Servizio di somministrazione di lavoro a tempo determinato da parte di Agenzia di lavoro interinale per i servizi di ristorazione e i servizi della pi...

The European Commission (Office for Infrastructure and Logistics, OIB.LS.3) invites open tenders for a framework agreement (cascade, max two contractors) to supply temporary staff for catering and childcare services at the JRC Ispra site, with an estimated total value of €1,700,000 and a maximum duration of 48 months. Eligible bidders are licensed temporary employment agencies established in the EU/EEA meeting mandatory selection criteria including ISO 9001:2015 (or equivalent), minimum average sector turnover of €500,000 over the last three years, and documented technical experience and references. The contract is awarded on the basis of the lowest total annual price, prices quoted in EUR excluding VAT, and the agency cost component is index-linked; gross wage components are set by the Commission reference scales. Tenders must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission system by 8 June 2026 15:00 (Rome time); all supporting documents must be uploaded and comply with the published tender dossier.

What it funds

Scope

Framework contract for temporary staffing services (supply of temporary workers) to support catering/restaurant services and small‑children care services managed by Unit OIB.LS.3 at the European Commission Joint Research Centre site in Ispra (Varese, IT).

Estimated value and duration:Estimated total value €1,700,000 for the framework; maximum duration 48 months; framework with up to 2 suppliers ¹

1. 1Services covered: childcare staff (educators, support staff) and catering staff (kitchen, canteen, cafeteria, banqueting, clubhouse, logistics).
2. 2Contract type: open procedure, framework agreement without reopening of competition; award by lowest price.
3. 3Location: JRC site, Ispra (Varese), Italy.

Who can apply

Temporary work agencies legally established in the EEA with the Italian authorisation to provide temporary staff (D.Lgs. 276/2003), proven experience (minimum 3 years; references and hours requirements apply), required financial standing and ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent quality management evidence.

Eligibility highlights:Minimum average sector turnover requested (indicative): €500,000/year; minimum demonstrated experience: at least three years in provision of temporary staff with specified references and hours. See tender documents for full selection and exclusion criteria.

1. 1Must hold Italian authorisation for temporary work agencies (articles 4 and 5 D.Lgs. 276/2003).
2. 2Provide company accounts and DURC; demonstrate sector experience and required references.
3. 3Personnel must meet role-specific qualifications, language and health/safety requirements.

Key dates

Deadline for receipt of tenders:08/06/2026 15:00 Europe/Rome; public opening (virtual/in person): 10/06/2026 10:00 Europe/Rome. Last date to submit questions: 29/05/2026 23:59 Europe/Rome.

How to apply

Electronic submission only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission). An EU Login account and registration (PIC) are required. All procurement documents and templates (invitation, technical specifications, draft framework contract, financial forms, checklists) are published on the portal.

Tender documents, forms and the draft framework contract (including technical specifications, safety and environmental clauses, order forms and billing templates) must be completed and uploaded as required by the portal. See the portal notice and document set for mandatory checklists and contract annexes.

Footnotes

1. 1Full procurement dossier and submission link available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Tender details.

Title and Reference

Servizio di somministrazione di lavoro a tempo determinato (EC-OIB/IPR/2026/OP/0012)

Summary:Call for tenders published by the European Commission (OIB - Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels) to conclude a framework agreement (multiple, cascade, max two contractors) for the temporary supply of staff by one or more licensed temporary-work agencies to provide personnel for catering (canteen, cafeteria, clubhouse, banqueting, coffee breaks) and childcare services (crèche/nursery and after-school care) managed by Unit OIB.LS.3 at the JRC site in Ispra (province of Varese, Italy). The procedure is an open electronic procurement with eSubmission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; award is by lowest price. The estimated contract total value is €1,700,000 (for the full framework, estimated over the duration). The maximum contract duration is 48 months (initial framework term 12 months with up to three 12-month renewals).

Primary contact / contracting authority:Commissione europea, OIB - Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels. Email: oib-marches-publics@ec.europa.eu. Tender documents and electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Funding and Tenders Portal ¹.

Key Dates and Administrative Details

Publication / TED reference:published 07/05/2026. Procedure identifier: EC-OIB/IPR/2026/OP/0012; TED ref 315555-2026. Procedure type: Open procedure. Submission method: Electronic via eSubmission (EU Funding & Tenders Portal). Deadline for receipt of tenders: 08/06/2026 at 15:00 (Europe/Rome). Date and time of public opening: 10/06/2026 at 10:00 (Europe/Rome). Contract type: services, framework agreement without re-opening of competition, award by lowest price. Maximum contract duration: 48 months. Estimated total value: €1,700,000 (excl. VAT). Estimated workload: indicative total 75,000 hours over 4 years (estimated) and up to 85,000 hours maximum indicated in procurement notice.

Location of service delivery:Primary site: JRC site Ispra, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy. The lead contracting authority is OIB in Brussels. The Commission also references Brussels for contract and administrative matters.

What is being procured: scope and volumes

Procurement objective:award one multiple (cascade) framework agreement to provide temporary workers for two main service families managed by Unit OIB.LS.3 at the Ispra site: 1) childcare services (crèche/nursery for 0–4 years and garderie/after-school care for 4–14 years) including educators and administrative/logistic support; 2) catering and operational services (kitchen staff, canteen lines, cafeteria, clubhouse pub/bistrot, banqueting/coffee-break, cashiers, storekeepers). The framework is intended to meet temporary needs (sickness, parental leave, seasonal peaks, vacancies, short/medium-term replacements) and ensure continuity and quality of the social infrastructure on site.

1. 1Indicative annual volume (per technical specification): childcare services between 7,500 and 11,000 hours per year; catering services between 6,500 and 10,000 hours per year.
2. 2Indicative total volumes for the 4-year framework: estimated 75,000 hours (indicative), maximum indicated 85,000 hours over 4 years.

Eligibility and Selection

Eligible applicants:licensed temporary-work agencies (agenzie di lavoro interinale) authorised under Italian law (Decree-Law 276/2003 articles 4 and 5) or equivalent licence issued in their Member State. The tender is open to operators from the European Economic Area and other countries as permitted by the procurement rules. Offers may be submitted by single economic operators or by groups (consortia). Subcontracting: not authorised for this procurement (see specific clauses) except where explicitly allowed by the contract; sub-contractors, if used, must be declared and meet selection rules. Registration and PIC: tenderers must be registered in the Commission Participant Register and use their PIC when submitting offers.

Mandatory documents and minimum selection evidence:Complete check‑list in Allegato A: declaration on honour for exclusion criteria (model must be reproduced), proof of licence for temporary-work agency activities (Decreto Legislativo 276/2003 articles 4 and 5), financial evidence (audited accounts or extracts for last 3 years, and specific sector turnover threshold min. €500,000 average per year over last 3 years), proof of technical experience (min. 3 years' experience in supply of temporary staff; list of at least nine services across 2023–2025 with minimum aggregated average of 20,000 hours per year for the three references), proof of ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent quality management certification, registration in professional/business registers (e.g., CCIAA), insurance and other regulatory documents. The offer must also include the completed financial offer forms (Allegato II / All II Offerta Contraente) and the Tariffa di fatturazione table.

Evaluation and Award

Award method:lowest price. Tender evaluation will verify compliance with exclusion and selection criteria based on declarations and supporting documents. Framework structure: multiple cascade with up to two contractors. If several compliant offers are tied as lowest price, the Commission will invite tied bidders to submit written price improvements and, if still tied, will resolve by draw (sorteggio) using the specified procedure described in the tender documents. Public opening: names of bidders and total prices are announced at public opening (virtual and in-person options available).

Contract Model and Execution

Contract model:the draft framework contract and annexes are published as part of the tender documentation (Allegato B – Contratto quadro interinali plus annexes I–VI). The framework is designed to generate specific orders (buoni d'ordine / Allegato III.a) and mission requests (Allegato III.b) that the contractor must accept or refuse within two working days; failure to accept, or repeated refusals, may trigger replacement by the next-ranked contractor and penalties. The framework contains detailed technical specifications, terms for pricing, price revision mechanism, invoicing and payment conditions, insurance and liability rules, security, environmental clauses, and safety clauses including the requirement for personnel registration and badges for site access (Allegato IV).

• Maximum duration: 48 months (initial 12 months + up to 3 automatic 12‑month renewals unless terminated); framework without re-opening.
• Invoice and payment: e‑invoicing via SDI with code 0000000 for Commission JRC Ispra; payment within 30 days after invoice approval.
• Price revision: agency fee adjusted by IPCA Italy index formula; gross hourly wage components are fixed except when legally changed (statutory wage updates or payroll social contribution rate changes).

Financial and commercial conditions

Estimated total value:€1,700,000 (excl. VAT) for the framework. Procurement notice gives indicative volumes of hours and the published financial grids (All A and All B) show example calculations of gross hourly labour costs for the categories FG I.1 and FG II.4 which are used as basis for calculating the hourly gross quota and annual values. Bidders must submit All III (financial offer) and fill the Tariffa di fatturazione specifying agency fee (costo d'agenzia) and resulting billing tariff. Prices must be submitted in euro, two decimals, excluding VAT (the Commission is VAT-exempt in practice for many transactions at the Ispra site).

How to Apply (administrative & technical steps)

Submission method:electronic only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission system. Applicants must register and use their organisation PIC. Required attachments (see Allegato A) include: declaration on honour for exclusion criteria (completed and signed model), licence to operate as a temporary-work agency (articles 4 & 5 of Decreto Legislativo 276/2003 or equivalent), accounts or financial statements for the last three years, sector turnover statement (minimum average €500,000/year), ISO 9001:2015 quality certification (or equivalent), proof of at least 3 years’ experience and list of nine references (three per year across 2023–2025) totalling minimum 20,000 hours averaged over the three references, completed financial offer forms (Allegato II / All II Offerta Contraente), Tariffa di fatturazione table (All III), staff CVs, insurance certificates, DURC and other compliance documents. Any consortium members must provide joint offer documents and power of attorney per the provided model. Electronic file limits and system requirements are available in eSubmission guidance.

Templates and Forms to use (available in the procurement documents):Mandatory templates published with the tender: Invito a presentare offerte (Invitation letter), Allegato A (check‑list of documents), Allegato I (Specifiche Tecniche), Allegato II (Financial offer form and calculation grids All A and All B), Allegato III.a (Buono d’ordine sample), Allegato III.b (Richiesta somministrazione lavoratore interinale), Allegato IV (Ingresso e permanenza rules and badge obligations), Allegato V (Safety clauses simplified) and Allegato VI (Environmental clauses). All templates must be completed exactly as requested and uploaded via eSubmission. The tender system generates a submission report listing uploaded documents; do not upload that report separately.

Key contractual and operational requirements (technical details)

Personnel and qualifications:educators for childcare must hold recognised qualifications (secondary school diploma in socio‑pedagogical field or higher education in education/pedagogy) or equivalent, be registered if required by Italian law (Law 55/2024), have minimum experience and language skills (Italian C1, French/English B1), and hold child‑first-aid/pediatric first aid certificates. Catering staff must have HACCP training and relevant catering qualifications/experience. All temporary workers must pass health checks and present recent criminal-record extracts (issued within 6 months), identity documents and any requested certifications. The contractor remains employer and is responsible for payroll, contributions and compliance with Italian labour law and the applicable national collective agreements for temporary-work agencies. Working time: standard week up to 40 hours, 5 days, with daily shifts normally within 08:00–19:00 for childcare and catering, special hours for clubhouse and mensa operational windows; detailed shift patterns and break rules are in the technical specifications.

Penalties, remedies and governance

Penalties:the contract contains specific penalties for non‑compliance: e.g., €500 for failure to provide the minimum CV list within 10 days; other penalties can be up to 20% of the non‑performed service value for failures in recruitment/database and mission execution obligations. The contract allows replacement of contractors within the cascade if the primary contractor fails to honour orders or repeatedly refuses orders. The Commission may suspend payments in case of disputed invoices or non‑compliant deliverables; recovery and legal remedies are detailed in the contract.

Categorisation answers

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Licensed temporary‑work agencies (primary target); private companies (SMEs and large enterprises); staffing providers and labour agencies; consortia or groups of economic operators (offer congiunta) are allowed; subcontractors may be listed but sub-contracting is restricted by contract terms (special rules apply). Public‑sector entities and research organisations could bid only if they meet licensing and commercial prerequisites; individuals are not appropriate bidders.
2. 2Funding Type: This is a procurement contract (tender) — a services contract (framework agreement). Not a grant, loan, equity or voucher.
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Single tenderers or consortiums allowed. The framework is multiple and executed in a cascade with up to two contractors (primary and secondary). The contract can be awarded to up to two contractors in cascade.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Procurement published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal with eligibility to operators in the European Economic Area (EEA). Services delivered in Italy (Ispra, Varese). Lead contracting authority based in Brussels (Belgium).
5. 5Target Sector: Service sector — personnel supply (temporary staffing), specifically catering/food services and childcare/social infrastructure services on an institutional campus. Related targets: logistics, facilities services, HR/staffing services.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: Italy (Ispra / Varese) and Belgium (Brussels) are explicitly referenced; EU (Commission) and EEA applicability noted.
7. 7Project Stage: Service delivery / operational / ongoing operations (no R&D). It is an operational contract to supply staff immediately upon award.
8. 8Funding Amount: Estimated total value €1,700,000 (excl. VAT) for the framework. Indicative volume: 75,000 hours over four years (published estimate), maximum indicated 85,000 hours over four years.
9. 9Application Type: Open call for tenders (open procedure) with electronic submission only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission system.
10. 10Nature of Support: Commercial contract providing monetary payments to contractor for services rendered (money).
11. 11Application Stages: Single‑stage tendering process (1) — submission of full offer via eSubmission; evaluation and award. There is no multi‑phase competitive dialogue; however, there is a possible post‑award verification stage for supporting documents.
12. 12Success Rates: Not published in the tender. The framework allows up to two contractors. Actual chance depends on market competition and compliance; no official success rate is provided in the procurement documents.
13. 13Co‑funding Requirement: No co‑funding from applicants is required. Contract is paid by the contracting authority based on submitted invoices and units delivered.

Application templates and form structure — what to prepare and upload

Key templates and forms published in the procurement dossier (all mandatory where indicated):

• Invitation letter (Invito a presentare offerte) — explains procedure and links to portals.
• Allegato A – Check‑list documenti da fornire — mandatory check list for all required documents and declarations (declaration on honour for exclusion criteria, licence to operate, financial statements, turnover statement, ISO certification proof, list of references, DURC, insurance certificates, signatory details, power of attorney where consortium).
• Allegato I – Specifiche Tecniche — full technical specifications listing required profiles, duties, shift patterns, training, safety and access rules, quality requirements, databases and replacement times.
• Allegato II – Financial offer forms (All II Offerta Contraente / All III Tariffa di Fatturazione) — spreadsheet / form where bidder enters agency fee (costo d'agenzia), gross hourly quota and computes tariffa oraria lorda and annual totals for evaluation. Bidders must complete grids and supply two decimal euro values.
• All A and All B – Grids for calculation of gross hourly quotas (FG I.1 and FG II.4) shown as examples and to be used for calculations. These show how to calculate the gross hourly wage (with social contributions, TFR, rates etc.).
• Allegato B – Draft framework contract and annexes (legal conditions, payment rules, penalties, contractual clauses). Prepare to accept contractual clauses or identify any permitted deviations (the tender requires acceptance of contract; clauses listed as 'vessatorie' are specifically highlighted).
• Allegato III.a – Buono d’ordine (order form template) — model of specific order to be returned signed within stipulated time.
• Allegato III.b – Richiesta somministrazione (mission request) — model request form used for daily assignment; required response time rules and replacement commitments.
• Allegato IV – Access and presence rules for external personnel (badge, registration, ID and criminal-record checks, badge return penalties).
• Allegato V – Safety clauses (simplified safety contractual provisions and emergency procedures): bidders must include evidence of competence for health & safety and provide required documentation (DVR, training records).
• Allegato VI – Environmental clauses and site policy (recycling, energy saving) that contractors must follow on site.
• Submission of the Offer via eSubmission: ensure all attachments are named and structured per eSubmission system rules, maximum 200 files and 50 MB per file unless otherwise specified; conform to supported file types.

Practical sequencing for bidders (recommended):1) Register organisation and obtain PIC; 2) Create EU Login account and ensure 2‑factor authentication; 3) Download all procurement documents and templates from the portal; 4) Complete Allegato A checklist and collect required proof documents (licence, accounts, ISO certificate, references, DURC); 5) Complete Allegato II offer forms and Tariffa di fatturazione grid; 6) Upload all required signed declarations and completed forms to eSubmission before the deadline; 7) Monitor portal for Q&A and updates; 8) attend optional site visit if helpful (pre-registration required).

Risk considerations and compliance highlights

1. 1Legal compliance: bidders must be authorised agencies and must apply Italian labour law and the sector CCNL to the temporary workers when missions are in Italy; proofs and payroll compliance (DURC, payroll extracts) will be checked semestrally.
2. 2Health & safety and security: personnel must be registered, carry badges, pass site medical checks where required; safety clauses and emergency procedures in Allegato V apply; site access rules and badge return penalties apply (Allegato IV).
3. 3Data protection: contractors must process personal data in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 (and EU standards); data processing locations are limited to EU/EEA unless prior written authorisation is obtained.
4. 4Continuity and replacement: contractors must maintain a minimum pool of CVs (at least 5 CVs per profile uploaded to the database within 10 days of contract start) and provide rapid replacements (within 1 working day) to ensure continuity.
5. 5Price and indexation: agency fee is evaluated as main award criterion; the gross wage components shown in the annexes are examples and legal reference wages will be advised annually by the Commission; price indexation rules and wage‑linked conditions are in the contract.

Public procurement transparency:the tender provides public access to all templates, Q&A (if any), and the award decision will be notified to participants via the portal and by email to the contact person supplied in the eSubmission proposal.

Concluding summary

What this opportunity is about and how to explain it:This is an open tender issued by the European Commission (OIB) seeking licensed temporary‑work agencies to supply temporary personnel for catering and childcare services at the Commission’s JRC site in Ispra, Italy. The contract is a framework agreement (multiple, cascade, up to two contractors), awarded on lowest price. The successful contractor(s) will provide qualified educators, catering operatives and support personnel for short and medium term missions, maintain an up‑to‑date database of available CVs and guaranteed rapid substitution capability, comply with Italian labour law, health & safety, environmental rules and Commission site access procedures. Financial offers must be completed using provided forms and grids, and all eligibility, selection and supporting documents summarised in Allegato A must be uploaded via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission before the deadline. The procurement dossier contains the full draft contract, technical specifications, safety and environmental clauses, order and mission templates and the financial offer spreadsheets. Interested temporary‑work agencies should prepare the mandatory legal, financial and technical evidence, register in the Participant Register and submit electronically via eSubmission by the deadline.

Portal and documents reference:All procurement documents, templates and submission link are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page. Access and submit via the portal: the tender page and attached documents are available at the official opportunity page Funding and Tenders Portal ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official opportunity page (Procurement / Calls for tenders) on the European Commission Funding & Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu. All tender documents (Invito, Allegato A, Allegato I–VI, financial templates) were published there and are the definitive source for application and contract terms.

Opportunity Overview

This is a call for tenders for the supply of temporary workers through temporary employment agencies to provide catering services and childcare services at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) facility in Ispra, Varese, Italy. The contracting authority is the European Commission's Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels (OIB), specifically the Social Infrastructure Unit at Ispra (OIB.LS.3). ¹

Procedure Type:Open procedure with framework agreement structure without reopening of competition. The contract will be awarded to a maximum of two contractors in cascade order.

Tender Reference:EC-OIB/IPR/2026/OP/0012 (TED reference: 88/2026 315555-2026)

Key Deadlines

All tenders must be submitted exclusively through the electronic submission system (eSubmission) accessible via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Tenders submitted by other means will not be considered. ²

Estimated Contract Value and Duration

Total Estimated Value:€1,700,000 for the entire contract duration across all contractors in the cascade.

Maximum Contract Duration:48 months from the date of entry into force. The contract includes an initial period of 12 months with automatic renewal for three additional 12-month periods, unless either party provides formal notice of non-renewal at least six months before the end of the current contract period.

Estimated Annual Service Volume:Childcare services: between 7,500 and 11,000 hours per year. Catering services: between 6,500 and 10,000 hours per year. These figures are indicative only and do not commit the contracting authority to any minimum volume.

Scope of Services

Childcare Services

Temporary workers are required for care, education and supervision of children aged 0 to 4 years in the crèche/nursery and children aged 4 to 14 years in the after-school care facility (garderie). Activities include organizing and supervising children's activities, accompanying children during meals and daily activities, collaborating with parents and specialists for child development, and providing logistical support such as managing requests, registrations, admissions, accounting, and client relations.

Catering Services

Temporary workers are required for food preparation and distribution, line service in self-service restaurants, table service, cafeteria counter service, pub/bistro service, banqueting and coffee break preparation and service, cash register operations if needed, warehouse management, and logistical support including meal logistics, food storage management, and linen management. The service operates across multiple facilities including two self-service restaurants, a cafeteria, a pub/bistro at the Clubhouse, and provides meals for approximately 150 children daily.

Who Can Apply

Eligible Applicants

Only temporary employment agencies (agenzie di lavoro interinale) authorized to operate in Italy are eligible to apply. Applicants must be established in one of the EU Member States.

Mandatory Requirements

• Authorization to conduct temporary employment supply activities in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of Italian Legislative Decree 276/2003 and subsequent amendments
• Registration with the professional register and business register (CCIAA or equivalent) in accordance with the applicant's home state
• Proven experience of at least 3 years in the temporary employment supply sector, demonstrated through at least nine service references from the last three years (2023-2024-2025), with a minimum of 20,000 hours per year on average across the three references, primarily in catering and childcare services
• Quality management certification in accordance with UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent
• Average annual turnover of at least €500,000 in the sector covered by this contract over the last three years
• Positive financial capacity demonstrated through recent balance sheets or equivalent financial documentation

Eligibility Criteria and Exclusion Grounds

Applicants must declare that they are not in any of the exclusion situations from participation in EU procurement. The contracting authority will verify exclusion grounds through the EU Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES). Applicants must provide a declaration of honor regarding exclusion criteria. If awarded the contract, applicants must provide supporting documentation for their declarations before the award decision is finalized, or the offer will be excluded.

Submission Requirements

Required Documentation

• Declaration of honor regarding exclusion criteria, duly completed and signed
• Authorization to conduct temporary employment supply activities
• Copies of balance sheets (statement of financial position and income statement) or extracts showing annual results before tax for the last three years; if results are negative, additional documentation such as guarantees from third parties or accountant declarations
• Declaration indicating specific turnover in catering and childcare services for the last three years with minimum €500,000 per year on average
• Proof of registration with professional and business registers
• Proof of at least 3 years experience with list of at least nine service references from 2023-2025
• Copy of ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification or equivalent
• Names, functions, and contact details of persons authorized to sign the contract
• Names, functions, and contact details of persons authorized to manage the contract administratively and technically
• Completed financial offer form (Allegato II) with agency cost and hourly rates for each worker category
• For joint offers: questionnaire and power of attorney signed by all consortium members
• For subcontracting: questionnaire and commitment letters from each proposed subcontractor (note: subcontracting is not authorized for this contract)

All documents must be submitted in Italian or another official EU language. Documents must be uploaded to the eSubmission system. Maximum file size per attachment is 50 MB, and maximum 200 files per submission are allowed.

Financial Offer and Pricing

Pricing Structure:The hourly rate consists of two components: (A) Agency cost set by the contractor, and (B) Gross hourly wage based on the European Commission's salary scales for equivalent positions. The gross hourly wage for childcare workers (FG II/4 level) is based on a monthly gross salary of €2,361.82, and for catering workers (FG I/1 level) is based on €2,273.94. The gross hourly rates including all social contributions are approximately €22.94 for childcare and €22.08 for catering workers. ³

Award Criteria:The contract will be awarded to the tenderer(s) offering the lowest total annual price. If multiple compliant offers are identical and ranked first or second, the contracting authority will invite written proposals for price improvement. If offers remain equal after improvement proposals, the contracting authority will conduct a draw using the Belgian national lottery method to determine the ranking.

Price Adjustment:The agency cost component is subject to annual indexation based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Italy. The gross hourly wage is fixed but may be adjusted if the European Commission's salary scales change or if legal social contribution rates change. All prices must be quoted in EUR without VAT, as the European Commission is exempt from VAT under EU privileges and immunities.

Working Hours and Service Conditions

Temporary workers must work a maximum of 40 hours per week distributed over 5 days (Monday to Friday), with a maximum of 8 hours per day, between 08:00 and 19:00 hours (except for the Clubhouse). Specific shift patterns are defined for each service type. For childcare services, workers in the crèche/nursery work shifts such as 08:00-17:00, 09:00-18:00, or 09:15-18:15 with 60-minute lunch breaks on weekdays, and 08:00-16:30, 08:30-17:00, or 09:00-17:30 on Fridays with 45-minute breaks. After-school care operates during school hours and full-time during school holidays. Catering services operate 07:00-16:15 Monday to Thursday and 07:00-15:00 on Friday for the main canteen, with extended hours for the Clubhouse (09:00-22:30 in winter, 09:00-23:00 in summer).

Minimum Qualifications for Temporary Workers

Childcare Educators

• Secondary school diploma in socio-psychological-pedagogical studies or equivalent from an EU Member State, plus three years relevant work experience; OR university degree in professional education, pedagogy, or educational sciences or equivalent
• Italian language proficiency at C1 level (Common European Framework of Reference)
• French and/or English proficiency at B1 level
• Registration with the educators professional register in accordance with Italian Law 55/2024
• Pediatric first aid training certificate (must be provided by the contractor at the time of worker deployment)

Childcare Logistical Support Staff

• Secondary school diploma in economics, science, or humanities or equivalent from an EU Member State, plus three years work experience; OR post-secondary diploma
• Computer literacy in Windows environment and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook or equivalents)
• Italian language proficiency at C1 level
• French and/or English proficiency at B1 level

Catering Staff

• Lower secondary school diploma or equivalent from an EU Member State, plus one year work experience; OR secondary school diploma in hotel and catering services or equivalent
• Italian language proficiency at C1 level
• French and/or English proficiency at A1 level
• HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) food safety training certificate

Catering Logistical Support Staff

• Lower secondary school diploma or equivalent from an EU Member State, plus one year work experience
• Italian language proficiency at C1 level
• French and/or English proficiency at A1 level
• HACCP food safety training certificate

All temporary workers must be EU Member State citizens. The contractor must ensure workers have valid identity documents, criminal record extracts (or equivalent) issued less than six months before deployment showing no final convictions, appropriate health fitness for the role, and demonstrated moral character. For childcare workers, the contractor must maintain documentation of all qualifications and experience. The contractor is responsible for all acts of temporary workers that may cause prejudice to the European Commission.

Key Contractual Conditions

Applicable Law:The contract is governed by EU law supplemented by Italian law. Italian Legislative Decree 81/2015 and the applicable national collective labor agreement (CCNL) for temporary employment agencies govern the temporary worker supply arrangements. The Court of Varese has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes.

Worker Protections:The contractor remains the sole employer of temporary workers throughout their deployment. Workers must be provided with written contracts for each mission in accordance with Italian law. The contractor must apply all applicable Italian labor law provisions including social security, workplace safety, labor rights, tax, and pension regulations. Workers are subject to the same workplace rules as European Commission staff, including security and hygiene requirements. Workers must wear identification badges provided by the Commission and return them upon mission completion.

Maximum Mission Duration:Italian law applies regarding maximum mission durations. Importantly, a period of temporary work supply of up to three years is not counted toward the European Commission's seven-year maximum employment rule for non-permanent staff. The contractor must track worker deployment duration carefully to ensure compliance with this rule.

Replacement Obligations:The contractor must ensure service continuity. If a deployed worker becomes unavailable due to illness, injury, or other circumstances, the contractor must provide an immediate replacement. The contractor must maintain a continuously updated database with a minimum of five CVs for each worker profile to enable rapid replacement. For highly operational profiles, the contractor may be required to respond to replacement requests on the same day, with workers available by 08:30.

Payment Terms:Monthly invoicing is required. The contractor must submit invoices with all supporting documentation including weekly attendance records validated by the contracting authority. Payment is due within 30 days of invoice receipt. Invoices must be submitted electronically via the Italian SDI (Interscambio) system with code 0000000 and copied to the specified email addresses. The contractor must include all worked hours, holiday pay, sick leave, and injury compensation in the invoice as applicable.

Penalties:The contracting authority may apply penalties of €500 if the contractor fails to provide the minimum five CVs per profile within 10 days of contract entry into force. For other failures to meet obligations regarding candidate identification, selection, or worker supply, penalties of up to 20 percent of the value of unexecuted services may be applied. If access cards are not returned by the contract end date, penalties of €100 per day apply, up to a maximum of €1,000.

Cascade Structure:The contract is awarded to a maximum of two contractors in cascade order. The contracting authority first requests services from the first-ranked contractor. If the first contractor cannot fulfill an order within two working days or fails to meet obligations, the contracting authority may order from the second-ranked contractor. The contractor must respond to orders within two working days or provide written explanation of inability to fulfill the order.

Special Conditions and Obligations

Regulatory Compliance:The contractor must promptly communicate any updates to Italian labor law affecting temporary workers to the contracting authority and propose solutions if changes impact ongoing services. The contractor must maintain semi-annual DURC (Documento Unico di Regolarità Contributiva - Unique Contribution Regularity Document) certificates and individual worker contribution reports to verify proper payment of social contributions and pension contributions.

Database and CV Management:The contractor must provide access to a database containing CVs of available candidates and must track hours worked by each resource. Hours must be recorded electronically and validated by the contracting authority before transmission to the contractor for payroll processing. The contractor must update and confirm CV validity monthly, maintaining the minimum five CVs per profile at all times.

Workplace Safety:No interference risk assessment document (DUVRI) is required as no interference risks have been identified. However, if contract conditions change or new risks emerge, the contracting authority will determine whether a DUVRI is necessary and will communicate any associated costs in writing. The contractor must comply with all Italian workplace safety legislation (Law 123/2007 and Legislative Decree 81/2008) and ensure all safety costs are included in the quoted prices.

Data Protection:Personal data of workers and contractor representatives is processed in accordance with EU Regulation 2018/1725. The contractor must ensure all personal data is processed exclusively within the EU and EEA, stored only in EU/EEA data centers, and not transferred outside these regions without prior written authorization. The contractor must comply with all data protection requirements and may not modify data processing location without written approval.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities:The contractor must apply the European Commission's equal opportunities policy and prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, language, political or religious opinions, or other grounds. The contractor must respect fundamental rights of children and multicultural aspects in childcare services.

Optional Site Visit

An optional site visit is organized for 20 May 2026 at 15:00 at the Joint Research Centre, Ispra site, Via E. Fermi 2749, building 66, I-21027 Ispra (VA). Although not mandatory, participation is recommended to understand the exact location of service delivery and special customs rules affecting logistics costs. A maximum of two representatives per company are permitted. Participants must provide names, functions, and copies of identity documents or passports to oib-marches-publics@ec.europa.eu at least 48 hours before the visit.

How to Apply

Applicants must register in the European Commission's Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) if not already registered. Each organization receives a unique 9-digit PIC that serves as the identifier in the register. Tenders must be submitted exclusively through the eSubmission system accessible via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/tender-details/3f370013-0578-4f03-89ee-0f19c576dbec-CN. An EU Login account is required for electronic submission. As of 30 June 2026, two-factor authentication will be mandatory for EU Login accounts.

All costs for tender preparation and submission are borne by applicants and will not be reimbursed. Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with the eSubmission system well in advance, particularly regarding accepted file formats and technical requirements. The system encrypts all uploaded documents upon submission, making them inaccessible after the deadline.

Questions and Clarifications

Requests for supplementary information must be submitted in writing through the Questions and Answers section of the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. The contracting authority is not obligated to respond to questions received less than six working days before the tender submission deadline. All supplementary information will be published on the portal, and it is the applicant's responsibility to check for updates during the submission period.

Tender Opening and Evaluation

Tenders will be opened in public session on 10 June 2026 at 10:00 (Rome time) in both virtual and in-person formats. A maximum of two representatives per tender may attend. Those wishing to attend in person must provide names, dates of birth, nationality, and identity document numbers at least two working days in advance. Those wishing to participate virtually must request access at least one day before the opening. During the public opening, the contracting authority will verify compliance with tender requirements, announce the names of tenderers, and communicate the total price of each offer.

After opening, the contracting authority may contact tenderers to request missing documentation or clarifications, provided such requests do not substantially modify the offer. The contracting authority may correct obvious material errors after confirmation by the tenderer. Tenderers will be notified of the procurement outcome by email to the contact person address provided in eSubmission.

Important Notes for Applicants

• This is a framework agreement contract, not a guarantee of work volume. The contracting authority is not obligated to order services for the estimated volume or maximum value.
• Only one tender per applicant will be considered. If multiple tenders are submitted, only the last one will be evaluated unless previous tenders are formally withdrawn.
• Subcontracting is not authorized for this contract.
• Joint offers are permitted but all consortium members must provide required documentation individually and designate one lead member with power of attorney.
• The contracting authority reserves the right to cancel the procurement procedure at any time before contract signature without obligation to compensate applicants.
• All applicants must comply with EU anti-fraud measures and may be registered in the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) if they fall within exclusion grounds.
• The contract may be modified if pandemic or similar security situations require changes to conditions.
• The contracting authority may require use of electronic ordering systems and other e-applications during contract execution at no additional cost to the Commission.

Contact Information

For administrative and technical questions:European Commission, Office for Infrastructure and Logistics-Brussels, Social Infrastructure Department, Joint Research Centre OIB.LS.3, Via Enrico Fermi 2749, I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy. Email: oib-marches-publics@ec.europa.eu. For detailed submission procedures and technical requirements, consult the eSubmission Quick Guide available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal wiki.

All tender documents are available in Italian only. The invitation letter, technical specifications, financial offer form, draft framework agreement, and all annexes are published on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and must be downloaded from there.

Footnotes

1. 1The JRC Ispra site employs approximately 2,400 people and is responsible for scientific research supporting EU policy. The OIB.LS.3 unit manages social infrastructure including the canteen, cafeteria, childcare facilities (crèche for ages 0-4 and after-school care for ages 4-14), accommodation for new arrivals, and the Clubhouse with sports facilities.
2. 2Electronic submission is mandatory. Tenders submitted by email, post, or other means will not be accepted. Applicants must ensure they have sufficient time to complete the submission process before the deadline, as the system will not accept submissions after the specified time. A receipt with timestamp from eSubmission constitutes proof of timely submission.
3. 3The gross hourly rates are calculated based on 40-hour weeks, 4.3333 weeks per month, and include all social contributions, pension contributions, training costs, and other mandatory employer costs. The rates are approximately €22.08 per hour for catering workers (FG I/1 level) and €22.94 for childcare workers (FG II/4 level) with TFR (severance fund) included. The contractor adds its agency cost margin to these base rates. Detailed calculation grids are provided in the tender documents.