Preparatory Action project for EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC)

The European Commission, specifically the Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV), has announced a tender for a project titled "Preparatory Action project for the EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC)," identified as EC-ENV/2025/OP/0021. This call for tenders seeks to establish a biodiversity observation coordination centre and monitoring framework, aimed at enhancing the coherence, availability, and accessibility of biodiversity data to support EU biodiversity policies on a national, EU, and global level. The estimated budget for this contract is 7,000,000 EUR, and the project duration is set for 36 months.

The submission process for this tender is open, requiring electronic submissions. The deadline for submitting tenders is September 15, 2025, at 16:00 Brussels time. A public opening of tenders is scheduled for September 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Documents related to the tender, such as the invitation letter, tender specifications, and draft contract, are available for download.

Eligible applicants for this call include various entities such as companies, research institutions, NGOs, and consortia, although a specific mention of eligibility criteria is not provided. The contract is classified under the CPV code 90700000, indicating it falls under environmental services. There is no explicit requirement for a consortium, but both single applicants and consortia are allowed.

The tender is structured as a public procurement contract rather than a traditional grant. The evaluation will consider quality (60%) and price (40%), with a focus on identifying the best price-quality ratio. Standard EU procurement rules apply, allowing participation from EU and EEA member states, with potential inclusivity for international entities depending on agreements.

In summary, this tender represents an opportunity for organizations skilled in biodiversity data management and environmental services to contribute to a critical EU initiative, with ample funding to support the development of a functional biodiversity observation structure that complies with EU policy requirements.

The European Commission, DG ENV Environment, has announced a call for tenders for a Preparatory Action project for the EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC). The procedure identifier is EC-ENV/2025/OP/0021. This is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic.

The project aims to pilot and test the biodiversity observation coordination centre and monitoring framework based on the EuropaBON proposal. The goal is to improve the availability, coherence, and accessibility of biodiversity data to support the implementation of EU biodiversity policy at national, EU, and global levels. It also seeks to establish a coherent, structured, and cost-effective EU approach to systematic biodiversity observation, streamline biodiversity data flows, and reduce administrative burden in Member States regarding biodiversity monitoring and reporting.

The estimated total value of the contract is 7,000,000 EUR. The maximum contract duration is 36 months. The award method will be based on the best price-quality ratio. No framework agreement is mentioned.

The TED publication date is 26/06/2025. The date and time of the public opening are 16/09/2025 at 10:30 Europe/Brussels time. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 15/09/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 05/09/2025 at 05:00 Europe/Brussels time.

The main classification (CPV) is 90700000 Environmental services. The nature of the contract is for services.

The following documents are available for download: Invitation letter (published on 26/06/2025, Version 1, no translations available), Tender specifications (published on 26/06/2025, Version 1, no translations available), and Draft contract (published on 26/06/2025, Version 1, no translations available).

Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission at the address provided.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to proceed if the system is slow or doesn’t work while uploading/downloading documents?
Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If the issue persists, clear the cache and cookies on the Internet browser. Published on 13/02/2025 20:52

Which Internet browsers does eSubmission support?
Use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For the most up-to-date technical recommendations, click on the link System Requirements. Published on 13/02/2025 20:52

Is it possible to view the details of the submission after the deadline?
No, the content of the submission is not accessible after submitting the tender as the system encrypts all attachments upon upload. The system will not allow decryption after the upload. Published on 13/02/2025 20:50

Where can I find my submissions in Manage My Area, in the Funding & Tenders portal?
Submissions can be found in one of these sections: In ‘My Submission(s)’: tenders in response to open calls for tenders, requests to participate. Published on 17/10/2024 20:40

Which size should attachments have?
eSubmission accepts files that are less than 50 MB in size. Larger files will not be accepted. Published on 17/10/2024 20:36

How should I name attachments in eSubmission?
Name the attachments for your tender draft following the System Requirements. Attachment names must adhere to the following conditions. Published on 03/10/2024 16:39

Can I submit a video in eSubmission? Which formats are supported?
Check the System Requirements of eSubmission. Published on 03/10/2024 16:37

I received an invitation from the F&T Portal but cannot view the procurement documents.
Invited candidates can only see the procurement documents after having selected an organisation. Go to F&T Portal, “My Invitations”. Click on “Select Organisation” from the “Action” column. Published on 03/10/2024 16:37

Do I need to validate my PIC in order to submit a tender in eSubmission?
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). For subcontractors, PIC is not mandatory. Published on 03/10/2024 16:36

I have an issue uploading a file in eSubmission and it’s giving me an error. What do I do?
Ensure the file follows the technical requirements of the system. A) For procurement procedures: B) For requests. Published on 03/10/2024 16:36

How many attachments can I upload per submission?
The maximum number of documents the system will allow you to upload per tender is 200 files. Check the eSubmission System Requirements in the documentation. Published on 03/10/2024 16:35

Why do tenderers need a PIC?
It is mandatory to register for a PIC if you intend to submit a tender or a request to participate. Only one PIC per organisation must be used. Published on 23/04/2024 17:14

How do I register my organisation and get a Participant Identification Code (PIC)?
First, check if the organisation is already registered using the Search PIC tool under 'How to Participate' > Participant Register. If your organisation is a bigger. Published on 23/04/2024 16:07

What is the validity period of a PIC?
A PIC is unique and its validity is not limited in time. Published on 22/04/2024 22:55

How many languages does the system support?
The system is multilingual and supports all 24 official EU languages. Published on 01/04/2024 19:56

Which is the character set encoding in the system?
The character set encoding is UTF-8. Published on 22/02/2024 23:58

Does the system use encryption to ensure the integrity and the confidentiality of the information?
Yes, the system encrypts all uploaded documents, using an asymmetric key as an encryption mechanism. Published on 22/02/2024 23:57

Which file types does the system support?
The supported file types depend on the type of submission you want to make. The allowed file types are specified within the system requirements linked to the procedure in question. Published on 21/02/2024 23:55

Can I view and edit my draft submission?
Until the deadline for the submission has been reached, submissions in the draft status can be edited, viewed and deleted. Published on 24/03/2023 21:32

In the submission report, under the name of our entity, "Legal form: UNKNOWN" is displayed while in the system, our legal form was correctly displayed. Is this a problem for the submission?
No, it is just a display issue. This is not blocking for you: you can submit. Published on 03/08/2021 22:07

I sent my submission on time and a few days later, I received an automatic email informing me that the deadline for the reception of submissions had been reached. Does this mean that my submission was not correctly sent?
No, this is an auto-generated notification sent when the time limit of receipt defined for the call for tenders has been reached. Until then, you had the possibility of withdrawing. Published on 03/08/2021 22:05

In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG ENV Environment, for a project to pilot and test the EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC) based on the EuropaBON proposal. The project aims to improve biodiversity data availability and support EU biodiversity policy implementation. The total estimated value is 7,000,000 EUR, and the project duration is 36 months. Submissions must be electronic, and the deadline is 15/09/2025. A key requirement for applicants is to have a Personal Identification Code (PIC). The eSubmission system supports multiple languages and encrypts uploaded documents. Tenderers should use the latest versions of Chrome or Firefox and ensure attachments are less than 50 MB and follow the naming conventions specified in the System Requirements.

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 estimated total value, it is likely that eligible applicants include organizations such as research institutes, universities, environmental agencies, consultancies, and other entities with relevant expertise in biodiversity observation, data management, and policy implementation. Both single applicants and consortia are likely eligible, but this is not explicitly stated.

Funding Type: The funding type is a procurement contract for services.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. The FAQ section mentions that a 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), which suggests that both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The call aims to support EU biodiversity policy implementation at national, EU, and global levels. While not explicitly stated, it is highly probable that eligible applicants must be based in the EU or associated countries. The project aims to streamline biodiversity data flows and reduce administrative burden in Member States, suggesting a focus on EU member states. The mention of global level support may indicate that international organizations or entities with a strong connection to EU biodiversity initiatives could also be eligible.

Target Sector: The target sector is environment, specifically biodiversity observation, data management, and policy implementation. The call focuses on establishing a biodiversity observation coordination centre and monitoring framework. The main classification (CPV) code is 90700000, which corresponds to environmental services.

Mentioned Countries: The text mentions EU Member States in the context of streamlining biodiversity data flows and reducing administrative burden. The call also aims to support EU biodiversity policy implementation at the national, EU, and global level. Therefore, the focus is primarily on the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is piloting and testing. The contract will pilot and test the biodiversity observation coordination centre and monitoring framework on the basis of the EuropaBON proposal. This suggests that the project is in the validation or demonstration phase, aiming to implement and refine an existing proposal.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 7,000,000 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. The contract is for services related to piloting and testing a biodiversity observation coordination centre and monitoring framework.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly mentioned. However, based on the documentation provided (invitation letter, tender specifications, draft contract), it can be inferred that there is at least one stage involving the submission of a tender, followed by an evaluation process.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG ENV Environment, for a Preparatory Action project for the EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC). The project aims to pilot and test a biodiversity observation coordination centre and monitoring framework based on the EuropaBON proposal. The goal is to improve the availability, coherence, and accessibility of biodiversity data to support EU biodiversity policy implementation at national, EU, and global levels. The contract has an estimated total value of 7,000,000 EUR and a maximum duration of 36 months. The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be sent electronically. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 15/09/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels. The contract will be awarded based on the best price-quality ratio. The TED reference is 120/2025 414600-2025, and the procedure identifier is EC-ENV/2025/OP/0021. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG ENV Environment. The main classification (CPV) code is 90700000, which corresponds to environmental services. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 05/09/2025 05:00 Europe/Brussels. The call is relevant to organizations with expertise in biodiversity observation, data management, and policy implementation, potentially including research institutes, universities, environmental agencies, and consultancies. The eSubmission system supports various file types and has specific requirements for attachment sizes and naming conventions. A Personal Identification Code (PIC) is mandatory for participation. The system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information.