High-level advice and consultancy services (HACS)

The European Commission, through DG DIGIT, has announced a call for tenders (EC-DIGIT/2025/OP/0007) aimed at establishing multiple framework contracts for high-level advisory and consultancy services in the information and communication technology sector. This initiative seeks to replace existing contracts under the previous BEACON program, specifically targeting advisory and consultancy services related to IT. The expected total budget for this opportunity is approximately 243.3 million EUR, with a contract duration of up to 48 months.

The tender is open to organizations that are qualified to provide high-level ICT advisory services, specifically excluding small and medium-sized enterprises as indicated by the `smeSuitableIndicator`, which is marked as false. Eligible applicants may include large enterprises, specialized consultancies, and entities registered with a Personal Identification Code (PIC); both single applicants and consortia are allowed to apply.

This is classified as a procurement contract for services, which means it is not a conventional grant. The evaluation of bids will focus on the lowest price, and the opportunity emphasizes a competitive tendering process. Geographic eligibility appears to include all EU member states, based on the common practices of EU public procurement, although no specific countries are detailed in the documentation.

Key features include the substantial funding amount, open electronic submission invitations by September 8, 2025, and a clear emphasis on maintaining continuity in essential services previously offered under the BEACON framework. There are no explicit co-funding requirements mentioned, and the procurement structure suggests that participating organizations will receive monetary compensation solely for the services rendered.

The tender documents also outline required submission materials, including comprehensive specifications and confirmation of qualifications. Interested parties should note that they will need to ensure compliance with the outlined requirements and respond electronically. Failure to adhere to submission guidelines or deadlines will jeopardize participation in the tender process.

Overall, the call reflects a commitment to securing high-quality ICT consultancy services at competitive rates while supporting the European Commission's goals for digital transformation and operational efficiency within EU institutions.

The European Commission, DG DIGIT - Digital Services, has published a call for tenders, EC-DIGIT/2025/OP/0007, for High-level advice and consultancy services (HACS). The TED reference for this call is 136/2025 470379-2025. This is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic.

The main objective of this call is to establish multiple framework contracts (FWCs) for the provision of advisory and consultancy services, including high-level consultancy and studies. This aims to ensure business continuity following the expiration of framework contracts under Lot 2 of ‘BEACON - Benchmarking, Advisory and Consultancy Services in Information and Communication Technology', which resulted from the DIGIT/2020/OP/0005 call for tenders published in 2021.

The HACS procedure primarily replaces BEACON lot 2, where most services were ordered. Although BEACON lot 1 is not being replaced as a separate lot, the technical scope of services previously under BEACON lot 1 will be covered by this new procedure. Therefore, the HACS procedure is not divided into lots.

The estimated total value of this tender is 243,317,267 EUR. The TED publication date is 18/07/2025. The main classification (CPV) code is 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support. The nature of the contract is for services, with a maximum contract duration of 48 months. The award method will be based on the lowest price. The framework agreement involves reopening of competition.

Key milestones include:
TED publication date: 18/07/2025
Date and time of public opening: 08/09/2025 14:00 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 08/09/2025 12:00 Europe/Brussels
Deadline after which the Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions: 29/08/2025 05:00 Europe/Brussels

There are 23 documents available for download related to this tender:
EN0. Invitation to tender (HACS) Invitation letter, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.0. Tender specifications (HACS) Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.1. Annex 1 to TS - List of documents Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.2. Annex 2 - Declaration on Honour Declaration on honour (tender), published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.3. Annex 3 - Agreement & PoA template Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.4. Annex 4 - List of subcontractors-reliance entities- sub-processors Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.5.1. Annex 5.1 - Commitment letter subcontractor Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.5.2. Annex 5.2 - Commitment letter entitiy relied upon Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.6.1. Annex 6.1 - Financial Model template Financial offer form, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.
EN1.6.2. Annex 6.2 - Case study Tender specifications, published on 18/07/2025, Version 1, no translations available.

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

Some frequently asked questions (FAQ) and their answers are available:
How to proceed if the system is slow or doesn’t work while uploading/downloading documents? Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If the issue persists, clear the cache and cookies.
Which Internet browsers does eSubmission support? Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Refer to the System Requirements link for up-to-date technical recommendations.
Is it possible to view the details of the submission after the deadline? No, the content is not accessible after the deadline due to system encryption.
Where can I find my submissions in Manage My Area, in the Funding & Tenders portal? Submissions can be found in ‘My Submission(s)’.
Which size should attachments have? Attachments should be less than 50 MB.
How should I name attachments in eSubmission? Follow the System Requirements for naming attachments.
Can I submit a video in eSubmission? Which formats are supported? Check the System Requirements.
I received an invitation from the F&T Portal but cannot view the procurement documents. Select an organisation in the F&T Portal under “My Invitations”.
Do I need to validate my PIC in order to submit a tender in eSubmission? Yes, a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory.
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How many attachments can I upload per submission? The system allows a maximum of 200 files per tender.
Why do tenderers need a PIC? A PIC is mandatory to submit a tender or a request to participate.
How do I register my organisation and get a Participant Identification Code (PIC)? Check if the organisation is already registered using the Search PIC tool.
What is the validity period of a PIC? A PIC is unique and its validity is not limited in time.
How many languages does the system support? The system supports all 24 official EU languages.
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Which file types does the system support? The supported file types depend on the type of submission; refer to the system requirements.
Can I view and edit my draft submission? Yes, until the submission deadline.
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I sent my submission on time and a few days later, I received an automatic email informing me that the deadline for the reception of submissions had been reached. Does this mean that my submission was not correctly sent? No, this is an auto-generated notification.

In summary, this tender is an invitation by the European Commission, DG DIGIT, for companies to bid on providing high-level advisory and consultancy services in the IT sector. The goal is to establish multiple framework contracts to ensure continuity of services previously covered under the BEACON project. The tender is open, meaning any eligible company can apply, and the selection will be based on the lowest price offered. The tender documents provide detailed specifications of the required services, the application process, and the criteria for evaluation. Interested parties should carefully review all documents and FAQs to prepare a compliant and competitive bid. A key requirement is the electronic submission of all tender documents before the deadline. A PIC code is mandatory for participation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of the tender, it is likely open to organizations capable of providing high-level advice and consultancy services in IT. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, consulting firms, research institutes, and other entities with relevant expertise. The requirement for a PIC (Personal Identification Code) suggests that registered organizations are the target applicants. Subcontractors and entities relied upon are also mentioned, indicating that various types of organizations can be involved.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is procurement, specifically a service contract. The call is for tenders, and the nature of the contract is explicitly stated as "services." The award method is "lowest price," indicating a procurement process. Multiple Framework Contracts (FWCs) will be awarded.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity mentions "sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium)," indicating that both single applicants and consortia are eligible. Annex 4 requires a list of subcontractors, reliance entities, and sub-processors, further supporting the possibility of consortium applications.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but given that it is an EU funding opportunity managed by the European Commission, it is highly likely that the primary target is EU-based organizations. The system supports all 24 official EU languages, which further suggests a focus on EU member states.

Target Sector: The program targets the IT sector, specifically focusing on advisory and consultancy services. The main classification (CPV) code is 72000000, which corresponds to "IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support." The description mentions "Benchmarking, Advisory and Consultancy Services in Information and Communication Technology," further emphasizing the focus on the IT sector.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The focus is on the EU, as indicated by the support for 24 official EU languages and the managing authority being the European Commission.

Project Stage: The project stage is for the provision of services, specifically advisory and consultancy services. This suggests that the projects are at the implementation or service delivery stage, rather than research, development, or early-stage innovation. The aim is to ensure business continuity by replacing existing framework contracts.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the procedure is 243,317,267 EUR. This is the overall budget for the framework contracts, not the funding amount for individual projects. The actual funding amount for individual contracts awarded under the framework agreements will likely vary.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders. The submission method is electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing services. The contract is for "services," and the award method is "lowest price," indicating that the selected tenderers will be paid for their services.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it involves at least one stage of submitting a tender. The selection criteria are mentioned, suggesting an evaluation process. The process includes the submission of various documents, including an invitation letter, tender specifications, declaration on honor, agreement and PoA template, list of subcontractors, commitment letters, a financial model template, and a case study.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly stated.

Summary:

This is an open call for tenders issued by the European Commission, DG DIGIT, for the provision of high-level advisory and consultancy services in the IT sector. The call aims to establish multiple framework contracts (FWCs) to ensure business continuity after the expiration of existing contracts under the BEACON program. The total estimated value of the procedure is 243,317,267 EUR. The call is open to both single applicants and consortia, and submissions must be made electronically. The deadline for receipt of tenders is September 8, 2025. The main CPV code is 72000000, indicating a focus on IT services, including consulting, software development, Internet, and support. Tenderers must submit a comprehensive set of documents, including technical specifications, financial offers, and commitment letters from subcontractors. The award will be based on the lowest price. The maximum contract duration is 48 months. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation. The eSubmission system supports various file types and has specific requirements for naming attachments. The system also supports all 24 official EU languages.