PHOTO LABORATORY SERVICES, PRINTING SERVICES AND RELATED SUPPLIES

The European Commission, specifically DG COMM, has issued a call for tenders (EC-COMM/2025/OP/0146) for public procurement focused on photo laboratory and printing services. This opportunity has a total estimated value of €2,000,000, divided into two lots, each valued at €1,000,000. The procurement aims to establish framework contracts to support the long-term preservation, digitization, inventory, and distribution of audiovisual photo productions.

Eligible applicants for this tender include any legal entities capable of delivering the required services. There are no explicit restrictions regarding applicant types, indicating that both large enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can participate if they meet the necessary criteria outlined in the procurement documents. Single applicants or consortia may submit bids, and there is no mandatory consortium requirement.

The procurement is categorized as a service contract under a framework agreement that allows for electronic submissions through the Funding and Tenders Portal. The application deadline is December 15, 2025, at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time, with a public opening scheduled for December 16, 2025. The bids will be evaluated using a combination of quality (60%) and price (40%) criteria.

Lot 1 focuses on photo laboratory services including film processing, digitization, and managing inventories, while Lot 2 concerns photo printing services ranging from printing in various formats to retouching and framing photos. The contracts will operate under framework agreements without reopening the competition.

The contract period is set for a maximum duration of 48 months, with the initial term followed by three optional renewal periods. The opportunity emphasizes professional standards in service delivery, with the Commission's aim being the effective management and preservation of its photographic archives.

All submissions must be made electronically, and a Participant Identification Code (PIC) is necessary for tender participation. The submission system supports 24 official EU languages and is designed to ensure data confidentiality and integrity. Each submission can include up to 200 files, with a maximum file size of 50 MB.

This tender is a significant operational procurement strategy by the European Commission to ensure high-quality service in managing and preserving important photographic assets, thus meeting its institutional objectives in communications.

The European Commission, DG COMM Communication, has published a call for tenders EC-COMM/2025/OP/0146 for photo laboratory services, printing services, and related supplies. The TED reference for this call is 216/2025 744709-2025. The estimated total value of the tender is 2,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 10/11/2025. The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 15/12/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels. The date and time of the public opening is 16/12/2025 at 10:00 Europe/Brussels. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 09/12/2025 07:00 Europe/Brussels.

The purpose of these framework contracts is to provide the European Commission with professional services and supplies necessary for the long-term preservation of audiovisual photo productions according to professional standards, their digitization, their inventory, high-quality printing, and their distribution to interested parties.

The call for tenders is divided into two lots:

Lot 1: PHOTO LABORATORY SERVICES
Description: Provision of photo laboratory services according to professional standards, notably film processing and development, digitization of photos and paper documents, inventory of photos.
Nature of the contract: Services
Maximum contract duration: 48 months
Award method: Best price-quality ratio
Estimated value: 1,000,000 EUR
Framework agreement: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
Main classification (CPV): 79960000 Photographic and ancillary services
Additional classification (CPV): 92512000 Archive services

Lot 2: PHOTO PRINTING SERVICES AND RELATED SUPPLIES
Description: Provision of photo printing services according to professional standards, notably photo printing from/into various formats and print materials, retouching of files to print, professional mounting and framing of photos, supply of consumables.
Nature of the contract: Services
Maximum contract duration: 48 months
Award method: Best price-quality ratio
Estimated value: 1,000,000 EUR
Framework agreement: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
Main classification (CPV): 79960000 Photographic and ancillary services
Additional classification (CPV): 79800000 Printing and related services

The following documents are available for download:
Annex I Annex 2 to Admin Specs both Lots Declaration on Honour Invitation letter Published on 10/11/2025 All lots Version 1 No translations available
Annex I to ITT Administrative Specifications for both Lots Invitation letter Published on 10/11/2025 All lots Version 1 No translations available
Invitation to tender EC-COMM-2025-OP-0146 Invitation letter Published on 10/11/2025 All lots Version 1 No translations available
Annex IV to ITT Technical Specifications for Lot I Technical specifications Published on 10/11/2025 All lots Version 1 No translations available
Annex V to ITT Technical Specifications for Lot II Technical specifications Published on 10/11/2025 All lots Version 1 No translations available
Annex IV Lot I-B Financial tender form Financial offer form Published on 10/11/2025 Lot 1 Version 1 No translations available
Annex IV Lot I-D Technical tender form Financial offer form Published on 10/11/2025 Lot 1 Version 1 No translations available
Annex V Lot II-C Technical tender form Financial offer form Published on 10/11/2025 Lot 2 Version 1 No translations available
Annex V Lot II-A Financial tender form Financial offer form Published on 10/11/2025 All lots Version 1 No translations available
Annex II to ITT Draft FWC for Lot I Draft contract Published on 10/11/2025 Lot 1 Version 1 No translations available

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

FAQ's:
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In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Commission for services related to photo laboratory work and printing. The Commission needs assistance with preserving, digitizing, and distributing its audiovisual photo productions. The tender is divided into two lots: one for photo laboratory services like film processing and digitization, and another for photo printing services including retouching and mounting. Companies can bid on one or both lots. The total estimated value is 2 million EUR, with each lot valued at 1 million EUR. The contracts will be framework agreements lasting 48 months, and the award will be based on the best price-quality ratio. The submission deadline is December 15, 2025, and all submissions must be made electronically.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the tender, it is likely that eligible applicants include companies, service providers, and other organizations with the professional capacity to provide photo laboratory services, printing services, and related supplies. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, and potentially research institutions or other specialized organizations.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a call for tenders. The European Commission is seeking to establish framework contracts with service providers.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the documentation mentions the possibility of participating as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). Therefore, both single applicants and consortia are likely eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but given that it is an EU funding opportunity, it is highly likely that applicants from the EU and potentially EEA countries are eligible. The specific call documentation should be consulted to confirm any geographic restrictions or eligibility criteria.

Target Sector: The target sector is photographic and printing services. Specifically, the program targets services and supplies necessary for the long-term preservation of audiovisual photo productions, their digitization, inventory, high-quality printing, and distribution.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The opportunity is from the European Commission, implying that it is likely targeted at EU member states and potentially EEA countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is service provision. The tender is seeking established providers of photo laboratory and printing services, not projects in early stages of research or development.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the tender is 2,000,000 EUR. Each lot (photo laboratory services and photo printing services) has an estimated value of 1,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered under the framework contracts.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it is typical for procurement procedures to involve at least two stages: submission of a tender and evaluation of the tender.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly stated. Procurement contracts typically do not require co-funding from the applicant.

Summary: This is a call for tenders (EC-COMM/2025/OP/0146) issued by the European Commission, DG COMM, with the goal of establishing framework contracts for photo laboratory services, printing services, and related supplies. The total estimated value of the tender is 2,000,000 EUR. The tender is divided into two lots: Lot 1 focuses on photo laboratory services, including film processing, digitization, and inventory, while Lot 2 covers photo printing services, such as printing from various formats, retouching, mounting, framing, and supply of consumables. The maximum contract duration is 48 months, and the award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. The deadline for receipt of tenders is December 15, 2025, at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time. Submissions must be sent electronically. A Participant Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation. The system supports 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure data integrity and confidentiality. The maximum attachment size is 50 MB, and the number of attachments is limited to 200 files.