AVAILABLE Dates
May 27, 2026
COURSE DELIVERY
Online
START TIME
9:30am
FINISH TIME
3:30pm

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To secure a place, please contact us on 01 2933650 or email kellie@cmgtraining.com

Click below to access presentations and/or any additional exercises from your training course.

A few words from our tutor on what you can expect from this course

Course Description

• Capital Development & Design Team Procurement • Contract Requirements • Establishing Clear Deliverables, Timelines and Payment Terms • Transparency and Accountability

This one-day course will step you through key requirements when procuring consultants for projects in compliance with the public spending code. We will explore key requirements such as - rules and procedures you need to note when hiring design teams, processes, templates, and contract requirements under the CMWF.

This is a unique one-day training course, that could prove invaluable in your success in procuring consultants. You will receive information from a highly experienced tutor, receive a full course pack of slides to refer back to, and will get a chance to ask specific questions and how they apply to you.

“The presenter was very well informed and knowledgeable on the topic, and the examples/case studies were very helpful”

- Joe Power, Procurement & Contracts Manager

“The presenter’s logical approach to tackling what can be a very heavy and stressful admin activity helped me make better sense of what is important and the key areas to really focus on”

- Sharon O’Reilly, Medium Capital Projects Lead / Programme Manager

“Very informative and a lot of detail provided”

- Keith Wickham, Land & Buildings Procurement

Topics

Preparing for a Capital Development Project

  • Strategic context for capital investment decisions
  • Overview of the Public Spending Code (PSC) Principles, objectives and governance
  • The PSC lifecycle (5 Steps) and how consultant procurement fits into each stage
  • Strategic Assessment Reports (SARs), Preliminary Business Cases (PBCs) and Full business Cases (FBCs)
  • Alignment of projects with organisational strategy and policy objectives
  • Common Errors and audit findings at early project stages
  • Case examples of poor vs. well-defined project briefs

The Public Spending Code in Practice

  • Detailed walkthrough of PSC requirements at different project thresholds
  • Current PSC Regulations, circulars and updates
  • Approval gates, sanctioning authorities and escalation points
  • PSC Quality Assurance Audits and Returns
  • NOAC reporting obligations and common compliance issues
  • Understanding the 5% capital / 1% revenue thresholds and audit calculations
  • Roles and responsibilities of Contracting Authorities

Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF – Pillar 2)

  • Overview of the XWMF and its relationship with the PSC
  • Pillar 2 focus: Procurement and contract strategy
  • Selecting appropriate procurement routes for consultants
  • Frameworks vs. standalone competitions – pros, cons and risk
  • When and how to establish consultant frameworks

Procuring Design Teams: Strategy & Options

  • Procuring consultants individually vs. As a full design team
  • Architect-leg Multi-Disciplinary Design Teams (MDDT)
  • Contract types and suitability for different project sizes
  • Procuring consultants for:
  • New Builds
  • Refurbishments
  • Office fit-outs
  • Transition from design procurement to fit-out / works procurement

Tendering Process & eTenders (gov.ie)

  • Recommended tender documentation for consultant procurement

Consultants Contracts under the CWMF

  • Conditions of Engagement for Consultants
  • Structuring robust consultant contracts
  • Scope definition, deliverables and milestones
  • Payment mechanisms, performance periods and prolongation
  • Inflation, variations and fee adjustments
  • Termination, suspension and remedies for underperformance
  • GDPR, data sharing and governance considerations

Contract Performance Management

  • Managing consultants’ post-appointment
  • Roles of the Contracting Authority vs. external consultants
  • Performance monitoring and documentation
  • Managing disputes, delays and non-performance
  • Rating consultants and capturing lessons learned
  • Closing out consultancy appointments

Case Studies & Practical Examples

Common Pitfalls, Audit Findings & Best Practice

  • Common procurement and PSC Compliance errors
  • Audit, QA, NOAC findings
  • Ensuring transparency, accountability and defensibility
  • Standardisation of tender and contract documentation
  • Best practice checklists

Who Should Attend

This is a must attend course for public and private sector organisations and those in roles such as procurement, consultancy, legal, academics, contract management, project management, buyers, category managers, bid managers to name just a few.

Certification

On completion of this one-day training course, you will receive your Certificate of Attendance. Please note certificates are issued at the close of the training course to participants on completion of the course.

This course may qualify for CPD points. Please check directly with your association or awarding body to see how many points they will award.

Cost

An ‘Early Bird’ discounted rate of €499 is currently available. This training course normal rate is €599. Places are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY BIRD RATE CLOSES 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO COURSE DATE. The course cost includes all course documentation and Certificate of Attendance.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the Public Spending Code and why does it matter in procuring consultants?

The Public Spending Code is a set of rules and procedures that ensure value for money, transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent by Irish public bodies. It applies to all public expenditure planning, appraisal, evaluation and procurement processes, including the engagement of consultants for projects. Understanding these requirements helps organisations ensure compliance and good governance when procuring professional services.

When must the Public Spending Code be applied in consultant procurement?

The Code must be applied whenever a public body or organisation spending public funds is planning, evaluating or managing a project that involves external consultants. This includes capital development projects and other assignments where consultants are engaged to provide professional advice, design, specialist services or project support.

What are the key public spending code requirements when hiring consultants?

Key requirements include preparing an appropriate procurement strategy, documenting deliverables, ensuring transparency and competitive tendering where required, and applying the correct contract conditions. Procurement must align with the Capital Works Management Framework and any relevant templates or procedures set out in the Code.

How does the Public Spending Code support value for money in consultant procurement?

The Code sets out guidelines for economic and financial appraisal, evaluation techniques and governance standards that help ensure public funds are used effectively. Applying its principles helps organisations justify decisions, compare proposals and demonstrate that consultant contracts deliver value for money.

Do all organisations need to follow the Public Spending Code when procuring consultants?

All Irish public bodies and organisations in receipt of public funding must comply with the Code’s requirements when spending public money. This includes local authorities, state agencies and other funded entities, although private sector bodies may adopt similar best practice principles to support good governance.

What happens if the Public Spending Code is not applied correctly?

Failing to follow the Code can lead to compliance issues, poor procurement outcomes, challenges in audits or quality assurance reports, and a lack of transparency or accountability in how consultants are engaged. Formal training helps procurement professionals avoid common pitfalls and understand how to embed the Code’s requirements in practice.

How does this course help procurement and project management professionals?

This training provides practical guidance on the Public Spending Code’s application to consultant procurement, including processes, templates and best practices for ensuring clear deliverables, timelines and contractual terms. It supports professionals in navigating the legal and regulatory framework with confidence.