Economic Operator
As Gaeilge: Oibreoir Eacnamaíoch
Also known as: EO, Tenderer, Bidder, Supplier
Last reviewed April 2026
The EU procurement term for any supplier, contractor or service provider (an individual, firm, or consortium) that bids for or performs a public contract.
Used throughout EU and Irish public procurement law for any natural or legal person, public entity or grouping of such persons that offers to execute works, supply products or provide services on the market. An economic operator can be a sole trader, an SME, a multinational, a state body, or a consortium of these. The term covers both bidders and the eventual contractor and is the language used in directive-based notices on eTenders.gov.ie and TED.
Recent tenders mentioning Economic Operator
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for Electrical Components and Materials for Teaching Purposes
Unknown · 500k-1M
2026 16 Single Supplier Framework for the Supply of Food Ingredients for Professional Catering Courses to LMETB
Unknown · 100k-500k
MA3423F - RFT to Establish a Single Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Marketing, Strategy and Implementation Services for the University of Limerick (UL)
Unknown · 1M-5M
Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of a Plagiarism Detection Software for Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Unknown · 100k-500k
Single Supplier Framework Agreement for the Supply of Telescopic Loaders
Unknown · 100k-500k
Request for Tenders to establish a Single Supplier Framework for the Provision of Game Design, Development, and Support Services
Unknown · 100k-500k
Related terms
ESPD (European Single Procurement Document)
Standardised self-declaration confirming you meet exclusion grounds and selection criteria — required on EU-threshold tenders.
Exclusion Grounds
Reasons a bidder must (mandatory) or may (discretionary) be barred from competing — convictions, tax debt, insolvency, prior misconduct.
Selection Criteria
Minimum requirements a supplier must meet to be considered — financial standing, technical capability, tax clearance.