Improved radioactive waste management in the Western Balkans

The European Commission, specifically the International Partnerships (INTPA) directorate, has issued a call for tenders focused on improving radioactive waste management in the Western Balkans. The estimated value of the contract is approximately €4.99 million, and the project duration is set for a maximum of 60 months, concluding on November 10, 2025. The geographic scope encompasses Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, addressing challenges related to radioactive waste generated by past activities and current uses in medical, industrial, and research sectors.

The procurement opportunity is categorized under the main CPV code for nuclear safety services. This is a service contract rather than a grant, and it is structured as a restricted procedure, which implies at least two stages involving an initial request to participate followed by a full proposal submission for those selected. The award will be evaluated based on a quality-price ratio, with an emphasis of 80% on quality and 20% on price competitiveness.

The call for tenders explicitly indicates that it is not suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby targeting larger organizations, specialized firms, and entities with substantial expertise in nuclear safety and radioactive waste management. Applicants can submit proposals as sole candidates or as part of a consortium. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation, which can be obtained during the application process.

This initiative builds on previous interventions in the region, particularly in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and aims to establish best practices for radioactive waste storage and management. The success rates for such specialized tenders are not provided, but challenges are expected due to the specific expertise required. Overall, the opportunity represents a significant investment in enhancing nuclear safety and waste management practices in the Western Balkans, aligning with EU standards and ongoing efforts for regional development. Submissions must be made electronically, and the deadline for requests to participate is November 10, 2025.

The European Commission, INTPA - International Partnerships is offering a call for tenders for Improved radioactive waste management in the Western Balkans. The procedure identifier is EC-INTPA/2025/EA-RP/0144. The TED reference is 186/2025 634794-2025. The submission method is electronic and the call is open for submission. This is a restricted procedure.

The estimated total value of the contract is 4986000 EUR. The TED publication date is 29/09/2025. The deadline for receipt of requests to participate is 10/11/2025 12:00 Europe/Brussels.

The main classification (CPV) is 98113100 - Nuclear safety services. The nature of the contract is services. The maximum contract duration is 60 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. There is no framework agreement.

The places of delivery or performance are: Albania (20000825), Bosnia and Herzegovina (20000836), Serbia (20001057), Montenegro (20001058), Kosovo * UN resolution (31008860), and North Macedonia (20000952).

The relevant programmes are Nuclear Safety (42921314) and Nuclear Safety (42921314).

Western Balkans countries are affected at varying levels by radioactive waste generated by past activities and current medical, industrial and research applications and legacy radioactive lightning rods. Recent interventions in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, respectively, addressed the partial decommissioning of legacy facilities at the Vinča site and the start of the selection and licensing of a centralised radioactive waste storage facility for the safe management of disused sealed radiation sources in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Continuing support to the countries in the Western Balkans is necessary in order to sustainably improve their radioactive waste management.

There is one document available: ENAdditional Information about the Contract Notice_0144Invitation to submit a request to participate, published on 29/09/2025, Version 1, with no translations available.

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below, using the electronic submission method.

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This call for tenders focuses on improving radioactive waste management in the Western Balkans. The European Commission is seeking proposals for a restricted procedure, with an estimated budget of 4,986,000 EUR. The project aims to provide continued support to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia in sustainably managing their radioactive waste, stemming from past activities, medical, industrial, and research applications, and legacy lightning rods. The selected contractor will provide services related to nuclear safety, with a maximum contract duration of 60 months. Submissions must be electronic, and the deadline for requests to participate is November 10, 2025. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio. The eSubmission system supports multiple languages and encrypts uploaded documents. A PIC (Personal Identification Code) is mandatory for participation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is a call for tenders, so eligible applicants are expected to be organizations or companies capable of providing the required services. The specific types of organizations are not detailed, but they should be entities with expertise in nuclear safety and radioactive waste management.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a call for tenders. The selected applicant will be awarded a service contract.

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.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility focuses on the Western Balkans countries. The places of delivery or performance are explicitly listed as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo (UN resolution), and North Macedonia.

Target Sector: The target sector is nuclear safety and radioactive waste management. The call specifically addresses the need for improved radioactive waste management in the Western Balkans. The CPV code provided, 98113100, confirms that the main classification is nuclear safety services.

Mentioned Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on implementation and support of existing or planned facilities and programs. The description mentions "continuing support" and "recent interventions," suggesting that the work involves improving and sustaining radioactive waste management practices rather than initial research or development.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 4,986,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders, with electronic submission required. The procedure type is specified as a restricted procedure.

Nature of Support: The selected tenderer will receive money in exchange for providing services related to improved radioactive waste management.

Application Stages: The procedure type is "Restricted procedure" which implies at least two stages: a request to participate and a full proposal submission for those selected in the first stage.

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.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for tenders issued by the European Commission, INTPA - International Partnerships, focused on improving radioactive waste management in the Western Balkans. The project aims to provide continued support to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, building on recent interventions in the region. The selected tenderer will be awarded a service contract with an estimated total value of 4,986,000 EUR and a maximum duration of 60 months. The procedure is a restricted procedure, meaning there will be at least two stages: a request to participate and a full proposal submission. Submissions must be made electronically, and the deadline for receipt of requests to participate is November 10, 2025. The call is open to both single applicants and consortia with expertise in nuclear safety services. The overall goal is to sustainably improve radioactive waste management practices in the Western Balkans, addressing issues related to past activities, current applications, and legacy radioactive sources. The eSubmission system supports multiple languages and has specific requirements for file types and sizes, with a maximum of 200 files and 50 MB per file. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation.