and culture and religion as its activity. It is known as Ireland's public service broadcaster. RTÉ is the buyer and also provides offline access to the procurement documents.

About the Organisations Involved

The notice names four organisations. A second tenderer exists but is not named.

Softcat plc

The winner is based in Marlow in Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom. The notice classes it as a large operator. Its tender identifier is 000176652 and the contract identifier is 441491. Its tender ranked first. Subcontracting is recorded as not yet known. The notice does not describe the company and this article does not add to it.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

The buyer. The notice lists its Dublin address and a purchasing email contact.

The High Court of Ireland

The High Court sits at the Four Courts in Dublin. The notice names it as review body and as source of information on review procedures. The notice gives no deadline text for review.

European Dynamics S.A.

This Athens company acted as the TED eSender and has no role in the award.

Procurement Analysis

RTÉ used a restricted procedure to build its DPS. Under EU rules a DPS stays open to new suppliers who meet the entry conditions during its life (general rule). Individual purchases are then made through call offs among the admitted suppliers. The notice does not explain how this award was made. It records one winner and one contract.

Competition was thin. Two tenders were received and both were electronic. The second tenderer is not named. The award criterion is the most economically advantageous tender. The notice lists a quality criterion and gives no weights. The contracting authority has not disclosed how price and quality were balanced.

The values need care. The estimated value is EUR 180,000.00 and the winning tender is EUR 195,779.00. The difference is EUR 15,779.00 or 8.77% above the estimate (editorial calculation). The notice does not explain the gap. The total of all contracts awarded in the notice equals the winning tender.

The DPS has three lots yet the procedure level estimate is the same EUR 180,000.00 as the lot 1 estimate. That suggests the figure belongs to lot 1 only or that the system estimate was copied (editorial interpretation). The notice does not say. It also does not separate the ceiling of the whole system from the value of this single contract.

The timing deserves a note. The interval of 130 days between the choice of winner and signature is long for an award of this size. Contract terms or internal approvals may explain it but the notice gives no reason (editorial analysis). Suppliers should plan for gaps of this kind when forecasting revenue.

Additional Procurement Facts

• Lots 2 and 3 are not in the notice and their status is undisclosed.
• The procedure level and lot 1 estimated values are identical.
• The lot is described as products and software yet the main CPV code is for data security software development services and the main nature is services.
• The description writes SEIM where the usual term is SIEM.
• The winner was chosen in June and the contract was signed in October.
• The notice says no framework agreement applies and that the DPS can be used by buyers not listed.
• No strategic procurement aim applies.

Market and Industry Perspective

Cyber security is bought through a mix of products and managed services and specialist advice. Splitting a DPS into three lots lets buyers match each need to suppliers with the right skills (editorial analysis). It also lets small specialists qualify for one lot and not all three.

A DPS differs from a framework agreement. A framework fixes its suppliers and terms at the start. A DPS stays open and lets new suppliers join as they qualify (general rule). That makes it attractive in markets where new vendors appear often. The notice itself says that no framework agreement applies.

The winner is a United Kingdom company winning an Irish contract. That shows cross border supply in this market. The notice gives no data on the other bidder.

Economic Significance

At EUR 195,779.00 the award is modest. Its importance lies in the system around it. A five year DPS can steer repeated spending on security tools and services across the buyer and any other authority that uses it. The notice states no total value for that wider use.

Future Procurement Opportunities

The main opportunities lie in lots 2 and 3 and in further orders under lot 1. The notice reports no results for the managed services and professional services lots so awards there may follow (editorial analysis). Supplier admission can also continue during the life of the DPS under the general rule. Other public bodies named later could place their own orders.

Opportunities for Suppliers

Cyber security vendors and resellers and consultancies can check whether the DPS accepts applications. Suppliers should read the specification appendix and the entry conditions. Specialists in managed monitoring and professional services can target lots 2 and 3.

What Businesses Should Watch

Watch for notices on lots 2 and 3. Watch for call offs and for any other authority that joins the system. Watch also whether RTÉ explains the gap between estimate and award.

TendersOnTime Procurement Intelligence

This award reflects a move toward flexible buying lists for fast changing technology. A DPS suits a field where products and threats change quickly. It lets a buyer refresh its supplier pool instead of locking in one vendor for years.

The lesson for suppliers is that entry to the list is only the first step. Revenue comes from winning call offs and from being ready when a need appears. Companies should keep their catalogues and references current.

Future systems may publish clearer ceilings and weights to make the market easier to read (editorial analysis).

Supplier Takeaways

• A DPS is an ongoing route and not a one time bid.
• Quality counted in the award but weights are undisclosed.
• Lot structure lets specialists bid for what they do best.
• Check the system rules before applying.

Key Takeaways

• Winner Softcat plc at EUR 195,779.00.
• Estimate was EUR 180,000.00.
• Two tenders were received.
• Only lot 1 of three is reported.

Conclusion

RTÉ has reported an award under its cyber security purchasing system. The result is small but the structure around it is long and flexible. Several figures and lot details remain unclear. Suppliers should treat this notice as a view into one lot of a larger system.

Source: Tenders Electronic Daily (TED), Contract Award Notice 736392 2026, Official Journal of the European Union, OJ S issue 206/2026, published on 23/10/2026.