Dynamic Purchasing System for Cloud Services (CLOUD III DPS)

The European Commission, through DG DIGIT Digital Services, has announced a call for tenders for a Dynamic Purchasing System for Cloud Services known as CLOUD III DPS, identified by the reference DIGIT/2023/DPS/0031. This procurement procedure is focused on acquiring multi-tenant Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) to support the Commission's ongoing operations and cloud strategy. The total estimated value of this procurement is €1.2 billion, with a contract duration of a maximum of 48 months. The submission method is electronic, and the deadline for applications is January 21, 2028.

Eligible applicants include large cloud service providers, as the opportunity explicitly excludes small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The procurement uses a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) framework, allowing the Commission to establish a pool of pre-qualified suppliers for ongoing service acquisitions instead of making single fixed procurements. The application process involves not only joining the DPS but also bidding for specific contracts published within it.

The procedure includes selection and award criteria centered on quality and price. Applicants must fulfill specific criteria regarding professional standing, compliance with technical standards, and technical proficiency. Submissions must be made electronically via the Mercell Source-to-Contract platform, which supports all official EU languages and employs encryption to ensure document security.

This procurement stands as a significant element of the EU's strategy to modernize its digital infrastructure, providing operational continuity and advancing the cloud transformation goals of the European Commission.

The European Commission, DG DIGIT Digital Services, has announced a call for tenders for a Dynamic Purchasing System for Cloud Services (CLOUD III DPS) with procedure identifier DIGIT/2023/DPS/0031. This is an electronic submission procedure and is currently open for submission. The procurement aims to acquire Cloud Services in the field of multi-tenant IaaS/PaaS. This will allow the Contracting Authority to ensure continuity of current operations and further implement its Cloud strategy. The procedure type is a Dynamic Purchasing System. The estimated total value of this procurement is 1,200,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date was 23/01/2024. The main classification (CPV) code is 72000000 IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support. The nature of the contract is for services, with a maximum contract duration of 48 months. The award method will be based on the best price-quality ratio. There is no framework agreement associated with this tender. The selection criteria include: Suitability to pursue the professional activity, Economic and financial standing, and Technical and professional ability. Detailed information on these criteria can be found in the procurement documents. The deadline for receipt of requests to participate is 21/01/2028 00:00 Europe/Brussels. Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic means to the address provided upon accessing the submission link.

TED reference numbers associated with this call for tenders are 16/2024 46244-2024, 17/2024 48663-2024, and 85/2024 00257639-2024. There are change notices associated with these references, dated 24/01/2024 and 30/04/2024.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the eSubmission system:

How to proceed if the system is slow or doesn’t work while uploading/downloading documents?
Ensure you are using the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If the issue persists, clear the cache and cookies on the Internet browser. Published on 13/02/2025 20:52

Which Internet browsers does eSubmission support?
Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For the most up-to-date technical recommendations, click on the link System Requirements. Published on 13/02/2025 20:52

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. The system will not allow decryption after the upload. Published on 13/02/2025 20:50

Where can I find my submissions in Manage My Area, in the Funding & Tenders portal?
Submissions can be found in one of these sections: In ‘My Submission(s)’: tenders in response to open calls for tenders, requests to participate. Published on 17/10/2024 20:40

Which size should attachments have?
Attachments for tender submissions should be less than 50 MB in size. Larger files will not be accepted by the system. Published on 17/10/2024 20:36

How should I name attachments in eSubmission?
Name attachments for tender drafts following the System Requirements. See the following conditions: The attachment names must adhere to the system requirements. Published on 03/10/2024 16:39

Can I submit a video in eSubmission? Which formats are supported?
Check the System Requirements of eSubmission. Published on 03/10/2024 16:37

I received an invitation from the F&T Portal but cannot view the procurement documents.
Invited candidates can only see the procurement documents after having selected an organisation. Go to F&T Portal, “My Invitations”. Click on “Select Organisation” from the “Action” column. Published on 03/10/2024 16:37

Do I need to validate my PIC in order to submit a tender in eSubmission?
The Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate in a call for tenders as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). PIC is not mandatory for subcontractors. Published on 03/10/2024 16:36

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. A) For procurement procedures: B) For requests. Published on 03/10/2024 16:36

How many attachments can I upload per submission?
The maximum number of documents allowed per tender is 200 files. Check the eSubmission System Requirements in the documentation. Published on 03/10/2024 16:35

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. Only one PIC per organisation must be used. Published on 23/04/2024 17:14

How do I register my organisation and get a Participant Identification Code (PIC)?
First, check if the organisation is already registered using the Search PIC tool under 'How to Participate' > Participant Register. If your organisation is a bigger structure, check if any parts of the organisation are already registered. Published on 23/04/2024 16:07

How many languages does the system support?
The system is multilingual and supports all 24 official EU languages. Published on 01/04/2024 19:56

Which is the character set encoding in the system?
The character set encoding is UTF-8. Published on 22/02/2024 23:58

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. Published on 22/02/2024 23:57

Which file types does the system support?
The supported file types depend on the type of submission you want to make. The allowed file types are specified within the system requirements linked to the procedure in question. Published on 21/02/2024 23:55

Can I view and edit my draft submission?
Until the submission deadline, submissions in draft status can be edited, viewed, and deleted. Published on 24/03/2023 21:32

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 and is not blocking for submission. Published on 03/08/2021 22:07

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 sent when the time limit of receipt defined for the call for tenders has been reached. Until then, you had the possibility of withdrawing the submission. Published on 03/08/2021 22:05

In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG DIGIT, to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for cloud services. The aim is to procure multi-tenant IaaS/PaaS cloud services to support the Commission's ongoing operations and cloud strategy. The estimated value is 1.2 billion EUR, and the DPS will be in place for a maximum of 48 months. Interested parties must submit their requests to participate electronically by 21 January 2028. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation. The eSubmission system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses UTF-8 character encoding. The system encrypts uploaded documents to ensure integrity and confidentiality.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given that it is a call for tenders for cloud services, it can be inferred that eligible applicants would likely include companies, service providers, and organizations capable of providing cloud services, potentially including SMEs, large enterprises, and possibly research institutions with relevant capabilities. The selection criteria mention "Suitability to pursue the professional activity," suggesting that the applicants must be professionally qualified to deliver the services.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically through a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This means the European Commission is establishing a pool of pre-selected suppliers from which it can procure cloud services as needed.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the FAQ section mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). This suggests that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly mentioned. Given that it is a European Commission tender, it is highly likely that the beneficiary scope includes EU member states and potentially EEA countries. Further details would be available in the procurement documents.

Target Sector: The target sector is ICT, specifically cloud services. The tender focuses on the procurement of Cloud Services in the field of multi-tenant IaaS/PaaS (Infrastructure as a Service/Platform as a Service). The main classification (CPV) code is 72000000, which refers to IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned in the opportunity details. The opportunity is from the European Commission, implying that it is likely open to entities within the EU and possibly the EEA.

Project Stage: The project stage is procurement of operational services. The call is for the procurement of existing cloud services (multi-tenant IaaS/PaaS) to ensure continuity of current operations and further implementation of the contracting authority's cloud strategy. This suggests that the services are already developed and available.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the Dynamic Purchasing System is 1,200,000,000 EUR (1.2 billion EUR). This is the total estimated value of all contracts that may be awarded under the DPS over its lifetime, not the value of a single grant or contract.

Application Type: The application type is a call for tenders within a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This is an open call for economic operators to join the DPS.

Nature of Support: The nature of support is monetary. Successful tenderers will receive payments for the cloud services they provide under specific contracts awarded through the DPS.

Application Stages: The application process involves at least two stages. First, applicants must apply to join the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and demonstrate that they meet the selection criteria. If accepted into the DPS, they can then bid on individual contracts (specific procurements) that are launched within the DPS.

Success Rates: The success rates are not specified. The success rate for joining the DPS would depend on the number of applicants and how well they meet the selection criteria. The success rate for winning individual contracts within the DPS would depend on the competitiveness of the bids and the specific requirements of each procurement.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not mention any co-funding requirement. As this is a procurement contract, co-funding is generally not applicable. The selected providers will be paid for the services they deliver.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG DIGIT, to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Cloud Services (CLOUD III DPS). The aim is to create a pool of qualified providers who can supply multi-tenant Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) to support the Commission's ongoing operations and cloud strategy. The estimated total value of the DPS is 1.2 billion EUR over a maximum contract duration of 48 months. The procedure identifier is DIGIT/2023/DPS/0031, and the submission method is electronic. The deadline for receipt of requests to participate is January 21, 2028.

The call is open to any economic operator capable of providing the required cloud services. Applicants must demonstrate their suitability to pursue the professional activity, their economic and financial standing, and their technical and professional ability, as detailed in the procurement documents. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio.

The Dynamic Purchasing System allows the European Commission to procure cloud services in a flexible and efficient manner. Once admitted to the DPS, providers can bid for specific contracts as they are published. The system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of information. The maximum number of attachments allowed per tender is 200 files, and the maximum file size is 50 MB. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation, whether as a sole candidate or as part of a consortium.