Update of Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Border Guarding (SQF for BG) and Institutional Accreditation Support

This publication announces the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX)'s intention to initiate a future negotiated procedure for consultancy services related to the review and update of the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Border Guarding (SQF for BG) and accreditation support for training programs in line with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG2015). The procedure identifier for this opportunity is FRONTEX/2025/MVP/0019-EXA.

The call is primarily targeted at consulting firms, individual consultants, or organizations with proficiency in education, border guarding, and accreditation, although the detailed types of eligible applicants are not explicitly stated. The funding type is classified as a procurement contract for services, specifically a middle or low value contract. The exact funding amount remains unspecified but suggests it could be under €200k.

The contracting authority—FRONTEX—indicates that the opportunity is likely open to entities based in EU member states or EEA countries, but the exact geographic eligibility is not detailed. The project is positioned within the education and training sector, focusing on strengthening border security training standardization and compliance.

The project stage involves significant validation work aimed at updating existing qualifications frameworks and providing accreditation support. The contract duration is capped at 15 months, with the expected start date for expressions of interest on May 27, 2025. Interested parties must electronically submit their expressions of interest by the deadline of June 16, 2025. The indicative launch date for the negotiated procedure is June 16, 2025.

As it is a negotiated procedure and not yet a formal tender call, interested applicants are encouraged to prepare for upcoming related announcements while noting that the precise details concerning success rates and co-funding requirements are currently unavailable. The tender process is structured such that there will be at least two stages: expressions of interest followed by a negotiation phase for selected candidates.

Overall, this opportunity aims to enhance training standards and compliance within the framework of EU border management through improved quality assurance mechanisms in vocational education and training.

This is a publication announcing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX)'s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. It is not a call for tenders.

The procedure identifier is FRONTEX/2025/MVP/0019-EXA.

The description of the planned contract is the provision of consultancy services for the review and update of the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Border Guarding (SQF for BG) and support during the accreditation process of Frontex training in line with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG2015).

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract.

The lead contracting authority is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

The main classification (CPV) code is 80521000, which refers to training programme services.

The nature of the contract is for services.

The maximum contract duration is 15 months.

There is no framework agreement associated with this procedure.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-05-27 Europe/Brussels.

The deadline for expression of interest is 16/06/2025 04:59 Europe/Warsaw.

The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-06-16 Europe/Warsaw.

The method of expression of interest is electronic.

To express interest, use the "Express interest" link provided.

Regarding questions and answers, you must log in to create a question. There is a public Q&A section, FAQs, and a "My Q&A" section. You can download the Q&As in XLS format.

One FAQ is provided: "Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference?" The answer clarifies that references with ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but announcements of the contracting authority’s intent to launch a low or middle negotiated procedure in the future. This was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement from FRONTEX regarding a future opportunity for consultancy services related to updating the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Border Guarding and supporting the accreditation of Frontex training programs. The actual call for tenders is yet to be published, but interested parties can express their interest electronically before the deadline of June 16, 2025. The contract is expected to be of middle or low value, and the maximum duration is 15 months. The key focus is on aligning border guarding training with European higher education standards.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is for consultancy services, so eligible applicants are likely consulting firms, individual consultants, or organizations with expertise in the relevant fields of education, border guarding, and accreditation processes. The specific types of eligible applicants are not explicitly stated but can be inferred based on the nature of the required services.

Funding Type: This is a planned call for tenders, specifically a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. Therefore, the funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the nature of consultancy services, both single applicants and consortia could potentially be eligible, depending on the specific requirements outlined in the future call for tenders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, since the contracting authority is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), it can be inferred that the opportunity is likely open to entities within the EU and possibly EEA countries. Further details would be available in the official call for tenders.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily related to border guarding, education, and training. This includes the review and update of the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Border Guarding (SQF for BG) and support for the accreditation process of Frontex training. The relevant sectors are therefore security/border control, education/training, and consulting.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the relevant region is the EU, given that FRONTEX is a European agency. The indicative dates mention Brussels and Warsaw, but these refer to the location of events and not necessarily the eligible countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on the review, update, and accreditation of existing frameworks and training programs. This suggests a development and validation stage, rather than basic research or initial idea generation.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "middle/low value contract," but the estimated total value is not specified. This suggests the funding amount is likely under €200k, but without further information, a more precise range cannot be determined.

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

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing consultancy services. Therefore, the nature of support is monetary.

Application Stages: The application process involves at least two stages: an expression of interest and a subsequent negotiated procedure for selected applicants. Therefore, there are at least 2 stages.

Success Rates: There is no information available regarding success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: There is no information available regarding co-funding requirements.

Summary: This opportunity is a planned call for tenders by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) for consultancy services. The project aims to review and update the Sectoral Qualifications Framework for Border Guarding (SQF for BG) and to support the accreditation process of Frontex training in line with European standards. This is a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The indicative start date for expression of interest is May 27, 2025, with a deadline of June 16, 2025. The indicative launch date of the negotiated procedure is June 16, 2025. Interested parties should submit an electronic expression of interest. This is not a call for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated procedure. The maximum contract duration is 15 months.