Pilot In-Situ Data Collection Campaign Using Crowdsourcing for the CLMS Grassland Mowing Events and Dates Layers

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released a call for tenders, identified as EEA/2025/OP/0018, for a pilot project to design and implement a crowdsourcing data collection campaign. This initiative will support the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS), specifically focusing on High Resolution Layers that track grassland mowing events and dates, designated as GRAME/GRAMD. The aim is to validate the feasibility and quality of crowdsourced data within CLMS workflows.

This is an open procurement procedure, with submissions required electronically. The total estimated value of the contract is €500,000, which positions it within the €200,000 to €1,000,000 range. The contract period is capped at 24 months, with the award decision being based on a best price-quality ratio. The key sectors targeted include IT services, software development, and environmental monitoring.

Eligible applicants are primarily larger IT service and software development firms, as the data indicates no specific targeting of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and does not mention startups, universities, or NGOs. Although the exact scope is not detailed, it's implied that candidates should be based in EU/EEA nations due to the EEA's operational territory.

The project is currently at the demonstration or validation stage, aiming to evaluate the operational integration of crowdsourced data into CLMS. The tender process consists of a single stage, with a submissions deadline set for September 30, 2025, at 14:00 Europe/Copenhagen time and a public opening event scheduled for October 1, 2025.

The documentation necessary for participation—including tender specifications, pricing templates, and service contract drafts—can be downloaded from the EEA's electronic submission portal. It is essential for applicants to register for a Personal Identification Code (PIC) prior to submitting tenders.

There is no requirement for co-funding, and the tender does not specifically mention consortium obligations, suggesting that single applicants are acceptable. Successful bidders will enter a direct service contract with the EEA, emphasizing the importance of data quality, operational relevance, and scalability for future integration into CLMS.

Overall, this tender represents a substantial opportunity for qualified firms to engage in a project that contributes to significant advancements in environmental monitoring efforts within the EU.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a call for tenders, procedure identifier EEA/2025/OP/0018, titled "Pilot In-Situ Data Collection Campaign Using Crowdsourcing for the CLMS Grassland Mowing Events and Dates Layers." The TED reference for this call is 145/2025 502178-2025.

The primary objective of this tender is to design and implement a pilot in-situ data collection campaign utilizing crowdsourcing approaches. This campaign will support the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service’s (CLMS) High Resolution Layers on Grassland Mowing Events and Dates (GRAME/GRAMD). The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility, data quality, and operational value of crowdsourced in-situ observations for potential future integration into CLMS production and validation workflows.

This is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The estimated total value of the tender is 500,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 31/07/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The main classification (CPV) code is 72000000, which pertains to IT services, including consulting, software development, Internet services, and support. The nature of the contract is for services, with a maximum contract duration of 24 months. The award method will be based on the best price-quality ratio. This tender does not involve a framework agreement.

Key milestones include:
TED publication date: 31/07/2025
Date and time of public opening: 01/10/2025 10:00 Europe/Copenhagen
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 30/09/2025 14:00 Europe/Copenhagen
Deadline after which the Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions: 22/09/2025 06:00 Europe/Copenhagen

The following documents are available for download:
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Invitation to tender Invitation letter, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex I Tender Specifications Tender specifications, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 1 to TS Price Quotation Template Financial offer form, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 2 to TS Draft Direct Service Contract Draft contract, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 3 to TS Overview of experience Other invitation to tender document, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 4 to TS CLMS IT architecture principles Other invitation to tender document, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 5 to TS UU COM activities INSITU clean Other invitation to tender document, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 6 to TS CLMS CommsStrategy 2023-2028 Other invitation to tender document, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available
ENEEA.DTL.R0.25.001 Annex 7 to TS Checklist for eSubmission OC Other invitation to tender document, published on 31/07/2025, Version 1, No translations available

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In summary, this tender opportunity invites organizations to design and implement a pilot program for collecting in-situ data using crowdsourcing techniques. This data will be used to enhance the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service's information on grassland mowing events. The European Environment Agency is seeking a solution that demonstrates the value of crowdsourced data for improving the accuracy and efficiency of environmental monitoring. The project has a budget of 500,000 EUR and a maximum duration of 24 months. Interested parties must submit their tenders electronically by September 30, 2025, following the guidelines and requirements outlined in the tender documents. A key aspect of the submission process involves using the eSubmission portal, and applicants should familiarize themselves with its technical requirements and FAQs to ensure a smooth submission.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the call for tenders and the requirement for a direct service contract, it can be inferred that eligible applicants are likely to be organizations or companies capable of providing IT services, consulting, and software development. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, research institutes, and other entities with relevant expertise.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract. The call is an invitation to tender, and the selected tenderer will be awarded a direct service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. The FAQ section mentions that a Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory to participate 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 mentioned in the provided text. However, given that the call is issued by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and supports the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service, it is highly likely that the eligibility extends to entities within the EU and potentially EEA countries. Further details would need to be checked in the official call documents.

Target Sector: The target sector is multifaceted, encompassing IT services, consulting, software development, and environmental monitoring. Specifically, it targets the design and implementation of in-situ data collection campaigns using crowdsourcing approaches. This relates to the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS), focusing on High Resolution Layers on Grassland Mowing Events and Dates (GRAME/GRAMD). Therefore, the relevant sectors include IT, software services, consulting, agriculture/food (grassland management), and environmental monitoring.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned in the provided text. The relevant region is Europe, given the involvement of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service.

Project Stage: The project stage is a pilot project, specifically to design and implement a pilot in-situ data collection campaign. This suggests a development and demonstration stage, aiming to validate the feasibility, data quality, and operational value of crowdsourced in-situ observations.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 500,000 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a service contract payment, in exchange for delivering the services specified in the tender specifications.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that there are at least two stages: submission of the tender and evaluation of the tenders. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio, suggesting a detailed evaluation process.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. Typically, procurement contracts do not require co-funding, as the contracting authority is paying for a service.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for tenders issued by the European Environment Agency (EEA) for a project to design and implement a pilot in-situ data collection campaign using crowdsourcing approaches. The project aims to support the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service’s High Resolution Layers on Grassland Mowing Events and Dates (GRAME/GRAMD). The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility, data quality, and operational value of using crowdsourced in-situ observations for future integration into CLMS production and validation workflows.

The procedure is an open call, meaning any eligible organization can submit a tender. The submission must be electronic. The estimated total value of the contract is 500,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 24 months. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio.

The successful tenderer will be required to enter into a direct service contract with the EEA. The project falls within the sectors of IT services, consulting, software development, and environmental monitoring, with a specific focus on agriculture and grassland management.

To participate, organizations must register for a Personal Identification Code (PIC). The deadline for receipt of tenders is September 30, 2025, at 14:00 Europe/Copenhagen time. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after September 22, 2025, at 06:00 Europe/Copenhagen time.

The tender documents, including the invitation letter, tender specifications, price quotation template, draft service contract, and other relevant annexes, are available for download. The eSubmission system supports various file types and has specific requirements for attachment names and sizes (files less than 50 MB, maximum 200 files per tender). The system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information.