Evolving Expectations

The procurement sector is adjusting to a period of heightened scrutiny and strategic demand. Organisations are reassessing how their decisions influence long-term resilience, public value and commercial performance.

First, ‘Iarnród Éireann Named Sustainable Procurement Team of the Year at National Procurement Awards 2025’ last November reflects the rising emphasis on measurable sustainability outcomes. Their approach now forms part of the baseline against which entrants will be evaluated as the 2026 awards cycle takes shape.

Meanwhile, ‘ESB and Ørsted secure 900 MW Irish offshore wind contract’ highlights the growing weight of strategic energy projects within national procurement frameworks. The scale of the agreement shows how energy security and decarbonisation goals are reshaping the role of procurement in supporting system-wide transformation.

In addition, ‘Enabled Intelligence awarded $708 million NGA contract for AI data labelling’ demonstrates how emerging technologies are redrawing the boundaries of capability and oversight. The volume of the contract and the nature of the work show how data assurance has moved to the centre of operational planning.

Each story points to an environment defined by higher expectations, more complex delivery demands and a sharpened focus on accountability.