Framework contract for the supply of actuators for the ELSA laboratory

This is a public procurement contract opportunity issued by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) for the supply of oleodynamic actuators to the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) located in Ispra, Italy. The contract falls under reference number EC-JRC/IPR/2025/OP/2703 and is published on the TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) under reference 144/2025, with a total estimated value of 1 million euros. The procurement process is categorized as an open procedure, allowing eligible companies to submit tenders electronically by the deadline of September 8, 2025, at 12:00:59 CET.

The contract is structured as a single lot and involves a framework agreement, which denotes that multiple specific contracts may be awarded over a duration of up to 48 months. This is primarily geared towards established manufacturers with the technical capability to meet the specific requirements for research-grade oleodynamic actuators, which will be utilized in testing the structural performance of full-scale structures under seismic conditions.

Eligible applicants may include large enterprises and potentially SMEs, although the absence of a dedicated SME indicator suggests that the complexity and scale of the required technology may favor larger, specialized firms. The procurement does not require co-funding, and participants must possess a valid Personal Identification Code (PIC) to apply, either as sole suppliers or as part of a consortium.

The technical specifications are available in the tender documents, which include technical requirements, contract drafts, a financial offer form, and annexes detailing customs processes for goods delivered to the JRC. The evaluation of submitted tenders will focus on compliance with specified requirements, with the contract awarded based on the lowest price.

The opportunity is strategically valuable for companies in the manufacturing sector related to hydraulic systems and advanced machinery, with the actuation technology being critical for the ELSA facility's research activities, particularly in civil and earthquake engineering. Overall, this represents a significant procurement opportunity aimed at enhancing the capabilities of a prestigious research infrastructure.

This is a call for tenders, reference number EC-JRC/IPR/2025/OP/2703, for a framework contract for the supply of actuators for the ELSA laboratory. The TED reference is 144/2025 496824-2025. The European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre is the lead contracting authority.

The framework contract is for the purchase of a set of actuators for the ELSA laboratory. ELSA (European Laboratory for Structural Assessment) is a research infrastructure belonging to the European Commission (EC) – Directorate JRC and managed by the Unit E.3 “Built Environment”. This research infrastructure features a Reaction Wall (RW) facility allowing experimental investigation on the structural performances of real-scale structures, with particular attention to their seismic response. Tests are executed loading the specimens imposing forces or displacements applied using oleodynamic actuators.

The procedure type is an open procedure. The estimated total value is 1,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 30/07/2025. The main classification (CPV) code is 31131100 - Actuators. The nature of the contract is supplies. The maximum contract duration is 48 months. The award method is lowest price. It is a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

Milestones:
TED publication date: 30/07/2025
Date and time of public opening: 09/09/2025 10:00 Europe/Rome
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 08/09/2025 12:00 Europe/Rome
Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after: 02/09/2025 05:00 Europe/Rome

The submission method is electronic. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given on the website.

The available documents are:
EN01. -Invitation to tender Invitation letter Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN02. Draft contract Draft contract Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN03. Draft Contract - Part III Draft contract annex Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN04. Tender specification Part 1 EC-JRCIPR2025OP2703 FWC actuators Tender specifications Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN05. Declaration-of-honour-tenders FWC actuators EC-JRCIPR2025OP2703 Declaration on honour (tender) Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN06. Annex I Part 2 OleodynamicActuators TechnicalSpecification v5 Technical specifications Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN07. Annex II - Financial offer form Financial offer form Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN08. Annex III Specific contract Draft contract annex Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN09 Annex IV - Acceptance form Draft contract annex Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN10. Annex V Procedure to introduce goods through the customs at JRC (Ispra) Draft contract annex Published on 30/07/2025 Version 1 No translations available
EN11. Annex VI - Model Response to Exclusion Criteria
EN12. ESPD Exchange XML file
EN13. ESPD Guidance for Economic Operators
EN14. List of Subcontractors

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This tender is for the supply of actuators to the ELSA laboratory, a research facility of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. The ELSA lab uses these actuators to test the structural integrity of real-scale structures, particularly their resistance to seismic activity. The contract is a framework agreement, meaning that it establishes the terms for future purchases of actuators over a 48-month period. Tenderers must submit their bids electronically by September 8, 2025. The contract will be awarded based on the lowest price. A key requirement for participation is having a valid Personal Identification Code (PIC). The eSubmission system, used for submitting tenders, supports various file types and encrypts all uploaded documents for security.

Eligible Applicant Types: The provided text does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. However, given that it is a call for tenders for the supply of actuators, it can be inferred that eligible applicants are likely businesses, including SMEs and large enterprises, capable of supplying the required equipment.

Funding Type: Procurement. This is a call for tenders, which indicates a procurement process where the contracting authority (European Commission, DG JRC) is purchasing supplies (actuators).

Consortium Requirement: The text mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate in a call for tenders as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). This suggests that both single applicants and consortia are eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The text does not explicitly define geographic eligibility. However, given that it is a European Commission tender, it is highly likely that the eligibility extends to companies registered in the EU and potentially EEA countries. Further details would be available in the tender documents.

Target Sector: This program targets the supply of actuators, specifically oleodynamic actuators, for a structural assessment laboratory. Therefore, the target sector is manufacturing and engineering, specifically related to actuators and hydraulic systems, and potentially construction/civil engineering given the application in structural assessment.

Mentioned Countries: The text mentions Ispra, which is a town in Italy. Therefore, Italy is explicitly mentioned. The European Commission is the lead contracting authority, so the EU is also relevant.

Project Stage: The project stage is procurement of existing technology. The tender is for the supply of actuators, implying that the technology is already developed and available for purchase.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the framework agreement is 1,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: Open call. The text refers to an "open procedure" and "open for submission," indicating an open call for tenders.

Nature of Support: Non-monetary services. The beneficiaries will receive a service contract for supplying actuators.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it would typically involve at least two stages: submission of the tender and evaluation of the tender. Further stages might involve contract negotiation and 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. As a procurement contract, co-funding is unlikely.

Summary: This is a call for tenders issued by the European Commission, DG JRC (Joint Research Centre), for the supply of actuators, specifically oleodynamic actuators, to be used in the ELSA (European Laboratory for Structural Assessment) laboratory in Ispra, Italy. The ELSA laboratory is a research infrastructure focused on structural assessment, particularly seismic response. The estimated total value of the framework agreement is 1,000,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 48 months. The procedure type is an open procedure, meaning any eligible company can submit a tender. The award method is based on the lowest price. The deadline for receipt of tenders is September 8, 2025. Submissions must be electronic. The tender documents include an invitation letter, draft contract, technical specifications, financial offer form, and other annexes related to the contract and customs procedures. A Participant Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation, whether as a single tenderer or as part of a consortium. The eSubmission system supports various file types and has specific requirements for attachment sizes and naming conventions. The system also supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the confidentiality of the information.