Acquisition and provision of voice telephony services for the telecommunication needs of Cedefop

CEDEFOP has published an ex-ante publicity notice (CEDEFOP/2026/LVP/0013-EXA) for the planned negotiated procurement of voice telephony services to connect its PABX and migrate a 300-number range, requiring an E1 G.703 120 OHM interface. The contract is a framework agreement for up to 84 months (1 year + 6 renewals) with an estimated total value of €60,000 excluding VAT. Eligible economic operators must hold an EETT licence to provide voice telephony in Greece, demonstrate recent telecom service experience (three contracts in the last three years totalling at least €25,000) and be able to interconnect internationally. Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically via EU Login on the Funding & Tenders Portal by 22/09/2026 23:59 (Europe/Athens), with the negotiated procedure indicative launch date 01/10/2026.

Tender summary

Essential facts

Procurement to supply voice telephony services and a dedicated medium-line connection to Cedefop PaBX, including transition of the existing 300-number scheme and provision of an E1 G.703 120 OHM link.

Estimated budget:Maximum total value €60 000 (excluding VAT) for the full framework (up to 84 months: initial 1 year plus six 1-year renewals) ¹.

1. 1Who can apply: telecommunications operators licensed by the EETT (Greece) and interconnected internationally
2. 2Minimum track record: at least 3 telecom contracts in the last 3 years with combined value >= €25 000
3. 3Procedure: planned negotiated low/middle value procedure (framework agreement, without reopening of competition)

Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically via EU Login on the Funding & Tenders Portal; this notice is ex-ante publicity announcing a future negotiated procedure.

Footnotes

1. 1Full procurement instructions and additional information are available on the portal and the contracting authority library: Information/instructions.

Basic facts

Title:Acquisition and provision of voice telephony services for the telecommunication needs of Cedefop. Procedure identifier: CEDEFOP/2026/LVP/0013-EXA. Contracting authority: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop). Nature of contract: services (public-telephone services, CPV 64211000). Procedure type: planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract (ex-ante publicity notice). Framework agreement: yes, framework agreement without reopening of competition. Maximum contract duration: 84 months (7 years: initial 1 year renewable 6 times, 1 year each). Estimated total value: €60 000 excluding VAT for the whole duration of the framework contract. This publication is an Ex-ante notice announcing intent to launch a future negotiated low or middle value procedure; it is not itself a call for tenders.

Primary objective:Acquire telecommunication voice services to connect and operate Cedefop’s PaBX (private automatic branch exchange) with the provider’s telecom network and to transition Cedefop’s existing numbering scheme into the new provider setup.

Key dates and milestones

Mandatory technical requirements (detailed)

The tender documentation lists mandatory technical requirements that the winning tenderer must meet. These are binding elements that bidders must be capable of delivering in full.

1. 1Provision and creation of a medium-line (either copper or fibre optic) physically and logically connecting the winning tenderer’s telecom network to Cedefop PaBX.
2. 2Transition and porting of Cedefop’s existing numbering scheme (300 direct numbers established in 1996: range 2310 490-000 to 2310 490-299) from the current provider to the new provider.
3. 3The medium connection between the winning tenderer’s infrastructure and Cedefop PaBX must be an E1 G.703 120 OHM connection (standard E1 interface).
4. 4Interconnection with global/ international infrastructure so that Cedefop’s voice traffic can reach the rest of the world (implied by the license and interconnection requirement listed under selection criteria).

Mandatory selection criteria (capacity and licensing)

Tenderers expressing interest must be able to demonstrate the following technical and professional capacities. At the expression of interest (Ex-ante) stage no supporting documents are requested; however invited tenderers will be required to submit supporting evidence later in the procedure. Requirements must be satisfied by a single tenderer or collectively by a consortium/grouping if participating as such.

1. 1Service experience: provision of similar telecommunications services within the past three (3) years, evidenced by at least three (3) agreements/contracts in the telecommunications field with a combined total value of at least €25 000.
2. 2Regulatory/licensing: possession of an EETT (Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission) licence authorising the tenderer to provide voice telephony services in Greece and to be interconnected with international telecom infrastructure.

Eligibility and applicant categories

Eligible applicant types are enterprises and organisations that operate as telecommunications service providers licensed in Greece. The requirements and context indicate the market participants expected to bid.

1. 1SMEs and large enterprises acting as telecommunications operators or service providers (domestic Greek operators, subsidiaries of international operators).
2. 2Telecommunications companies with the required EETT licence (operators authorised in Greece).
3. 3Groupings or consortia of service providers (allowed provided the combined capacities meet the mandatory requirements).

Answers to classification questions

Eligible Applicant Types:Primary eligible applicants: telecommunications operators and service providers (SMEs and large enterprises) licensed to provide voice telephony in Greece. Groupings/consortia are allowed provided the group as a whole meets selection requirements.

Funding Type:This is a procurement tender (service contract). The financial mechanism is procurement/contracting; not a grant or loan. The contracting authority will pay the contractor under a services contract/framework agreement.

Consortium Requirement:Either a single tenderer or a grouping/consortium can submit; consortium allowed if the consortium jointly fulfils the technical and professional capacity requirements. The Ex-ante notice states requirements must be met by the tenderer alone or as a whole in case of grouping/consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Geographic eligibility is effectively Greece-based providers because an EETT licence is mandatory. The contracting authority is a European Union agency but the technical/regulatory licensing requirement restricts eligible providers to those authorised in Greece.

Target Sector:Telecommunications / ICT sector, specifically public-telephone/voice telephony services and related telecom infrastructure provision and interconnection.

Mentioned Countries:Greece. The contracting authority is a European Union agency (Cedefop) based in the EU; licensing requirement refers explicitly to EETT (Greece).

Project Stage:Implementation/operational stage: service delivery and operational deployment (provision of physical medium connection, porting of numbering, ongoing telephony service operations).

Funding Amount:Estimated total value for entire framework contract: €60 000 (excluding VAT) for up to 7 years. This is the maximum budget foreseen for the whole duration of the framework agreement.

Application Type (submission method):Expression of interest via electronic submission through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal (EU Login account required). Method code: ESUBMISSION. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission provided on the portal; follow the Express interest action. This notice is for expression of interest only; detailed tender documents will be published with the negotiated procedure.

Nature of Support:Monetary: this is a paid services contract. The successful contractor will receive contract payments for delivery of the telephony services under the framework agreement.

Application Stages:At least two stages can be inferred: 1) Expression of interest (current Ex-ante stage) leading to invitation; 2) Negotiated procedure stage where invited tenderers submit full tenders and supporting documentation and the contractor is awarded. Further internal evaluation, clarifications and contract signature steps occur post-award. Therefore expect a minimum of two formal stages, with additional administrative steps during award and contracting.

Success Rates:Not published. As a single-winner negotiated procedure for a middle/low value framework agreement, success rate depends on number of invited tenderers; no quantitative success-rate data is provided in the notice.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding from applicants is requested or applicable. This is a procurement contract: the contracting authority will pay the contractor under the agreed contract terms. Any co-financing is not relevant.

Application / Submission details and what to prepare

Expression of interest submissions:must be made electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (EU Login account required) before the deadline (22/09/2026 23:59 Europe/Athens). This Ex-ante notice does not require supporting documents at the expression stage, but it requires that tenderers are capable of meeting the mandatory selection criteria. Invited tenderers will later be required to provide documentary evidence (contracts, licences, references) during the negotiated procedure.

1. 1Register or ensure an EU Login account is active for electronic submission.
2. 2Express interest through the opportunity page (Express interest action on the portal).
3. 3Prepare to demonstrate, upon invitation, the following documents: evidence of at least 3 similar contracts executed in the last 3 years totalling at least €25 000; a valid EETT telecommunications licence for voice services in Greece; evidence of interconnection capabilities with international infrastructure; technical documentation proving ability to deliver an E1 G.703 120 OHM connection and to port the specified numbering range.
4. 4Monitor the portal for the formal negotiated procedure launch (indicative 01/10/2026) and to download the full tender dossier and contract specifications when published.

Tender evaluation and award (expected)

This is a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. Typically, invited tenderers will submit formal offers including technical and financial proposals. The contracting authority will evaluate tenders against award criteria set out in the tender documents. The framework agreement will be signed with the selected contractor and will last up to 7 years under the renewal scheme described. The Ex-ante notice specifies awarding terms will be included in the future tender documentation.

Technical notes for bidders

Bidders must ensure they have both regulatory authorisation (EETT licence) and the technical capacity to implement and operate an E1 G.703 120 OHM connection to Cedefop PaBX and to port 300 direct numbers. The medium line can be copper or fibre optic but must support the required E1 interface. Interconnection to international networks is mandatory to allow global calling. Tenderers should plan for migration of the numbering scheme with minimal disruption and have experience in number portability and PBX interconnections.

Where to find documents and further information

Primary source and reference:the EU Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page for procedure CEDEFOP/2026/LVP/0013-EXA. Additional instructions and information for applicants are provided via the linked guidance document referenced on the portal. The notice includes a link to additional instructions on the EC Circabc library for Ex-ante procedures. For electronic submission you must use the Funding and Tenders Portal tools and an EU Login account F&T Portal CEDEFOP Tender. ¹

Templates and application form structure (what to expect)

The Ex-ante notice does not provide full tender templates. Based on standard EU procurement practice and the Ex-ante notice, applicants should expect the following components in the forthcoming tender dossier and application forms:

1. 1Invitation letter and instructions to tenderers including submission format, deadline and contact point.
2. 2Administrative compliance forms: identification of tenderer, legal and financial information, declaration on exclusion and selection criteria (self-declarations), signatures, and proof of capacity where required.
3. 3Selection evidence templates to be provided on invitation: contracts/references template listing at least three similar contracts in the last 3 years with values and contactable references; copy of EETT licence and any interconnection agreements; proof of financial capacity if requested in the tender dossier.
4. 4Technical offer template: description of proposed solution (medium line type, implementation plan, timeline for installation and porting, technical specifications confirming E1 G.703 120 OHM compatibility, maintenance and SLA proposals, contingency and migration plans), staff and resources allocated, service management and reporting.
5. 5Financial offer template: pricing schedule for framework agreement, unit prices, installation/one-off costs, recurring fees, cost model for number ranges and call tariffs, VAT treatment note and overall cost summary for the 7-year maximum duration.
6. 6Contract draft/framework agreement and general terms and conditions: to be reviewed and may require bidders to highlight deviations or acceptances.

Prepare documentary evidence in advance so that if invited you can rapidly supply requested proofs (contracts, licences, technical diagrams, CVs of key staff, financial statements if required).

Comprehensive summary

This Ex-ante publicity notice signals Cedefop’s intent to procure voice telephony services via a negotiated low/middle value procedure resulting in a framework agreement of up to seven years and a total budget of €60 000 (excluding VAT) for the entire duration. The procurement is narrowly scoped to the telecommunications sector and is targeted at providers licensed in Greece (EETT licence required) and able to provide and interconnect an E1 G.703 120 OHM medium line to Cedefop’s PaBX, and to port Cedefop’s existing numbering scheme of 300 direct numbers. Tenderers must have relevant operational experience (at least three telecom contracts within the last three years with combined value >= €25 000). Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 22 September 2026. This notice is not the tender itself but precedes the planned launch of a negotiated procedure (indicative 01 October 2026). Interested telecommunications operators should ensure regulatory compliance, technical readiness for E1 PBX interconnection and number porting capability, and prepare documentation to evidence prior contracts and licensing to be ready for the invitation to tender.

Footnotes

1. 1This Ex-ante publicity notice and the forthcoming negotiated procedure documents are published on the European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal. When the negotiated procedure is published, the full tender dossier containing technical specifications, contractual terms, award criteria and submission templates will be made available there.

This is a planned negotiated low or middle value procurement by CEDEFOP for the acquisition and provision of voice telephony services for its telecommunication needs, published as an ex ante publicity notice rather than a direct call for tenders.[2][6] The procedure identifier is CEDEFOP/2026/LVP/0013-EXA and the contract falls under CPV 64211000 Public telephone services.[2]

What the Contract Is About

The contract covers telecommunication voice services for Cedefop's PABX, including continuation of the agency's existing numbering scheme of 300 direct numbers and the transition from the current provider to the new provider.[2] The winning tenderer must provide a medium line by copper or fibre optic and connect Cedefop's PABX to the provider's telecom network through an E1 G.703 120 OHM connection.[2]

Key Contract Terms

Who Can Apply

Interest is open to economic operators that can meet the technical and professional capacity requirements, either as a single tenderer or as a grouping or consortium, provided the requirements are met as a whole.[2] No supporting documents proving those requirements are requested at the expression of interest stage, but they will be requested later from invited tenderers.[2]

Tenderers must have delivered similar telecommunications services in the past 3 years through at least 3 contracts with a combined value of at least €25000, and they must hold an EETT Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission license to provide voice telephony services in Greece while being interconnected with the infrastructure of the rest of the world.[2]

Applicant Considerations

1. 1Confirm that the organisation can meet the physical connectivity requirement for the PABX interface and the migration of the existing numbering scheme.[2]
2. 2Check that the organisation has the required Greek telecommunications licence and the practical ability to interconnect internationally.[2]
3. 3Prepare evidence of comparable telecom contracts from the last 3 years in case the procedure moves to the invitation stage.[2]
4. 4Use EU Login for electronic submission and monitor the CEDEFOP procurement pages for the follow-on negotiated procedure.[1][2]

Practical Assessment

This opportunity is a low value services procurement with a modest estimated value but a relatively long framework horizon, which suggests CEDEFOP is seeking continuity and operational stability rather than a one-off purchase.[2] The notice does not publish award criteria, pricing structure, or detailed service levels at this stage, so those elements should be expected in the later negotiated procedure documents if the applicant is shortlisted.[2]