Feasibility Study on Unified and interoperable system that will reinforce synergies in the context of eCommerce

This summary outlines a planned procurement opportunity issued by the European Commission for a feasibility study on creating a unified and interoperable system aimed at enhancing synergies within the realm of eCommerce. The opportunity is designated under the title "Feasibility Study on Unified and interoperable system that will reinforce synergies in the context of eCommerce." The contracting authority is the European Commission, specifically the Directorate-Generals DG CONNECT, DG GROW, and DG JUST.

The study focuses on assessing the integration and optimization of existing databases that track non-compliant products across various online marketplaces within the EU. The primary goal is to determine if existing fragmented systems can be merged or interconnected to improve enforcement, transparency, and policy evaluation capabilities across the EU. This involves considering the diverse regulatory and institutional contexts in which these systems currently operate.

The maximum budget allocated for this service contract is 142,000 EUR, and the duration of the project is set for six months. This opportunity falls within the planned negotiated procedure type, suggesting that selected candidates will be invited to submit comprehensive proposals after an initial expression of interest phase.

Eligible applicants are likely to be consultancy firms, research institutes, universities, or other organizations with expertise in evaluation, market surveillance, and data analysis, particularly in eCommerce. The procurement procedure does not specify consortium requirements, but collaboration could enhance expertise given the study's complexity.

The expression of interest will commence on August 18, 2025, with a submission deadline of September 8, 2025. Following this, the negotiated procedure is expected to launch on the same date. Interested parties must submit their expressions electronically, and further information may be available in a dedicated question-and-answer section provided by the contracting authority.

In summary, this opportunity represents a significant strategic initiative by the European Commission to explore the feasibility of improving cross-border enforcement and regulatory coherence in the eCommerce landscape through database integration. It invites expertise from organizations adept at navigating the complexities of EU regulatory frameworks and technological integration.

This is a pre-information notice, not a call for tenders. It announces the European Commission's intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure.

The procedure identifier is EC-CNECT/2025/MVP/0083-EXA.

The title of the planned call for tenders is "Feasibility Study on Unified and interoperable system that will reinforce synergies in the context of eCommerce".

The European Commission, specifically the Directorates-General DG CONNECT, DG GROW, and DG JUST, is seeking proposals for a feasibility study. The study aims at integrating and optimizing existing databases to enhance the detection and tracking of non-compliant products found on online marketplaces throughout the EU.

The European Union currently operates several databases that collect and disseminate information on non-compliant products across different regulatory and institutional contexts. These systems serve distinct but partially overlapping purposes. There is increasing interest in assessing whether more integrated or interoperable solutions could improve enforcement, transparency, and policy evaluation at EU level.

The feasibility study will assess the possibility of merging or linking these systems more closely. The goal is to reduce fragmentation, improve data accessibility, and enhance cooperation between market surveillance and customs authorities.

The duration of the contract is 6 months. The maximum amount allocated for this contract is 142,000 EUR. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is 142,000 EUR.

The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG CNECT Communications Networks, Content and Technology. The main classification (CPV) code is 79419000 Evaluation consultancy services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 6 months. There is no framework agreement.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-08-18 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 08/09/2025 05:59 Europe/Brussels. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-09-08 Europe/Brussels.

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

A question and answer section is available.

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

In summary, the European Commission is planning a negotiated procedure for a feasibility study related to integrating databases for tracking non-compliant products in the EU eCommerce market. The study aims to explore the potential of merging or linking existing EU databases to improve enforcement, transparency, and cooperation between market surveillance and customs authorities. The contract is valued at a maximum of 142,000 EUR and will last for 6 months. Interested parties can express their interest electronically, with a deadline in early September 2025. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched shortly after the expression of interest deadline. This pre-information notice serves to alert potential bidders about the upcoming opportunity.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity description does not explicitly state eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the feasibility study and the CPV code (79419000 - Evaluation consultancy services), it is highly likely that eligible applicants include consultancy firms, research institutes, universities, and other organizations with expertise in evaluation, data analysis, and market surveillance. The involvement of DG CONNECT, DG GROW, and DG JUST suggests that entities with experience in eCommerce, marketplace activities, and customs would be particularly well-suited.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is for services.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity description does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, given the complexity of integrating databases and the involvement of multiple Directorates-General, a consortium with diverse expertise might be advantageous.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity focuses on integrating databases to enhance the detection and tracking of non-compliant products found on online marketplaces throughout the EU. Therefore, the geographic eligibility is likely EU member states.

Target Sector: The program targets the eCommerce sector, specifically focusing on enhancing the detection and tracking of non-compliant products found on online marketplaces. It also touches upon market surveillance, customs activities, and data integration. The relevant sectors include ICT (specifically data management and interoperability), legal compliance, and potentially aspects of consumer protection.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union (EU).

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on a feasibility study. This implies an early stage of development, aiming to assess the viability of a unified and interoperable system before any actual implementation.

Funding Amount: The maximum amount for this contract is 142,000 EUR. The estimated total value is also 142,000 EUR. This falls into the €50k–€200k range.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. This means that after the expression of interest, the contracting authority will likely invite a select number of candidates to submit a full proposal.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a service contract payment upon successful completion of the feasibility study.

Application Stages: The application process appears to involve at least two stages: an expression of interest and a subsequent invitation to submit a full proposal for a negotiated procedure.

Success Rates: The success rates are not specified, but given that this is a negotiated procedure, the number of invited applicants will likely be limited, potentially leading to a higher success rate for those invited to the negotiation stage compared to open calls. However, the initial expression of interest phase might have a lower success rate in terms of being selected for the negotiation.

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

Summary:

This opportunity is a planned negotiated procurement procedure initiated by the European Commission, specifically DG CNECT, DG GROW, and DG JUST. It aims to commission a feasibility study on integrating and optimizing existing databases to enhance the detection and tracking of non-compliant products found on online marketplaces across the EU. The study will assess the feasibility of merging or linking these systems to reduce fragmentation, improve data accessibility, and enhance cooperation between market surveillance and customs authorities. The maximum contract amount is 142,000 EUR, and the contract duration is six months. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The process involves an initial expression of interest, followed by a negotiated procedure with selected candidates. The start date for expression of interest is 2025-08-18, and the deadline is 2025-09-08. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-09-08. This opportunity is relevant for consultancy firms, research institutes, and other organizations with expertise in evaluation, data analysis, eCommerce, market surveillance, and customs activities. The focus is on the European Union.