Contraband kits

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as FRONTEX, has announced a future negotiated procurement procedure for acquiring contraband kits as part of a framework agreement. This procurement focuses on specialized equipment for border checks, targeted primarily at suppliers who can provide vehicle investigation devices such as undercarriage mirrors with light, OBDII readers, laser meters, iPhone macro lenses, plastic wedges kits, and illuminated vehicle inspection mirrors.

The opportunity is categorized as a supplies contract, specifically a framework agreement without reopening for competition, expected to last for 48 months. The expression of interest period starts on November 28, 2025, with a submission deadline by December 12, 2025. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is December 16, 2025.

Eligible applicants include large enterprises and established suppliers in the security and border management sectors, as indicated by the SME suitability marker being false, suggesting that small and medium enterprises are not preferred. The procedure encourages electronic submissions via the Funding and Tenders Portal, making it accessible for potential bidders across the EU and possibly EEA regions.

The procurement does not require co-funding from suppliers, and instead, they will receive direct payments for the goods delivered as part of the framework agreement. Success rates and specific funding amounts have not been disclosed in the available data, and while consortia are not explicitly required, the focus is on individual suppliers who can independently satisfy the procurement requirements.

This announcement serves as a pre-information notice rather than a formal call for tenders, aimed at preparing interested parties for the upcoming procurement opportunity.

This is a pre-information notice, announcing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX)'s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure, not a call for tenders. The procedure identifier is FRONTEX/2025/MVP/0060-EXA.

The purpose of this procedure is to establish a framework agreement (FWC) for acquiring contraband kits. These kits will include vehicle investigation devices for border checks. The specific devices mentioned are: under carriage mirror with light, OBDII reader, laser meter, iPhone macro lenses, plastic wedges kit, and vehicle inspection mirror with LED light.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is for supplies. The maximum contract duration is 48 months. The framework agreement will be without reopening of competition.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-11-28 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 13/12/2025 06:59 Europe/Warsaw. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-12-16 Europe/Warsaw.

The method of expression of interest is electronic. To express interest, use the "Express interest" link.

The main classification (CPV) code is 42652000 - Hand-held electromechanical tools.

A question and answer section is available, requiring a login to create questions. A public Q&A, FAQs, and a "My Q&A" section are available. It is possible to download the Q&As in xls format.

A frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is that references that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This answer was published on 03/10/2024 17:32.

In summary, FRONTEX plans to launch a negotiated procedure to establish a framework agreement for the supply of contraband kits. These kits will contain various vehicle investigation tools used in border checks. This announcement is not a call for tenders, but a pre-information notice to alert potential bidders of the upcoming opportunity. Interested parties can express their interest electronically, and the actual call for tenders is expected to be launched in December 2025. The contract will be for a duration of 48 months and will be a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the procurement for supplies, eligible applicants are likely to be companies or firms that can provide the specified contraband kits and vehicle investigation devices. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, or other types of suppliers.

Funding Type: This is a planned negotiated procurement procedure for a middle/low value contract. The funding type is therefore procurement.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the nature of the procurement, it is possible that both single applicants and consortia could be eligible, depending on the capacity to supply the required goods.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but as the contracting authority is FRONTEX (European Border and Coast Guard Agency), it is highly likely that the eligible applicants should be based in the EU or EEA countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is security/cybersecurity, specifically related to border control and vehicle investigation. The specific area is the supply of contraband kits and vehicle investigation devices.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the relevant region is the EU, given that FRONTEX is the lead contracting authority.

Project Stage: The project stage is commercialization, as the requirement is for the supply of existing products (contraband kits and vehicle investigation devices).

Funding Amount: The funding amount is described as a "low or middle value procedure," but no specific figures are given. It is therefore variable.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. There is an expression of interest phase, followed by a negotiated procedure.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for the supply of goods (contraband kits and vehicle investigation devices). Therefore, the nature of support is money.

Application Stages: There are at least two stages: an expression of interest and a subsequent negotiated procedure.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not mentioned, and is unlikely to be required in a procurement procedure of this nature. Therefore, the answer is no.

Summary: This is a pre-announcement of a planned negotiated procurement procedure by FRONTEX, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The procedure aims to establish a framework agreement for the acquisition of contraband kits, which include various vehicle investigation devices such as under carriage mirrors with lights, OBDII readers, laser meters, iPhone macro lenses, plastic wedges kits, and vehicle inspection mirrors with LED lights. The procedure is for a middle or low value contract. The first step is an expression of interest, with a deadline in December 2025, followed by a negotiated procedure. The contract duration is expected to be 48 months. Companies that can supply these kits and devices should express their interest electronically via the provided link. This is not a call for tenders yet, but an announcement of an intent to launch a negotiated procedure in the future.