Framework contract for online ordering DNA/RNA related chemicals and chemicals and consumables for PCR/qPCR instruments manufactured by Life Technolog...

The European Commission DG JRC (JRC-Geel) has published open tender EC-JRC/GEE/2026/OP/0668 for a single-supplier framework contract to supply DNA/RNA-related chemicals, reagents and consumables compatible with Life Technologies PCR/qPCR instruments via an online ordering system. The framework ceiling is €370,000 for up to 48 months (initial 12 months with up to three automatic 12-month renewals) and the contract will be awarded to the lowest-priced compliant tenderer. Key requirements include an online ordering platform with rapid delivery (in-stock within three working days), compliance with REACH and related safety regulations, and submission of the completed Financial Offer Form (Annex 6) and supporting administrative and technical documents. Electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is mandatory, with questions due by 01/04/2026 23:59 and tenders due by 14/04/2026 16:00 (Europe/Brussels).

Opportunity at a glance

Essential facts

What it funds:framework contract for supply and online ordering of DNA/RNA related chemicals and consumables, including reagents and consumables compatible with Life Technologies PCR/qPCR instruments (catalogue + individual orders).

Who can apply:Any economic operator (sole tenderer) or group of economic operators (joint tender). Subcontracting permitted; tenderers may rely on other entities’ capacities. Participants must register in the EU Participant Register (PIC) and comply with exclusion, selection and restrictive measures rules.

Budget and duration:Estimated total value (ceiling) €370,000; maximum framework duration 48 months (initial term and automatic renewals as per draft contract).

1. 1Procedure: open procedure / framework agreement (no reopening of competition)
2. 2Award method: lowest price (price catalogue + discounts)
3. 3Submission method: electronic via eSubmission (F&T Portal)

Key dates and practical notes

1. 1Deadline(s) for receipt of tenders: 2026-04-14 16:00 Brussels time (primary) — system timestamp proof required
2. 2Public opening: 2026-04-16 10:00 Europe/Brussels
3. 3Cut-off for questions: contracting authority not bound to reply after 2026-04-01 23:59 Europe/Brussels

Submission requirements:upload technical offer (including public catalogue/pricelist) and completed Financial Offer Form (Annex 6). Identified subcontractors and commitment letters required where applicable. Tenderers must complete administrative forms (declaration on honour, power of attorney for joint tenders, etc.).

Delivery and invoicing:deliveries to JRC-Geel Central Store (DDP); in-stock items typically delivered within three working days; invoices to follow contract invoicing rules and VAT exemption provisions.

Evaluation and award:compliance with technical minimum requirements; award by lowest price on the basis of the provided price list and catalogue discounts.

How to access documents:full procurement documents and submission are via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Funding & Tenders Portal - tender page. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Procurement documents include Invitation to tender, Draft framework contract, Tender specifications (administrative and technical) and Financial Offer Form (Annex 6); consult the F&T portal for official files and submission instructions.

This is an open procurement procedure launched by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), site Geel, to conclude a single-supplier framework contract for the supply, via online ordering, of DNA/RNA-related chemicals and chemicals and consumables compatible with PCR/qPCR instruments manufactured by Life Technologies. The contract is awarded to the lowest price tender that meets all administrative, legal, technical and professional requirements. Deliveries are DDP to JRC-Geel, Belgium, with strict quality, safety, and service-level obligations.

Opportunity snapshot

Scope of supplies and technical content

The framework contract covers online ordering and supply of DNA/RNA-related chemicals and chemicals and consumables that are compatible with PCR/qPCR instruments manufactured by Life Technologies (Applied Biosystems/Invitrogen/QuantStudio ecosystem). The contractor must provide an accessible general catalogue and public price list and ensure that listed items and equivalent items are available, along with specified discounts. JRC-Geel may order both the items explicitly listed in the financial offer form and additional catalogue items covered by the agreed catalogue discount.

Illustrative product list (from the Financial Offer Form Annex 6):Examples include, but are not limited to: custom oligonucleotides at specified scales; TaqPath 1-Step RT-qPCR Master Mix, CG; TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix (with or without AmpErase UNG); PowerUp SYBR Green Master Mix; AmpliTaq Gold DNA Polymerase kits and buffers; Invitrogen Platinum SuperFi II PCR Master Mix; MicroAmp Optical 96-Well Reaction Plates (standard and Fast, with large-quantity brackets), MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film and 8-cap strips; Applied Biosystems QuantStudio spectral calibration and verification plates; Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA assay kits; dNTP mixes; carrier RNA; ultra-pure agarose; gel loading buffers and DNA ladders; RNA storage solutions; PureLink PCR purification kits; surface RNase decontamination sprays. Tenderers may propose equivalent products meeting compatibility and performance requirements. The financial form also captures freight/handling brackets and dry/wet ice costs per order.

Online ordering and data features:JRC-Geel will primarily place orders through the contractor’s online ordering system. Requirements include: registration of a limited set of authorised JRC users; provision of training or a user manual in English and Dutch; robust IT assistance, system reliability and backup; daily access for JRC to detailed order data (delivery dates, invoice info); fields to include the framework contract number and a free user ID field; fall-back to order forms by email when the system is unavailable; order acknowledgement within 3 working days. Delivery of in-stock items within 3 working days unless specific preparation is required (e.g., primers/probes). Availability and delivery times must be clearly confirmed; unacceptable delays may lead to cancellation by JRC-Geel.

Quality, regulatory and safety requirements:The contractor must comply with EU and relevant national regulations, including: REACH Regulation 1907/2006; Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC and Regulation 528/2012 for biocidal items; applicable risk labelling and provision of Material Safety Data Sheets; CE marking for equipment where legally required; clear performance information for protective equipment. Shipment of hazardous substances must follow applicable transport regulations. JRC may visit contractor premises to verify execution modalities and stock. Certificates of analysis must accompany products where purity or content is specified.

Contract structure and implementation

• Single framework contract with one contractor; no exclusivity rights for the contractor.
• Ordering via the contractor’s online system or, if impossible, via signed order forms (model provided).
• Order confirmation within 3 working days; repeated refusal or failure to return order forms can constitute breach.
• Deliveries to JRC-Geel Central Store within reception hours; Incoterms 2020 DDP.
• Prices based on public catalogue at order date plus fixed discounts offered in the winning tender; discounts cannot be reduced during contract; catalogue updates require prior approval and then take effect.
• No pre-financing or interim payments; payment within 30 days after receipt of invoice and approval; e-invoicing via the Portal or via PEPPOL preferred; VAT exemption applies per EU privileges and immunities and Belgian rules for JRC-Geel.
• Guarantees: performance and retention guarantees are not applicable to this FWC.
• Non-compliance remedies: liquidated damages for delay; price reduction for low quality or unperformed obligations; substitution by a third party at contractor’s expense if obligations are not met; termination grounds as per the general conditions.
• Checks and audits possible during the contract and up to 5 years after balance payment of the last specific contract.

Eligibility and evaluation

Eligible Applicant Types:Economic operators capable of supplying the specified chemicals and consumables with an online ordering platform. Typical applicant types include distributors and manufacturers of molecular biology reagents and Life Technologies-compatible PCR/qPCR consumables. Both SMEs and large enterprises may apply; joint tenders from groups of economic operators are allowed. Universities, research institutes, and nonprofits could participate if they can act as suppliers of record with required capacity, but the procurement is oriented to commercial suppliers. International organisations may participate if they meet access and capacity rules.

Funding Type:Procurement — supplies contract under a single-supplier framework agreement. The contractor receives payments for delivered goods against specific orders; this is not a grant, loan, subsidy or award.

Consortium Requirement:Single tenderers or joint tenders are permitted. In case of a joint tender, members are jointly and severally liable and must designate a group leader with power of attorney. Subcontracting is allowed; certain subcontractors must be identified with commitment letters.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Participation is open on equal terms to natural and legal persons within the scope of the EU Treaties and to international organisations. It is also open to persons established in GPA countries and in third countries having special agreements with the EU on public procurement and to third countries eligible for funding under Horizon Europe (including, when applicable at award time, associated countries). All involved entities must not be subject to EU restrictive measures. Subcontractors used to meet selection criteria must also respect access rules when applicable.

Target Sector:Biotech/medtech and laboratory supplies for molecular biology and diagnostics workflows: PCR/qPCR reagents and plastics; life science chemicals; consumables compatible with Life Technologies PCR/qPCR systems; laboratory quality and safety compliance.

Mentioned Countries:Belgium (delivery location JRC-Geel); Luxembourg (referenced via EC public holidays document for staff in Brussels/Luxembourg). Regionally: European Union.

Project Stage:Commercial supply and delivery. No research or development funding; readiness is typical for distributors/manufacturers with established product lines and logistics.

Funding Amount:Framework contract ceiling €370,000 across the full framework duration (up to 48 months). This ceiling is not a purchase commitment and may not be reached. Payments are per order for accepted deliveries.

Application Type:Open call for tenders; electronic submission only via eSubmission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. No other submission methods accepted. Apply via the opportunity page: Funding & Tenders Portal.

Nature of Support:Money — payments for supplies delivered to JRC-Geel under specific orders, subject to acceptance and invoicing rules.

Application Stages:Single submission and evaluation step in an open procedure: administrative and eligibility checks, exclusion checks, selection criteria verification, compliance with technical specifications, and award on the lowest price. Public opening session announces tenders received and total price.

Success Rates:No success rate is provided. Award is made to the lowest-priced compliant tenderer satisfying exclusion and selection criteria.

Co-funding Requirement:Not applicable. This is a procurement for supplies; the contractor is paid for deliveries. No match funding is requested.

Evaluation, selection and award

• Exclusion criteria: compliance via a signed Declaration on Honour; evidence may be requested from the presumed winner. Entities must not be subject to EU restrictive measures. The contracting authority may request data on beneficial owners and controlling persons.
• Legal and regulatory capacity: proof of enrolment in a relevant trade or professional register may be requested.
• Economic and financial capacity: average yearly turnover over the last two financial years must exceed €185,000 at tenderer level (consolidated across involved entities when applicable). Evidence (P&L and balance sheets or bank statements) can be requested.
• Technical and professional capacity: at least three similar supply projects (in scope and complexity) completed in the last three years. Evidence via a list including dates, values, scope, role and invoiced amounts; for ongoing projects only the completed portion counts.
• Award criterion: Price 100 percent; ranking by ascending total evaluated price as per the completed Financial Offer Form (Annex 6). Tenders that do not meet minimum requirements will be rejected. Abnormally low tenders may be investigated and rejected.

Submission package and templates

Mandatory forms and where to upload (eSubmission):Use the portal’s Parties and Tender Data sections as indicated in the Administrative Specifications Annex 1. Typical package content:

1. 1Declaration on Honour on exclusion and selection criteria for: sole tenderer; for joint tenders: each group member; for identified subcontractors; and for entities on whose capacity the tenderer relies (if not subcontractors, upload under the sole tenderer/group leader Other documents). Template: Declaration on Honour (Oct 2025) available in the portal documents.
2. 2Evidence that the signatory is authorised to represent each entity (e.g., appointment notice, registry extract, or power of attorney chain).
3. 3For joint tenders: Power of Attorney (model provided) signed by all group members appointing the leader; upload under the group leader.
4. 4List of identified subcontractors (model annex) indicating roles/tasks and proportion of subcontracted volume; upload under the tenderer’s Other documents.
5. 5Commitment letters: for identified subcontractors (Annex 5.1) and for entities on whose capacity is relied (Annex 5.2).
6. 6Technical tender: include the general catalogue and public price list at time of submission; detailed description of the online ordering solution addressing all mandatory features; data processing/storage location if outside the EU/EEA; compliance statement with technical specifications.
7. 7Financial tender: complete Annex 6 Financial Offer Form (Excel) in full, including: official list prices matching the catalogue; tenderer package sizes/references; gross and net prices; total lines; catalogue rebate; annual estimated additional costs for freight/handling in specified order-value brackets and dry/wet ice; encode the total amount as required in eSubmission (ensure it matches the uploaded form).

Technical tender structure guidance:Suggested sections: 1) Company profile and capacity summary; 2) Compliance cross-reference matrix to Technical Specifications Part 2; 3) Details of online ordering system (user management, training, availability, IT support, data export, audit trails, order acknowledgement workflows, daily access to order and invoice data, required form fields including contract number and free user ID); 4) Logistics and delivery performance (stock management, in-stock delivery within 3 working days, handling of made-to-order items, communication of availability, DDP delivery procedures, delivery documentation content); 5) Quality and regulatory compliance (REACH, BPR, SDS, CE, hazardous transport, certificates of analysis, sample-to-order consistency); 6) Customer support organisation (roles, response times, languages EN/NL); 7) Data protection and hosting (if outside EU/EEA, specify location and Chapter V compliance under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725); 8) Catalogue access description (public access without login, language availability EN or NL) and update process; 9) Subcontracting (if any) and reliance entities; 10) Risk and continuity (IT backups, supply chain continuity, substitution measures, recall procedures). Attach: public catalogue; price list; sample SDS; sample certificate of analysis; sample delivery note; sample invoice layout showing required fields; user manual or training outline for the web portal.

Performance, delivery, and invoicing

• Order acknowledgement within 3 working days; confirm product availability and delivery date; unacceptable delivery times can lead to cancellation.
• In-stock items: deliver within 3 working days unless special preparation is needed or a specific date is requested by JRC.
• Delivery documentation: include name of ordering JRC officer, contract number, product amounts, order reference, delivery reference.
• Invoices must map clearly to delivery documents, list prices, discounts, and include: ordering officer name; contract number; VAT exemption statement (Belgium or EU intra-community wording as applicable); product-level pricing and discounts; additional costs; order and delivery references; invoice reference. Electronic invoicing preferred via the portal or PEPPOL; include department code JRC.GEEL in buyer reference.
• Chemicals register: provide an electronic register (Excel-compatible) listing date/reference of order, ordering user ID, product name, nature (liquid/solid/gas), number and contents of packages, to support JRC’s VLAREM II art. 5.24.02 obligations.

Key legal, compliance and data protection notes

• Governing law: Union law complemented by Belgian law; jurisdiction: courts of Turnhout.
• Communication: through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; email/mail as fallback with rules on formal notifications.
• Confidentiality obligations apply; checks and audits possible by the Commission, European Court of Auditors, OLAF, and EPPO.
• Data protection: personal data processed under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725; if data are processed outside EU/EEA, Chapter V transfer rules must be respected. Contractors must notify any personal data breaches within 48 hours to the controller and assist in data subject rights and DPIAs as applicable.
• Conflict of interest and professional conflicting interests must be prevented, disclosed, and remedied as required.

Practical links and documents

• Tender page and eSubmission: Funding & Tenders Portal — Tender EC-JRC/GEE/2026/OP/0668
• Invitation to tender: available under Documents in the portal (explains submission rules, public opening, communications).
• Draft framework contract for supplies (FWC conditions of December 2024): outlines main, special and general conditions.
• Tender Specifications Part 1 — Administrative specifications and Annex 1 (List of documents): defines eligibility, selection, submission package, and evaluation.
• Tender Specifications Part 2 — Technical specifications: defines product scope, online ordering features, delivery SLAs, regulatory and safety requirements.
• Declaration on Honour template; Power of Attorney model; List of identified subcontractors; Commitment letters (subcontractor and reliance entity); Financial Offer Form (Annex 6).

Contact and submission support

• General tender Q&A: via the Questions & Answers section on the portal; create questions after EU Login and selecting your organisation.
• Administrative issues: JRC-GEEL-PROCUREMENT@ec.europa.eu (as indicated in the draft contract).
• Invoices: JRC-GEE-INVOICES@ec.europa.eu (if not e-invoicing via the portal/PEPPOL).
• Technical portal help: eSubmission Helpdesk and System Requirements page linked from the portal guidance.

Categorisation answers

Eligible Applicant Types:Suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers of molecular biology reagents and PCR/qPCR consumables; SMEs; large enterprises. Joint tenders from groups of economic operators are permitted. Universities/research institutes/nonprofits could apply if they can legally supply and meet capacity; international organisations may also participate if access rules are met.

Funding Type:Procurement — supplies framework contract (payments per order for delivered goods).

Consortium Requirement:Single tenderer or consortium (joint tender) allowed; subcontracting allowed.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU and entities with access under the Treaties; GPA countries; third countries with special agreements with the EU; third countries eligible under Horizon Europe. All involved entities must not be subject to EU restrictive measures. See Tender Specifications Section 2.2.

Target Sector:Biotech/medtech, laboratory supplies, molecular biology reagents, PCR/qPCR consumables, life science chemicals, laboratory plastics compatible with Life Technologies systems.

Mentioned Countries:Belgium; Luxembourg; Region: European Union.

Project Stage:Commercial supply and distribution (no R&D stage funding).

Funding Amount:€370,000 framework ceiling for up to 48 months; not a guaranteed spend.

Application Type:Open call via eSubmission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; single-deadline submission.

Nature of Support:Money — payment for deliveries accepted by the contracting authority.

Application Stages:One-stage submission and evaluation; award on lowest price subject to exclusion and selection compliance.

Success Rates:Not specified.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding requirement; standard procurement payment terms apply.

Timeline and milestones

How to prepare a competitive tender

1. 1Register or confirm your Participant Identification Code (PIC) in the Participant Register and set up EU Login and roles.
2. 2Download all documents from the portal, including Technical Specifications Part 2 and Annex 6 Financial Offer Form. Ensure your catalogue/list prices are consistent with Annex 6.
3. 3Complete the Financial Offer Form in full, including catalogue rebate and additional logistics cost brackets; ensure the eSubmission “Total amount” field matches the Annex 6 total.
4. 4Compile the Technical Tender covering the online ordering system features, delivery SLAs, quality/regulatory compliance, customer support, and data protection. Attach the public catalogue and price list (EN or NL), and sample documentation as evidence.
5. 5Prepare and sign all required forms: Declaration on Honour for each involved entity; Power of Attorney for joint tenders; List of identified subcontractors; relevant Commitment letters.
6. 6Submit via eSubmission well before the deadline. Large files must adhere to system limits (e.g., file size and count). Maintain consistency of entity names and PIC across all forms.
7. 7Optionally request to attend the virtual public opening session by emailing the JRC-Geel procurement mailbox before the deadline specified in the invitation.

Summary — what this opportunity is about

DG JRC intends to secure a single-supplier framework contract to reliably source DNA/RNA-related chemicals and PCR/qPCR consumables compatible with Life Technologies instrument ecosystems, via a robust online ordering platform. The scope includes widely used qPCR master mixes, enzyme kits, plates and seals, spectral calibration and verification plates for QuantStudio systems, custom oligos and reagents, plus general laboratory chemicals required for DNA/RNA workflows. The contractor must ensure fast in-stock deliveries (typically within three working days), consistent order acknowledgement and transparency on availability and delivery timelines, and full compliance with EU chemical safety and product labelling regulations. The framework ceiling is €370,000 over up to 48 months; the award is made solely on the basis of the lowest price among tenders that meet all legal, financial, technical and professional criteria. Submissions are fully electronic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, using standard EC templates for declarations, identified subcontractors, commitment letters, and the required Financial Offer Form. This procurement suits established suppliers and distributors in the molecular biology and laboratory consumables market who operate a compliant, reliable e-commerce platform, can maintain up-to-date public catalogues and price lists, and can support JRC-Geel’s operational and regulatory needs through dependable logistics, documentation, and customer support.

This is an open procedure tender (EC-JRC/GEE/2026/OP/0668) launched by the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Geel, Belgium, for a single framework contract to supply specialised chemicals and consumables via an online ordering system. The contract supports JRC-Geel's laboratory operations in biotechnology, food safety, and related research areas.

Key Opportunity Details

Procedure Type:Open procedure resulting in a single framework agreement without reopening of competition.

Estimated Total Value:€370,000 (maximum ceiling for all purchases over the contract duration).

Duration:Maximum 48 months, initial 12 months with automatic renewal up to three times for 12 months each unless notified otherwise at least 3 months prior.

Award Criteria:Lowest price (100% weight on total financial offer based on provided price list).

CPV Code:24950000 - Specialised chemical products (supplies).

Scope of Supplies

The framework covers online ordering of DNA/RNA related chemicals, reagents, and consumables specifically for PCR/qPCR instruments manufactured by Life Technologies (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific). A detailed list of minimum required products with estimated annual quantities is provided in the Financial Offer Form (Annex 6), including items such as TaqPath 1-Step RT-qPCR Master Mix, MicroAmp Optical plates, primers, dNTP mixes, and calibration plates. Additional catalogue items may be ordered.

• In-stock items: Delivery within 3 working days.
• Custom/prepared items (e.g., primers): As specified in order.
• All prices exclude VAT; EU institutions exempt under Protocol 7.
• Incoterms: DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to JRC-Geel Central Store, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium.
• Delivery hours: Mon-Thu 08:30-12:00 & 13:00-16:00; Fri 08:30-12:00 & 13:00-15:30.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Open to all natural/legal persons within EU Treaties scope, international organisations, and third-country entities under GPA or special agreements. No restrictive measures; must declare no exclusion situations (bankruptcy, fraud, etc.) via Declaration on Honour.

Selection Criteria (Minimum Levels)

• Legal/Regulatory: Enrolment in relevant trade register.
• Economic/Financial (consolidated): Average turnover last 2 years > €185,000.
• Technical/Professional (consolidated): At least 3 similar projects (scope/complexity) in last 3 years.
• No professional conflicting interests.

Joint tenders allowed (group leader acts as single contact); subcontracting permitted with prior approval for changes. PIC registration in Participant Register required.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Electronic submission only via EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Questions via Q&A section (login required). Currently open for submission.

Pricing and Financial Model

Tenders evaluated on total net price from Financial Offer Form (Annex 6), including unit prices, discounts, catalogue rebate, and tiered freight/handling/dry ice costs. Prices fixed based on catalogue at contract signature; updates require approval. No price revision except catalogue updates (not downward).

Key Pricing Elements:Gross unit prices, discounts (%), net prices, catalogue rebate, additional costs (e.g., freight under/over €250/500/1000, dry ice). Total estimated yearly amount basis for award.

Implementation and Ordering Process

1. 1Primary: Online ordering system (mandatory; description required in tender). Authorised JRC users with ID/password; English/Dutch instructions.
2. 2Backup: Email order forms (Annex III); confirmation within 3 working days.
3. 3Order Acknowledgement: Within 3 days, including availability, prices, delivery date.
4. 4Invoicing: Detailed, VAT-exempt; electronic preferred (F&T Portal/Peppol). Payment within 30 days of approval.
5. 5Quality: Certificates of analysis; REACH/BPR compliant; MSDS required.

Documents and Submission Requirements

• Declaration on Honour (exclusion/selection/restrictive measures).
• Power of Attorney (joints).
• List of identified subcontractors (>20% share or for selection criteria).
• Commitment letters (subcontractors/entities relied on).
• Technical Tender: Catalogue/pricelist, online system description.
• Financial Tender: Completed Annex 6.
• Evidence (upon request): Financials, project lists, legal docs.

13 documents available on portal, including Tender Specifications (Admin/Technical), Draft FWC, Financial Form. Full details at EU Funding & Tenders Portal. TED Notice: 47/2026 161777-2026.

Risks and Considerations for Applicants

• Must supply Life Technologies compatible products; equivalents allowed if specified.
• Online system reliability critical; backups required.
• Liquidated damages for delays (0.3% daily of order value).
• JRC site visits for quality/stock checks possible.
• Safety: REACH, Biocidal regs, transport hazardous goods.
• No variants; full compliance mandatory.

Ideal for distributors/resellers of Thermo Fisher/Life Technologies products with robust e-commerce, EU logistics, and lab supply experience. JRC-Geel focuses on food/feed compliance, biotech R&D.

Footnotes

1. 1All data from official EU Funding & Tenders Portal and TED notice. Dates in Europe/Brussels timezone. Verify portal for updates/Q&A.