Interim secretarial, administrative, project management and related services

Open tender by the European Commission DG COMM (ref EC-COMM/LIS/2026/MVP/0103-EXA) for interim secretarial, administrative, project management and related services to support the Commission Representation in Portugal. The opportunity is a framework agreement for 12 months, renewable once (up to 24 months), with an estimated value of €120,000 and CPV 79620000. Suppliers must register and submit electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission), with portal registration deadline 24 May 2026 and planned submission date 25 May 2026. Eligible applicants are organisations able to provide interim staffing services across EU Member States and should consult the tender dossier on the portal for full requirements and award criteria.

What it funds

Summary

Procurement of interim staffing services:supply and/or recruitment of interim workers for secretarial, administrative, project management and related roles to cover staff shortages, specific projects, sudden workload increases and similar needs. Contract is a framework agreement for one year, renewable once, after which the contract-holder may join a similar EMSA framework.

Who can apply:Legal entities able to provide interim staffing services (temporary employment/interim service providers). The contracting authority is the European Commission DG COMM, Representation office context in Portugal ¹.

1. 1Estimated total procedure value approximately €120,000
2. 2Framework contract duration 12 months, renewable once (planned overall duration shown as 24 months)
3. 3Submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal (e-submission) with registration deadline 2026-05-24
4. 4Main CPV 79620000 (temporary employment services)

Procedure type:open procurement for a framework agreement. Submission method: eSubmission through the Funding & Tenders Portal. SMEs suitability indicator: false.

Footnotes

1. 1Source: Tender details on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Tender notice.

Opportunity identification and summary

Basic facts

Title:Interim secretarial, administrative, project management and related services. Procuring authority: European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM). Procurement type: Services. Contract nature: Framework agreement (framework contract) with an initial duration of one year, renewable once; planned transition to join a framework contract for similar services by EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) in Portugal after expiry. Main CPV code: 79620000 (Temporary personnel). Estimated overall contract value: €120,000. Procurement procedure identifier: EC-COMM/LIS/2026/MVP/0103-EXA. Location/timezone for deadlines: Europe/Lisbon. Submission method: Electronic submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal (ESUBMISSION). Planned date for contract award/procedure: 2026-05-25 (Europe/Lisbon). Registration deadline on the portal: 2026-05-24 23:59:59 (Europe/Lisbon).

Procurement scope and services required:Services from an interim service provider to find and/or provide interim workers under specific circumstances such as lack of staff, staffing for specific projects or tasks, or sudden increases of work. Roles to be supplied include secretarial, administrative, project management and related support functions. The contract is structured as a framework contract for use by the representation and related Commission services.

Key dates and administrative data

1. 1Publication date on portal: 2026-05-13 (Europe/Brussels).
2. 2Portal registration deadline: 2026-05-24 23:59:59 (Europe/Lisbon).
3. 3Planned procedure date / expected award date: 2026-05-25 (Europe/Lisbon).
4. 4Estimated overall contract amount / budget: €120,000.
5. 5Planned contract duration in procurement record: 24 months listed as planned period duration (duration measure 24 months) but description clarifies framework contract of one year renewable once (total potential 24 months).

Detailed classification and procurement model

This procurement is a services contract under a framework agreement scheme. The procurementProject metadata indicates contracting system type code fa-wo-rc, which corresponds to a framework agreement. The contract will be called as needed to supply interim staff. The call is labelled eu-funded under programme code eu-funds in the portal metadata, and the procedure is managed through the Funding and Tenders Portal electronic tool.

Eligibility, applicants and participation

Eligible applicant types

Eligible applicants:Companies and legal entities capable of providing temporary staffing and interim placement services. Typical eligible applicant types include private companies (SMEs and large enterprises) specialised in temporary employment, interim management and staffing agencies, HR service providers, recruitment agencies and subcontractors. Public bodies and non-profit organisations could potentially bid only if eligible under national rules for public procurement and able to comply with the contracting authority's qualification requirements. Individuals are not appropriate as prime contractors; individuals could be supplied as interim workers by the awarded supplier. The procurement record explicitly marks 'smeSuitableIndicator' as false, indicating the contract is not specifically reserved for SMEs.

Consortium requirement:The procurement does not explicitly require a consortium. A single economic operator may submit a tender. Joint bids or consortia are typically permitted in EU procurement if stated in the tender documents and if all partners meet qualification requirements; bidders should consult the tender documents for explicit rules on consortia, subcontracting and economic operator arrangements.

Geographic eligibility and beneficiary scope

Beneficiary scope:The contracting authority is the European Commission DG COMM based in Brussels with representation in Member States; the specific representation referenced will move to a framework operated by EMSA in Portugal after the initial contract. Therefore bidders established in EU Member States are appropriate. The procurement uses the Funding & Tenders Portal and follows EU public procurement rules; eligible bidders are typically economic operators established in the EU/EEA and possibly EU accession or third countries if the contracting rules and tender dossier allow it. The procurement record does not list a restrictive nationality requirement; bidders should review the tender dossier for specific exclusion/inclusion criteria.

Scope, expected project stage and target sectors

Target sector:Administrative support and human resources services, covering secretarial, administrative, project management support and related interim staffing services. The CPV main classification is 79620000 (Temporary personnel), making this a human resources/administration procurement rather than a technology research or development call.

Project stage / expected maturity:Operational service delivery. This is not a research or development opportunity. The expected maturity is operational delivery and implementation: immediate provision of qualified interim staff and replacement workers for ongoing administrative and project tasks.

Financials and contract model

Funding type:Procurement (tender) leading to a services contract under a framework agreement. This is a public purchase of services rather than a grant, loan or equity instrument.

Estimated funding amount and duration:Estimated overall contract amount: €120,000. The procurement metadata lists a planned period duration of 24 months; the description clarifies a framework contract for one year, renewable once (one year + one-year renewal = up to 24 months).

Nature of support:Monetary payment to the awarded contractor for the delivery of interim staffing services on demand. The contract will remunerate provision of temporary workers and related placement/interim management services.

Application and submission process

Application type and submission method:Open tender published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Submission must be electronic via the Portal (ESUBMISSION). Interested economic operators must register on the portal and submit the required tender documents before the registration deadline of 2026-05-24 23:59:59 (Europe/Lisbon) and the planned procedure date of 2026-05-25. Bidders must consult the call for tenders document references and the tender dossier available via the portal for the full set of submission requirements, forms, technical specifications, award criteria and contract terms.

Application templates and structure

The procurement metadata indicates a callForTendersDocumentReference and portal eForms; typical application forms for EU public tenders include: administrative forms (identification of the tenderer, legal status, VAT details), exclusion and selection self-declaration forms, financial offer form (price schedule), technical offer demonstrating capability to provide interim staff (profiles, CVs, vetting procedures, recruitment/placement process), proof of previous experience and references, and declarations on subcontracting and staffing. The Funding & Tenders Portal provides the eSubmission tool and the specific procurement documents to be downloaded from the tender page. Bidders should prepare: 1) Administrative documentation and legal declarations; 2) Evidence of professional and technical ability (staffing processes, sample CVs, references); 3) Methodology and quality assurance for candidate selection, vetting and continuity of service; 4) Price schedule and rates; 5) Any requested supporting documents for social security, insurance, and compliance with labour law applicable to temporary staff placements.

Selection, award criteria and process stages

Application stages:Single-stage open tender process via the portal is indicated. The tender metadata shows eSubmission and planned direct award timing; there is no explicit multi-stage selection process described in the scraped content. Bidders should expect: one submission stage (tender), evaluation of compliance and award criteria, potential clarification requests during evaluation, and contract award. If the contracting authority uses a two-step process it would be stated in the tender dossier; the metadata does not indicate multiple evaluation phases beyond normal compliance and award evaluation.

1. 1Stage 1: Portal registration and submission of tender documents by the deadline.
2. 2Stage 2: Administrative and eligibility check by the contracting authority.
3. 3Stage 3: Technical and financial evaluation according to award criteria in the tender dossier.
4. 4Stage 4: Clarifications (if any), contract award and signature, and mobilisation/delivery phase.

Success rates:Not provided in the procurement record. For single-award framework contracts with open competition, success rates depend on number of bidders and will generally be low (single winner or limited-number framework) but cannot be determined from available data.

Co-funding, subcontracting and other commercial conditions

Co-funding requirement:No co-funding is required. This is a paid procurement: the contracting authority will pay the awarded contractor. The economic operator bears the costs of preparing the tender. Subcontracting: Likely permitted subject to tender dossier rules; bidders should detail subcontracting arrangements and be responsible for subcontractor performance. SME suitability indicator is false, so contract is not reserved for SMEs.

Contract management, deliverables and expected outputs

Expected deliverables:Provision of interim temporary staff in roles described (secretarial, administrative, project management and related functions), candidate sourcing and selection services, onboarding and handover arrangements, continuity measures for sudden increases of workload, and compliance with legal and labour obligations. The framework contract will allow call-offs for specific assignments; detailed deliverables, response times and quality metrics will be in the tender specifications and framework agreement.

Mentioned countries and geographic references

Explicit countries/regions mentioned in the scraped content:Portugal (EMSA is located in Portugal). The procuring authority is the European Commission (EU). Timezones referenced: Europe/Lisbon, Europe/Brussels. No other specific Member States are named in the record, but the DG COMM and its representations operate across EU Member States.

Risks, recommended actions and bidder checklist

1. 1Download and read the full tender dossier and call for tenders documents on the Funding & Tenders Portal immediately to confirm detailed requirements, qualification criteria, award criteria and any mandatory forms.
2. 2Ensure legal and financial capacity to supply interim staff across the required territory and to comply with EU labour, social security and insurance obligations for temporary personnel.
3. 3Prepare full administrative, technical and financial documentation, including company registration, references for similar contracts, candidate sourcing methodology, vetting procedures, sample CVs, and a clear price schedule.
4. 4Confirm whether consortia or subcontracting are permitted and if so, prepare consortium agreements and lead partner details.
5. 5Register on the Funding & Tenders Portal in advance and test eSubmission to avoid last-minute technical issues before the registration deadline.
6. 6Clarify any ambiguities via the portal's contact points during the additional information request period if available.

This procurement follows standard EU public procurement and portal procedures; ensure compliance with procurement rules and prepare to mobilise candidates on short notice if awarded.

Answers to categorisation questions

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Private companies (staffing agencies, recruitment firms, interim management providers), large enterprises, possibly non-profits or public entities if permitted by tender documents. Individuals are not eligible as prime contractors but may be supplied as interim workers.
2. 2Funding Type: Procurement (tender) for services leading to a paid framework contract; financial mechanism is contracting/purchase of services (monetary payment for services).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Other; a single economic operator may bid, consortia likely allowed subject to tender dossier rules but not required by the metadata.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU-level procurement; bidders established in EU Member States are appropriate. Portal metadata indicates eu-funded procurement; confirm dossier for any extension to EEA or third-country bidders.
5. 5Target Sector: Administrative support, human resources, temporary personnel services, secretarial, administrative, and project management support.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: Portugal; regionally the European Union and Europe/Lisbon and Europe/Brussels timezones are referenced.
7. 7Project Stage: Operational service delivery and implementation (immediate service provision / mobilisation).
8. 8Funding Amount: Estimated overall contract amount €120,000; framework duration one year renewable once (potential total 24 months).
9. 9Application Type: Open tender via Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission).
10. 10Nature of Support: Money — paid contract for services. The supplier receives monetary remuneration for services delivered.
11. 11Application Stages: 1 (single-stage tender submission) with subsequent evaluation and award; standard administrative and evaluation steps apply (practical stages enumerated earlier).
12. 12Success Rates: Not provided; typical single-winner framework success rate depends on number of bidders and cannot be established from the provided data.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: No co-funding required from bidders; this is a paid procurement. Bidders finance their tender preparation costs and service delivery until payment under the contract.

Footnote reference for portal and tender document access ¹.

Comprehensive summary

This opportunity is a public procurement tender issued by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, seeking an interim service provider to source and supply interim staff for secretarial, administrative, project management and related roles. The procurement will be executed as a framework contract initially for one year with an option to renew once; the procurement metadata shows a planned period of up to 24 months and an estimated overall value of €120,000. Bidders must submit tenders electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal by the portal registration deadline. The awarded supplier will provide on-demand temporary personnel to cover staff shortages, specific projects, or sudden increases in workload, and must demonstrate recruitment capacity, candidate vetting, continuity measures and compliance with applicable employment and social legislation. Interested economic operators established in the EU should download the tender dossier, follow the portal guidance, prepare administrative, technical and financial offers, and ensure timely electronic submission. The contract is a paid service procurement rather than a grant, and no co-funding is required from bidders. For full requirements, award criteria, contractual terms, and submission templates, consult the tender page on the Funding & Tenders Portal ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Full tender documents, submission forms and eSubmission are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal at the tender details page: ec.europa.eu

Opportunity Overview

This is an open tender procedure (reference:EC-COMM/LIS/2026/MVP/0103-EXA) launched by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM). The tender seeks services from an interim service provider to identify and/or supply interim workers for secretarial, administrative, project management, and related tasks. These services address specific needs such as staff shortages, dedicated projects, sudden workload increases, or other temporary requirements. The contract is structured as a framework agreement with an initial duration of one year, renewable once for an additional year, totaling up to 24 months. Following this period, the representation will transition to a similar Framework Service Contract (FWC) managed by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Portugal.

Estimated Contract Value:€120,000.

CPV Code:79620000 (Personnel and related services).¹

Contracting Authority and Location

The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG COMM - Communication, based in Lisbon, Portugal (timezone: Europe/Lisbon). DG COMM is responsible for explaining EU policies to external audiences, managing the Commission's corporate image, media relations, pan-European campaigns, and public opinion monitoring. This tender likely supports operations at the Commission's Representation in Portugal.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants are organizations capable of providing interim staffing services. The tender is open to entities across EU Member States and associated countries, as indicated by similar past procurements. No specific restrictions on SME suitability are noted (smeSuitableIndicator: false). Applicants must register on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and comply with eSubmission requirements. Detailed eligibility criteria, including tenderer qualifications, are specified in the tender documents available on the portal.

Key Dates and Deadlines

• Publication Date: 13 May 2026
• Registration Deadline (EXA): 24 May 2026, 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon time)
• Planned Submission Deadline: 25 May 2026 (exact time to be confirmed in tender documents)
• Contract Duration: 12 months initial, renewable once for 12 months (total 24 months)

Scope of Services

The provider will supply interim personnel for roles including secretarial support, administrative tasks, project management, and related functions. This framework contract operates without restrictive clauses (governmentAgreementConstraintIndicator: false) and uses a framework agreement with reopening of competition (fa-wo-rc). Services will be called off as needed during the contract period.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically via the eSubmission platform on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Access full tender documentation, including specifications, awarding criteria, and submission instructions, at the primary opportunity URL: Tender Details. Ensure registration by the EXA deadline. The procedure follows standard open tender rules with no lots.

Related Opportunities and Context

Similar interim staff services have been procured by other EU entities, such as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) with a €2,200,000 contract awarded in 2022, and ENISA/Cedefop with a €4,400,000 framework over 4 years. These examples highlight demand for interim agents in administrative, HR, IT, and project roles across EU agencies. Post-contract, this tender links to an EMSA-managed FWC.

Footnotes

1. 1CPV 79620000 covers temporary staffing and personnel placement services. Full tender documents on the portal provide detailed requirements and evaluation criteria.