All enquiries regarding the Schoolbooks Scheme should be emailed to postprimaryschoolbooks@education.gov.ie Helpline phone number: 01 889 2089 (available 9:30-16:00 Monday-Friday) THE DPS IS NOW ONLINE |
The Department in conjunction with the Education Procurement Service and the Schools Procurement Unit has developed a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to assist Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools in procuring schoolbooks.
Information on the scheme: Post-Primary Schoolbooks Scheme Guidance 2025/2026
Information on procurement: Procurement Guidance for Post-Primary Schools
Frequently Asked Questions (updated 21/05/2025)
Checklist for schools using the DPS - lists all the steps required in the process
To determine the total estimate of your schoolbooks, read the “School Instructions” tab contained within the Pricing Schedule Template, and follow the steps outlined therein:
Pricing Schedule (PS) listing school’s books’ requirements
Note: a new 2026/2027 version of the PS will be made available shortly!
Guidance on how to amend pricing schedule in schoolbook DPS webinar video
Where the total contract value is estimated to be less than €50,000 (excluding VAT), schools are encouraged to use the DPS. If the school decides not to use the DPS, procurement rules for purchasing goods under €50,000 (excluding VAT) need to be observed. Click here for guidance.
All Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools that estimate their total schoolbooks contract value for the school year will be in excess of €50,000 (excluding VAT) are required to use the DPS to source their schoolbook requirements.
THE DPS IS NOW ONLINE
From time to time, the schoolbook Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) will be offline as new suppliers are being admitted to the DPS. This down-time is unfortunately unavoidable, and the inconvenience to schools is recognised and regretted. Please be assured that every effort is made to expedite the onboarding of new suppliers, and regular updates as to the ongoing status of the DPS will appear here.
There are four phases when using DPS (see: the checklist):
Phase 1: First steps
Register or reactivate account on eTenders. Guidance on how to do it is available here (Paragraph 1: Introduction to eTenders)
Register for the preferred Lot using the DPS Registration Form
Note: if you have registered for the DPS and/or used it previously, you do not need to register again. Complete this form only if you cannot see the DPS in your CAPC account.
Amend and finalise tender documents
Call for Tender (CFT) template and guidance video on how to complete it
Tender Response Document (TRD) template and guidance video on how to complete it
Phase 2: Create mini-competition and send invitations to tender
How to create a mini-competition and send invitations to tender within the DPS - written guide and a video
How to view messages and update tender documents in a live competition - written guide
Guidance video on how to reply to a message and how to compose a message on eTenders platform
Phase 3: Evaluation process
How to unlock a tender and access submissions: guidance document and guidance video
Evaluation template – to record scores and feedback for each company that submitted a tender
Guidance video on how to complete the evaluation spreadsheet
Template award letters and guidance video on how to complete them:
a: Template letter to a preferred supplier
b: Template letter to an unsuccessful supplier
Phase 4: Post-award process
Guidance document on how to add scores and publish contract award notice on the eTenders platform
Guidance document on how to close the competition on eTenders platform when no submissions were made
All enquiries regarding the Schoolbooks Scheme should be emailed to postprimaryschoolbooks@education.gov.ie Helpline phone number: 01 889 2089 (available 9:30-16:00 Monday-Friday) |