User observations on usage of recommender systems to enable scaling of recommender systems experiments through automated and agentic means

The European Commission, specifically the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), has published a call for tenders titled "User observations on usage of recommender systems." This tender focuses on understanding user interactions with recommender systems on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs). The estimated total value of the contract is €250,000, with a maximum duration of 9 months. The tender is classified as an open procedure, requiring electronic submission, and it must be submitted by September 29, 2025, at 16:00 CET. The objective is to conduct user surveys and observations to explore how users perceive and interact with recommender systems, particularly in accordance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that platforms articulate the main parameters of their recommendation algorithms in straightforward language, providing users with options to modify these parameters. Eligible applicants for this procurement include large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutions, and other organizations with relevant competencies in user research, data analysis, and the legal context of recommender systems. While no explicit consortium requirements are stated, single applicants may also find opportunities to work collaboratively. The target sector for this tender primarily encompasses information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence, and digital services, specifically focusing on user behavior research and algorithmic transparency. The project is positioned within the research and validation phase, emphasizing real-world data collection through user engagement. The successful contractor will be responsible for creating a diverse user panel and gathering data that reflects the demographic variables such as age and computer literacy. Key dates include the tender publication on August 28, 2025, followed by a public opening on September 30, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to review the tender specifications and related documents provided in the official publication. In summary, this opportunity offers a substantial contract for service delivery aimed at enhancing the understanding of user interactions with recommender systems, directly supporting the EU's regulatory framework on algorithmic accountability.

The European Commission, DG CNECT Communications Networks, Content and Technology, has published a call for tenders EC-CNECT/2025/OP/0056, titled "User observations on usage of recommender systems to enable scaling of recommender systems experiments through automated and agentic means". The TED reference for this call is 164/2025 562735-2025.

The call is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The estimated total value of the contract is €250,000. The contract's nature is for services, with a maximum duration of 9 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio, and it is not a framework agreement.

The TED publication date is 28/08/2025. The date and time of the public opening are 30/09/2025 at 14:00 Europe/Brussels time. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 29/09/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 19/09/2025 at 06:00 Europe/Brussels time.

The call for tenders aims to explore how users engage with recommender systems across Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) through user surveys and user observations. This is in line with article 27 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires providers of online platforms to clearly explain the main parameters used in their recommender systems in plain and intelligible language, including options for users to modify or influence these parameters. The main parameters that must be explained include (a) the most significant criteria used to determine suggested information, and (b) the reasons for the relative importance of these parameters. For platforms offering multiple options for recommender systems, they must provide a functionality allowing users to select and modify their preferred option at any time, directly and easily accessible from the section of the platform’s interface where the information is prioritized. In addition to the obligations established by article 27, providers of VLOPs and VLOSEs have an additional requirement: they must provide at least one recommender system option that is not based on profiling as defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“General Data Protection Regulation” or “GDPR”).

DG CONNECT, together with the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency at the Joint Research Centre (ECAT JRC), is developing new methods to analyze recommender systems across a wide range of representative recommendation surfaces across VLOPs and VLOSEs (both in terms of user experience social media feeds, products listing, etc. and types of contents video, text, images, products, etc.). The tender seeks to ground the understanding of such systems with real-world data from observations of user interactions with recommender systems, confronting the state of the art of the scientific literature with the reality of a representative panel of VLOPs and VLOSEs’ user base (in terms of relevant demographic variables such as age, gender, computer literacy, etc.).

The documents available for download include:

ENEN-Invitation to tender EC-CNECT-2025-OP-0056 User observations Recommender SystemsInvitation letter, published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

Annexes Tender specifications, published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

ENEN TENDER SPECIFICATIONS EC-CNECT-2025-OP-0056 User observations Recommender SystemsTender specifications, published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

Annex 6 to TS - Financial formFinancial offer form, published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

declaration-of-honour-tenders User observations Recommender Systems EC-CNECT-2025-OP-0056Declaration on honour (tender), published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

Appendix 1 to Model Contract - Security requirementsDraft contract annex, published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

ENEN Model Service Contract EC-CNECT-2025-OP-0056Draft contract, published on 28/08/2025, Version 1, No translations available

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In summary, this tender opportunity focuses on understanding how users interact with recommender systems on major online platforms and search engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs). It aims to gather user observations and survey data to assess the impact and effectiveness of these systems, particularly in light of the Digital Services Act's transparency requirements. The European Commission, specifically DG CONNECT and ECAT JRC, seeks a contractor to conduct user research, analyze user behavior, and provide insights into how recommender systems are perceived and used by a representative panel of users. The research will consider demographic variables like age, gender, and computer literacy. The ultimate goal is to improve user understanding and control over recommender systems, ensuring compliance with DSA regulations and promoting algorithmic transparency. The tender is open for electronic submissions, with a deadline of September 29, 2025, and has an estimated value of €250,000.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given the nature of the tender, it is likely open to legal entities such as companies, research institutions, and organizations with expertise in the relevant fields (recommender systems, user surveys, data analysis, and legal advisory).

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a procurement, specifically a service contract.

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity is open to both single applicants and consortia. The text mentions the need for a Personal Identification Code (PIC) for both sole candidates/tenderers and members of a group (consortium).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but since it is an EU tender, it is likely open to entities established in the EU and possibly EEA countries, and potentially other countries depending on specific agreements.

Target Sector:The target sector is ICT, specifically focusing on recommender systems, online platforms, data analysis, and legal aspects related to the Digital Services Act (DSA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It also touches upon the social media, e-commerce, and online search engine industries.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned. The opportunity is at the EU level.

Project Stage:The project stage is focused on the implementation and execution of services, including user surveys, data analysis, and reporting, rather than early-stage research or development. It is more aligned with the validation and demonstration stages, leading to actionable insights and recommendations.

Funding Amount:The estimated total value of the contract is €250,000.

Application Type:The application type is an open call for tenders, with electronic submission.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered under the service contract.

Application Stages:The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it involves at least one stage of submitting a tender, followed by evaluation and selection.

Success Rates:The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement:Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned, so it is likely not required.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders issued by the European Commission, DG CNECT, focusing on user observations regarding the usage of recommender systems on Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs). The tender aims to explore how users engage with these systems through user surveys and observations, in light of the transparency requirements of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The goal is to understand how users perceive and interact with recommender systems, considering factors like age, gender, and computer literacy. The European Commission, specifically DG CONNECT, together with the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency at the Joint Research Centre (ECAT JRC), is developing new methods to analyze recommender systems. The contract is for services with an estimated total value of €250,000 and a maximum duration of 9 months. The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The deadline for receipt of tenders is September 29, 2025. Tenderers must provide a service to explore how users engage with recommender systems across Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSEs) through user surveys and user observations.