TELCO DPS will enable the Commission and other participating EU institutions, bodies and agencies (EUIBAs) to run mini-competitions that address their needs of such services. These competitions will result in multiple contracts, both framework and direct contracts, instead of ‘one-size-fits-all’ framework contracts, as was the case until now.
TELCO DPS offers an equal opportunity to big and small providers to propose their services to the EU institutions. The new procurement procedure is more flexible, with the following advantages:
- There is no limit on the number of participants;
- New economic operators of different sizes can join the tender at any time, supporting innovation and market trends by continuously including new services and use cases;
- Its process is simplified and fully electronic.
This is part of Commission’s efforts to modernise IT and procurement, streamline and digitalise procedures, reducing burden for the administration and companies as well as to open opportunities for smaller businesses.
How will it work?
TELCO DPS will last for four years and is a two-step procedure. During the first stage, internet and telecommunication service providers submit their requests to enter the system itself. During the second stage, the EUIBAs conduct mini-competitions among the economic operators admitted at the first stage in order to award contracts that may last up to seven years.
Internet and telecommunication service providers will be allowed to register in the DPS at any time throughout its duration to tender in the mini-competitions, which are planned to have an overall value of EUR 540 million. The precise scope, rules, estimated value and contract award of each competition will be set out in its respective tender specifications. Registered economic operators of all sizes can decide on a case-by-case basis whether they would like to participate in the corresponding mini-competition.
The new system is now open for registration. The first mini-competitions will start as of March 2023. Internet and telecommunication service providers are welcome to apply.
TELCO DPS will be the main dynamic purchasing system for the procurement of internet and telecommunication services by the Commission and the other participating EUIBAs.
For more information: TELCO DPS contract notice
Source: European Commission | News (https://bit.ly/3xSFEPs)