The National Procurement Awards 2026, held last 22nd October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, produced one of the most compelling double-win stories of the evening when Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail and Translink were recognised across two categories for their Enterprise Fleet Replacement Project, a cross-border procurement initiative that the judging panel described as exceptional in its ambition, complexity, and delivery.

The Best Procurement Collaboration Project of the Year award in the Infrastructure and Public Services category recognised the EFRP as an unprecedented example of two public transport bodies operating as a single procurement authority across two jurisdictions in a post-Brexit landscape. Navigating regulatory divergence, complex funding approvals, and legal challenge, the partnership developed a joint procurement model that delivered €56 million in whole-life cost savings while embedding sustainability and social value throughout the procurement process. The judges praised the strong governance model, integrated workstreams, and shared commitment across both organisations, noting that the commercial and operational benefits achieved were a direct result of how seriously both parties approached the collaborative structure from the outset.

The Overall Excellence Award recognised the same project for what it represents at a broader strategic level: a demonstration that joint planning, effective stakeholder engagement, and a forward-looking approach to fleet investment can deliver long-term value and support the development of sustainable, reliable rail transport across the island of Ireland. In presenting this award, the judges described Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail and Translink as very deserving winners, acknowledging not only what the EFRP delivered commercially but what it signals for future cross-border infrastructure procurement and the possibilities that exist when public sector bodies commit to genuine collaboration across complex jurisdictional boundaries.

Stay tuned for the National Procurement Awards 2027 cycle, where organisations from across Ireland will once again have the opportunity to submit their most impactful procurement work for independent recognition.

View the complete list of National Procurement Awards 2026 winners at procurementawards.ie/shortlist, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed on future award cycles and event announcements.