On 27th March 2020, the Government announced public health measures [“Public Health Measures”] that were to apply from 28th March until April 12th 2020 to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus. On the 10th April, the Government extended the Public Health Measures (and the Regulations) for a duration of 3 weeks to apply until midnight of the 4th May 2020. The Public Health Measures provide that people must stay at home unless engaged in providing essential services.
On foot of the [continuation] of the Public Health Measures, the Office of Government Procurement (‘OGP’) has issued a revised note on 14th April. In line with the recommendations outlined in that Note and in particular “considering whether reducing the periods between payments through the introduction of sub-milestones or intermediate delivery requirements would be beneficial”, the Department of Education & Skills is putting interim arrangements in place with respect to design team fee payments while the abovementioned Public Health Measures remain in place. These “sub-milestones” in respect of design team fee payments will be effective immediately and will remain in place until the Department determines otherwise.

See here for full details.