Stability monitoring of GMO CRMs

The opportunity is a forthcoming procurement contract issued by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), specifically aimed at stability monitoring of Genetically Modified Organism Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). This planned call for tenders outlines services required for determining the GMO content within these CRMs, forming part of post-certification monitoring efforts.

The contract is divided into 13 lots, which cover various GMO varieties, including maize, soybean, and rapeseed. Each lot involves sophisticated laboratory procedures such as DNA extraction from samples provided by the JRC, gel electrophoresis to evaluate DNA integrity, and real-time PCR (rt-PCR) analysis to detect transgenes and endogenes. Each lot stipulates detailed testing requirements, including performing four independent DNA extractions from each of the provided samples, resulting in a total of 12 extracts per lot.

Eligible applicants are likely to consist of research laboratories, universities, and private biotech companies specialized in GMO analysis. This is a service contract rather than a grant, with the JRC compensating contractors for their testing services. The opportunity is geared towards entities capable of delivering precise analytical techniques necessary for accurate GMO content determination.

Details concerning the timeline indicate that the expression of interest period is set to commence on September 1, 2025, with an application submission deadline of September 16, 2025. The process will be conducted electronically through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, and applicants will be notified of a negotiated procedure following their expression of interest.

The total funding amount has not been disclosed, suggesting that it falls within a low to middle value range, possibly under 200,000 euros. However, specific financial figures are not provided. The opportunity emphasizes the need for expertise in molecular biology and rigorous analytical methodologies for effective GMO monitoring, marking it as a critical contract in supporting quality control in the context of GMO regulations across the EU.

This is a publication announcing the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre's intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure, not a call for tenders. The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/GEE/2025/LVP/4415-EXA.

The subject is stability monitoring of GMO Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). The description outlines measurements required for determining the GMO content in these CRMs as part of post-certification monitoring.

Specifically, on each of the GMO CRMs, the following determinations must be performed:

Four bottles of the GMO material (1 g) will be provided by JRC Geel.
For each bottle, three independent DNA extractions will be performed from three subsamples, resulting in a total of 12 extracts.
On each of the extracts, the following experiments must be performed:
Gel electrophoresis to assess the integrity of the DNA (all extracts can be run on the same gel).
One rt-PCR measurement for the transgene and one rt-PCR for the endogene, except for Lot 7, where two rt-PCR measurements for the transgene and one for the endogene are needed. All measurements will be performed under repeatability conditions, i.e., in one analytical series.
Gel electrophoresis (as much as necessary) with the rt-PCR results + adequate standards to verify/compare the size of the resulting band.
Absorbance ratios of 260nm/280nm and 260nm/230nm.
RNase has to be added during DNA extraction to digest possible RNA in the extract to avoid a RNA band on the gel (low molecular weight).

The materials can be analysed with other materials without impeding the independence of the results for the individual materials.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre. The main classification (CPV) code is 73111000 Research laboratory services.

There are 13 Lots: Lot 1, Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4, Lot 5, Lot 6, Lot 7, Lot 8, Lot 9, Lot 10, Lot 11, Lot 12, and Lot 13. Lot 1 is titled DP915635 MAIZE (10 %). The description for Lot 1 states that it is in the frame of the post certification monitoring of certified reference materials, measurements are required for the determination of the GMO content in GMO certified reference materials. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 6 months. There is no framework agreement. Additional classification (CPV) codes include 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services, 73100000 Research and experimental development services, and 73110000 Research services.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-09-01 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 16/09/2025 05:59 Europe/Brussels. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-09-16 Europe/Brussels.

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below. The method of expression of interest is electronic. The address for expression of interest is "Express interest".

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future low to middle value negotiated contract concerning the stability monitoring of GMO certified reference materials. The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) plans to contract out services to perform specific measurements on GMO CRMs, including DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, and rt-PCR analysis, to determine GMO content. The expression of interest period is scheduled for September 2025. The announcement includes details on the required experimental procedures and specifies that there are multiple lots available. Interested parties should monitor for the official call for tenders and prepare to express their interest electronically when the process opens.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the work (laboratory services, DNA extraction, rt-PCR measurements, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and the CPV codes (Research laboratory services, Research and development services and related consultancy services, Research and experimental development services, Research services), it is highly likely that eligible applicants would include research institutes, universities, private research laboratories, and potentially SMEs with relevant expertise and equipment.

Funding Type: This is a planned call for tenders, indicating a procurement process. Therefore, the funding type is a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. This will likely be specified in the actual call for tenders when it is published.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity does not explicitly state geographic eligibility. Given that it is an EU funding opportunity from the European Commission, it is highly likely that applicants from EU member states are eligible. Eligibility might also extend to countries associated with EU research programs.

Target Sector: The target sector is agriculture/food, specifically related to GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) and the monitoring of GMO content in certified reference materials. It also falls under the broader category of research and development services.

Mentioned Countries: The document mentions JRC Geel, which is located in Belgium.

Project Stage: The project stage is validation, specifically post-certification monitoring of certified reference materials. The aim is to verify the GMO content in already certified materials.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract." While the exact amount is not specified, this suggests a funding range that is likely under €200k, and possibly even under €50k, but this is speculative. The estimated total value is not provided in the document.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. This means that after an expression of interest, selected applicants will be invited to negotiate a contract.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing services, specifically laboratory testing and analysis services.

Application Stages: The application process appears to involve at least two stages: 1) Expression of interest, and 2) a negotiated procedure for selected applicants.

Success Rates: Success rates cannot be determined from the provided information, as this is only a preliminary announcement.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not mention any co-funding requirements.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement of a planned call for tenders by the European Commission, DG JRC (Joint Research Centre), specifically JRC Geel. The call will be for a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract related to the stability monitoring of GMO certified reference materials (CRMs). The main objective is to determine the GMO content in these CRMs through a series of laboratory analyses, including DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, and rt-PCR measurements. The announcement outlines the specific experimental procedures required, including the number of samples, types of measurements, and quality control steps. The planned call is structured into 13 lots, with one example lot focusing on DP915635 MAIZE (10 %). The maximum contract duration is 6 months. The expression of interest period is planned for September 2025. Interested parties should monitor the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for the official call and related documents. This is not a grant but a service contract where the selected contractor will perform specific laboratory services for the JRC. The opportunity targets research laboratories and related organizations with expertise in GMO analysis and molecular biology techniques.