Promoting collective bargaining - lessons from the past, and the determinants of collective bargaining coverage

This document outlines a planned call for tenders from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND), focusing on research related to collective bargaining policies in Europe. The procedure identifier is EUROFOUND/2024/MVP/0028-EXA. The tender is divided into three distinct lots, each with specific objectives.

Lot 1 is concerned with how to promote collective bargaining, requiring a study to map and assess national policies designed to enhance collective bargaining frameworks. Lot 2 focuses on identifying the determinants of collective bargaining coverage, involving in-depth analysis of various factors contributing to the expansion of such coverage. Lot 3 includes comprehensive analysis and reporting on policies to promote collective bargaining, along with stakeholder engagement through roundtables.

The nature of the contract for all lots is classified as services with an estimated maximum duration of 16 months. As a planned negotiated procedure, it is described as a middle/low value contract, although specific funding amounts are not provided. Eligible applicants are not explicitly defined, but likely include research institutions or organizations with expertise in social policy and analysis. The geographic eligibility is inferred to be limited to entities within the EU and associated countries.

Expressions of interest can be submitted electronically starting from May 29, 2025, with a deadline of June 13, 2025, and the indicative launch of the negotiated procedure occurring shortly after. Although no success rates are mentioned, the application process is competitive, revolving around the quality of proposals submitted during the expression of interest phase. The funding structure indicates no co-funding requirement for successful applicants.

This pre-announcement serves as a notification for interested parties to prepare for the forthcoming tender while emphasizing that it is not a call for tenders at the present moment. Interested organizations are encouraged to monitor the linked portal for updates and the actual tender announcements.

This is a pre-information notice for a planned call for tenders, not an actual call for tenders. The contracting authority, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND), intends to publish a future negotiated procedure for a middle or low value contract.

The procedure identifier is EUROFOUND/2024/MVP/0028-EXA, and the title is "Promoting collective bargaining - lessons from the past, and the determinants of collective bargaining coverage - 250266/7367". The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The main classification (CPV) code is 79315000 Social research services. The estimated total value is not specified.

The planned call for tenders is divided into three lots:

Lot 1: How can collective bargaining be promoted? Lessons from the past. This lot involves the provision of a study mapping and comparing national policies aimed at promoting collective bargaining. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 16 months. The main CPV code is 79315000 Social research services, with an additional CPV code of 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services.

Lot 2: Determinants of collective bargaining coverage. This lot involves the provision of an in-depth analysis of the factors, and their weight, contributing to the increase of collective bargaining coverage. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 16 months. The main CPV code is 79315000 Social research services, with an additional CPV code of 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services.

Lot 3: In-depth analysis, policy relevant findings and reporting. This lot involves the provision of an in-depth analysis of policies and initiatives to promote collective wages bargaining and their effectiveness to increase bargaining coverage, provision of an integrated research report covering all three lots and conceptualisation, organisation and implementation of roundtables with relevant stakeholders. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 16 months. The main CPV code is 79315000 Social research services, with an additional CPV code of 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services.

For all three lots, the start date for expression of interest is 2025-05-29 Europe/Brussels, the deadline for expression of interest is 13/06/2025 05:59 Europe/Dublin, and the indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-06-13 Europe/Dublin. The method of expression of interest is electronic, and interested parties should express their interest electronically.

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given.

A Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) clarifies that references featuring an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure.

In summary, this is a pre-information notice from EUROFOUND about a planned negotiated procedure for a low or middle value contract concerning research on promoting collective bargaining. The project is divided into three lots, each focusing on different aspects of collective bargaining. The expression of interest period is scheduled for late May to mid-June 2025, with the negotiated procedure expected to launch shortly after. Interested parties should monitor the provided link for further updates and the actual call for tenders.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the work, it is likely that eligible applicants would include research institutes, universities, consulting firms, and other organizations with expertise in social research and policy analysis.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, as indicated by the "Nature of the contract: services" description for each lot. This is further supported by the fact that this is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. Either a single applicant or a consortium could potentially apply, depending on their capacity to fulfill the requirements of each lot.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity does not explicitly specify geographic eligibility. However, given that the contracting authority is the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND), it is highly likely that the geographic eligibility is focused on entities within the EU or EEA.

Target Sector: The target sector is social research, specifically focusing on collective bargaining, labor economics, and social policy. The description mentions "Promoting collective bargaining - lessons from the past, and the determinants of collective bargaining coverage." The CPV codes 79315000 (Social research services) and 73000000 (Research and development services and related consultancy services) also confirm this.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The relevant region is the EU, given the contracting authority is EUROFOUND.

Project Stage: The project stage is research and analysis, leading to policy recommendations. The descriptions of the lots emphasize mapping, comparing, and analyzing policies and initiatives.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract." This suggests that the funding amount is likely to be under €200k, and potentially even under €50k, but this is not explicitly stated. The estimated total value is not provided.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. The first step is to express interest electronically.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing services, specifically research and analysis services.

Application Stages: The application process involves at least two stages: expressing interest and then participating in a negotiated procedure.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned. As this is a negotiated procedure, the success rate will depend on the number of organizations invited to negotiate and the quality of their proposals.

Co-funding Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement for a planned call for tenders by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EUROFOUND). The project, titled "Promoting collective bargaining - lessons from the past, and the determinants of collective bargaining coverage," aims to conduct research and analysis related to collective bargaining and its impact. The procedure identifier is EUROFOUND/2024/MVP/0028-EXA.

The call for tenders is divided into three lots:

Lot 1: "How can collective bargaining be promoted? – Lessons from the past." This lot involves providing a study mapping and comparing national policies aimed at promoting collective bargaining.

Lot 2: "Determinants of collective bargaining coverage." This lot requires an in-depth analysis of the factors contributing to the increase of collective bargaining coverage.

Lot 3: "In-depth analysis, policy relevant findings and reporting." This lot includes an in-depth analysis of policies and initiatives to promote collective wages bargaining, an integrated research report covering all three lots, and the conceptualization, organization, and implementation of roundtables with relevant stakeholders.

The nature of the contract for all lots is services, with a maximum contract duration of 16 months. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified.

The milestones include a start date for expression of interest on 2025-05-29 and a deadline for expression of interest on 2025-06-13. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-06-13.

Interested parties must submit their expression of interest electronically via the provided link. This announcement is not a call for tenders, but rather a notification of the contracting authority's intention to publish a future negotiated procedure.