EEA/DTL/R0/26/005 - Provision of consultancy services supporting the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) and Copernicus In Situ Coordination (2 ...

EEA/DTL/R0/26/005 is an open tender by the European Environment Agency for two framework service contracts to support the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) and Copernicus In Situ Coordination. Lot 1 covers geospatial data and ICT support (estimated ceiling €4,500,000) and Lot 2 covers technical, operational and administrative assistance (estimated ceiling €1,000,000), with a combined estimated value of €5,500,000 and a maximum duration of 48 months. Tenders must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 6 October 2026 16:00 Europe/Copenhagen and will be evaluated on the most economically advantageous tender basis (quality 70 / price 30). Applicants must satisfy the procurement selection and exclusion criteria and follow the tender specifications, financial templates and draft contract provided on the portal.

Opportunity

EEA/DTL/R0/26/005 – Consultancy services for CLMS and Copernicus In Situ Coordination (2 lots)

What it funds:framework service contracts to provide consultancy support for the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) and the cross-cutting Copernicus In Situ Coordination. Work covers geospatial data and ICT support (Lot 1) and operational and administrative assistance (Lot 2).

Who can apply:Eligible bidders: economic operators established in the EU Member States and in Norway, Iceland and the UK may submit tenders (single bidder or joint tender). Subcontracting is permitted. See procurement documents for full eligibility and selection rules F&T portal ¹

1. 1What is funded: consultancy services for CLMS implementation, product QA, EO data processing, cloud and AI support, ICT project management, dissemination and in situ coordination
2. 2Who may apply: organisations established in EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, UK; single or joint bids; subcontracting allowed
3. 3How much: estimated total procedure value €5,500,000 across two lots

Key practicals:open procedure via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission. Framework contracts up to 48 months; award by best price-quality ratio. A minimum of four specific contracts per framework contract is foreseen over the duration.

Deadlines and milestones:Main submission deadline: 06/10/2026 16:00 (Europe/Copenhagen). Public opening: 07/10/2026 10:00 (Europe/Copenhagen). See the portal for the full timetable and Q&A.

Footnotes

1. 1Procurement documents, tender specifications, financial templates and draft contract are published on the Funding & Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu

Opportunity summary

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published an open procedure for two framework service contracts to support the implementation, evolution and governance of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) and the cross-cutting Copernicus In Situ Coordination. The procurement is structured in two lots: Lot 1 Geospatial data and ICT support (estimated ceiling €4,500,000) and Lot 2 Technical / operational and administrative support (estimated ceiling €1,000,000). The overall estimated value of the procedure is €5,500,000. The maximum duration of each framework contract is 48 months. Tenders must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission). The call includes the tender specifications, draft contract, financial offer templates, an overview-of-experience template, CLMS IT architecture principles and a checklist for eSubmission ¹.

Key dates:Deadline for receipt of tenders: 6 October 2026, 16:00 Europe/Copenhagen. Public opening session: 7 October 2026, 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen. Contract notice publication: 8 September 2026. Last date for questions to which the contracting authority is bound to reply: 28 September 2026.

What is being procured

Two separate framework service contracts (one per lot) to provide consultancy services that support CLMS and Copernicus In Situ Coordination. Services are required across scientific, technical, ICT and administrative domains including EO data processing and analysis, product QA and validation, cloud-based processing, AI-enabled workflows, web application development, data onboarding and dissemination (CDSE, WEkEO, CLMS web), ICT project management, IT security governance, stakeholder engagement, reporting and operational support.

Lots, scope and ceilings

Eligibility and applicant types

Participation is open to natural and legal persons established in the EU Member States and in Norway, Iceland and the UK. The procedure is an open procedure and permits: sole tenderers; joint tenders (consortium); and subcontracting (with restrictions and conditions). Tenderers must be registered in the Participant Register and have a PIC. Subcontractors providing less than 20% of contract value have reduced documentary requirements for some selection evidence.

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: startup, SME, large enterprise, university, research institute, nonprofit, government bodies and agencies, public-private partnership, consortium (joint tender), subcontractors. Natural persons may participate if they meet national registration requirements.
2. 2Funding Type: procurement (tender) – framework service contracts for services.
3. 3Consortium Requirement: single tenderer or consortium allowed; no mandatory consortium required.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU Member States; Norway, Iceland and the UK (EEA and selected cooperating countries).
5. 5Target Sector: environment / earth observation / geospatial services / ICT / cloud computing / AI in EO / data governance / Copernicus services.
6. 6Project Stage: operational support and development, validation, demonstration, maintenance and evolution of operational services.
7. 7Funding Amount: Lot 1 estimated ceiling €4,500,000; Lot 2 estimated ceiling €1,000,000; total procedure ceiling €5,500,000.
8. 8Application Type: open call via eSubmission (Funding & Tenders Portal) — electronic only.
9. 9Nature of Support: monetary payment to contractor(s) under service contracts (framework and subsequent specific contracts), plus reimbursement of authorised travel and subsistence according to Annex 2.
10. 10Application Stages: 1 (single-stage open tender submission) -> evaluation (exclusion, selection, award) -> contract signature; multiple steps follow during implementation when specific contracts/orders are issued under the framework.
11. 11Success Rates: not published; this is a competitive open tender where award depends on quality and price evaluation (70/30 weighting).
12. 12Co-funding Requirement: none required; prices are all-inclusive and exclusive of VAT (EEA is VAT-exempt).

Eligibility, selection and minimum requirements (detailed)

Tenderers must provide the standard exclusion documentation (declaration on honour) and meet selection criteria for legal/regulatory capacity, economic and financial capacity and technical/professional capacity. Specifics include annual turnover minima for the last two years (Lot 1: €900,000; Lot 2: €250,000); submission of simplified financial statements and balance sheets; and extensive technical capacity evidence (CVs, project references, quality assurance and environmental management measures).

Minimum professional profiles and experience requirements:Lot 1: Managerial staff (minimum 1 CV, 5 years experience); Senior consultants (min. 5 CVs with 5+ years for core EO tasks); Junior consultants (min. 3 CVs with 2+ years). Additional specialist senior/junior CVs for AI/tooling and ICT project management tasks. Mandatory: English (minimum C1), EO and Copernicus domain knowledge, cloud-native geospatial workflows, Python/R, GIS tools, STAC/OData, experience with CDSE/WEkEO, validation/accuracy assessment and cybersecurity understanding. Lot 2: Managerial staff (min. 1 CV, 5 years), Senior consultants (min. 2 CVs, 5+ years), Junior consultants (min. 2 CVs, 2+ years). Mandatory: English C1, project management (PM² preferred), CLMS knowledge, Copernicus In Situ understanding and analytical skills.

Evaluation and award criteria

Award is based on the most economically advantageous tender per lot with a quality/technical merit weighting of 70 points and price weighting of 30 points. Tenders must score at least 60% of the technical score (min. 42 points) to be considered for award. Technical offers are page-limited: Lot 1 = 35 A4 pages; Lot 2 = 20 A4 pages (excluding references).

1. 1Technical merit (70 points): understanding of assignment and implementation approach (20 pts), service delivery and quality assurance (25 pts), resource management and continuity of service (25 pts); minimum per lot = 42 pts.
2. 2Price (30 points): all-inclusive daily rates (EUR), categories: Project Manager/Senior Consultant intra-mural; Project Manager/Senior Consultant extra-mural; Junior Consultant intra-mural; Junior Consultant extra-mural. Scoring formula uses lowest price as reference and the evaluation weighting factor per category.
3. 3Final ranking: technical merit score + price score; tied scores broken in favour of the tender with higher price score.

Application and submission details

Tenders must be submitted electronically using EU Login and the eSubmission tool on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Required attachments include administrative forms, identification form, declaration on exclusion criteria, simplified financial statement, evidence of economic/financial capacity, technical & professional evidence (CVs), technical offer, and completed financial offer template (Annex 1a for Lot 1 and Annex €1Bfor Lot 2). Use the Annex 6 checklist. All fields in the financial templates are compulsory; incomplete financial offers will be excluded.

Submission format and signing:Signatures: documents requiring signature may be hand-signed or signed with a qualified electronic signature (QES) under eIDAS; QES is recommended. File size and format rules follow eSubmission system requirements; maximum 200 files can be uploaded and attachment size must be within eSubmission limits.

Contract implementation and contract model

The award results in two separate framework service contracts (one per lot). The FWC will be implemented through successive specific contracts (orders). Specific contracts may be fixed-price, quoted time & means, or time & means depending on task nature. The draft framework contract and a draft specific contract are provided as Annex 3. The FWC contains provisions on continuity, replacements, handovers, project management, reporting (bi-monthly one-page progress and final report), IT/security and intellectual property. The Union (represented by the European Commission) acquires ownership of results produced under the contract; pre-existing materials require licensing to the Union on a royalty-free, non-exclusive, irrevocable basis (detailed contractual IP provisions are in the draft contract).

Price, reimbursements and travel

Prices:all-inclusive daily rates in EUR (excluding VAT). Prices must cover all contractor costs (salaries, social contributions, insurance, equipment, administrative costs, travel to Copenhagen intra-mural meetings except ad-hoc trips outside Copenhagen which are reimbursed). Prices fixed for year 1; annual index-linked revision permitted from year 2 under formula in the draft contract using HICP series. Reimbursement: travel and subsistence are reimbursed per Annex 2 with daily flat-rate allowances and ceilings; travel outside EU requires prior written approval.

Administrative and technical templates provided

1. 1Annex I: Tender specifications (technical specification and procurement process).
2. 2Annex 1a and €1B: Financial offer templates (Lot 1 and Lot 2 daily rates).
3. 3Annex 2: Reimbursement of travel expenses (flat rate daily allowances per country).
4. 4Annex 3: Draft framework contract and draft specific contract.
5. 5Annex 4: Overview of professional and technical experience (Excel CV summary template).
6. 6Annex 5: CLMS IT architecture principles (guidance on reproducibility, reusability, transparency, scalability, maintainability, security and resilience).
7. 7Annex 6: Checklist for eSubmission (detailed list of documents to attach).

Practical tips for tenderers

Prepare the administrative forms and supporting evidence in advance (identification, bank info, tax/VAT proof where relevant), ensure PIC is active, prepare CVs mapped to the Excel overview (Annex 4) showing months of experience per required task, and complete the financial templates exactly as provided. Comply strictly with page limits and formatting for technical offer. If relying on subcontractors or other entities to meet selection criteria, document roles clearly in the administrative data form. Use QES for signatures if possible and follow eSubmission system requirements early to avoid last-minute technical issues. The EEA may request interviews for proposed consultants prior to award of specific contracts. Replacements of personnel require 1 month notice and handover of at least 10 working days at contractor cost.

Country and region information

Lead contracting authority:European Environment Agency (EEA), Copenhagen, Denmark. Geographic eligibility: EU Member States plus Norway, Iceland and the UK (as specified in tender). Work location: EEA premises (intra-mural in Copenhagen) and contractor premises (extra-mural) depending on specific contract requirements. Travel limited to EEA member and cooperating countries for ad-hoc meetings.

How to apply (step checklist)

1. 1Register or confirm your organisation in the Participant Register and obtain/verify PIC.
2. 2Download tender documents from the Funding & Tenders Portal; study Annex I (Tender Specifications) and Annex 3 (Draft Contract) in detail.
3. 3Prepare administrative evidence: identification form, declaration on honour (exclusion), bank details, simplified financial statement, supporting financial documents (balance sheet and P&L for last two years).
4. 4Prepare technical offer limited to the permitted page count: methodology, understanding, approach to tasks, staffing plan, project work plan, quality assurance, risk mitigation and CV annexes mapped to Annex 4 template.
5. 5Complete Annex 1a (Lot 1) and/or Annex €1B (Lot 2) financial templates with all-inclusive daily rates in EUR (exclude VAT) and sign the form.
6. 6Assemble attachments and follow Annex 6 checklist for eSubmission.
7. 7Submit electronically via eSubmission before deadline (06/10/2026 16:00 Europe/Copenhagen). Keep submission receipt.
8. 8Monitor the tender Q&A section prior to 28/09/2026 and check for published clarifications. Attend opening if desired (register as instructed).

Templates and application form structure (what to prepare)

Documents required in eSubmission:administrative data form (legal & regulatory capacity) including identification forms and supporting documents; declaration on exclusion criteria (signed); simplified financial statement and supporting financial documents; evidence of technical and professional capacity (CVs, project list with references and values, Annex 4 Excel overview); technical offer (methodology, staffing, project plan, QA), financial offer (Annex 1a/€1B), signed declarations and any requested permits or licences. See Annex 6 checklist for exact eSubmission upload locations and roles for consortium members and subcontractors.

Technical offer structure (recommended outline):1. Executive summary (1 page); 2. Understanding of CLMS and In Situ context and needs; 3. Proposed implementation approach and methodology per lot tasks; 4. Staffing plan and CV summary matrix (Annex 4); 5. Quality assurance and risk mitigation; 6. Project Work Plan with deliverables and milestones; 7. Continuity, handover and replacement procedures; 8. Relevant past projects and references; 9. Environmental management measures.

Risk factors and contract conditions to note

1. 1Framework contract does not guarantee minimum orders; specific contracts (orders) will be issued under the framework as required.
2. 2Contractor must comply with EEA IT and data policies, IT security requirements, CLMS IT architecture principles, and data localisation rules (processing within EU/EEA unless authorised).
3. 3Use of AI is permitted but contractor remains fully responsible for outputs and must comply with applicable laws including the AI Act when applicable; human oversight and validation required.
4. 4EEA acquires ownership of results; pre-existing rights must be licensed royalty-free to the Union for the modes of exploitation set out in the draft contract.
5. 5Tenderers must declare and supply evidence for exclusion and selection criteria; failure to provide requested evidence when asked will cause disqualification.

Final summary

This procurement seeks experienced suppliers to provide long-term, flexible consultancy and operational support to the EEA’s entrusted Copernicus Land Monitoring Service activities and Copernicus In Situ coordination. Two framework contracts (Lot 1 and Lot 2) will be established to cover geospatial, ICT and operational/administrative assistance. Tenders are evaluated on a 70/30 quality/price basis; strict compliance with the tender specification, candidate profiles, CVs, the Annex 4 experience template and completion of the financial templates is required. All submissions are electronic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission channel. The procurement documents, draft contract and templates are published on the Portal ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Procurement documents, templates, draft contract and Annexes are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu

This is an open procurement tender for framework service contracts supporting the implementation, evolution and governance of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service and the cross cutting coordination of Copernicus access to in situ data. The public listing shows an estimated total value of €5,500,000 and two lots covering geospatial and ICT support plus operational and administrative assistance.[1]

What the opportunity is about

The contract is designed to provide consultancy support to the European Environment Agency for Copernicus Land Monitoring Service activities and Copernicus In Situ Coordination. Lot 1 focuses on geospatial data and ICT support, while Lot 2 focuses on technical and administrative support, so applicants need capability in service delivery, coordination and support for EU Earth observation related operations.[1]

Funding type:This is a service procurement tender, not a grant. No funding rate applies, and the award is based on the best price quality ratio.[1]

Who can apply

The procedure is open and submissions are electronic, so participation is not limited to invited bidders in the public listing. Tenderers should expect to satisfy the selection criteria and to provide the documents requested in the tender specifications, including the experience overview and financial offer templates. The listing is not marked as SME suitable, which suggests it is not specifically tailored to small and medium sized enterprises.[1]

A valid EU Login account is required for electronic submission, and organisations should be prepared to follow the portal submission rules and document format requirements.

Commercial terms and lot structure

Each framework contract is described as running for an initial 12 month period, renewable three times, which matches the stated maximum duration of 48 months.[1]

Key dates and submission rules

1. 1TED publication date: 8 September 2026.[1]
2. 2Deadline for receipt of tenders: 6 October 2026 at 16:00 Europe/Copenhagen.[1]
3. 3Public opening: 7 October 2026 at 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen.[1]
4. 4Questions submitted after 28 September 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Copenhagen may not receive a reply.[1]
5. 5Submission method: electronic through the Funding and Tenders Portal.[1]

Documents and practical considerations

The document set includes the invitation to tender, tender specifications, financial offer templates for each lot, the draft contract, reimbursement conditions, an overview experience template, CLMS IT architecture principles and the eSubmission checklist. This indicates that applicants should prepare both a detailed technical response and a fully structured financial offer.[1]

The main CPV code is 72000000, covering IT services, consulting, software development, internet and support. There were no public Q and A items listed in the portal snapshot, so the available published documents are the primary source for tender preparation.[1]

Overall, this is a significant framework procurement for specialist contractors with experience in geospatial services, ICT support, environmental data coordination, operational support and EU institutional delivery.