Organisation of remotely delivered language tests for validating third-language proficiency of officials and other servants of the European Union (EU)

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has issued a call for tenders, designated EC-EPSO/2025/OP/0012, aimed at organizing remotely delivered language tests to validate the third-language proficiency of officials and other servants of the European Union (EU). The tests will be conducted in all EU official languages, focusing on assessing proficiency at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). EPSO is responsible for ensuring that the assessment of language skills is standardized, harmonized, and applied in a timely manner. A single framework contract will be awarded, specifically covering test-based language assessments.

The estimated total value of the contract is €603,840, with a maximum duration of 48 months, including an initial period of 12 months and up to three renewal options of 12 months each. The contract will be awarded based on the lowest price proposal among compliant tenders. The procedure is classified as an open call for tenders, allowing any qualified bidder to submit proposals electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by the deadline on November 14, 2025, at 12:00 CET.

There are no specific restrictions on the geographic location of bidders, other than the expectation that they must be capable of delivering services compliant with EU standards. This opportunity is aimed at larger organizations and specialized service providers rather than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Eligible applicants include language testing organizations, educational institutions, and other entities with significant capacity to deliver the required services.

The application process involves a single-stage submission where tenders must include a technical proposal, a financial offer, and various administrative documents. The public opening of tenders is scheduled for the same date as the submission deadline, and questions regarding the tender specifications must be submitted by November 6, 2025.

Bidders must demonstrate proven experience in large-scale language assessment, secure testing platforms, and capacity for consistent quality across all 24 EU official languages. The framework contract structure allows for flexibility in service delivery, with actual expenditure based on the volume and complexity of tests administered. This tender represents a procurement opportunity rather than a traditional grant, with the EPOS directly purchasing the needed services rather than providing funding for projects.

The nature of support will be payment in exchange for delivered services, reinforcing that contractors assume the operational risk while delivering on contract specifications. Submissions must adhere to specific guidelines regarding electronic format and file size, and participation requires a Personal Identification Code (PIC).

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is launching a call for tenders, EC-EPSO/2025/OP/0012, for the organisation of remotely delivered language tests to validate the third-language proficiency of officials and other servants of the European Union (EU). The tests will be administered in all EU official languages, and the proficiency level to be validated is B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). EPSO is responsible for defining and organising the assessment of language skills, ensuring timely, standardised, and harmonised application of the rules. A single framework contract will be awarded, exclusively covering test-based language assessments.

The procedure type is open, and the estimated total value of the contract is 603,840 EUR. The contract's nature is for services, with a maximum duration of 48 months. The award method is the lowest price. The framework agreement will be a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

Key milestones include a TED publication date of 08/10/2025. The date and time of the public opening are 14/11/2025 at 14:00 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 14/11/2025 at 12:00 Europe/Brussels. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 06/11/2025 at 07:00 Europe/Brussels.

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

The available documents include:
ENEC-EPSO-2025-OP-0012 Invitation to tender Third language tests Invitation letter, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
Annex 5.1 Commitment letter Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
Annex 2 Declaration on honour Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
Annex 8 Qualifications grid Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
Annex 7 Technical conformity form Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
Annex 3 Agreement Power of Attorney Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
Annex 5.2 Commitment letter Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
ENEC-EPSO-2025-OP-0012 Annex 4 List of subcontractors Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
ENEC-EPSO-2025-OP-0012 Annex 9 List of entities involved in processing of personal data Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.
ENEC-EPSO.2025.OP.0012 - Annex 1 - List of documents Tender specifications, published on 08/10/2025, Version 1.

The TED reference is 193/2025 659329-2025. The main classification (CPV) code is 79635000 - 79635000.

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In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) to find a contractor who can organise and deliver remote language tests for EU officials. These tests will assess their proficiency in a third language, aiming for a B2 level according to the CEFR standards. The contract will be a single framework agreement, meaning the selected contractor will be the sole provider of these testing services for the duration of the agreement, which can last up to 48 months. The tender is open to any organisation that meets the requirements, and the winner will be chosen based on the lowest price offered. The tender documents provide detailed information about the requirements, submission process, and deadlines. The eSubmission system is used for electronic submissions, and there are specific guidelines and FAQs to help tenderers navigate the system and address any technical issues they might encounter.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of the tender, it is likely open to service providers, companies, or organizations with the capacity to organize and deliver language tests. This could include language schools, testing organizations, educational institutions, or consulting firms.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a call for tenders. The contracting authority, EPSO, is seeking to purchase services related to the organization of language tests. The nature of the contract is services.

Consortium Requirement: The tender details mention "a member of a group (consortium)" and also "List of subcontractors" implying that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The tender is for the organisation of language tests for officials and other servants of the European Union, implying that the services must be available in all EU official languages. While the location of the service provider is not explicitly limited, it is highly likely that entities within the EU or those capable of providing services within the EU would be preferred or required. Therefore, the geographic eligibility is likely EU or entities capable of operating within the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is education and training, specifically language testing and assessment services.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the European Union (EU) is referenced as the entity whose officials and servants will be taking the language tests.

Project Stage: The project stage is for an operational service, meaning the tender is seeking established providers capable of delivering a standardized service (remotely delivered language tests).

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 603,840 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing services, specifically the organization and delivery of remotely delivered language tests.

Application Stages: The number of stages is not explicitly mentioned, but typically in procurement procedures, there is an initial submission, followed by evaluation, and then contract award. This suggests at least a 2-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: There is no mention of a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders issued by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) for the "Organisation of remotely delivered language tests for validating third-language proficiency of officials and other servants of the European Union (EU)". The goal is to award a single framework contract to a service provider who can administer these tests in all EU official languages, ensuring a timely, standardized, and harmonized assessment of language skills at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The estimated total value of the contract is 603,840 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 48 months. The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be sent electronically by 14/11/2025. The award method will be based on the lowest price. Tenderers must submit their proposals electronically, and a Participant Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory. The system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information. The maximum number of documents that can be uploaded per tender is 200, and attachments should be less than 50 MB in size.