Study on Blue Carbon Certification - developing certification rules for tidal marshes and seagrass meadows

CINEA is procuring a 16-month study to develop pilot certification methodologies for blue carbon ecosystems (tidal marshes and seagrass meadows) under the CRCF Regulation, including reviews, technical assessments, stakeholder workshops and two draft methodologies for public consultation. The estimated contract value is €175,000 (all-inclusive), the procedure is an open tender with electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the deadline for receipt of tenders is 27 May 2026 at 12:00 Europe/Brussels. Eligibility includes natural and legal persons from countries with access to EU procurement and consortia are permitted; selection requires minimum financial and technical capacities and award will be by best price-quality ratio (price 30%, quality 70%) with quality subcriteria and thresholds as specified in the tender documents.

What it funds

Scope

A CINEA-managed procurement to deliver a study and pilot certification methodologies for carbon farming in tidal marshes and seagrass meadows. Tasks include reviews, technical assessment papers, expert workshops and two pilot certification methodologies for public consultation.

Maximum budget:€175,000 (total estimated value). ¹

Who can apply

Open procedure for economic operators (sole tenderers or consortia) registered in the Participant Register with a PIC. Subcontracting and reliance on third‑party capacities are allowed following the tender specifications; applicants must meet exclusion, selection and technical capacity requirements (see tender documents).

1. 1Eligible applicants: any natural or legal person meeting access-to-procurement rules and not subject to EU restrictive measures
2. 2Consortiums allowed; joint tenders must appoint a group leader and provide a power of attorney
3. 3Identified subcontractors (>20% share or relied-upon to meet selection criteria) must be declared and provide commitment letters

Key practical facts

How to submit

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Complete procurement documents, templates (Annexes) and Q&A are published on the opportunity page.

Portal and documents:Submit electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal and download all specification and annex documents from the procedure page Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page. ¹

1. 1Main deliverables: inception report, reviews, technical assessment papers, workshop reports, two pilot certification methodologies, project factsheet and final report
2. 2Minimum technical capacities: prior projects and expert profiles as specified in Annex 2.1 (e.g., project manager and CRCF experts)
3. 3Financial offer: complete all sections of Annex 6 (all-inclusive price used for evaluation)

Footnotes

1. 1Tender documents, submission details and annexes are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page: Study on Blue Carbon Certification tender.

Opportunity summary

Title:Study on Blue Carbon Certification - developing certification rules for tidal marshes and seagrass meadows. Contracting authority: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Procedure type: Open procedure (call for tenders). TED reference: 65/2026 227721-2026; Procedure identifier: CINEA/2026/OP/0009. Main CPV: 73100000 Research and experimental development services. Nature of contract: services (direct service contract). Maximum contract duration: 16 months. Estimated total value: €175 000 (all-inclusive). Submission method: electronic via eSubmission (EU Funding & Tenders Portal). Deadline for receipt of tenders: 27 May 2026, 12:00 Europe/Brussels. Public opening: 27 May 2026, 15:00 Europe/Brussels. Contract award method: best price-quality ratio.

Eligibility and who should apply

Eligible applicant types:legal persons and natural persons established or legally represented in countries with access to EU procurement (EU institutions, bodies and agencies rules apply). Typical eligible applicants: research and consultancy organisations, universities, consultancies, research institutes, NGOs, SMEs or consortia (groups of economic operators). Participation is open to economic operators established in EU Member States and certain third countries where procurement access applies; check the Participant Register and procurement documents for exact access rules.

Consortium and subcontracting

Consortium requirement:consortium (joint tender) is permitted but not mandatory; single tenderer may apply. Where a joint tender is submitted, the group must appoint a group leader and sign the Agreement/Power of attorney (Annex 3). Subcontracting is allowed. Identified subcontractors must be listed (Annex 4) and provide commitment letters (Annex 5.1). Entities on whose capacities the tenderer relies (not subcontractors) must provide commitment letters (Annex 5.2). Joint liability: all group members are jointly and severally liable if a joint tender is awarded.

Eligible Applicant Types:Universities, research institutes, consultancies, SMEs, NGOs and other legal persons or consortia (joint tenders). Individual natural persons can participate where allowed by procurement rules and as specified in the tender documents.

Funding Type and Nature:This is a procurement/service contract funded by the European Commission (CINEA). The successful contractor will be paid for services delivered (money via service contract).

Scope, objectives and technical requirements

Objective:provide technical assistance to the Commission to develop pilot carbon farming certification methodologies for tidal marshes (saltmarshes) and seagrass meadows under the CRCF Regulation (EU certification framework for permanent carbon removals and carbon farming). The study will review existing methodologies and projects, assess quantification, monitoring and validation approaches, evaluate policy coherence with EU legislation, and produce two pilot certification methodologies ready for public consultation.

1. 1Task 1 Review: targeted review of certification methodologies, scientific literature, EU project results (Horizon, LIFE, others); prepare two online stakeholder workshops (tidal marshes; seagrass) and produce workshop reports and review deliverables (D2, D3, D5, D6).
2. 2Task 2 Assessment: prepare two technical assessment papers (tidal marshes and seagrass meadows) assessing eligibility, quantification, monitoring, baseline, validation rules, additionality and liability; hold two focus-group workshops and present draft papers to the Expert Group; produce D7, D8, D9.
3. 3Task 3 Pilot certification methodology: develop two pilot methodologies (tidal marshes; seagrass meadows) ready for publication on the Commission's Public Consultations and Feedback portal (Have Your Say); produce D10, D11 and a project factsheet D12.
4. 4Reporting and finalisation: inception report, monthly progress notes, interim progress report (month 8), final report and annexes (D1, D4, D13).

Technical emphases and constraints:methodologies must operationalise CRCF quality criteria (quantification, additionality, long-term storage, sustainability), favour Tier 3 approaches where feasible, be compatible with LULUCF reporting, validate combinations of on-site measurements, remote sensing and modelling, account for biodiversity and other EU legislation (Habitats, Birds, Water Framework, Marine Strategy, Nature Restoration Regulation) and consider monitoring cost-effectiveness. Use of Copernicus/EMODnet data and recent project outputs is encouraged.

Deliverables and timeline (indicative)

Meetings:two virtual stakeholder workshops (M4-M6), two focus-group online workshops, monthly progress meetings, two Expert Group presentations (technical papers and pilot methodologies), interim meeting at mid-point, and a final online lunchtime conference presentation for DG MARE staff.

Selection, award and evaluation

Award criteria:best price-quality ratio. Quality weighting 70% and price weighting 30%. Quality sub-criteria: methodology (50 points), organisation of work and resources (30 points), quality control measures (20 points). Minimum thresholds: at least 60% per quality sub-criterion and 65% overall for quality to be considered. Financial tender: total fixed all-inclusive price used for evaluation.

Selection and minimum capacity requirements:Economic and financial: consolidated average annual turnover (last two years) above €70 000. Technical/professional: evidence of recent projects and staff profiles: T1 - experience preparing assessments or methodologies for carbon farming under CRCF scope (≥1 project ≥€100 000 in last 3 years); T2 - experience in assessment of GHG inventories for coastal wetlands (≥1 project ≥€50 000 in last 3 years). Team: Project Manager with ≥5 years project management experience and experience managing comparable projects (≥€70 000 and covering at least 2 countries); at least 3 experts in CRCF certification frameworks with ≥5 years professional experience each and relevant degree or equivalent. Detailed evidence must be submitted as per Annex 2.1.

Exclusion and integrity checks:Declaration on honour (Annex 2) is required. The contracting authority will check exclusion criteria and may request documentary evidence from the presumed successful tenderer. The Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) and EU Validation Services may be used.

Administrative, contractual and procedural details

Submission:exclusively electronic via eSubmission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. A Participant Identification Code (PIC) is required for each organisation. Supporting Q&A and system requirements are available on the Portal. Tender validity: 9 months. Language: tenders may be submitted in any official EU language; English is the authentic text published. Opening: virtual; up to two representatives per tender may attend. Contract type: direct service contract concluded with successful tenderer (or group leader for joint tender).

Documents and templates to include in the tender:The procurement package includes Invitation to tender, Tender Specifications (with Annexes 1-6), Draft service contract, Annex 1 (List of documents to submit), Annex 2 Declaration on honour, Annex 2.1 Technical and professional capacity form, Annex 3 Power of attorney (for joint tenders), Annex 4 List of subcontractors, Annex 5.1 Commitment letter for identified subcontractors, Annex 5.2 Commitment letter for entities on whose capacity the tenderer relies, Annex 6 Financial offer form. All templates must be used where provided and uploaded in the designated eSubmission sections. The Financial offer (Annex 6) requires an all-inclusive breakdown by task/deliverable.

1. 1Annex 1 List of documents – use the specified eSubmission attachments sections (Declaration on Honour, Authorisation to sign, Agreement/Power of attorney, List of subcontractors, Commitment letters, Technical and Financial tenders).
2. 2Annex 2 Declaration on honour – mandatory for each involved entity (sole tenderer or each group member).
3. 3Annex 2.1 Technical and professional capacity – complete with months of experience and project references; provide CVs for experts.
4. 4Annex 3 Agreement / Power of attorney – mandatory for joint tenders and signed by all group members before submission.
5. 5Annex 4 List of subcontractors – identify subcontractors above 20% or whose capacities are relied upon for selection criteria.
6. 6Annex 5.1 and 5.2 Commitment letters – required from identified subcontractors and from entities whose capacities are relied upon.
7. 7Annex 6 Financial tender template – complete the all-inclusive price per task and deliverable; sign and initial pages as instructed.

Administrative requirements, data protection and IP

Confidentiality and data protection:contractor must comply with EU data protection rules (Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 for EU institutions and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 where relevant). Personal data must be processed lawfully and stored within the EU/EEA; hosting of portals and data must be within EU/EEA unless prior written authorisation is granted. Results ownership and IP: the contract defines that the Union acquires ownership of the results (see draft service contract). Pre-existing rights must be listed by the contractor; licensing or transfer conditions for pre-existing materials are specified in the draft contract (Annexes).

Practical points, costs and travel

All costs for preparing and submitting tenders and for participation in meetings (remote or on-site) shall be borne by the tenderer. Travel and subsistence are included in the all-inclusive price and are not reimbursed separately. Deliverables must be in professional English and comply with EU visual identity and accessibility requirements for publishable outputs. The contracting authority encourages environmentally sustainable event organisation and other green procurement measures.

Assessment logistics and scoring

Evaluation is a single-stage procedure:administrative compliance, exclusion checks, selection criteria assessment, then award evaluation on price-quality. Tenderers may be contacted to provide missing evidence during evaluation. The contracting authority reserves the right to cancel the procedure before signature without compensation. Detection of abnormally low tenders is possible and may lead to rejection.

Application Type and Submission:Open call: electronic submission via eSubmission on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is mandatory. EU Login account and Participant Register (PIC) required. All required annex templates must be uploaded to the correct eSubmission sections.

Eligibility geography, sector and project maturity

Beneficiary scope (geographic eligibility):applicants from the EU and from third countries that have specific access to EU procurement (e.g., EEA and certain association agreements) may participate. The formal procurement documents specify which countries have access; check the Participant Register rules and tender specifications for details. Target sector: environment, climate policy, blue carbon, coastal ecosystems, carbon removal, marine/coastal science and monitoring. Project stage: research, assessment, methodology development, demonstration/pilot methodology ready for public consultation.

• Mentioned Countries: EU Member States (region: European Union).
• Target sector keywords: environment, climate, sustainable blue economy, carbon removals, carbon farming, coastal wetlands, tidal marshes, seagrass meadows, monitoring, remote sensing, LULUCF compatibility.

Budget, co-funding and payment

Funding amount:estimated total value €175 000 (all-inclusive) for the whole contract, maximum. The contract is a service contract and the contractor will receive monetary payment for services delivered. Co-funding requirement: no co-funding is required by the procurement documents; tenderers must cover costs of preparing tenders and participation in meetings themselves and include all expenses in the all-inclusive price. The contracting authority will pay in euros; invoice and VAT rules are set out in the draft contract.

Application Stages and Success Rates:Application stages: single-stage open tender (1 stage): submit complete tender by the deadline; contracting authority evaluates and awards. Success rates: not published. As a competitive CINEA open procedure with limited budget, expected selection is highly competitive; success rates depend on the number and quality of bids and cannot be predicted precisely.

How to prepare a compliant tender (practical checklist)

1. 1Register your organisation in the Participant Register and obtain a PIC. Ensure SME status is up to date if relevant.
2. 2Read the Tender Specifications and Draft Service Contract (Annex I) carefully and use the provided templates (Annexes 2, 2.1, 3, 4, 5.1, 5.2, 6).
3. 3Complete Annex 2 Declaration on Honour for all involved entities (sole tenderer or each group member).
4. 4Complete Annex 2.1 Technical and Professional capacity form and attach CVs and project references for experts.
5. 5If submitting a joint tender, complete and sign Annex 3 Agreement/Power of attorney appointing the group leader.
6. 6List subcontractors in Annex 4 and obtain commitment letters (Annex 5.1) from identified subcontractors and Annex 5.2 from entities whose capacities are relied upon.
7. 7Prepare a clear technical offer addressing Tasks 1–3, methodology, data sources, stakeholder engagement approach, risk mitigation, and a work plan with staff-days allocation for each task.
8. 8Complete the Annex 6 Financial tender template with the all-inclusive price by task/deliverable and ensure calculations are final as eSubmission does not permit post-deadline price changes.
9. 9Sign required documents with a qualified electronic signature if possible; provide evidence of authority to sign where requested.
10. 10Upload all required documents to eSubmission in the correct sections before the deadline. Keep originals of any hand-signed documents for five years.

Key submission resources and portal:use the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for subscription, document downloads and eSubmission. The Portal contains the full tender dossier, Q&A functionality, templates and system requirements. The contracting authority may not reply to questions received after 19 May 2026, 23:59 Europe/Brussels. For eSubmission system help consult the Portal system requirements and the eSubmission Quick Guide Funding & Tenders Portal. ¹

Summary — what is this opportunity about and how to explain it

This is an EU procurement (service contract) launched by CINEA to commission a 16‑month study to develop pilot certification methodologies for carbon farming activities in coastal ecosystems: tidal marshes and seagrass meadows. The work comprises targeted reviews, technical assessment papers, stakeholder workshops, Expert Group consultations and the drafting of two pilot certification methodologies ready for public consultation, plus a project factsheet and final report. The budget available is limited (€175 000 all-inclusive) and the contracting authority will select the tender that provides the best price-quality ratio. Applicants must provide evidence of technical capacity in carbon farming methodologies and coastal wetland GHG inventories, present a well-structured methodological approach, and submit standard procurement declarations and templates. Submission is electronic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the provided Annex templates. The outputs will support implementation of the CRCF Regulation and help operationalise verification, monitoring and validation rules for blue carbon certification across the EU.

Footnotes

1. 1Full procurement documents including Invitation to Tender, Tender Specifications and all Annexes are published on the Funding & Tenders Portal at the address specified above. Consult the portal for the authoritative and complete text of the procurement documents and for any amendments, Q&A or corrigenda.

Opportunity Overview

This is an open procedure call for tenders launched by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) to support the European Commission in developing certification rules for blue carbon ecosystems, specifically tidal marshes and seagrass meadows, under the Certification Framework for Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation.

The study aims to review existing methodologies, assess technical options, and develop pilot certification methodologies ready for public consultation. It aligns with EU climate goals, including the LULUCF Regulation and Nature Restoration Regulation, focusing on quantification, additionality, long-term storage, and sustainability criteria.

Key Dates and Procedure Details

TED Publication Date:02/04/2026

Deadline for Receipt of Tenders:27/05/2026 12:00 Europe/Brussels ¹

Public Opening:27/05/2026 15:00 Europe/Brussels

Questions Deadline:19/05/2026 23:59 Europe/Brussels

Procedure type:Open procedure. Award method: Best price-quality ratio (Price: 30%, Quality: 70%). TED reference: 65/2026 227721-2026. Submission: Electronic via EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Primary URL: EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Funding and Contract Details

Estimated Total Value:€175,000 (all-inclusive, excluding VAT) ¹

Maximum Contract Duration:16 months ¹

Nature of Contract:Services (CPV 73100000 - Research and experimental development services)

Funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). No framework agreement or renewals expected. Prices are fixed and all-inclusive, covering all tasks, deliverables, meetings, and travel.

Scope of Work

The contract involves three main tasks:(1) Review of existing certification methodologies, scientific research, EU projects (Horizon Europe, LIFE), and legislation (e.g., Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Birds and Habitats Directives); (2) Technical assessment of eligibility, quantification, baselines, and sustainability; (3) Development of two pilot certification methodologies (tidal marshes and seagrass meadows) for public consultation.

• Conduct desk research, expert interviews, and two online workshops per ecosystem.
• Prepare technical assessment papers and present to Expert Group on Carbon Removals.
• Assess synergies with EU policies (e.g., CAP, CFP, Nitrates Directive).
• Deliver 13 deliverables including reports, methodologies, factsheet, and final report (max 100 pages).

All meetings primarily online (workshops, Expert Group presentations, monthly progress meetings, interim meeting, DG MARE conference). Contractor bears all costs.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Open to natural/legal persons within EU Treaties scope, international organisations, and third-country entities with special EU agreements (e.g., EEA, SAA countries). No GPA coverage.

• Must register in Participant Register (PIC required).
• Not subject to EU restrictive measures or exclusion grounds (e.g., bankruptcy, fraud).
• Joint tenders allowed (joint/several liability); subcontracting permitted.
• Sole tenderers, groups, or reliance on other entities' capacities possible.

Selection Criteria (Consolidated Assessment)

• Economic/Financial (F1): Average turnover last 2 years >= €70,000.
• Technical (T1): >=1 project (last 3 years, >=€100K) on carbon farming assessments/methodologies under CRCF.
• Technical (T2): >=1 project (last 3 years, >=€50K) on GHG inventories of coastal wetlands.
• Professional (P1): 1 Project Manager (5+ years exp., similar projects >=€70K, 2+ countries, team of 3+).
• Professional (P2): 3 CRCF Experts (5+ years exp., relevant degree/equiv., 3+ years in certification).

Evidence:Declaration on Honour (Annex 2), Annex 2.1 (lists/CVs). Supporting docs may be requested.

Award Criteria

Best price-quality ratio. Technical tender must detail methodology, resources, timelines.

Submission Requirements

1. 1Declaration on Honour (Annex 2) ².
2. 2Technical/Professional Capacity (Annex 2.1).
3. 3Power of Attorney (joints, Annex 3).
4. 4Subcontractor List/Commitments (Annexes 4-5).
5. 5Financial Offer (Annex 6).
6. 6Technical Tender (detailed proposal).

Electronic submission via eSubmission (EU Login required). Max 200 files, <50MB each. All in English.

Key Documents

• Invitation to Tender.
• Tender Specifications.
• Annexes 1-6.
• Draft Contract.

Download from EU Funding & Tenders Portal. 14 documents available, all in English (Version 1, published 02/04/2026).

Additional Considerations

• IP: Union owns results; pre-existing rights must be listed/licensed.
• Confidentiality/Data Protection: Strict rules apply.
• Sustainability: Green procurement encouraged.
• No variants allowed.

Applicants should review full tender specs for detailed tasks, evaluation, and compliance. Subscribe to portal for updates/Q&A.

Footnotes

1. 1From call details on EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
2. 2Covers exclusion, selection, restrictive measures, debts.