EU-Nepal Cooperation Facility (EU-NCF)

The EU-Nepal Cooperation Facility (EU-NCF) is a restricted two-stage tender (EC-INTPA/KTM/2026/EA-RP/0056) to procure development consultancy services providing technical assistance, capacity building and logistical support to the European Union Delegation in Nepal. The estimated contract value is €1,500,000 excluding VAT, the contract is fee-based for up to 36 months, the place of performance is Nepal, and the award will be made on the best price-quality ratio. Requests to participate must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 14 May 2026 at 09:00 Asia/Kathmandu and 4 to 8 candidates will be shortlisted to submit full tenders. Minimum selection thresholds include an average annual turnover of at least €1,000,000 over the last three years, an average of at least 10 relevant staff, and completion of at least three relevant contracts in the last five years each with a value of at least €600,000.

What the contract funds

Scope

Provision of development consultancy services:technical assistance, capacity building and logistical support to the EU Delegation in Nepal to implement EU strategic priorities, support the Global Gateway rollout and promote EU interests and investments.

Estimated budget:Estimated total value approximately €1 500 000; fee-based contract; options may allow up to 50% additional similar services. ¹

1. 1Who can apply: natural or legal persons (or consortia) effectively established in EU Member States or eligible third countries under NDICI-Global Europe rules.
2. 2Procedure: restricted two-stage tender (4–8 candidates will be shortlisted).
3. 3Submission: electronic only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal / eSubmission (EU Login required).
4. 4Contract duration and start: up to 36 months; provisional start Sep–Oct 2026.
5. 5Key selection thresholds: minimum average annual turnover last 3 years >= €1 000 000; technical references: at least 3 contracts in last 5 years each >= €600 000 in relevant TA to development cooperation; average relevant staff >= 10.
6. 6Award method: best price-quality ratio.

Important practical notes:participation rules follow PRAG/NDICI eligibility and exclusion criteria; sub-contracting is allowed; shortlisted candidates must use the exact consortium composition indicated in the request to participate. Register a PIC and ensure EU Login access (2FA becoming mandatory in 2026).

Procurement documents, request to participate form and Additional Information about the Contract Notice are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Shortlisting is planned in May 2026.

Footnotes

1. 1Tender page and documents: F&T Portal — EU-NCF

Summary description

The EU-Nepal Cooperation Facility (EU-NCF) is a restricted-procedure service contract tender launched by the European Commission (DG INTPA - International Partnerships) to provide technical assistance, capacity building and logistical support to the European Union Delegation to Nepal. The contract supports implementation of the EU’s strategic priorities in Nepal, the roll-out of the Global Gateway strategy and the 360 Degree approach, and aims to promote EU interests and investments while strengthening the EU–Nepal partnership. The tender is classified under CPV 73220000 Development consultancy services and is a fee-based services contract with an estimated total value of €1,500,000 (excluding VAT). The contract duration is up to 36 months and will be performed in Nepal. The procedure type is restricted; 4 to 8 candidates will be shortlisted to submit full tenders; award method is best price-quality ratio.

Key administrative and procedural facts

Lead contracting authority:European Commission, INTPA - International Partnerships (INTPA.C - Asia and Pacific / INTPA.C.2 South and South-East Asia). TED reference 248720-2026. Procedure identifier EC-INTPA/KTM/2026/EA-RP/0056. Electronic submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission is mandatory. Language of procedure: English. Deadline for receipt of requests to participate: 14/05/2026 09:00 Asia/Kathmandu (UTC+05:45). Provisional invitation to tender: May 2026. Provisional contract start: September–October 2026. Maximum implementation period: 36 months. Programme: NDICI Global Europe (Asia and the Pacific). Place of performance: Nepal.

Estimated total value:€1,500,000 (estimated value excluding VAT) ¹

Detailed eligibility and participation rules

Legal basis and coverage:the procurement is financed under NDICI-Global Europe (Regulation (EU) 2021/947) geographic programme for Nepal (ACT 63144 Support Measures for Nepal 2025-2027). Participation is open to natural persons who are nationals of and legal persons effectively established in an EU Member State or in eligible third countries as defined in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. Sub-contracting is allowed. Candidates may participate as individual entities or as consortia (permanent or ad hoc). Each natural or legal person may submit only one request to participate (either individually or as member/leader of a single consortium).

Short-listing:between 4 and 8 candidates will be invited to submit detailed tenders. If fewer than 4 meet the selection criteria, the contracting authority may invite those who satisfy the criteria. If more than 8 meet criteria, a ranking against re-examination criteria will be applied to select the top 8.

Selection criteria (applicants must demonstrate)

1. 1Economic and financial capacity: average annual turnover over the last 3 closed financial years must be at least €1,000,000.
2. 2Professional capacity: during the current and previous two years, an average of at least 10 personnel directly employed or legally contracted in specialist knowledge areas related to the contract; absence of professional conflicting interests.
3. 3Technical capacity: completion of at least 3 contracts during the last 5 years related to provision of technical assistance to strengthen development cooperation programmes (EU and/or other development agencies) in priority areas/sectors included under Global Gateway initiatives in Nepal and/or the EU Nepal Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-27. Each referenced contract must have a value of at least €600,000. Documentary evidence of the value and part performed must be provided.

Capacity-providing entities:a candidate may rely on capacities of third entities but must provide commitments and supporting documents. Where economic/financial capacity is relied upon, those entities become jointly and severally liable. Data for capacity-providing entities should be submitted in separate documents, not aggregated in the main request to participate form.

Award criteria and contract features

Award method:best price-quality ratio. The procurement documents and tender dossier will set the exact weighting of quality and price sub-criteria. The contract is a services contract (CPV 73220000) and may include options: new services or repetitions of similar services up to 50% of the initial contract may be entrusted to the initial contractor by negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice, provided conformity with the basic project.

Nature of contract:fee-based services delivered in Nepal, financed under NDICI. Maximum contract duration: 36 months. Framework agreement: the notice indicates possibility of a contract; details will be in tender documents.

Submission, forms and templates

Submission must be made electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission system. A EU Login account (with mandatory two-factor authentication as of mid-2026) and a Participant Identification Code (PIC) are required. Requests to participate must be submitted using the official Request to Participate form (template b3_req_part_form_en) and must include signed declarations (format provided in procurement documentation) and the Declaration on Honour on exclusion and selection criteria (form a14a). Supporting documents must be uploaded in the specified attachment slots in the portal (e.g., Other documents, Declaration on Honour). Any additional unsolicited brochures or letters will not be considered.

Required attachments (minimum set):Request to participate form; signed declaration referred to in point 7 of the request to participate form; Declaration on Honour on exclusion and selection criteria; financial statements and evidence requested in the request to participate template; evidence of technical references (reports, certificates, payments) for each referenced contract; consortium agreements where applicable.

Important technical system constraints and tips:eSubmission accepts attachments under 50 MB per file and up to 200 files per tender. Use latest Chrome or Firefox. Ensure PIC registration and, where required, PIC validation in advance. If shortlisted, candidates will be invited to submit full tenders in the second stage. Clarification requests must be submitted through the portal Q&A tab no later than 21 days before the requests-to-participate deadline; clarifications will be published at latest 8 days before the deadline.

Detailed applicant classification answers

Below are structured answers to classify the opportunity and identify eligible participants, funding modality, geographic scope, sectors targeted and other operational details.

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: The tender is open to natural persons who are nationals of and legal persons effectively established in an EU Member State or in an eligible country/territory as defined under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. Eligible applicant types therefore include: SMEs, large enterprises, consultancies, international and national NGOs, research institutes, universities, nonprofit organisations, and consortia composed of such entities. Public bodies may participate but must provide equivalent financial data. Individuals can participate if they meet the conditions. Capacity-providing entities and subcontractors may be used but must meet eligibility and provide declarations.
2. 2Funding Type: Procurement/tender for a service contract (fee-based). This is not a grant; it is a public procurement service contract financed from NDICI funds.
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Consortium or single applicant allowed. A consortium may be permanent or set up ad hoc for this procedure. If participating as a consortium, composition cannot be changed after short-listing except in specific PRAG cases with prior authorisation. Note: short-listed candidates cannot form new alliances among themselves.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Applicants must be nationals of or effectively established in EU Member States or eligible third countries as per Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. Place of performance is Nepal; financing via NDICI Global Europe, Asia and the Pacific programme.
5. 5Target Sector: Development consultancy services focused on international development cooperation, capacity building, technical assistance, donor coordination, and promotion of investment/Global Gateway initiatives. Thematic sectors covered will align with priority areas of EU Global Gateway initiatives and the EU Nepal Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-27 (which may include infrastructure, connectivity, green transition, digital, governance and private-sector promotion).
6. 6Mentioned Countries: Nepal (place of performance). The procurement is launched by the European Commission (EU); applicants must be established in EU Member States or eligible countries under NDICI rules (Article 28).
7. 7Project Stage: Implementation support: technical assistance, capacity building, logistical support and operational facilitation for programme/project implementation (deployment/operational stage aimed at effective implementation of EU strategies).
8. 8Funding Amount: Estimated total value €1,500,000 (excluding VAT). The award may include options allowing up to 50% additional similar services under negotiated procedure if required. Individual lots: single lot LOT-0001 covering the facility.
9. 9Application Type: Electronic restricted tender (two-stage procedure). First stage: request to participate (open call for requests). Shortlisted candidates (4–8) will be invited to submit full tenders in the second stage. Submission exclusively via the F&T Portal eSubmission system.
10. 10Nature of Support: Monetary contract (service fees paid to contractor). The contractor will be remunerated for services rendered (fee-based) and will deliver non-monetary outputs: technical assistance, training, capacity building, logistical and operational support.
11. 11Application Stages: Two stages: Stage 1 request to participate (shortlisting), Stage 2 invitation to tender (detailed tender submission and evaluation leading to award).
12. 12Success Rates: Not provided explicitly. Shortlisting selects between 4 and 8 candidates from all eligible requests to participate; therefore success at short-list stage depends on number of valid requests. Historical success rates are not published; however candidates should expect competitive selection given international interest.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: No co-funding from applicants is required for participation. This is a procurement service contract; budget and fees will be defined and paid under the contract. Financial capacity (turnover) evidence is required but not co-financing.
14. 14Templates: Application forms and templates are provided by the contracting authority. Mandatory templates include: Request to Participate form (b3_req_part_form_en), Declaration referred to in point 7 (format provided in the request to participate documentation), Declaration on Honour on Exclusion and Selection criteria (form a14a). The Request to Participate form requires: identity of candidate(s), contact person, financial tables for last 3 closed years, personnel statistics, areas of specialisation (up to 10), up to 15 relevant experience references (last 5 years) with contract values and parts carried out, signed declarations for each legal entity and, if relevant, consortium member details. Financial figures must be expressed in EUR and converted using InforEuro exchange rate of April 2026 corresponding to the submission deadline. The procurement documents reference the Annexes area on the EU External Action Wiki for templates.

Practical next steps and important notices for applicants

1. 1Register and validate your organisation in the EU Participant Register to obtain a PIC well before the deadline. PIC validation may be requested by the contracting authority.
2. 2Create and secure your EU Login account and register at least one two-factor authentication method (mandatory progressively in 2026). Ensure you can access eSubmission and the Funding & Tenders Portal.
3. 3Download and complete the official Request to Participate form and all required declarations (Request to Participate template, Declaration on Honour). Prepare supporting financial statements, personnel data, and documentary evidence for referenced contracts (proof of payment, certificates, reports).
4. 4If relying on capacity-providing entities, prepare separate documents with commitments and evidence; be aware entities relied upon become jointly and severally liable for economic/financial criteria.
5. 5Submit the request to participate only via the Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission before 14/05/2026 09:00 Kathmandu time. Keep file sizes under system limits and follow naming conventions. Retain submission receipts (timestamp).
6. 6Monitor the F&T Portal Q&A and procurement documents for clarifications, updates or published corrigenda. Submit clarifications via the portal at least 21 days before the deadline if needed.
7. 7If shortlisted, prepare high-quality technical and financial tenders aligned with the best price-quality ratio award criteria and the tender dossier requested in the invitation to tender (provisional May 2026).

Contact and procurement documents:The procurement dossier, Additional Information about the Contract Notice (a5f) and the Request to Participate form (b3) are published on the Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page. For queries and submissions the official contact is delegation-nepal-fcas@eeas.europa.eu. Submission link: eSubmission via the Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page.

Final overview — What is this opportunity about and how to explain it?

The EU-Nepal Cooperation Facility is a procurement tender to award a fee-based service contract to an organisation or consortium capable of providing sustained technical assistance, capacity building, and logistical support to the EU Delegation in Nepal. The objective is to strengthen implementation of EU strategies (Global Gateway and 360 Degree approach) and to increase EU visibility, interests and investments in Nepal by supporting programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, coordination and operational management. The procedure is a restricted two-stage tender: interested organisations must first submit a Request to Participate demonstrating financial strength, staff capacity and relevant experience (including specified minimum turnover, personnel and past contract values). From those requests the contracting authority will shortlist between 4 and 8 candidates to be invited to submit full tenders. The contract is funded under the NDICI Global Europe programme and will be performed in Nepal over up to 36 months with an estimated value of €1.5 million. All submissions and clarifications must be handled through the Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission system and must follow the provided templates and declarations. Prospective applicants should prepare financial evidence, technical references (each >= €600,000), personnel statistics, and ensure PIC and EU Login readiness well before the 14 May 2026 deadline.

Footnotes

1. 1Estimated total value is taken from the contract notice and procurement documents published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: EU-Nepal Cooperation Facility (EC-INTPA/KTM/2026/EA-RP/0056).

This is a restricted tender procedure for development consultancy services to support the European Union Delegation to Nepal through technical assistance, capacity building, and logistical support. The services aim to enhance the effective, efficient, and sustainable implementation of EU strategic priorities in Nepal, including the roll-out of the Global Gateway strategy, the 360 Degree approach, and promotion of EU interests and investments in a strengthened EU-Nepal partnership.

Key Dates and Procedure

TED Publication Date:13 April 2026.

Deadline for Requests to Participate:14 May 2026 at 09:00 Asia/Kathmandu time (UTC+05:45).

Provisional Invitation to Tender:May 2026.

Provisional Contract Start:September-October 2026.

Procedure identifier:EC-INTPA/KTM/2026/EA-RP/0056. TED reference: 71/2026 248720-2026. This is a two-stage restricted procedure where 4-8 candidates will be short-listed to submit detailed tenders.

Financial Information

Estimated Total Value:€1,500,000 (excluding VAT).¹

Financing:ACT 63144 - Support Measures for Nepal 2025-2027, under NDICI-Global Europe (Regulation (EU) No 2021/947).

Nature of Contract:Fee-based services contract, maximum duration 36 months.

Award Criteria:Best price-quality ratio.

Place of performance:Nepal. CPV: 73220000 - Development consultancy services. Note: Award is subject to availability of appropriations; procedure may be cancelled without compensation if conditions change.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Open to all natural persons who are nationals of, and legal persons (individually or in consortium) effectively established in, a Member State of the European Union or eligible countries/territories under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 2021/947. Consortia are jointly and severally liable. No more than one request per person/entity per procedure. Ineligible participants lead to exclusion of the entire consortium.

Exclusion Grounds

• Candidates must declare they are not in situations listed in Section 2.4.2.1 of the Practical Guide (PRAG).²
• Same declaration required from capacity-providing entities or subcontractors.
• Entities on EU restrictive measures lists cannot be awarded.

Selection Criteria

Applied to consortium as a whole. Cannot use experience from breached/terminated contracts. Capacity-providing entities must meet eligibility and criteria; jointly liable for financial capacity.

• Economic/Financial: Average annual turnover last 3 years >= €1,000,000.
• Professional: Average >=10 personnel (permanent/non-permanent) in relevant fields over last 3 years; no professional conflicting interests.
• Technical: At least 3 contracts in last 5 years, each >=€600,000 value, in technical assistance for EU/other development agency programmes aligned with EU Global Gateway in Nepal or EU-Nepal MIP 2021-27.

If >8 eligible candidates, ranked by:1) highest number of qualifying contracts; 2) highest cumulated value of qualifying services.

Submission Requirements

Electronic submission only via EU Funding & Tenders Portal (requires EU Login account and PIC registration). Use REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE FORM and Declaration on Honour on Exclusion/Selection (available at Annexes). Upload under correct tabs: form/declaration in Other documents, Honour in Declaration on Honour. All communications in English. Max 200 files, <50MB each, UTF-8, supported formats per system requirements. Sub-contracting allowed; short-listed candidates cannot subcontract to each other or change composition without authorisation.

Questions via Portal Q&A (min 21 days before deadline). Notifications via e-mail to contact provided. Primary opportunity page: EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Documents: Additional Information about Contract Notice, Request to Participate Form.

Additional Notes

• As of 30 June 2026, 2-factor authentication required for EU Login.
• Financial data in EUR using InforEuro rate of April 2026.
• Reference period for turnover/personnel: last 3 years; technical: last 5 years.

Footnotes

1. 1Estimated value from TED notice and portal; subject to appropriations.
2. 2PRAG available via EU external action resources.