Comprehensive policy framework for core geospatial data in the EU

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) has announced a tender under reference number EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0034 for a project titled "A comprehensive policy framework for core geospatial data in the EU." This is a service procurement contract valued at approximately €2 million, aimed at developing and implementing a pilot project related to core geospatial data within the European Union, as per regulation Article 58(2), point (a), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

The tender is structured as an open procedure, allowing participation from various eligible entities. It is specifically intended for a wide range of service providers capable of contributing to the project’s goals, not specifically designed for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Eligible applicants may include large consulting firms, research institutions, and public sector organizations specializing in geospatial data services. The absence of a consortium requirement allows bidders to apply individually or as part of a consortium.

The application process requires electronic submission of proposals, with a submission deadline of February 16, 2026, at 16:00 UTC. An open public event for tender submissions will occur on February 17, 2026, at 10:00 UTC. Interested parties must ensure their questions are submitted by February 6, 2026, since the contracting authority is not obligated to respond after that date.

The project’s focus entails providing strategic policy analysis, technical assistance, and possibly the design of IT systems to manage geospatial data resources, which are essential for environmental monitoring, climate strategies, and defense initiatives across the EU. The plan includes evaluating tender proposals based on quality (70%) and price (30%), suggesting a thorough assessment aimed at technical excellence.

The tender documents specify various deliverables and contractual obligations, with submissions required to comply with eSubmission system standards. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for all participants in the tender process to ensure proper identification and registration. There is no co-funding required from applicants; the entire contract amount will be covered by EU funds.

Overall, this procurement opportunity represents a significant investment into enhancing the EU's capacity to effectively manage and utilize geospatial data for various governmental and strategic objectives through a structured competitive tender process.

The European Commission, DG DEFIS Defence Industry and Space, has published a call for tenders EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0034 titled "Comprehensive policy framework for core geospatial data in the EU". The TED reference for this tender is 228/2025 783378-2025.

This is an open procedure with electronic submission. The tender is for services and involves implementing a pilot project as per Article 58(2), point (a), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. The estimated total value of the tender is 2,000,000 EUR. The maximum contract duration is 18 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. No framework agreement is specified.

Key milestones include:
TED publication date: 26/11/2025
Date and time of public opening: 17/02/2026 10:00 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 16/02/2026 16:00 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for questions: Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 06/02/2026 07:00 Europe/Brussels

The main classification (CPV) code is 79400000 Business and management consultancy and related services.

The following documents are available for download:
Invitation to tender EC-DEFIS2025OP0034 Core geospatial data in the EU Invitation letter, published on 26/11/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
Tender specifications EC-DEFIS2025OP0034 Core GeoData PPTender specifications, published on 26/11/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
Annex 2 Declaration-of-honour-tenders Core geospatial data in the EU EC-DEFIS2025OP0034 Declaration on honour (tender), published on 26/11/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
Direct Service Contract EC-DEFIS2025OP0034 Draft contract, published on 26/11/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
Annex III-VAT share Draft contract annex, published on 26/11/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
Appendix 2 Security requirements Draft contract annex, published on 26/11/2025, Version 1, no translations available.

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the eSubmission system:

How to proceed if the system is slow or doesn’t work while uploading/downloading documents? Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If the issue persists, clear the cache and cookies.

Which Internet browsers does eSubmission support? Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Refer to the System Requirements link for technical recommendations.

Is it possible to view the details of the submission after the deadline? No, the content of the submission is not accessible after submitting the tender as the system encrypts all attachments upon upload.

Where can I find my submissions in Manage My Area, in the Funding & Tenders portal? Submissions can be found in ‘My Submission(s)’: tenders in response to open calls for tenders, requests to participate.

Which size should attachments have? Attachments must be less than 50 MB in size.

How should I name attachments in eSubmission? Follow the System Requirements for naming attachments.

Can I submit a video in eSubmission? Which formats are supported? Check the System Requirements of eSubmission.

I received an invitation from the F&T Portal but cannot view the procurement documents. Select an organisation in F&T Portal, “My Invitations”.

Do I need to validate my PIC in order to submit a tender in eSubmission? A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium).

I have an issue uploading a file in eSubmission and it’s giving me an error. What do I do? Ensure the file follows the technical requirements of the system.

How many attachments can I upload per submission? The maximum number of documents is 200 files.

Why do tenderers need a PIC? It is mandatory to register for a PIC if you intend to submit a tender or a request to participate.

How do I register my organisation and get a Participant Identification Code (PIC)? Check if the organisation is already registered using the Search PIC tool under 'How to Participate' > Participant Register.

How many languages does the system support? The system supports all 24 official EU languages.

Which is the character set encoding in the system? The character set encoding is UTF-8.

Does the system use encryption to ensure the integrity and the confidentiality of the information? Yes, the system encrypts all uploaded documents, using an asymmetric key as an encryption mechanism.

Which file types does the system support? The supported file types depend on the type of submission.

Can I view and edit my draft submission? Until the deadline, submissions in draft status can be edited, viewed, and deleted.

In the submission report, under the name of our entity, "Legal form: UNKNOWN" is displayed while in the system, our legal form was correctly displayed. Is this a problem for the submission? No, it is just a display issue.

I sent my submission on time and a few days later, I received an automatic email informing me that the deadline for the reception of submissions had been reached. Does this mean that my submission was not correctly sent? No, this is an auto-generated notification.

In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG DEFIS, for a pilot project to establish a comprehensive policy framework for core geospatial data in the EU. The project has an estimated value of 2 million EUR and a duration of 18 months. The tender is open to all eligible organizations and requires electronic submission of proposals by February 16, 2026. The tender documents provide detailed specifications, contractual terms, and security requirements. Interested parties should carefully review these documents and the FAQ section to ensure compliance with the submission requirements. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation. The eSubmission system supports various file types and encrypts uploaded documents for security.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the tender and the CPV code (79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services), it is likely that eligible applicants include companies, consultancies, and possibly research institutions with relevant expertise.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The requirement for a consortium versus a single applicant is not explicitly stated. However, the FAQ section mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory whether participating as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium), implying that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but given that it is an EU tender, it is highly likely that entities from EU member states are eligible. It may also be open to entities from EEA countries or other countries with specific agreements with the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is geospatial data and related services. The tender specifically mentions "core geospatial data in the EU" and "A comprehensive policy framework for core geospatial data in the EU." The CPV code also points to business and management consultancy and related services.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union (EU).

Project Stage: The project stage is described as "Implementing a Pilot project," suggesting that the project is in the demonstration or validation stage.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the tender is 2,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders, with electronic submission.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly mentioned, but given that it is an open tender, it is likely a multi-stage process involving submission of a proposal, evaluation, and contract award.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This is an invitation to tender, reference number EC-DEFIS2025OP0034, issued by the European Commission, DG DEFIS (Defence Industry and Space). The tender is for a project titled "A comprehensive policy framework for core geospatial data in the EU." The project involves implementing a pilot project related to core geospatial data within the EU, in accordance with Article 58(2), point (a), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. The procedure type is an open procedure, meaning any interested and qualified party can submit a tender. The estimated total value of the tender is 2,000,000 EUR. The contract is for services, with a maximum duration of 18 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. The TED publication date was 26/11/2025. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 16/02/2026 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 06/02/2026 at 07:00 Europe/Brussels time. Submissions must be sent electronically. The tender documents include an invitation letter, tender specifications, a declaration on honour, a draft service contract, an annex on VAT share, and an annex on security requirements. The eSubmission system supports various file types and has specific requirements for file sizes and naming conventions. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation, whether as a single tenderer or as part of a consortium. The system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of information. The tender relates to the geospatial data sector and seeks business and management consultancy services.