Maintenance services for Applied Biosystems (Life Technologies) Scientific Instruments

The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) seeks a single contractor under a framework agreement to provide preventive and corrective maintenance, calibration, qualification, repair and technical support for Applied Biosystems / Life Technologies instruments at the JRC site in Ispra, Italy. The framework has an estimated ceiling of €500,000, a maximum duration of 48 months and the contract will be awarded on the basis of the lowest price among technically and administratively compliant tenders. Submissions must be made electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal by 3 December 2026 at 16:00 Europe/Rome and tenderers must satisfy administrative, exclusion, selection and technical requirements, including an average annual turnover threshold of €125,000 and demonstrable experience servicing the listed instruments. All service levels, response obligations, reporting and site access, safety and environmental conditions are defined in the published tender documents and draft contract on the Portal.

What it funds

Provision of preventive and corrective maintenance, calibration, qualification, repair and technical support services for Applied Biosystems (Life Technologies) Real-Time PCR scientific instruments used in JRC (Ispra) laboratories.

Who can apply

Service providers and maintenance companies with proven experience on Applied Biosystems (Life Technologies) instruments, qualified technical personnel for OQ/IPV and capacity to provide on-site interventions in Ispra.

Apply electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; an EU Login (PIC) is required. Supporting documents include the technical offer, financial offer (price list per instrument and service option), declaration on honour and, where applicable, evidence for exclusion/selection criteria.

Footnotes

1. 1Full tender documentation, technical specifications, draft contract and submission are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal (search call EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/5283).

Key facts

Procurement by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) — Directorate R, JRC Ispra Site. Open procedure for a single framework contract. Estimated total value: €500 000. Maximum contract duration: 48 months. Award method: lowest price. Framework agreement without re‑opening of competition. Contract notice published 27/10/2026; submission deadline (final): 03/12/2026 16:00 Europe/Rome. Public opening: 04/12/2026 14:00 Europe/Rome.

Procurement structure and documents

Single framework contract with award to one contractor. The framework may be used to place specific contracts (order forms) for maintenance years and individual interventions. Draft contract, tender specifications (administrative and technical parts), financial offer form and multiple annexes (safety, environmental, radiation protection, DUVRI, joint inspection report, model technical report, acceptance form, financial evaluation scenario) are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and form part of the procurement documents EU Funding & Tenders Portal 1.

Eligibility and procurement classification

Technical and administrative requirements (summary)

The technical specification sets mandatory service options, minimum technical content and evidence required for selection. Key technical expectations: experience with Applied Biosystems Real‑Time PCR systems; availability of trained technical personnel with minimum years of experience and manufacturer training; use of manufacturer service documentation, diagnostic tools and calibration kits; OQ and IPV performed to manufacturer or validated equivalent procedures; supply of original manufacturer parts or certified equivalent traceable parts; issuance of calibration certificates and final technical reports after each intervention. The tender specifications include detailed lists of instruments with serial numbers and internal codes. Tenderers must provide a financial offer using the provided Financial Model (Annex 6) and complete the Price List per instrument for Full Risk and Preventive services.

Delivery, reporting and acceptance

All services are delivered on‑site at JRC Ispra. Each intervention requires a detailed service report including tests performed, parts replaced, calibration certificates and OQ/IPV results. The JRC technical responsible must countersign service reports. Annual final technical report summarises all interventions and must be provided to enable payment. Templates and acceptance form are provided in Annex XI. Contractors must comply with JRC access, security, safety and environmental rules; some areas require prior radiation protection procedures.

Financial and award details

The framework ceiling is €500 000. The financial evaluation uses a provided Price List/financial model (Annex 6). Tenderers must complete the Excel Financial Offer and insert the TOTAL PRICE in eSubmission. The evaluation formula is 0.7*Total Full‑Risk (12 months) + 0.3*Total Preventive & Calibration (12 months). Lowest price among compliant tenders wins. Payments and VAT rules as per draft contract; invoices in EUR, e‑invoicing via the Portal is applicable if eSubmission/EES is used.

Operational practicalities and site rules

Access to the JRC Ispra site requires coordination and compliance with visitor and site rules. Contractors must register staff, pass site safety and security procedures, comply with site environmental and health policies, and follow emergency procedures. Some maintenance work requires DUVRI and joint inspection reports and specific safety documentation (POS/PPE), and prior approvals for hot work, confined spaces, or work in radiation areas. See Annexes (DUVRI, safety clauses, radiation protection) for mandatory preconditions and processes.

How to apply and timeline

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission. Submit full technical and financial tenders plus supporting evidence and declarations indicated in Annex 1 of the tender specifications (e.g., Declaration on Honour, financial offer, list of staff, commitment letters for subcontractors). Use the Annex 6 Financial Model for price submission. Deadlines are mandatory and the eSubmission timestamp is the proof of submission. Questions must be submitted via the Portal Questions & Answers module within the deadlines provided in the contract notice.

Tender preparation checklist (minimum essentials)

Risk controls and site safety

Contractors must comply with the JRC Safety Contractual Clauses, environmental contractual clauses and radiation protection clauses included in the procurement documents. DUVRI (Single Document of Interferential Risks) and Joint Inspection Report templates are provided and will be used to identify, mitigate and allocate costs for interferences. The JRC bears costs for measures specified in the DUVRI where indicated. Contractors will be expected to complete a Joint Inspection Report before work and to follow the site rules, PPE requirements and emergency procedures. The contract includes liquidated damages and penalties for non‑compliance with safety obligations.

Templates and application structure

This procurement requires familiarity with manufacturer maintenance and calibration procedures for Applied Biosystems RealTime PCR and QuantStudio instruments, ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for accredited laboratory equipment maintenance and traceable calibration practices. The tender documents set minimum technician experience, training and evidence requirements. Tenderers should examine the full set of annexes in the Portal before submitting their offers 1.

Footnotes

1. 1The full procurement documentation and published annexes are available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu (search call EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/5283).

Maintenance services for Applied Biosystems Life Technologies Scientific Instruments

Executive summary

This is a European Commission public procurement opportunity rather than a grant. The Joint Research Centre intends to appoint one contractor under a single framework agreement to provide maintenance, calibration, qualification, repair and technical support for Applied Biosystems and Life Technologies scientific instruments used at the JRC site in Ispra, Italy.

The procurement is intended to maintain operational continuity after the current maintenance contract expires in January 2027. The framework agreement has an estimated ceiling of €500,000 and a maximum duration of 48 months. The contract will be awarded using the lowest price criterion, subject to compliance with all administrative, exclusion, selection and technical requirements.

The authoritative opportunity record and procurement documents are available through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal opportunity.

Opportunity identity

Scope of the procurement

The successful contractor will support the continued operation and availability of Applied Biosystems and Life Technologies instruments in JRC laboratories. The required service scope includes preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, calibration, qualification, repair and technical support.

The procurement is focused on ensuring reliability, minimising equipment downtime and preserving the availability of instruments for laboratory activities. The technical specifications and contract documents govern the detailed service levels, response obligations, reporting, acceptance and performance requirements.

The financial offer identifies eight instruments in the price list. These include four RealTime PCR System 7500 instruments and four QuantStudio 7 instruments. Tenderers must price the instruments and service categories required by the financial offer form, including full risk maintenance and preventive maintenance and calibration services.

The procurement is not divided into lots, and variants are not permitted. Alternative solutions or model offers that depart from the tender specifications may be disregarded.

Commercial structure and funding value

This opportunity does not provide grant funding or a fixed award to applicants. It is a purchase of services by the European Commission. The successful tenderer will be paid for services ordered and accepted under the framework agreement and any resulting specific contracts.

The €500,000 amount is an estimated overall framework ceiling and not a guaranteed revenue commitment. The contracting authority states that indicative volumes are estimates only and that actual orders will depend on the quantities ordered through specific contracts. The framework ceiling may not be exceeded.

The prices entered in the designated columns of the financial offer form are the prices used for evaluation if there is any discrepancy between the financial offer sections. Tenderers should complete the official financial offer form exactly as provided and should not substitute their own pricing format.

The procurement documents indicate that, within three years following signature, the Commission may use a negotiated procedure for similar additional services up to a maximum of 50 percent of the initial framework ceiling. This is a possible additional procurement and is not a guaranteed extension or payment.

Duration and implementation

The framework agreement may run for a maximum of 48 months. The precise initial period, renewal arrangements and conditions are established in the draft contract and should be reviewed before pricing the tender.

Signature of the framework agreement does not oblige the contracting authority to place specific orders. Specific contracts or order forms will be awarded under the terms of the framework agreement without reopening competition.

The contractor will be responsible for compliance with JRC site access, safety, security, radiation protection, environmental and operational requirements. Costs arising from compliance with applicable security measures, including any required checks or clearances, are borne by the contractor unless the contract states otherwise.

Who can apply

Any interested economic operator may submit a tender as a sole tenderer or as a group of economic operators. Eligible tenderers may be natural persons, legal persons or international organisations, subject to the applicable EU procurement access rules.

Participation is open to entities established in EU Member States and to entities established in eligible third countries where access is permitted under an applicable EU agreement, the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, or the relevant Horizon Europe participation rules. Tenderers must identify their country of establishment and provide supporting evidence when requested.

A tender may be submitted jointly by several economic operators. Joint tender members assume joint and several liability for performance, must appoint a group leader and must provide the required agreement or power of attorney.

Subcontracting is permitted. Identified subcontractors must be disclosed where the tenderer relies on their capacities or where their intended individual share exceeds 20 percent of the contract. Subcontractors must provide the required commitment documentation where applicable.

A tenderer may rely on the capacities of other entities to meet selection criteria, but it must demonstrate that the necessary resources will be available. For technical and professional capacity, the entity relied upon must perform the services for which that capacity is required.

A natural or legal person may not participate simultaneously as a sole tenderer and as a member of another group, or as a member of more than one group, in the same procedure. The tender must be prepared independently and autonomously from other tenders.

Eligibility and selection requirements

Tenderers must satisfy legal and regulatory capacity requirements, exclusion requirements, economic and financial capacity requirements, and the technical and professional capacity requirements specified in the tender specifications.

The available administrative specifications identify the following requirements and controls.

Legal and regulatory capacity

Tenderers must have the legal capacity to perform the contract and the regulatory capacity to pursue the professional activity required for the services. Proof of enrolment in a relevant trade or professional register may be requested from the sole tenderer, each group member and each identified subcontractor.

Economic and financial capacity

The tenderer must have an average yearly turnover above €125,000 over the last three financial years. The contracting authority may request supporting financial evidence during the procedure, including from entities contributing to the relevant capacity.

Technical and professional capacity

The detailed technical and professional selection criteria, minimum capacity levels and evidence requirements are contained in the tender specifications. Applicants should review the complete administrative and technical specifications because the supplied opportunity summary does not reproduce all technical thresholds and evidence categories.

For this procurement, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate practical capability to service, calibrate, qualify, repair and provide technical support for the relevant Applied Biosystems and Life Technologies instruments. Any manufacturer authorisation, certified engineer requirement, response time, spare parts, service reporting or comparable experience requirement must be assessed directly against the official technical specifications before submission.

Exclusion and integrity requirements

Each relevant entity must submit the required declaration on honour concerning exclusion and selection criteria. The declaration covers insolvency, tax and social security compliance, grave professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, criminal organisations, money laundering, terrorism, trafficking, serious contractual failures, irregularities, circumvention of legal obligations and obstruction of audits or investigations.

The declaration also covers persons with powers of representation, decision making or control, beneficial owners and persons assuming unlimited liability where applicable. Tenderers must declare that they are not subject to applicable EU restrictive measures and do not have established debts to the Union.

The Commission may request recent judicial, administrative, tax, social security or other documentary evidence from the presumed successful tenderer, and may request updated evidence from any tenderer where necessary. Failure to provide valid evidence within the required deadline may lead to rejection.

Tenderers must immediately inform the contracting authority if circumstances declared in the tender change. False declarations or information may result in rejection, exclusion or financial penalties.

Key dates and deadlines

The opportunity metadata contains an additional date of 1 January 2026, but the official call details identify 3 December 2026 at 16:00 Europe Rome time as the deadline for receipt of tenders. Applicants should rely on the live Funding and Tenders Portal record and the contract notice, and should submit well before the stated closing time.

Submission requirements

Tenders must be submitted exclusively through the electronic submission system accessible from the Funding and Tenders Portal. Submissions by email, post or any other method will be disregarded.

An EU Login account is required to access the electronic submission process. Each participating organisation must be registered in the Commission Participant Register and must have a valid Participant Identification Code. Each member of a joint tender must use its own organisation registration and PIC.

The tender must contain all documents required by the procurement documents at the time of submission. The official documentation includes the invitation letter, administrative tender specifications, declaration on honour, financial offer form, technical specifications, draft contract and contract annexes.

The principal submission package should include the completed financial offer, signed declarations, evidence and forms required by the tender specifications, information on any joint tender arrangement, identified subcontractors and any entities whose capacities are relied upon.

Documents may be signed using a qualified electronic signature. Where a qualified electronic signature is not available, the declaration may be printed, signed by hand and submitted in the manner required by the procurement documents. The contracting authority may request the original handwritten document during the record keeping period.

Only one tender may be considered per tenderer, except where variants are expressly permitted. Variants are not permitted for this procurement. A submitted tender may be withdrawn or replaced before the deadline, but a replacement tender must contain all required information and documents.

Evaluation and award

The contracting authority will assess access to procurement, administrative compliance, exclusion status, selection criteria, technical compliance and the award criterion. A tender may be rejected at any stage if it fails a mandatory requirement.

The award criterion is lowest price. Price ranking applies only to tenders that are administratively compliant, meet the selection requirements and satisfy the technical specifications. A low price cannot compensate for a non compliant technical or documentary submission.

The financial evaluation is based on the scenario defined in the financial offer form, combining the full risk maintenance and preventive maintenance and calibration prices. Tenderers should ensure that all mandatory quotation fields are completed and that prices are consistent across the price list and evaluation scenario.

The public opening session is virtual. Up to two representatives per tender may attend if requested in accordance with the invitation letter. The public opening may announce the tenderer names and total tender prices, but it does not constitute an award decision.

Operational and contractual conditions

The contractor must comply with the draft contract and its special conditions, including provisions on payments, performance, confidentiality, inspections, audits, acceptance and technical reporting.

The contract includes requirements relating to access to the JRC Ispra site, introduction of goods, safety, environmental protection, radiation protection, risk assessment and joint inspection reporting. These requirements may affect mobilisation time, staffing, documentation and service costs.

Environmental considerations apply throughout the service life cycle. The contractor must support relevant Commission environmental policies and follow applicable EMAS practices where required.

The contractor must apply equal opportunities, diversity and non discrimination principles when implementing the contract. Fraud prevention and detection obligations must also be passed on to relevant subcontractors and personnel.

The Commission may offset established debts owed by the successful tenderer or relevant joint tender members against payments due under the contract, subject to the Financial Regulation and the draft contract.

Applicant suitability assessment

This opportunity is most suitable for an established scientific equipment service provider with qualified personnel, access to appropriate spare parts and tools, experience with Applied Biosystems or equivalent molecular biology instrumentation, and the operational capacity to provide on site services at Ispra.

The requirement for a minimum average annual turnover above €125,000 is relatively accessible for specialist small and medium sized service providers, but the technical service obligations, site requirements and potential response times may require a broader operational infrastructure than the turnover threshold alone suggests.

A manufacturer or authorised service partner may have a commercial advantage where the technical specifications require proprietary knowledge, certified intervention, original parts or manufacturer aligned calibration and qualification procedures. However, eligibility should be determined from the published selection and technical requirements rather than assumed from the opportunity title.

Key applicant risks

The main commercial risk is that the €500,000 ceiling is not a guaranteed order value. Revenue will depend on the specific contracts or orders issued during the framework period.

The main compliance risk is incomplete submission of mandatory forms, declarations, financial pricing fields or subcontractor information. The official templates should be used without changing their structure or evaluation logic.

The main technical risk is underpricing full risk maintenance. Tenderers should assess exposure to parts, labour, travel, emergency interventions, calibration, qualification, reporting and instrument downtime before submitting prices.

The main delivery risk is the requirement to work at the JRC Ispra site and comply with access, safety, security and environmental procedures. Mobilisation, staff authorisations and site access should be planned before submission.

Recommended application process

Documents to prioritise

Overall assessment

This is a focused, technically specialised procurement for the continuity of laboratory instrument operations at the JRC Ispra site. It offers a potential four year service relationship with an estimated maximum value of €500,000, but it is not a grant and does not guarantee that the full ceiling will be ordered.

The opportunity is commercially relevant to Applied Biosystems service organisations, authorised maintenance providers, specialist laboratory equipment companies and suitably qualified joint ventures. The strongest tenders will combine demonstrable instrument competence, reliable on site support, complete documentary compliance and competitive pricing under the prescribed evaluation scenario.

The decisive next step is to verify the complete technical specifications and draft contract, particularly mandatory service levels, qualifications, response times, spare parts rules, warranty or full risk coverage, calibration standards, reporting obligations and any minimum technical experience thresholds. The official procurement record should be monitored for amendments and clarifications before submission.

Source and document access

The official opportunity record, submission function, procurement documents and questions and answers are available at the EU Funding and Tenders Portal opportunity. The portal record is the controlling source for current deadlines, document versions and procedural updates.