Provision of confidential and professional 24/7 counselling support services

The document describes a forthcoming procurement opportunity from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) for Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services, including 24/7 counseling and wellbeing services for its staff. This is a pre-announcement for a planned negotiated low or middle value procedure, not yet a call for tenders. The framework contract will have a maximum duration of 48 months.

Eligible applicants are likely legal entities with expertise in counseling and employee support services, potentially including large enterprises or specialized service providers. The procurement emphasizes that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may not be prioritized, as indicated by the SME suitability indicator set to false. While no explicit mention of consortia is made, applications are likely to be accepted from single entities.

The funding type involves a procurement contract rather than a traditional grant, with no specific funding amount disclosed. The estimated value of the contract will likely be determined through a bidding process, guided by the evaluation criterion of the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). The procedure type is characterized as a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract.

Geographic eligibility for this opportunity is expected to include entities from EU member states or associated countries. The contract focuses on the public services sector, specifically addressing employee wellbeing and HR support services.

Interested parties can begin expressing their interest electronically starting from July 25, 2025, with a deadline set for September 6, 2025. The launch of the negotiated procedure is anticipated on October 15, 2025. The nature of support involves monetary compensation for provided services, with the aim of delivering ongoing employee assistance.

In summary, Cedefop seeks to establish a framework contract for EAP services through a structured procurement process, targeting eligible service providers within the EU/EEA. The document serves to inform potential participants about the opportunity and its upcoming timeline, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for updates.

This is a pre-information notice, announcing the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. This is not a call for tenders.

The procedure identifier is CEDEFOP/2025/LVP/0010-EXA.

Cedefop is planning to award a framework contract for the provision of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services including confidential and professional 24/7 counselling support, and a range of wellbeing-related services to its staff.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is for services. The main classification (CPV) code is 85312300, which refers to guidance and counselling services. The maximum contract duration is 48 months. It will be a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-07-25 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 06/09/2025 03:59 Europe/Athens. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-10-15 Europe/Athens.

The method of expression of interest is electronic. To express interest, use the "Express interest" link. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given.

A frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is that references that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This answer was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future tender by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop). They plan to establish a framework contract for Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services, including 24/7 counselling and wellbeing support for their staff. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched around October 15, 2025, but interested parties can express their interest starting from July 25, 2025, with a deadline for expressing interest on September 6, 2025. This is a negotiated procedure for a low or middle value contract, and the contract will be for a duration of 48 months. The CPV code indicates that the core service is guidance and counselling.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the contract for Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services, it is likely that eligible applicants would include companies or organizations specializing in counselling, wellbeing services, and employee support programs. This could include SMEs, large enterprises, or other service providers with relevant expertise.

Funding Type: The funding type is a procurement, specifically a framework contract. The contracting authority, Cedefop, intends to award a framework contract for services.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, it is more likely that both single applicants and consortia of service providers with the necessary expertise could be eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, since Cedefop is a European agency, it is highly probable that the geographic eligibility includes EU member states, and potentially EEA countries or other countries closely associated with the EU.

Target Sector: The target sector is services, specifically guidance and counselling services, and wellbeing-related services. The main classification (CPV) code provided is 85312300, which corresponds to guidance and counselling services.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The relevant region is the EU, given that Cedefop is a European agency.

Project Stage: This is a service contract, not a project in the traditional sense. The expected stage is the provision of operational services, specifically the delivery of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value is not specified, but the procedure type is described as a "Planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract." This suggests that the funding amount is likely to be in the range of under €50k to €200k, or possibly up to €1M, but without more information, it is difficult to provide a more precise estimate.

Application Type: The application type will be a negotiated procedure. The announcement is a "publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure." The method of expression of interest is electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing services. The nature of support is monetary compensation for the provision of EAP services.

Application Stages: The application process appears to involve multiple stages. First, there is an expression of interest, followed by a negotiated procedure. The exact number of stages will depend on the specifics of the negotiated procedure, but it is likely to involve at least two stages: expression of interest and submission of a detailed proposal.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text. As this is a negotiated procedure, the success rate will depend on the number of qualified applicants and the specific requirements of Cedefop.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not mention any co-funding requirement. It is likely that co-funding is not required, as this is a procurement contract for services.

Summary: This is a pre-announcement of a planned call for tenders by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop). Cedefop intends to award a framework contract for the provision of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services, including 24/7 counselling support and wellbeing-related services for its staff. This is not a call for tenders yet, but a publication to inform potential applicants about a future negotiated procedure for a low or middle value contract. Companies or organizations specializing in counselling and employee support services should monitor the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the official launch of the negotiated procedure, which is indicatively scheduled for 2025-10-15. Interested parties can express their interest electronically, with a deadline of 06/09/2025. The contract duration is expected to be 48 months.