Hydrogen Generation Demonstration Facility

Open tender EC-ENEST/BEG/2026/EA-OP/0022 for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a hydrogen generation demonstration facility at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Belgrade, Serbia, financed under IPA III. The contract is divided into two lots covering Lot 1 electrolytic hydrogen production systems (10 kW to 2 MW with balance of plant and controls) and Lot 2 high-pressure hydrogen storage and associated equipment (working pressure at least 150 bar). Tenders must be submitted in English electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 15 May 2026 and will be awarded by lowest compliant price; Lot 1 requires a tender guarantee and both lots require performance guarantees. Eligibility follows IPA III rules and allows entities established in EU Member States and other eligible countries, consortia and subcontracting, with specified financial and technical selection thresholds per lot.

What is funded

Scope

Supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a hydrogen demonstration facility for research and demonstration at the Vinča Institute (Belgrade, Serbia). The contract is divided into two lots: Lot 1 electrolytic hydrogen production system; Lot 2 hydrogen storage system and associated equipment. Award by lowest price.

Financing / Contracting authority:Funded under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). Lead contracting authority: European Commission, DG Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (ENEST) Tender details ¹.

1. 1Lot 1: Supply of electrolytic hydrogen production system (delivery DDP, install, commission)
2. 2Lot 2: Hydrogen storage system and associated equipment compatible with Lot 1

Who can apply

Open procedure. Eligible applicants:natural persons and legal entities established in EU Member States, eligible IPA countries and other eligible territories as set out under IPA III; international and regional organisations may also participate. Consortia allowed (joint and several liability). Subcontracting permitted.

Key selection and capacity thresholds

Important practical details

1. 1Deadline for receipt of tenders: 15 May 2026, 10:00 Europe/Belgrade (public opening 15 May 2026 10:30)
2. 2Maximum contract duration: 730 days from Commencement Order
3. 3Language of procedure: English
4. 4Award criterion: lowest price; lifecycle costs may be considered if specified in technical specs

Tender documentation (letter of invitation, tender specifications, additional information) published on the F&T Portal. Submission exclusively via eSubmission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Lot-specific tender guarantee: Lot €1 5,500; Lot 2 no tender guarantee required.

Footnotes

1. 1Full tender dossier and official notice available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu (procedure EC-ENEST/BEG/2026/EA-OP/0022).

This is an open procurement procedure financed under IPA III for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, and handover of a hydrogen generation demonstration facility for research and demonstration at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia. The contract is divided into two lots and will be awarded on the basis of the lowest price among compliant tenders. The legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III). All written communications and submissions are in English, and tenders must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Official portal entry and documents:Call page and eSubmission: EU Funding & Tenders Portal — EC-ENEST/BEG/2026/EA-OP/0022. Key documents: Letter of invitation (V1), Additional information to the contract notice (V1), Tender specifications packet (TD EC-ENESTBEG2026EA-OP0022) available from the call page. Practical Guide to Contract Procedures (ePRAG): ePRAG.

Scope and Lots

Subject:Supply of the hydrogen demonstration facility for research and demonstration purposes, including all associated equipment and services necessary for proper, safe, and functional operation. Delivery terms are DDP, with installation and commissioning at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia.

• Lot 1 — Supply of the electrolytic hydrogen production system
• Lot 2 — Hydrogen storage system and associated equipment, compatible with the hydrogen production system under Lot 1

Each lot will form a separate contract, but if one tenderer is awarded multiple lots, a single contract may be concluded covering the awarded lots.

Key Procedural Details

Eligibility and Participation

Legal basis and nationality rules:Participation is open to natural persons who are nationals of, and legal persons that are effectively established in, a Member State of the European Union or in an eligible country or territory as defined under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 (IPA III). Participation is also open to international and regional organisations. All supplies under this contract may originate in any country. A single tender per lot is allowed. Consortia are permitted; all members are jointly and severally liable. Subcontracting is allowed; the tenderer and any capacity-providing entities relied upon for financial capacity are jointly liable for contract performance.

Selection Criteria by Lot

Lot 1 — Electrolytic hydrogen production system:Economic and financial capacity: Average annual turnover not less than €412,500 over the last 3 closed financial years. Professional capacity: On average at least 2 personnel in the current and previous two years with specialist knowledge relevant to this contract; no professional conflicting interests as per Declaration on Honour. Technical capacity: At least 1 reference contract for supply and installation of water electrolysis systems for hydrogen production, including balance of plant and control systems, with electrical input power 10 kW to 2 MW, implemented at any time during the last 4 years before the submission deadline, with the value of supplies completed not less than €220,000. Evidence may include approvals, proof of payment, or client certificates; for consortium references, the candidate’s completed share must be clear.

Lot 2 — Hydrogen storage system and associated equipment:Economic and financial capacity: Average annual turnover not less than €37,500 over the last 3 closed financial years. Professional capacity: On average at least 2 personnel in the current and previous two years with specialist knowledge relevant to this contract; no professional conflicting interests as per Declaration on Honour. Technical capacity: At least 1 reference contract for supply of high-pressure storage or distribution systems for flammable or industrial gases with working pressure at least 150 bar, implemented at any time during the last 4 years before the submission deadline, with the value of supplies completed not less than €20,000. Evidence requirements analogous to Lot 1.

When applying for both lots, the tenderer must cumulatively meet the turnover threshold equal to the sum required per each lot, and must meet professional and technical capacity criteria separately for each lot.

Contract Management, Guarantees, and Payments

• Delivery terms: DDP Incoterms 2020, including delivery, unloading, installation, commissioning at the Vinča Institute
• Warranty, after-sales, spares/consumables, training, operation and maintenance manuals must be provided as per Technical Specifications and General Conditions (e.g., Articles 29–34)
• Performance guarantee: 7% of contract amount, to be provided upon countersigning the contract; released within 60 days after Final Acceptance (except amounts linked to after-sales obligations)
• Tender guarantee: Required for Lot 1 only, €5,500; validity extends 45 days beyond tender validity; to be provided in the specified form; not required for Lot 2
• Pre-financing: 40% upon contract signature against performance guarantee and a pre-financing guarantee for the full pre-financing amount (waiver possible for public bodies after risk assessment). Balance: 60% upon submission of invoice and application for Provisional Acceptance; partial acceptance proportionally paid when applicable
• Price basis: Unit-price contract; the contracting authority may vary quantities per lot/item by up to 100% with an overall cap of ±10% of total contract price, applying unit prices
• Liquidated damages: 0.5% per day (5/1000) on the value of undelivered supplies, capped at 15% of total contract price; may trigger seizure of the performance guarantee and termination if cap is reached
• Origin of goods: Unrestricted under IPA III for this action; statement of origin required
• Taxes and customs: EU–Serbia Financial Framework Partnership Agreement foresees tax exemptions per Article 28; tenders are in EUR, prices quoted excluding taxes; Contracting Authority is tax-exempt
• Language: English; translations may be recommended to facilitate evaluation
• Validity: Tenders bound for 90 days from the submission deadline; possible extension by 40 days upon request

Technical and Delivery Expectations

• Supply, installation, commissioning, training, and handover of a complete hydrogen demonstration facility comprising an electrolytic hydrogen generation system (Lot 1) and compatible hydrogen storage and associated equipment (Lot 2)
• Compliance with all safety, environmental, and operational standards applicable to water electrolysis, electrical systems, process controls, and high-pressure hydrogen storage/distribution at or above 150 bar
• Provision of balance of plant, control systems, and integration necessary for safe and functional operation of the demonstration facility
• Operation and maintenance manuals, spare parts and consumables list, and after-sales service organization plan
• Training plan specifying content, duration, number of trainees, and training materials
• Quality, inspection, and testing as per General Conditions (e.g., factory acceptance or on-site verification; the Project Manager may inspect manufacturing and testing)

Submission Requirements and Templates

Tenders must be submitted exclusively via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using eSubmission. All entities participating, including each consortium member, must have a Participant Identification Code (PIC). The Declaration on Honour must be provided for the tenderer, each consortium member, identified subcontractors, and any capacity-providing entities. A tender guarantee is required for Lot 1. The original signed tender guarantee must be physically delivered to the EU Delegation in Serbia, with a scanned copy uploaded; if signed with a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), the QES original may be uploaded in eSubmission. The contracting authority may request supporting documents at any time during the procedure.

Evaluation and Award

• Administrative conformity check
• Technical compliance assessment against mandatory requirements and selection criteria satisfaction
• Financial evaluation and correction of arithmetical errors; award to the lowest-priced compliant tender per lot
• Variants are not permitted
• Contracting authority may request clarifications in writing without altering price or substance of tenders

Categorisation and Structured Information

Eligible Applicant Types:Economic operators established in eligible countries: SMEs, large enterprises, manufacturers, system integrators, engineering and equipment suppliers, distributors, consortia of such entities; international and regional organisations. Universities and research institutes may participate if they qualify as economic operators and meet selection criteria. Nonprofits and NGOs may participate if established as legal persons carrying out the supply contract and meeting criteria. Public bodies may participate and provide equivalent financial information.

Funding Type:Procurement — supplies contract financed by IPA III. This is not a grant; the winning tenderer(s) will receive contract payments for delivered supplies and services as per the contract.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium is optional. Single tenderers or consortia may participate. If a consortium is formed, all members are jointly and severally liable and must each submit the required declarations.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Nationals and entities effectively established in EU Member States or other eligible countries or territories under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 (IPA III) may participate. International and regional organisations are eligible. The place of delivery/performance is Serbia.

Target Sector:Energy, hydrogen, cleantech, industrial equipment, research infrastructure, process control and instrumentation, high-pressure gas storage and distribution. CPV 31720000 Electromechanical equipment.

Mentioned Countries:Republic of Serbia; European Union Member States referenced via eligibility. Place of delivery is Serbia; contracting authority acts on behalf and for the account of the Republic of Serbia under IPA III.

Project Stage:Implementation and demonstration: commercial supply, installation, commissioning, verification, training, and handover. Not an R&D funding action; it procures proven electrolysis and high-pressure storage technologies for a demonstration facility.

Funding Amount:Estimated total value is not stated in the public summary. Contract value per lot will be determined by the lowest-priced compliant offer. Payment structure: 40% pre-financing against guarantees; 60% at provisional acceptance. Duration up to 730 days.

Application Type:Open call for tenders with electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. One-stage procedure with public opening and subsequent evaluation.

Nature of Support:Money: Contract payments for supplies and related services. Non-financial support is not foreseen beyond standard contract management.

Application Stages:1 stage: Single submission and evaluation step. Process includes administrative check, technical compliance, and financial evaluation; award by lowest price.

Success Rates:No success rate data is provided for this procurement. Award is price-driven among technically compliant tenders.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding by the tenderer is required. However, financial guarantees are mandatory: tender guarantee for Lot 1; performance guarantee for awarded contracts; pre-financing guarantee for the pre-financing payment unless waived for public bodies.

Templates and Application Structure:Follow the tender dossier structure and upload instructions. Core components: 1) Technical Offer (Annex II+III): detailed compliance matrix against Technical Specifications; list of spares and consumables; organization of warranty and after-sales services; training proposal with content, duration, trainees, and materials; quality, testing, and commissioning plans; delivery, installation, and commissioning schedule; manuals deliverables plan. 2) Financial Offer (Annex IV): DDP-based budget breakdown; unit prices; exclusions of taxes; life-cycle cost elements if requested. 3) Administrative and Declarations: Tender form (Annex C4l); Declaration on Honour on exclusion and selection criteria (Annex A14a) for all required entities; evidence of duly authorized signature; copy of tender guarantee (Lot 1); description of commercial warranty conditions and statement of origin; any other documents required by the tender dossier. Observance of the upload locations in eSubmission is mandatory; misplacement can lead to rejection.

Compliance, Ethics, and Other Conditions

• Eligibility, exclusion, and restrictive measures per ePRAG; Declarations on Honour are mandatory for tenderer, consortium members, subcontractors, and capacity-providing entities
• Environmental, labour, and EU values obligations, including ILO core labour standards and relevant multilateral environmental agreements
• Anti-corruption and anti-bribery compliance; zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment
• Record-keeping for 5 years after final payment; audit and verification rights by EU bodies
• Confidentiality and visibility obligations for EU funding
• Dispute resolution and applicable law per General Conditions

Practical Notes for Tenderers

• PIC registration is mandatory; use the Participant Register via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal
• Tenders must be submitted before 15/05/2026 10:00 Europe/Belgrade; late submissions are rejected automatically by the system
• Q&A is handled via the call page; the contracting authority is not bound to respond to questions submitted after 24/04/2026 23:59 Europe/Belgrade
• Tender validity is 90 days; plan for potential 40-day extension request
• Ensure the eSubmission total equals the uploaded Financial Offer; in case of discrepancies, the uploaded Financial Offer prevails
• Public opening attendance requires prior email request to the EU Delegation in Serbia; remote instructions may be provided by email
• No variants are allowed; tender exactly to the specified technical requirements

Opportunity Summary

This procurement seeks to establish a hydrogen generation demonstration facility at Serbia’s Vinča Institute, funded by the EU under IPA III to accelerate the Green Agenda in Serbia. Lot 1 covers the electrolytic hydrogen production system, including balance of plant and controls, while Lot 2 covers compatible hydrogen storage and associated equipment suitable for high-pressure operation. Tenderers must deliver DDP to Belgrade, install, commission, provide training, manuals, and after-sales support, and ensure full compliance with safety and technical standards for electrolysis and high-pressure hydrogen systems. Participation is open to economic operators established in EU Member States and other IPA III eligible countries, as well as international and regional organisations; supplies may originate in any country. The procedure is a single-stage, open call awarded by lowest price among tenders that meet eligibility, selection, and technical compliance criteria. Financial robustness and relevant technical references are required: Lot 1 demands a track record in water electrolysis systems of 10 kW to 2 MW with minimum completed supply value €220,000; Lot 2 requires a track record in high-pressure gas storage or distribution at least 150 bar with minimum completed supply value €20,000. Contract duration is up to 730 days to Provisional Acceptance, with pre-financing against guarantees and balance on acceptance. Tenders must be in English and submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by the stated deadline.

This is an open tender procedure (EC-ENEST/BEG/2026/EA-OP/0022) for the supply of a hydrogen demonstration facility for research and demonstration purposes at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Belgrade, Serbia. The facility includes all associated equipment and services for proper, safe and functional operation. The tender is divided into two lots and financed under IPA III.

Programme and Objectives

Funded under IPA 2022/ACT-60876 EU support to speed up the implementation of the Green Agenda in Serbia (Financing agreement: IPA 2022/JAD.998125). The project supports Serbia's hydrogen strategy and green transition, aligning with EU standards for pre-accession assistance. Delivery place: Serbia (Vinča Institute).

Lots and Scope

• Lot 1: Supply of the electrolytic hydrogen production system (water electrolysis systems for hydrogen production, including balance of plant and control systems, electrical input power 10 kW to 2 MW).
• Lot 2: Hydrogen storage system and associated equipment (high-pressure storage or distribution systems for flammable or industrial gases, working pressure at least 150 bar).

Tenderers may bid on one lot, several lots or both. Contracts awarded lot by lot; single contract possible if multiple lots awarded to same tenderer. Supplies delivered DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) Incoterms 2020 to Vinča Institute, including installation and commissioning.

Key Dates and Duration

• TED publication: 16/03/2026
• Deadline for questions: 24/04/2026 23:59 Europe/Belgrade ¹
• Tender submission deadline: 15/05/2026 10:00 Europe/Belgrade
• Public opening: 15/05/2026 10:30 Europe/Belgrade
• Provisional contract start: July 2026
• Maximum duration per lot: 730 days from Commencement Order to provisional acceptance

Eligibility and Participation

Open to natural persons nationals of, and legal persons established in EU Member States or eligible countries/territories under IPA III Article 11. International/regional organisations eligible. Consortia allowed (jointly and severally liable). One tender per person per lot. Subcontracting permitted. All supplies may originate from any country.

Selection Criteria

Lot 1

• Economic/financial: Average annual turnover last 3 years >= €412,500.
• Professional: Average at least 2 personnel in last 3 years in relevant specialist areas; no conflicting interests.
• Technical: At least 1 supply contract in last 4 years, value >= €220,000, in water electrolysis systems (10 kW-2 MW).

Lot 2

• Economic/financial: Average annual turnover last 3 years >= €37,500.
• Professional: Average at least 2 personnel in last 3 years in relevant specialist areas; no conflicting interests.
• Technical: At least 1 supply contract in last 4 years, value >= €20,000, in high-pressure gas storage/distribution (>=150 bar).

For both lots:Criteria applied to consortium as whole (except professional criterion 1, fulfilled separately per lot). Capacity from other entities allowed if committed and eligible. No prior breach/termination references. Evidence on request.

Award Criteria and Procedure

Award to lowest price (compliant tender). Unit price contract. Electronic submission via EU Funding & Tenders Portal. English language required. Tender guarantee: €5,500 for Lot 1 (valid 45 days beyond tender validity). Performance guarantee: 7% of contract value.

Submission and Documents

1. 1Register in Participant Register for PIC.
2. 2Technical offer (per Annex II/III template).
3. 3Financial offer (DDP basis, per Annex IV, excl. taxes; total in eSubmission).
4. 4Tender form + Declaration on Honour (exclusion/selection).
5. 5Duly authorised signature proof.
6. 6Tender guarantee (original to EU Delegation Serbia; scan via portal).
7. 7Access portal: EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Documents available:Invitation letter, Additional info, Tender specifications (TD EC-ENESTBEG2026EA-OP0022). Practical guide: ePRAG.

Payments and Guarantees

• 40% pre-financing after contract signature + performance/pre-financing guarantees.
• 60% balance after provisional acceptance invoice.
• Taxes: EU/Serbia exempt per Framework Partnership Agreement.
• Estimated value: Not specified.

Vinča Institute Context

Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences hosts Serbia's Center of Excellence for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (CONVINCE). Ongoing hydrogen research includes electrolysers, storage, and Serbia-China Joint Lab. Supports national hydrogen strategy for industry/transport decarbonisation.

Footnotes

1. 1Contracting authority not bound to reply to questions after this date.