EU Short Term Contracts

The European Union (EU) lifted its rule of tied aid and now non-EU Consultants can compete for consulting contracts under the 10th or later European Development Fund. For short-term Contracts, the EU uses "Framework Contracts" that are like Standing Offer Arrangements at CIDA.

What is a Framework Contract?


Projects funded by European Union

A Framework Contract is a procurement tool put in place by the European Commission for recruitment of technical assistance (TA) services. Its purpose is two-fold: (i) a fast-track procurement procedure for recruitment of short term TA services, thus avoiding lengthy procedures applicable in other procurement methods, but which entails a budget limitation(normally up to 200.000 Euros) and (ii) provision of an immediate response to emergencies, thus rapid mobilisation of expertise (typically within 2 weeks from signature of a contract for delivery of specific services).

In the context of the External Aid funding, the EC has set up the Framework Contract Commission in order to effectively respond to the internal needs arising in the European Commission and EU Delegations Services.

How does the Framework Contract work?

As soon as a need is identified the EC project officers formulate the Terms of Reference (ToR) where the assignment’s objectives, tasks and deliverables are outlined together with a tentative implementation schedule. The ToR together with a Request for Services form are then sent to the preselected Consortia in order to enable them to identify, select and recruit suitable staff for provision of the requested services. Each Consortia prepares and submit an offer for delivery of services of which the EC selects the best value for money offer using a 80/20 weighing between technical quality and financial offer and notifies the successful Consortium. A Specific Contract is concluded on the basis of the standard format and the successful Framework Contractor is expected to mobilize the experts in country within 10 days from receipt of the Specific Contract.

Framework contracts are set for several thematic lots. Several contractors are selected for each lot, most of which are consortia represented by a lead firm. The lead firm has been designated by the other partners to act on their behalf for the purposes of the contract and is the only one authorized to commit the consortium. Specific contract award is based on a competition, in this sense every request for service is submitted to 3 randomly-selected consortia of the list of pre-qualified consortia for the corresponding lot. 

The Framework Contract Commission is a strategic tool facilitating the delivery of timely, cost-effective and focused assistance at short-notice and at any stage of the Project Cycle.

There are many EU firms involved in EU framework contracts. Some of them includes: