Secure Operations of DG TAXUD’s Central and Distributed Digital Information Systems (TAXUD-OPS)

This opportunity involves a call for tenders from the European Commission's DG TAXUD for providing IT support services related to Customs and Taxation systems. The tender is divided into two lots: Lot 1 focuses on Customs IT systems, while Lot 2 is for Taxation IT systems. This procurement is structured as a framework contract with a maximum duration of 60 months, incorporating potential renewals.

Eligible applicants are primarily large enterprises with relevant expertise in IT services, specifically indicated by the exclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises. The tender supports a single applicant model, allowing subcontracting, although it does not require consortia. Geographic eligibility is limited to entities based in EU member states and possibly EEA countries.

The procurement emphasizes quality over cost, with the evaluation criteria weighted at 70% for quality and 30% for price. The application process is open and requires electronic submission by June 30, 2025. The award will be based on the best price-quality ratio, with varied financial amounts dependent on individual task orders under the framework agreement.

The tender documents include various specifications such as invitation letters, administrative specifications, declarations of honor, and annexes concerning capacity and financial models. The project aims to ensure operational support and facilitate the agile delivery of new digital systems, focusing on ongoing maintenance rather than research or development. The successful bidder will receive monetary compensation for services provided.

Overall, this tender represents a significant opportunity for qualified IT service providers to engage with the European Commission in enhancing digital public services within the customs and taxation sectors.

This is an invitation to tender, reference number EC-TAXUD/2025/OP/0003, for the secure operations of DG TAXUD’s Central and Distributed Digital Information Systems (TAXUD-OPS). The TED reference is 99/2025 333605-2025. It is an open procedure with electronic submission. The tender was published on 23/05/2025.

The description of the tender is the provision of specific business-aware IT support services to the National Administrations, the Commission and Trade, on behalf of DG TAXUD, enabling its Business and Technological Digital Transformation and securing the operations of existing and agile delivery of new DG TAXUD central and distributed information systems.

The call for tenders is divided into two lots:

Framework Contract TAXUD-OPS Lot 1: Encompasses services related to Customs IT systems and services, including associated applications and tools.

Framework Contract TAXUD-OPS Lot 2: Covers services related to the Taxation IT Systems and services and its associated applications and tools.

The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG TAXUD Taxation and Customs Union. The main classification (CPV) code is 72000000 IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support.

Lot 1 is titled TAXUD-OPS Lot 1 Customs. It is a service contract with a maximum duration of 60 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. It is a framework agreement without reopening of competition. The selection criteria include suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability. Details for these criteria are available in the procurement documents.

Lot 2 is titled TAXUD-OPS Lot 2 Taxation. It covers services related to the Taxation IT Systems and services and its associated applications and tools. It is a service contract with a maximum duration of 60 months. The award method is best price-quality ratio. It is a framework agreement without reopening of competition. The selection criteria include suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability. Details for these criteria are available in the procurement documents.

Key milestones include:

TED publication date: 23/05/2025

Date and time of public opening: 01/07/2025 10:00 Europe/Brussels

Deadline for receipt of tenders: 30/06/2025 16:00 Europe/Brussels

Contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after: 20/06/2025 05:00 Europe/Brussels

The following documents are available for download:

Invitation to tender Invitation letter, published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

TAXUD-OPS Tender Specifications Part A Administrative Specifications final, published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

Declaration-of-honour Declaration on honour (tender), published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

Annex 3 Agreement-Power of Attorney (all Lots), published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

Annex 4 Identified subcontractors (all Lots), published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

Annex 5-1 CommitLetter Identified Subc (all Lots), published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

Annex 5-2 CommitLetter Entity for Capacity (all Lots), published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

TAXUD-OPS Annex 6.1 Financial Model LOT 1 final, published on 23/05/2025, for Lot 1, version 1, no translations available.

TAXUD-OPS Annex 6.2 Financial Model LOT 2 final, published on 23/05/2025, for Lot 2, version 1, no translations available.

TAXUD-OPS Annex 7 Baseline Documentation Access Request Non-Disclosure Declaration final, published on 23/05/2025, for all lots, version 1, no translations available.

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

Three questions and answers are available:

Question 65449: Can you please provide us with the Annexes 3, 4, 5.1 and 5.2 in editable format? Answer: Dear tenderer, the annexes have been republished in an editable format. Published on 26/05/2025 20:44

Question 65447: Can you please provide us with the Annex 7 in editable format? Answer: Dear tenderer, the annex has been republished in an editable format. Published on 26/05/2025 20:42

Question 65446: Can you please provide us with the Annex 1 which is included in the Administrative Specifications .pdf file, pages 36-38, in a s...? Answer: Dear tenderer, the annex has been republished in a readable format. Published on 26/05/2025 20:40

In summary, this tender opportunity seeks IT support services for the European Commission's DG TAXUD, focusing on both Customs and Taxation IT systems. The project aims to enhance the digital transformation and security of existing and new information systems. The tender is divided into two lots, one for Customs and one for Taxation, each with a maximum contract duration of 60 months. The selection will be based on the best price-quality ratio. Interested parties must submit their tenders electronically by 30/06/2025. Several annexes are required for the submission, and updated versions in editable formats have been published to address tenderer requests.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the tender, it is likely that eligible applicants include companies, firms, and other legal entities capable of providing IT support services, including consulting, software development, internet, and support. Subcontractors are also mentioned, indicating that applicants can involve other entities in their tender. The selection criteria mention "Suitability to pursue the professional activity," "Economic and financial standing," and "Technical and professional ability," suggesting that the applicants should be established and capable organizations.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract. The call is for tenders, and the nature of the contract is described as "services." The European Commission, DG TAXUD, is seeking to procure IT support services. The contract is a framework agreement, without reopening of competition.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, the mention of "Identified subcontractors" and "CommitLetter Identified Subc" suggests that applicants may form consortia or involve subcontractors to fulfill the requirements of the tender. Therefore, either a single applicant or a consortium could be eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly mentioned. Given that it is a European Commission tender, it is highly likely that the geographic eligibility includes EU member states and potentially EEA countries or other countries with agreements with the EU. Further details would be needed from the tender documents to confirm the exact geographic scope.

Target Sector: The target sector is ICT (Information and Communication Technology), specifically IT services. The main classification (CPV) code provided is 72000000, which corresponds to IT services: consulting, software development, Internet, and support. The tender focuses on providing IT support services for Customs and Taxation IT systems.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned in the provided text. The relevant region is the European Union, as the contracting authority is the European Commission.

Project Stage: The project stage is operational. The tender is for the provision of IT support services for existing and new DG TAXUD central and distributed information systems. The focus is on securing operations and enabling the agile delivery of new systems, indicating a need for ongoing support and maintenance.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value is not provided in the text. The text only mentions "Estimated value-" without a specific amount.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders. The submission method is electronic, and the procedure type is described as an "Open procedure."

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services. This is a service contract, so the selected tenderers will be paid for the IT support services they provide.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that there are multiple stages. The selection criteria include "Suitability to pursue the professional activity," "Economic and financial standing," and "Technical and professional ability," suggesting that applicants will be evaluated based on these criteria in potentially separate stages.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not mentioned in the provided text.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG TAXUD, for the provision of business-aware IT support services. The tender is divided into two lots: Lot 1 focuses on Customs IT systems and services, while Lot 2 covers Taxation IT systems and services. The aim is to secure the operations of existing systems and enable the agile delivery of new DG TAXUD central and distributed information systems.

The tender is an open procedure, and submissions must be sent electronically. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 30/06/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels. The maximum contract duration is 60 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio.

Applicants should be capable of providing IT services, including consulting, software development, Internet, and support. They must demonstrate their suitability to pursue the professional activity, their economic and financial standing, and their technical and professional ability. Subcontractors can be involved.

The tender documents include an invitation letter, tender specifications, a declaration of honor, and several annexes related to agreements, power of attorney, identified subcontractors, commitment letters, financial models, and baseline documentation access requests. These documents are essential for preparing a complete and compliant tender.