PEFCR4Space Supportive Measures

The PEFCR4Space Supportive Measures procurement opportunity is issued by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). It aims to develop and implement supportive measures for the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) within the space sector. The total estimated value of this initiative is 2.3 million euros, split across two lots.

Lot 1 focuses on creating a framework for implementing PEFCR in the space sector, including tools for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), capacity-building activities, and relevant studies, with a budget of 1.7 million euros and a project duration of up to 30 months. Lot 2, with a budget of 600,000 euros and a duration of 24 months, centers on developing AI tools to facilitate the extraction and analysis of life cycle data for environmental assessments relevant to space activities.

This is a service contract procurement opportunity, not a grant, with the evaluation emphasizing quality (70%) and price (30%). The submission method is exclusively electronic through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. The deadline for tender submissions is January 14, 2026, with tenders to be opened on January 15, 2026. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation.

The eligibility extends to economic operators from EU member states and possibly EEA countries, including private companies, consulting firms, research institutes, universities, non-profits, and joint ventures. While SMEs are not technically excluded, the opportunity is not particularly suited for them given its requirements.

The procurement mainly targets the space industry and environmental sustainability sectors, specifically focusing on developing methodologies and tools for environmental assessment in the context of space activities. There is no co-funding requirement stipulated, as the European Commission will provide full funding for the awarded contracts.

The application process includes two stages: the selection of participants based on technical capacity and the evaluation of proposals. Success rates are not explicitly defined, but typically range based on submission competitiveness for such specialized services. The opportunity is designed to align with the EU's goals for promoting sustainability within the space sector, contributing to the broader European Green Deal initiatives.

The European Commission, DG DEFIS Defence Industry and Space, has published a call for tenders EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0020, titled PEFCR4Space Supportive Measures. The TED reference for this call is 208/2025 715237-2025. This is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The objective is to outsource the development and implementation of supportive measures for PEFCR4Space, including a PEFCR4Space calculator, feasibility and potential integration with AI tools for dataset development, capacity-building activities like workshops and webinars, and studies to support the development of space sustainability-related labels. The estimated total value of the tender is 2,300,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 29/10/2025. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 14/01/2026 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels. The date and time of the public opening is 15/01/2026 at 10:00 Europe/Brussels. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 06/01/2026 07:00 Europe/Brussels. The main classification (CPV) is 79400000 Business and management consultancy and related services.

The call is divided into two lots:

Lot 1: PEFCR4Space Support Development. This lot involves creating a supportive framework for the implementation of the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) specific to the space sector. This may include tasks and activities relevant to space-specific environmental assessments and sustainable practices, such as LCA tools, capacity building activities, and studies. The nature of the contract is for services, with a maximum contract duration of 30 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. The estimated value is 1,700,000 EUR. The additional classification (CPV) is 90710000 Environmental management.

Lot 2: AI Tool Development to Support Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This lot focuses on developing an AI tool to support LCA, which would involve using artificial intelligence to enhance the extraction and analysis of life cycle data, ultimately aiding in the environmental assessments and decision-making processes in the space industry. The nature of the contract is for services, with a maximum contract duration of 24 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. The estimated value is 600,000 EUR. The additional classification (CPV) is 90710000 Environmental management.

The following documents are available for download: Invitation letter, Tender specifications, Declaration on honour (tender), Draft contract, Contract Annex IV Declaration pre-existing rights, Appendix 2 Security requirements en 2025 (5), and Contract annex III VAT shares. All documents were published on 29/10/2025, are version 1, and have no translations available.

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In summary, this EU call for tenders, EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0020, aims to bolster the implementation of Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) within the space sector. It seeks to outsource the development of tools, studies, and capacity-building activities that promote sustainability and environmental assessment in the space industry. The tender is divided into two lots: one focusing on creating a general supportive framework, including LCA tools and studies, and the other specifically targeting the development of an AI tool to enhance life cycle assessment data analysis. The European Commission, through DG DEFIS, is looking for service providers to contribute to the development of a PEFCR4Space calculator, explore the integration of AI in dataset development, conduct workshops and webinars, and perform studies that will ultimately support the creation of sustainability-related labels for the space sector. The total estimated budget is 2.3 million EUR, and interested parties must submit their tenders electronically by January 14, 2026.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given that this is a call for tenders, it is likely open to organizations such as companies (including SMEs and large enterprises), research institutions, and other entities capable of providing the required services. The requirement for a Personal Identification Code (PIC) suggests that registered organizations are the target applicants.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a call for tenders. The selected tenderers will receive a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The 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 is not explicitly stated, but given that it is an EU funding opportunity, it is likely open to entities within the EU and possibly other countries associated with EU programs.

Target Sector: The program targets the space sector, specifically focusing on environmental management and sustainability within the space industry. This includes areas such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR), and the development of AI tools for environmental assessment. The relevant sectors include space, environment, artificial intelligence, and consulting.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the contracting authority is the European Commission, suggesting that the opportunity is relevant to EU member states and potentially other countries participating in EU programs. The milestones are set according to Europe/Brussels time.

Project Stage: The project stage involves the development and implementation of supportive measures, including tools, capacity building activities, and studies. This suggests a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages, leading to practical application and support for space sustainability-related labels.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the call for tenders is 2,300,000 EUR. Lot 1 has an estimated value of 1,700,000 EUR, and Lot 2 has an estimated value of 600,000 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services provided under a service contract.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly mentioned, but it involves at least one stage of submitting a tender, followed by evaluation and selection.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders (EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0020) issued by the European Commission, DG DEFIS (Defence Industry and Space), focusing on "PEFCR4Space Supportive Measures." The total estimated value is 2,300,000 EUR. The objective is to outsource the development and implementation of supportive measures for Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) in the space sector.

There are two lots:

Lot 1: PEFCR4Space Support Development, with an estimated value of 1,700,000 EUR. This involves creating a supportive framework for implementing PEFCR in the space sector, including LCA tools, capacity building activities, and studies. The maximum contract duration is 30 months.

Lot 2: AI Tool Development to Support Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), with an estimated value of 600,000 EUR. This focuses on developing an AI tool to support LCA, enhancing the extraction and analysis of life cycle data for environmental assessments in the space industry. The maximum contract duration is 24 months.

The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 14/01/2026 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 06/01/2026 at 07:00 Europe/Brussels time. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation, whether as a sole candidate or part of a consortium. The tender aims to promote sustainability in the space sector by developing tools and conducting activities that support environmental assessments and the creation of space sustainability-related labels.