Dry ice boxes

The opportunity presented is a procurement notice from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Geel, Belgium. The JRC intends to issue a negotiated procedure for the supply of insulated, single-use boxes intended for the distribution of reference materials that require dry ice for temperature control. The specifications indicate that the boxes must maintain temperatures below -5°C for at least 48 hours and for a separate model, 96 hours. Both box types must comply with IATA air transport regulations for dry ice.

The expected annual demand includes approximately 300 boxes for 48-hour shipments and 150 boxes for 96-hour shipments, with these volumes subject to change and not binding. The procurement contract is classified as middle/low value, lasting a maximum duration of 48 months. This will be a framework agreement without reopening for competition.

Eligible applicants for this procurement must be commercial suppliers and manufacturers capable of producing the specified dry ice boxes. Although the indication suggests that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may not be the primary target due to the specialized requirements, larger manufacturing companies with relevant capabilities can apply.

The application process is electronic, utilizing the Funding and Tenders Portal. Interested suppliers can begin expressing their interest starting on September 30, 2025, with a deadline set for October 15, 2025. The JRC plans to launch the negotiated procedure on October 15, 2025.

The primary CPV code associated with this procurement is 30199500, covering items like box files and storage containers. It is essential to note that this announcement serves as a pre-information notice rather than a direct call for tenders, notifying potential suppliers of the upcoming procedure. The procurement notice highlights the JRC's operational need for these specialized boxes, emphasizing compliance with established transport standards, and inviting expressions of interest from qualified suppliers electronically.

This is a pre-information notice, announcing the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre's intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. This is not a call for tenders. The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/GEE/2025/LVP/5019-EXA.

The JRC Geel requires single-use boxes for the distribution of its reference materials with dry ice. These boxes must be able to hold sufficient dry ice and be sufficiently insulated to keep small products (typically less than 300 mL; no thermal mass) at temperatures below -5 degrees Celsius for at least 48 hours, and another type for 96 hours. Both kinds of boxes must be qualified for the air transport of dry ice (IATA PI 954). The expected demand per year is approximately 300 boxes for shipments of up to 48 hours and 150 boxes for shipments of up to 96 hours. These quantities are approximate and not binding.

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. It will be a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

The main classification (CPV) code is 30199500, which refers to box files, letter trays, storage boxes, and similar articles.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-09-30 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 15/10/2025 at 05:59 Europe/Brussels. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-10-15 Europe/Brussels.

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given. The method of expression of interest is electronic.

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 was published on 03/10/2024 at 17:32.

In summary, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in Geel plans to launch a negotiated procurement procedure for the supply of insulated, single-use boxes suitable for shipping reference materials with dry ice. These boxes must maintain a temperature below -5°C for either 48 or 96 hours and comply with air transport regulations for dry ice. Companies interested in potentially participating in this procurement should express their interest electronically by the specified deadline. Note that this announcement is not a call for tenders itself, but a preliminary notice indicating a future opportunity.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, since this is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract for supplies, it is likely that the eligible applicants would be businesses, including SMEs and potentially larger enterprises, that can supply the required dry ice boxes.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is supplies.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not specify whether a consortium is required. It is likely that both single applicants and consortia could be eligible, but this would need to be confirmed in the actual call for tenders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. Given that this is a European Commission, DG JRC procurement, it is likely that the eligibility is at least for EU companies, and potentially also companies from EEA countries or countries with specific agreements with the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is manufacturing/supplies, specifically related to the provision of specialized packaging for the transport of temperature-sensitive materials.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The relevant region is the EU, as the contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC.

Project Stage: This is a procurement for supplies, not a project in the traditional sense. The relevant stage is commercialization, as the JRC is looking to purchase existing products.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is described as a "middle/low value contract," but the estimated total value is not specified.

Application Type: The application type will be a negotiated procedure, which will be launched after an expression of interest phase.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for supplying the dry ice boxes.

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

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not applicable to this type of procurement.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement for a planned negotiated procurement procedure by the European Commission, DG JRC (Joint Research Centre) in Geel. The JRC requires single-use dry ice boxes for the distribution of its reference materials. These boxes must be able to maintain temperatures below -5°C for at least 48 hours and 96 hours, and they must be qualified for air transport of dry ice according to IATA PI 954 standards. The estimated annual demand is 300 boxes for 48-hour shipments and 150 boxes for 96-hour shipments, although these quantities are approximate and not binding. The procedure is for a middle/low value contract, and the maximum contract duration is 48 months. The procedure will be a framework agreement without reopening of competition. The start date for expressing interest is planned for September 30, 2025, with a deadline of October 15, 2025. The indicative launch date for the negotiated procedure is October 15, 2025. Companies interested in supplying these boxes should express their interest electronically through the provided address. This announcement is not a call for tenders but a notification of the contracting authority's intention to publish a future negotiated procedure.