Provision of development, maintenance, and support services for Java applications for the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators

The tender opportunity ACER-2025-OP-0015 issued by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) seeks to procure services for the development, maintenance, and support of Java applications. This is an open call for tenders with an estimated total value of €2,200,000 over a maximum contract duration of 48 months. The contracting authority will base the award on the best price-quality ratio.

Eligible applicants include both natural and legal persons, which can range from individual professionals to large public and private bodies, including consortiums. The call implies EU-wide geographic eligibility given ACER's operational scope. The specific target sector is Information and Communications Technology (ICT), particularly in software development services focused on Java applications.

The submission method is exclusively electronic, with the deadline set for June 10, 2025, at 16:00 local time in Ljubljana. The public opening of tenders will occur shortly thereafter, on June 11, 2025, at 11:00. A key criterion for eligibility includes demonstrable economic and financial standing, as potential applicants must have a turnover of at least €1,100,000 for similar services in the past two years.

The selection procedure engages a detailed evaluation process that assesses candidates based on their suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic standing, and technical ability. Tenderers are encouraged to review the available procurement documents closely, which comprise various annexes detailing requirements, including a checklist and specifications.

The contract does not mention any co-funding requirements, meaning that contractors will be fully compensated for the services rendered. The nature of support involves monetary compensation in exchange for the successful completion of contract obligations.

Moreover, the tender's publication date is April 15, 2025, and there will be no responses to questions posed after June 2, 2025. The submission process will require adherence to the electronic submission system, which accepts documentation in all 24 official EU languages.

Overall, this tender represents a significant opportunity for qualified organizations able to meet sophisticated technical requirements in software services, particularly for Java-based applications essential to ACER's operations.

ACER-2025-OP-0015: Provision of development, maintenance, and support services for Java applications for the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators

This is an open call for tenders with procedure identifier ACER/2025/OP/0015. The submission method is electronic and open for submission.

Description: The tender is for the provision of development, maintenance, and support services for Java applications for the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.

The estimated total value is 2,200,000 EUR. The TED publication date is 15/04/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. The main classification (CPV) code is 72262000 - Software development services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 48 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. It is a framework agreement without reopening of competition.

The selection criteria include:
1.  Suitability to pursue the professional activity (consult the procurement documents).
2.  Economic and financial standing (consult the procurement documents).
3.  Technical and professional ability (consult the procurement documents).

Milestones:
TED publication date: 15/04/2025
Date and time of public opening: 11/06/2025 11:00 Europe/Ljubljana
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 10/06/2025 16:00 Europe/Ljubljana
Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after: 02/06/2025 05:00 Europe/Ljubljana

Available Documents:
1. Invitation to tender ACER-2025-OP-0015 eSub Invitation letter, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
2. Annex I Tender specifications, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
3. Annex I C Declaration on honour, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
4. Annex I B Identification of the tenderer, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
5. Annex I A Checklist for tenderers eSub, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
6. Annex I D a Identification Form natural person, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
7. Annex I D c Identification Form public law body, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
8. Annex I D b Identification Form private law body, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
9. Annex I G Commitment letter by the subcontractor, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.
10. Annex I E Power of attorney, published on 15/04/2025, Version 1, No translations available.

Submission Terms: Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below. The submission method is electronic.

Questions and Answers (Q&A):
There are 54 Q&A items available. Here are some examples:
* Question 65713: In Annex I -Tender specification, chapter 4.1.1. paragraph 4 Testing: a) The Contractor shall provide a development environment...
Answer: Section 4.1.1. of Annex I tender specifications states: ‘4. Testing: a) The Contractor shall provide a development environment that will facilitate its SSDLC process. The Agency shall...Published on 29/05/2025 00:57
* Question 65712: We would like to know whether in ANNEX I.B, in the part ‘Description of the statutory (at home Member State level) and non-statu...
Answer: The entire section ‘Description of the statutory (at home Member State level) and non-statutory (supplementary professional liability insurance) social security cover’ is relevant to ...Published on 29/05/2025 00:56
* Question 65711: In the tender document there are no specific details regarding the infrastructure of the current applications or future ones. Th...
Answer: The Agency has a production environment typical for Java-based applications available for both internal and external users. The Agency cannot share technical details of its IT systems. Published on 29/05/2025 00:55
* Question 65707: Could you please confirm whether the requirement refers to a total combined invoiced amount of at least EUR 1,100,000.00 for all...
Answer: The requirement refers to a total combined invoiced amount of at least EUR 1,100,000.00 for projects/contracts performed during the last two (2) years similar to the services as descr...Published on 29/05/2025 00:46
* Question 65705: QUESTION II.18.1. (a) 15 days is extremely short period for such consequences. We propose at least 60 days.
Answer: The period indicated in Article II.18.1.a cannot be modified. Published on 29/05/2025 00:39
* Question 65701: Question - I.12.1- could corresponding documentation be provided to be able to know all obligation related to security?
Answer: The applicable security requirements will be indicated in each specific contract. If the performance of a specific contract involves sensitive information, IT systems, physical access...Published on 29/05/2025 00:16
* Question 65646: QUESTION I.4.3. please explain which circumstances constitute "appropriate motivation".
Answer: ‘Appropriate motivation’ in the context of a contractor's decision not to respond to a request for a specific contract refers to clear, justified, and reasonable explanations that dem...Published on 28/05/2025 19:44
* Question 65394: Given that we have to provide a daily price for persons working on-site and that travel, accommodation and subsistence (per-diem...
Answer: There is no predefined estimation of the amount of on-site work required. The need for on-site presence will be specified on a case-by-case basis within each request for services. The ...Published on 24/05/2025 03:38
* Question 65391: In view of the Economic and financial capacity criteria, by ''The turnover concerning the services covered by the FWC should amo...
Answer: The turnover referred to in Section 18.2 of Annex I – Tender specifications specifically pertains to the development, maintenance, and support of Java applications. Published on 24/05/2025 03:28
* Question 64837: Regarding the section 18.3.3 (evidence to be provided), could you please be more specific about proving linguistic skills? Is th...
Answer: It is sufficient to indicate the linguistic skills in the CV as defined in section 18.3.3 of Annex I – Tender specifications for the respective profile. No additional evidence is requ...Published on 19/05/2025 17:03
* Question 64807: We understand that for the Web Developer profile that a consultant with a University Degree in Advertising and public relations ...
Answer: With regard to section 18.3.3 of Annex I Tender specifications, the Web designer profile shall fulfil the following minimum educational requirement: ‘completed university studies of a...Published on 17/05/2025 00:42
* Question 64804: In the tender specifications, page 24, section 18.3.2, we read “Evidence to be provided: The name(s) of customer(s), a brief des...
Answer: The Agency agrees that, in cases involving client confidentiality, the tenderer may indicate this circumstance and submit the required evidence without disclosing the client’s name. H...Published on 17/05/2025 00:26
* Question: How to proceed if the system is slow or doesn’t work while uploading/downloading documents?
Answer: Please make sure you use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If the issue persists, try the following steps: 1. Clear the cache and cookies on the Internet brows...Published on 13/02/2025 20:52
* Question: Which Internet browsers does eSubmission support?
Answer: Please use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. For the most up-to-date technical recommendations, click on the link System Requirements. You can access this link...Published on 13/02/2025 20:52
* Question: Which size should attachments have?
Answer: For attaching files to your tender submission, eSubmission accepts files that are less than 50 MB in size. Any larger sizes will not be accepted by the system. For the latest informa...Published on 17/10/2024 20:36
* Question: How many attachments can I upload per submission?
Answer: The maximum number of documents the system will allow you to upload per tender is 200 files. You are able to check the eSubmission System Requirements in the documentation by clicking...Published on 03/10/2024 16:35
* Question: Do I need to validate my PIC in order to submit a tender in eSubmission?
Answer: 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 i...Published on 03/10/2024 16:36
* Question: Which is the character set encoding in the system?
Answer: The character set encoding is UTF-8.Published on 22/02/2024 23:58

In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) for the provision of development, maintenance, and support services for Java applications. The procedure is an open one, meaning any interested party can submit a tender. The estimated value of the contract is 2.2 million EUR, and the maximum duration is 48 months. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio. Tenderers must submit their bids electronically by 10/06/2025. The tender documents outline the specific requirements and selection criteria, including suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability. A framework agreement will be awarded without reopening the competition. The Q&A section provides clarifications on various aspects of the tender, including technical requirements, eligibility criteria, and submission procedures. Tenderers should carefully review all the documents and Q&A before preparing their bids. A key requirement is having a turnover of at least EUR 1,100,000.00 for projects/contracts performed during the last two (2) years similar to the services described in the tender. The Agency will calculate the total reference price based on the financial offer submitted and the table indicated in section 20.2 of Annex I Tender specifications. The Agency confirms that the cover page and the Table of Contents do not count to the page limit set for the award criteria A, B and C. The Agency is unable to share technical or architectural details of its IT systems. In the technical tender proposal, the tenderer shall describe the proposed approach to the scenario.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include natural persons, private law bodies, and public law bodies based on the available Annex documents (Annex I D a, b, c). Consortiums or groupings of service providers are also eligible. The selection criteria include suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability, suggesting that a range of organizations from SMEs to large enterprises could be eligible.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a call for tenders. The nature of the contract is for services. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. A framework agreement will be established without reopening of competition.

Consortium Requirement: Both single applicants and consortiums are eligible to apply. Annex I-Tender Specifications, section 18.5 defines which documents shall be submitted by a consortium or grouping of service providers.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but Section 12.1 of the tender specifications indicates that the principal place of performance shall be in one of the countries listed under point 6.2, where the Contractor’s premises are located. The specific countries are not listed in the provided text, but it can be inferred that they are likely EU member states or countries closely associated with the EU, given the nature of the funding agency (European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators).

Target Sector: The target sector is ICT, specifically software development services. The call focuses on the provision of development, maintenance, and support services for Java applications.

Mentioned Countries: Slovenia is mentioned in relation to the time zone for the date and time of the public opening and deadlines (Europe/Ljubljana). Section 12.1 mentions that the principal place of performance of the FWC shall be in one of the countries listed under point 6.2, where the Contractor’s premises are located (working off-site), but the specific countries are not listed in the provided text.

Project Stage: The project stage encompasses development, maintenance, and support, indicating a focus on both existing and new Java applications. This suggests a range from development to commercialization and scale-up.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the tender is 2,200,000 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered, as this is a procurement contract. The unit prices quoted shall include all services as described in Section 4, including any charges and administrative costs.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that there are multiple stages involving assessment of suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders (ACER-2025-OP-0015) issued by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). The purpose of this tender is to procure services related to the development, maintenance, and support of Java applications. The estimated total value of the contract is 2,200,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 48 months. The procedure type is an open procedure, and the submission method is electronic.

Eligible applicants include natural persons, private law bodies, and public law bodies, including consortiums. Applicants must demonstrate suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio, and a framework agreement will be established without reopening of competition.

The TED reference for this tender is 74/2025 245916-2025. The TED publication date was 15/04/2025. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 10/06/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Ljubljana. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 02/06/2025 at 05:00 Europe/Ljubljana. The date and time of public opening is 11/06/2025 at 11:00 Europe/Ljubljana.

Tenderers are required to submit their tenders electronically and must adhere to the eSubmission system requirements, including file size limits (less than 50 MB per file) and naming conventions. The system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information.

The tender specifications outline the requirements for the development environment, testing procedures, and maintenance services. Tenderers must provide a development environment that facilitates their SSDLC process. Maintenance services for new web-based applications start after application delivery to the production environment.

The turnover referred to in Section 18.2 of Annex I – Tender specifications specifically pertains to the development, maintenance, and support of Java applications. The requirement refers to a total combined invoiced amount of at least EUR 1,100,000.00 for projects/contracts performed during the last two (2) years similar to the services as described.

In cases involving client confidentiality, the tenderer may indicate this circumstance and submit the required evidence without disclosing the client’s name. The Agency is unable to share technical or architectural details of its IT systems. In the technical tender proposal, the tenderer shall describe the proposed approach to the scenario.

The principal place of performance of the FWC shall be in one of the countries listed under point 6.2, where the Contractor’s premises are located (working off-site). There is no predefined estimation of the amount of on-site work required. The need for on-site presence will be specified on a case-by-case basis within each request for services.

Overall, this tender represents an opportunity for qualified organizations and individuals to provide Java application development, maintenance, and support services to the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. The tender process is electronic, and applicants must meet specific economic, financial, and technical requirements to be considered.