Provision of fuel, energy cards and services in selected areas of Montenegro

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, is announcing a future procurement opportunity for a framework contract focusing on fuel, energy cards, and associated services for its operational vehicles in selected areas of Montenegro. This is classified as a public procurement contract, rather than a grant program, and is designed for qualified service providers and energy company contractors capable of managing fuel card services and related automotive services.

The opportunity explicitly excludes SMEs, indicating it requires considerable operational capacity. Eligible applicants will typically need experience in managing networks for fuel cards, payment processing, and automotive services across multiple locations. The contract will be for operational services and will not fund projects in advance; instead, payments will be based on actual consumption of services rendered.

Services specified in the contract include fuel provision, electric vehicle charging capabilities, toll payments, and maintenance products for vehicles. The services are strictly limited to Montenegro, where Frontex operational vehicles will be deployed. There is no consortium requirement; applications can be submitted by single entities.

The contract's structure is a framework agreement, meaning that successful bidders will establish a long-term relationship with Frontex, without reopening competition during the contract duration of up to 48 months. The first step in the application process is an electronic expression of interest due by February 12, 2026, followed by a formal tender submission anticipated for February 24, 2026.

The estimated contract value has not been provided in the announcement, and interested parties must demonstrate substantial experience in fuel management and logistical support services to qualify. The opportunity does not require co-funding, as it is funded by the EU, and it signals a shift in procurement with a structured process rather than project outcomes.

This procurement serves operational support needs for Frontex, allowing them to efficiently manage resources for their operational vehicles within the specified geographic area.

This is a publication announcing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX)'s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. This is not a call for tenders.

The procedure identifier is FRONTEX/2026/MVP/0009-EXA.

The title of the planned call for tenders is "Provision of fuel, energy cards and services in selected areas of Montenegro".

The objective of the Framework Contract (FWC) is to provide Frontex with fuel card and associated services to purchase fuel for Frontex vehicles deployed in selected areas of Montenegro. The FWC also includes ancillary services, based on their availability, such as the possibility to charge electric vehicles, tolls payments, e.g. oil, lubricant products, windscreen wash liquid, wipers, as well as to pay road, tunnels and bridges tolls, car washing, ad blue, liquid, coolant, windshield cleaner, winter fuel additive liquid, etc.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified. The lead contracting authority is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX). The main classification (CPV) code is 63710000, which refers to support services for land transport. The nature of the contract is for 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 2026-01-28 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 13/02/2026 05:59 Europe/Warsaw. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2026-02-24 Europe/Warsaw.

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

A question and answer section is available.

A frequently asked question (FAQ) addresses where to find procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference. References that feature 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. This FAQ was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future procurement opportunity related to the provision of fuel and related services for Frontex vehicles in Montenegro. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched in the future, and this announcement serves to inform potential bidders about the upcoming opportunity and the possibility to express their interest. The contract will involve providing fuel cards, fuel, and ancillary services like electric vehicle charging, toll payments, and vehicle maintenance supplies. The procedure will be a negotiated one for a middle or low value contract, and the contract duration will be up to 48 months. Interested parties should monitor the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the official launch of the call for tenders and the publication of the relevant procurement documents.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the procurement, it is likely that eligible applicants would be service providers capable of providing fuel, energy cards, and related services. This could include companies, SMEs, or other entities with the capacity to deliver such services in the specified region.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is for services.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. It is possible that either a single applicant or a consortium could be eligible, depending on the specific requirements outlined in the future call for tenders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The services are to be provided in selected areas of Montenegro. Therefore, while not explicitly stated, it is highly probable that entities operating in or capable of providing services in Montenegro are eligible.

Target Sector: The target sector is support services for land transport, specifically the provision of fuel, energy cards, and related services for vehicles. This includes ancillary services such as electric vehicle charging, toll payments, and the supply of related products like oil, lubricants, and windscreen wash liquid.

Mentioned Countries: Montenegro is explicitly mentioned as the location where the services are to be provided.

Project Stage: This is a procurement for services that are already defined. The project stage is therefore at the implementation or operational stage.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "middle/low value contract," but the estimated total value is not specified. Therefore, the funding range is variable, but expected to be in the low to medium range.

Application Type: This is a planned negotiated procedure. The first step is to express interest electronically. The actual call for tenders will be launched at a later date.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing the specified services (fuel, energy cards, and related services).

Application Stages: There are multiple stages. First, there is an expression of interest. Then, there will be a negotiated procedure. The exact number of stages is not specified, but it is likely to involve at least two stages: expression of interest and then a full proposal/negotiation stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned. As this is a negotiated procedure, the success rate will depend on the number of qualified applicants and the negotiation process.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not specify whether co-funding is required.

Summary: This is a pre-announcement for a future negotiated procurement procedure by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX). The procurement aims to establish a framework agreement for the provision of fuel, energy cards, and related services for FRONTEX vehicles deployed in selected areas of Montenegro. The contract is classified as a middle/low value contract with a maximum duration of 48 months. The first step for interested parties is to submit an electronic expression of interest. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is in February 2026. The services include not only fuel and energy cards but also ancillary services such as electric vehicle charging, toll payments, and the supply of related products. The procedure identifier is FRONTEX/2026/MVP/0009-EXA. This announcement is not a call for tenders but a notification of the contracting authority's intention to publish a future negotiated procedure.