EEA/DTL/R0/25/004 - High Resolution Layers Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (HRL VLCC) - Production of reference years 2025-2028

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has announced a call for tenders identified as EEA/2025/OP/0036 for the project involving the High Resolution Layers Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (HRL VLCC) focused on the production of reference years from 2025 to 2028. The key aims of this contract include the yearly update of the HRL VLCC products, facilitating user uptake and communication activities, conducting exploratory consultancy tasks if needed, and ensuring continuous storage and dissemination of the datasets. The total estimated contract value is €6,610,000, and the procedure is classified as an open call, requiring electronic submissions.

Eligible applicants include companies, research institutions, and organizations with expertise in IT services, geospatial data production, and environmental monitoring. While the specifics regarding consortium participation are not detailed, the call implies that both individual applicants and consortia are welcome to apply. Prospective bidders must have a Personal Identification Code (PIC) to participate.

The geographic eligibility suggests that the opportunity is likely accessible to entities based in EU member states, EEA countries, and possibly other associated countries, reflecting typical practices in EU procurement. The contract, structured as a framework agreement with an initial duration of 24 months and the possibility for two renewals, encourages continuity in the production and maintenance of HRL datasets related to land cover.

The application process will take place in a single stage, where tenders are to be submitted by September 19, 2025, at 14:00 CET. The evaluation will focus on quality and price, with the methodology indicated as based on the best price-quality ratio. This procurement is specifically aimed at organizations with operational capacity for the referenced years and caters to expertise in areas related to IT services, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring.

The contract includes additional requirements such as electronic submission guidelines and technical specifications for the tenders. The deadline for any queries regarding the tender is set for September 11, 2025, reflecting the importance of clarifications prior to submission.

In summary, the EEA’s project for HRL VLCC aims to ensure updated datasets for land cover, with a strong emphasis on user engagement and operational efficiency, funded through this substantial contracting opportunity.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a call for tenders, EEA/2025/OP/0036, for the "High Resolution Layers Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (HRL VLCC) - Production of reference years 2025-2028". The TED reference for this call is 128/2025 442440-2025.

The objectives of this contract are:
1. The yearly update of the High Resolution Layer (HRL) Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (VLCC) products for the 2025 to 2028 reference years, providing continuity to the HRL VLCC datasets produced under previous contracts (EEA/DIS/R0/21/013 and EEA/DIS/R0/24/015).
2. To support communication and user uptake activities around the HRL VLCC products.
3. To provide a consultancy task for exploratory activities, if needed.
4. To ensure continuous storage and dissemination of the products.

HRL VLCC is part of the HRL suite of products. The procedure type is an open procedure. The estimated total value of the contract is 6,610,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 08/07/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Environment Agency (EEA). 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 is based on the best price-quality ratio. It is a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

Key Milestones:
TED publication date: 08/07/2025
Date and time of public opening: 22/09/2025 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 19/09/2025 14:00 Europe/Copenhagen
Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after: 11/09/2025 05:00 Europe/Copenhagen

The available documents are:
1. ENEN-Invitation to tender EEA2025OP0036 CLMS HRL VLCCInvitation letter, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
2. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex I Tender Specifications, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
3. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 1 to TS Price quotation templateFinancial offer form, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
4. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 2 to TS Reimbursement, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
5. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 3 to TS Draft Framework contract, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
6. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 4 to TS Overview of experience, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
7. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 5 to TS Detailed description of the services, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
8. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 6 to TS CLMS IT Architecture Principles, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
9. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 7 to TS User uptake and user involvement activities, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
10. EEEA.DTL.R0.25.004 Annex 8 to TS Communication user uptake strategy 2023-2028, published on 08/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available.

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

Regarding the eSubmission system, the following information is provided:
- If the system is slow, use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox and clear the browser's cache and cookies.
- eSubmission supports the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Refer to the System Requirements link for the most up-to-date technical recommendations.
- The content of the submission is not accessible after the deadline due to encryption.
- Submissions can be found in 'My Submission(s)' in Manage My Area in the Funding & Tenders portal.
- Attachments must be less than 50 MB in size.
- Attachment names must follow the System Requirements.
- The maximum number of documents allowed per tender submission is 200 files.
- A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation.
- The system supports all 24 official EU languages.
- The character set encoding is UTF-8.
- The system uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information.
- The supported file types depend on the type of submission and are specified within the system requirements.
- Draft submissions can be viewed, edited, and deleted until the deadline.

In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Environment Agency for the yearly update, communication, storage, and dissemination of High Resolution Layer Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (HRL VLCC) products from 2025 to 2028. The tender is open to organizations providing IT services, consulting, software development, and internet support. The total estimated value is 6,610,000 EUR, and the contract duration is 48 months. The deadline for submitting tenders is September 19, 2025. The submission must be done electronically, and applicants must have a PIC number. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of the tender, it is likely open to organizations with expertise in IT services, consulting, software development, and potentially research institutions or companies with experience in land cover monitoring and remote sensing. The requirement for a PIC (Personal Identification Code) suggests that any legal entity, including SMEs, large enterprises, research institutions, and other organizations, can apply.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a service contract. The European Environment Agency (EEA) is procuring services related to the update, maintenance, and dissemination of High Resolution Layer Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (HRL VLCC) products.

Consortium Requirement: The text mentions that a PIC is mandatory to participate as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). This indicates that both single applicants and consortia are eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, given that it is a tender from the European Environment Agency (EEA), it is highly likely that the eligibility is open to entities within the EU and potentially the EEA, and possibly to entities from countries that have specific agreements with the EU.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is environmental monitoring and IT services. More specifically, it targets the following sectors: IT services, consulting, software development, Internet and support, land cover monitoring, remote sensing, environmental science, and potentially geospatial data management.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The relevant region is the EU and potentially the EEA. Copenhagen is mentioned as the location for the date and time of the public opening.

Project Stage: The project is in the operational phase, focusing on the yearly update and maintenance of existing products (HRL VLCC) for the reference years 2025-2028. It is about ensuring continuity and supporting user uptake of existing datasets.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 6,610,000 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. This is a service contract where the contractor will be paid for delivering the specified services related to HRL VLCC product updates, maintenance, dissemination, and related activities.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly mentioned, but it is implied that there will be an evaluation of the tenders based on the best price-quality ratio. The process likely involves submitting a tender, evaluation of the tender, and then contract award.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This is an invitation to tender issued by the European Environment Agency (EEA) for the yearly update of High Resolution Layer (HRL) Vegetated Land Cover Characteristics (VLCC) products for the reference years 2025 to 2028. The tender, identified as EEA/2025/OP/0036, aims to ensure the continuity of HRL VLCC datasets, support communication and user uptake activities, provide consultancy for exploratory activities, and ensure continuous storage and dissemination of the products. The procedure is an open procedure with electronic submission. The estimated total value of the contract is 6,610,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 48 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio, and it is a framework agreement without reopening of competition. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 19/09/2025 at 14:00 Europe/Copenhagen. The tender is relevant for organizations with expertise in IT services, consulting, software development, land cover monitoring, and remote sensing. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation, whether as a single tenderer or as part of a consortium. The successful tenderer will be responsible for updating, maintaining, and disseminating the HRL VLCC products, as well as supporting user uptake and providing consultancy services.