Study to assist in gathering evidence on high-risk AI

This text outlines a forthcoming procurement opportunity by the European Commission for a study focused on gathering evidence related to the classification of high-risk Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the EU's AI Act. The project aims to analyze practical applications of high-risk AI classifications specified in various articles of the AI Act and contribute to developing guidelines for these classifications.

The tender title is "Study to assist in gathering evidence on high-risk AI," with a total contract value capped at 60,000 EUR. The contract is categorized under services, specifically within the type code 73000000, which relates to research and development services and related consultancy services. The project is expected to span four months, and it will involve organizing 20 to 25 virtual workshops and analyzing input from a public consultation regarding high-risk classification.

Applicants for this opportunity must be economic operators capable of providing the necessary services. While the documentation indicates that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not specifically targeted, they are not barred from participation either, suggesting that eligible applicants can include large enterprises, research institutes, universities, and other research-focused organizations. No explicit requirements for a consortium are outlined, indicating that a single entity may apply.

Geographically, the procurement rules typically allow participation from entities within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). The opportunity does not specify any particular countries or regions, so participation is primarily expected from EU member states and possibly associated countries.

The application process is classified as an open call, and submissions must be made electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal. The timeline for expressing interest begins on July 7, 2025, and concludes on July 23, 2025, with the negotiated procedure expected to launch around July 28, 2025. There is no co-funding requirement indicated, and funding will be provided upon completion of the contract deliverables.

Specific details concerning success rates have not been provided, nor are there any stated application stages beyond the basic expression of interest. Overall, this procurement opportunity invites entities to participate in a critical study that will inform future guidelines under the AI Act regarding high-risk AI classifications, leveraging their expertise in research and public consultation analysis.

This is not a call for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. More information can be found via a provided link. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below.

The planned call for tenders is titled "Study to assist in gathering evidence on high-risk AI". The procedure identifier is EC-CNECT/2025/LVP/0065-EXA.

The description of the tender is as follows: To assist in gathering evidence and analyse evidence related to the practical application of the high-risk classification of the AI Act according to Article 6(1) and Annex I, Article 6(2) and Annex III, and for the exclusion according to Article 6(3) AI Act. The deliverables shall be an input to the guidelines that the European Commission will provide regarding the practical application of this high-risk classification pursuant to Article 6(5) AI Act. The work will consist of the organisation of 20-25 virtual workshops, and the analysis of the results of a public consultation on high-risk classification.

The maximum total contract value is 60,000 EUR. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG CNECT Communications Networks, Content and Technology. The main classification (CPV) code is 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 4 months. There is no framework agreement.

The milestones are as follows: The start date for expression of interest is 2025-07-07 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 23/07/2025 04:59 Europe/Brussels. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-07-28 Europe/Brussels.

The method of expression of interest is electronic. The address for expression of interest is via the "Express interest" link.

A question and answer section is available. One frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is: References that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future low to middle value negotiated procedure related to a study assisting in gathering evidence on high-risk AI, specifically concerning the practical application of the AI Act's high-risk classification. The study involves organizing virtual workshops and analyzing public consultation results. The maximum contract value is 60,000 EUR, and the project duration is 4 months. The European Commission's DG CNECT is the lead contracting authority. The expression of interest period starts on July 7, 2025, and ends on July 23, 2025, with the negotiated procedure expected to launch around July 28, 2025. Interested parties can express their interest electronically. It is important to note that this announcement is not a call for tenders itself, but rather a notification of an upcoming opportunity.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the contract which involves research, analysis, and the organization of workshops, eligible applicants could include research institutes, consulting firms, universities, or other organizations with expertise in artificial intelligence, law, and public consultation.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, as indicated by "Nature of the contract: services" and the announcement of a "future negotiated low or middle value procedure." This implies a procurement process where the contracting authority (European Commission, DG CNECT) will pay for specific services rendered.

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

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly mentioned. However, since the contracting authority is the European Commission, it is highly likely that the beneficiary scope includes entities located within the EU or potentially the EEA. Further details would be available in the official call for tenders.

Target Sector: The target sector is clearly Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically focusing on the high-risk classification aspects of the AI Act. It also touches upon law, regulation, and public consultation.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The relevant region is the European Union, given the European Commission's involvement.

Project Stage: The project stage is related to the implementation and analysis of existing regulations, specifically the AI Act. It involves gathering evidence, analyzing data, and providing input for guidelines, suggesting a stage of development and validation rather than basic research or initial idea generation.

Funding Amount: The maximum total contract value is 60,000 EUR. This indicates a low-value contract.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The method of expression of interest is electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered.

Application Stages: The application process involves at least two stages: an expression of interest and a subsequent negotiated procedure. The expression of interest has a start date of 2025-07-07 and a deadline of 2025-07-23. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-07-28.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text. Success rates for negotiated procedures can vary widely depending on the number of invited participants and the quality of their proposals.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not mention any co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement for a planned call for tenders by the European Commission, DG CNECT. The procedure identifier is EC-CNECT/2025/LVP/0065-EXA. The project aims to assist in gathering evidence and analyzing data related to the practical application of the high-risk classification of the AI Act. The work involves organizing 20-25 virtual workshops and analyzing the results of a public consultation on high-risk classification. The deliverables will contribute to the guidelines that the European Commission will provide regarding the practical application of this high-risk classification. The maximum total contract value is 60,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 4 months. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The start date for expression of interest is 2025-07-07, with a deadline of 2025-07-23. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-07-28. The method of expression of interest is electronic. This is not a call for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure.