Supply and maintenance of a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester

Public procurement tender EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/0919 issued by the European Commission DG JRC requests supply, installation, commissioning and 56-month maintenance of a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high-volume microwave digester for JRC Ispra (Italy). The estimated contract value is €160,000 and submission is electronic only via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal with deadline 19 June 2026 at 16:00:59 (Europe/Rome). Bidders must submit the required administrative, technical and financial documents in English and comply with safety, environmental and radiation protection contractual clauses specified for JRC Ispra. The procedure is an open electronic tender and the award criterion is price with a 100% weight, subject to technical compliance.

Opportunity type and lead authority

Tender (procurement) — DG JRC Joint Research Centre

Procurement for the supply, installation and maintenance of a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester for JRC facilities. Tender documents and technical specifications are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Who can apply:Commercial suppliers of laboratory digestion equipment and maintenance service providers that meet the procurement selection and technical requirements. Submission is electronic via the Funding & Tenders Portal; the procedure is managed by DG JRC.

1. 1Estimated contract value: €160,000 (estimated overall contract amount)
2. 2Submission deadline: 19 June 2026, 16:00:59 (portal time)
3. 3Open tender event (opening): 22 June 2026, 11:00 (local)

Key procurement documents available include the Invitation to Tender, tender specifications (administrative and technical), financial offer form and draft contract annexes. Consult the official tender page for downloads and submission instructions Tender details. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Official tender page and documents: EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/0919 Supply and maintenance of a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester. Available at the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Basic facts and procurement scope

This is a public procurement (tender) published by the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre, for the supply and maintenance of a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester. The tender identifier is EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/0919. The procurement is for supplies and related maintenance services, structured as a single lot (LOT-0001). The procurement procedure uses eSubmission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The contracting authority indicates the place of performance and related rules referencing JRC Ispra (Italy) in the draft annexes and contractual clauses.

Deadlines and key dates:Tender closing (submission) date and time: 19 June 2026, 16:00:59 (Europe/Rome timezone). Open tender event (public opening) scheduled for 22 June 2026 at 11:00 (local time). Additional information request period ends 11 June 2026. The procurement documents were published 13 May 2026. ¹

Estimated contract value and contract duration

The estimated overall contract amount is €160,000. The planned contract execution period is specified as 56 months in the procurement metadata, and the tender validity period requested from tenderers is 6 months. The procurement is for supply and maintenance (therefore includes initial supply/delivery, installation, and maintenance support over the contract period).

Procurement documents available:A full set of procurement documents has been published and is available for download from the tender notice on the Funding & Tenders Portal, including: Invitation to tender (request for offer), Tender specifications (administrative part), Technical specifications (Annex I part 2), Financial offer form (native .docx), Declaration on honour (tender), Draft contract and multiple draft contract annexes (safety, environmental, radiation protection, customs procedure for JRC Ispra, access rules to JRC Ispra). Tenderers must consult these documents for mandatory requirements, technical and contractual clauses, and to complete the submission correctly. ¹

1. 1Invitation to tender EC-JRCIPR2026OP0919 Supply of an SRC microwave digestor (PDF).
2. 2Annex I part 1 TENDER SPECIFICATIONS Adm Part (PDF).
3. 3Annex I part 2 Technical Specifications NE.45.2301.A.040.rev0 (PDF).
4. 4Financial Offer Form (Annex 6) (DOCX).
5. 5Declaration on honour for tenders (DOCX).
6. 6Draft Direct Service Contract and Contractual Annexes: safety, environmental, radiation protection, rules for access and customs for JRC Ispra (PDF).

Eligibility and who can apply

This is a public tender; eligible participants are economic operators able to deliver the required equipment and services and to sign the contract with the European Commission (DG JRC). The procurement metadata indicates SME suitability is false (smeSuitableIndicator: false), but SMEs may still bid if they meet the technical, financial and administrative requirements. The procurement is subject to the usual public contracts selection and exclusion criteria described in the tender documents.

• Eligible Applicant Types: manufacturers, authorized distributors, suppliers of laboratory equipment, service providers for installation and maintenance, SMEs, large enterprises, and legal entities able to meet European public procurement requirements.
• Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): economic operators from EU Member States and typically EEA/EFTA and other countries allowed by EU procurement law and the Funding & Tenders Portal (specific eligibility rules and nationality requirements are set out in the tender documents).
• Consortium Requirement: single bidder (the procurement is published as a single-lot tender; consortiums/consortia are not explicitly required but joint bids or subcontracting arrangements may be allowed according to tender rules — consult the Tender Specifications and Selection Criteria in Annex I).

Technical and sector focus

Target sector:scientific laboratory equipment for analytical chemistry and materials testing. The specific item is a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester used for acid digestion of samples prior to elemental analysis (for example ICP-MS or AAS). The tender references CPV code 31711422 (laboratory equipment). The technical specifications annex should be consulted for detailed technical, performance, safety, and installation requirements.

Main CPV:31711422 (Laboratory equipment; corresponds to microwave digesters and related laboratory apparatus).

Application and submission process

Submission method:mandatory electronic submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission). Tenderers must upload the requested administrative, technical and financial documents using the portal e-forms/attachment process. The tendering process includes an additional information request period ending 11 June 2026 to submit clarifications or questions via the portal. Tender validity requested: 6 months from tender submission.

1. 1Prepare administrative documentation: signed Declaration on Honour (Annex 3.1), company registration, legal status, proof of financial capacity, and any required certificates listed in the tender specifications.
2. 2Prepare technical offer: compliance matrix against the Technical Specifications (Annex I part 2), detailed technical datasheets, installation and commissioning plan, training and maintenance plan, spare parts and consumables information, safety compliance (including radiation protection clauses if relevant), and timelines.
3. 3Prepare financial offer: complete the Financial Offer Form (Annex 3.2) in the native format provided and include any price breakdowns required (delivery, installation, maintenance periods, spare parts, training, VAT treatment if requested).
4. 4Submit all documents via the Funding & Tenders Portal before the deadline using the eSubmission tool and follow formats and naming conventions required in the Tender Specifications.

Application form structure and templates (available documents)

The portal provides native templates and mandatory documents. The key templates and their expected content are:

1. 1Invitation to Tender (PDF): overview of the procurement, submission instructions, contact points and portal references.
2. 2Tender Specifications - Administrative Part (Annex I part 1): selection and exclusion criteria, required administrative evidence, submission rules, tender validity, language and format rules.
3. 3Technical Specifications (Annex I part 2): detailed technical requirements, minimum performance thresholds, acceptance and inspection tests, installation, site conditions at JRC Ispra, commissioning and training requirements.
4. 4Financial Offer Form (Annex 6) DOCX: price schedule template to be completed by bidders (line items for equipment, delivery, installation, commissioning, maintenance periods, spare parts, optional items).
5. 5Declaration on Honour (tender) DOCX: formal declaration covering exclusion grounds and accuracy of information.
6. 6Draft Contract and Contractual Annexes (PDF): contract wording, safety, radiation protection, environmental obligations, rules for introducing goods through customs at JRC Ispra, access rules to JRC Ispra — bidders must accept or note any proposed modifications as specified by the contracting authority.

Award criteria, evaluation and contracting

Awarding criterion indicated in the procurement metadata is price with a 100% weight for the price sub-criterion; however, the tender documents state 'Please consult the procurement documents' for full details. Evaluation will therefore consider conformity with technical specifications and then rank conforming offers on price, or apply the specific award formula described in the tender documents. Successful tenderer will be invited to sign the direct service contract and comply with all contract annexes.

Stages in the procurement process:Typical stages: 1) publication and clarification period; 2) submission of tenders via eSubmission; 3) public opening of tenders (scheduled 22 June 2026); 4) technical and administrative compliance check; 5) evaluation and ranking by award criterion; 6) contract award and signature. For bidders, this effectively means a one-stage submission process (single submission) followed by evaluation and award.

Commercial, financial and contractual conditions

Estimated total procedure value:€160,000 (currency EUR). The contracting documents include detailed draft contract terms (Direct service contract) and annexes with safety, environmental and radiation protection contractual clauses as well as rules concerning access and customs for deliveries to JRC Ispra. Payment terms, guarantees, penalties, liability and insurance requirements will be those set out in the draft contract and must be carefully reviewed by bidders.

Co-funding:not applicable. This is a procurement for which the contracting authority will pay the contracted price. No co-funding contribution from bidders is required; however bidders must demonstrate financial and operational capacity and provide any performance guarantees or bank/insurance instruments if requested in the tender documents.

Additional practical details and notes

Place of performance and special requirements:the procurement includes contractual annexes specifically addressing delivery and customs procedures to JRC Ispra, rules relating to access to JRC Ispra, and safety and radiation protection contractual clauses. If the equipment involves radioactive sources or operations that may be subject to radiation protection rules, specific contractual obligations are included in Annex VIII. Tenderers must ensure compliance with all these special requirements and include any certifications or permits required for installation and operation.

• Submission channel: EU Funding & Tenders Portal eSubmission (e-forms).
• Tender validity: 6 months required by the contracting authority.
• Open tender event (public opening) date: 22 June 2026 at 11:00 (local time).
• Additional information/questions deadline: 11 June 2026.

Categorisation answers

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: manufacturers, laboratory equipment suppliers, authorized distributors, service providers for installation and maintenance, SMEs and large enterprises (economic operators capable of meeting public procurement selection criteria).
2. 2Funding Type: public procurement / tender (supply and service contract).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: single bidder submission expected; joint bids/subcontracting arrangements may be permitted according to the tender specifications but a consortium is not explicitly required.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): economic operators from EU Member States and other countries allowed under EU procurement rules (consult tender documents for precise nationality eligibility); primary contracting authority is DG JRC (EU).
5. 5Target Sector: scientific laboratory equipment, analytical chemistry equipment (microwave acid digestion), research laboratory supplies and maintenance services.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: Italy is explicitly implicated by references to JRC Ispra; contracting authority is the European Commission (EU-level).
7. 7Project Stage: procurement/delivery and operational maintenance (commercial supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance).
8. 8Funding Amount: estimated overall contract amount €160,000.
9. 9Application Type: open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal — mandatory eSubmission (single-stage submission).
10. 10Nature of Support: monetary contract payment from the contracting authority to the supplier (purchase and maintenance service contract).
11. 11Application Stages: effectively 1 main submission stage (electronic tender submission) followed by evaluation and award (total multi-step administrative evaluation process but only one formal tender submission).
12. 12Success Rates: not specified in the tender documents; success rate depends on number and quality of bids — not provided by contracting authority.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: no co-funding required from tenderers; the contracting authority will pay the contracted price. Bidders must provide financial and technical evidence per selection criteria and may need to provide guarantees if requested.

Templates:The procurement publishes native templates and mandatory forms. Key templates to use and the structure expected in submissions are: 1) Financial Offer Form (Annex 6 .docx) — complete price breakdowns for equipment, delivery, installation, commissioning, maintenance periods, optional consumables/spares; 2) Declaration on Honour (DOCX) — signed legal declaration regarding exclusion and conflicts; 3) Technical offer must include a compliance matrix mapping each technical requirement in Annex I part 2 to bidder evidence (datasheets, compliance statements), site assessment and installation plan, commissioning and acceptance test procedures, maintenance schedule and response times, staff CVs or competence evidence if requested; 4) Administrative package as defined in Tender Specifications (company registry, legal and financial documents, insurance certificates if required). Follow file naming conventions and eSubmission rules set out in the invitation and portal guidance.

Summary and recommendation

This tender seeks a qualified supplier to deliver and maintain a Single Reaction Chamber high volume microwave digester for the Joint Research Centre (JRC), with a contract estimated at €160,000. The procurement is published as a single-lot supply and maintenance contract with mandatory electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Bidders must carefully review and comply with the full set of published procurement documents (technical specifications, tender administrative rules, draft contract and annexes, financial offer template and declaration on honour) and must meet specific contractual obligations for safety, environmental and potentially radiation-related clauses for operations at JRC Ispra. Submit a complete administrative, technical and financial offer before the deadline 19 June 2026, 16:00:59 (Europe/Rome), and ensure any required permits, delivery and customs arrangements for JRC Ispra are addressed in the offer. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Full procurement documentation including the Invitation to Tender and Technical Specifications is published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal tender notice for EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/0919: ec.europa.eu

Tender Overview

This is a public procurement tender issued by the European Commission, Directorate-General for the Joint Research Centre (DG JRC). The tender seeks qualified suppliers to provide and maintain a Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester system. The equipment will be installed at the JRC facility in Ispra, Italy. This is a supplies contract with an estimated total value of €160,000.

Tender Reference:EC-JRC/IPR/2026/OP/0919

Portal Reference:580d7e8f-2d8d

Key Dates and Deadlines

Prospective bidders must submit their tenders by the closing deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted. The tender opening will take place on 22 June 2026, and all submitted bids will be evaluated according to the criteria specified in the procurement documents.

Procurement Details

Contract Type:Supplies procurement

Estimated Contract Value:€160,000

Currency:EUR (Euros)

Planned Contract Duration:56 months

CPV Classification:31711422 (Laboratory equipment and supplies)

Procedure Type:Open procedure

Submission Method:Electronic submission only via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal

Technical Specifications

The Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) high volume microwave digester must meet specific technical requirements detailed in the tender documentation. The equipment should be capable of digesting multiple samples simultaneously at high temperatures and pressures. Detailed technical specifications are provided in Annex I Part 2 of the tender documents (reference NE.45.2301.A.040.rev0). Bidders must carefully review these specifications to ensure their proposed equipment meets all requirements.

Scope of Supply and Services

The contract includes both supply and maintenance components. Suppliers must provide the microwave digester system and ensure its proper installation and commissioning at the JRC Ispra facility. The maintenance component covers the 56-month contract period, ensuring the equipment remains operational and compliant with all safety and environmental standards applicable at the JRC facility.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

This tender is open to suppliers and manufacturers of laboratory equipment. Eligible bidders include companies established in EU Member States, EEA countries, and other countries that have concluded relevant agreements with the European Union. The tender is not specifically marked as suitable for SMEs, though SMEs may participate if they meet all technical and financial requirements.

Bidders must demonstrate their technical and financial capacity to deliver the equipment and provide maintenance services over the contract period. Suppliers should have relevant experience in manufacturing or supplying microwave digestion systems and possess the capability to install and maintain such equipment at research facilities.

Award Criteria

The tender will be awarded based on price as the sole evaluation criterion. The award criterion carries a weight of 100 percent. This means the contract will be awarded to the bidder offering the lowest compliant price that meets all technical specifications and contractual requirements outlined in the tender documents.

Required Documentation and Declarations

Bidders must submit the following documents with their tender ¹:

1. 1Completed Financial Offer Form (Annex I Part 1 Annex 6)
2. 2Declaration on Honour confirming compliance with EU and national regulations
3. 3Technical documentation demonstrating compliance with specifications
4. 4Evidence of technical and financial capacity
5. 5Any other documents specified in the tender specifications

All documents must be submitted in English. Bidders must ensure all declarations are properly completed and signed according to the requirements specified in the tender documents.

Special Conditions and Requirements

The contract includes several special conditions related to the JRC Ispra facility:

• Radiation protection contractual clauses must be observed (Annex VIII)
• Safety contractual clauses specific to JRC Ispra must be followed (Annex IV)
• Environmental contractual clauses applicable at JRC Ispra must be implemented (Annex V)
• Rules relating to access to JRC Ispra must be complied with (Annex VI)
• Procedures for introducing goods through customs at JRC Ispra must be followed (Annex VII)
• The supplier must comply with all applicable EU and Italian regulations

The supplier will be required to ensure proper handling of the equipment during transport and installation, with particular attention to safety and environmental compliance at the research facility.

Payment and Contract Execution

The contract will utilize electronic ordering and electronic payment methods. Payment terms and conditions will be specified in the direct service contract (document reference 2. Direct service contract). The contract will be executed in accordance with EU procurement regulations and the specific terms outlined in the tender documents.

Funding Source

This procurement is funded through EU funds under the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 programme periods. The European Commission, through the Joint Research Centre, is the contracting authority responsible for this procurement.

How to Access Tender Documents

All tender documents are available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal at the following link: EU Funding and Tenders Portal - Tender Details. Documents include the invitation to tender, technical specifications, contract templates, financial offer forms, and all annexes covering safety, environmental, and radiation protection requirements.

Bidders should download and carefully review all documents before preparing their submissions. The tender specifications administrative part (Annex I Part 1) contains detailed instructions on how to prepare and submit bids.

Clarifications and Questions

Prospective bidders may request clarifications or additional information about the tender. Such requests must be submitted by 11 June 2026. Clarification requests should be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Responses to clarifications will be provided to all bidders to ensure equal treatment.

Appeals and Dispute Resolution

Bidders who believe they have been treated unfairly or that the procurement process has not been conducted in accordance with applicable regulations may lodge an appeal. The appeal receiver party is identified as ORG-0002 in the tender documentation. Specific procedures and deadlines for appeals are outlined in the tender documents.

About the Joint Research Centre

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. The JRC provides independent scientific evidence to support EU policymaking across all policy areas. The JRC operates multiple laboratories and testing facilities across Europe, with the Ispra site in Italy being one of its major research locations. The JRC procures specialized laboratory equipment to support its research activities in support of European policy development.

Important Notes for Bidders

• This is a price-based tender; technical compliance is mandatory but price is the sole award criterion
• All submissions must be made electronically; no paper submissions are accepted
• The estimated contract value of €160,000 is indicative; actual costs may vary
• The 56-month contract duration includes both supply and maintenance obligations
• Bidders must comply with all special conditions related to the JRC Ispra facility
• Late submissions will be rejected automatically
• Bidders should allow sufficient time for electronic submission to avoid technical issues

Interested suppliers should register on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and carefully review all tender documents before submitting their bids. Compliance with all requirements is essential for bid acceptance and evaluation.

Footnotes

1. 1Complete lists of required documents and submission procedures are detailed in the Tender Specifications Administrative Part (Annex I Part 1) available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.