EC Framework Contract "Beneficiaries 2005"
(EuropeAid/119860/C/SV/multi) 

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Description:

The Framework Contract EuropeAid/119860/C/SV/multi is an instrument for fast and transparent recruiting of experts for activities in the sole interest of the beneficiary countries/authorities of the European Commission’s external aid programmes.

In operational terms it means that experts can be available within 17 days (14 days for the framework contractor and 3 days for the contracting authority) at the earliest of issuing the request. In administrative terms, it is a multiple framework contract, i.e. made up of separate contracts, concluded on the same terms with different service providers.

The framework contract has been concluded with a contract amount of €0: the framework contract is not tied to a specific amount. The contracting authority for a specific contract must therefore have the funds to cover the services contracted under the framework contract.

 

Content of the Framework Contract Beneficiaries:

The Framework Contract Beneficiaries consists of 13 lots corresponding to 13 technical fields:

  Lot 1: Rural development and food security

  Lot 2: Transport and infrastructure

  Lot 3: Telecommunications and information technologies

  Lot 4: Energy and nuclear safety

  Lot 5: Conferences

  Lot 6: Environment

  Lot 7: Culture, governance and home affairs

  Lot 8: Health

  Lot 9: Education, employment and social

  Lot 10: Support to industry / commerce / services

  Lot 11: Macro-economy, public finances and regulatory aspects

  Lot 12: Standards

  Lot 13: Humanitarian aid, crisis management and post-crisis assistance.

 

Scope:

The Framework Contract Beneficiaries covers only the operations:

  • in the field of external aid, even if implemented by a Commission DG other than EuropeAid;
  • that are carried out for beneficiary authorities. The Commission and/or a Commission delegation can never be identified as beneficiaries in the specific ToRs;
  • for amounts of less than €200 000, addendums included, without undue splitting;
  • where the input of the expert delivering aid for the longest time in terms of days worked may not exceed 260 days;
  • where the implementation period of the operation does not exceed 2 years (730 calendar days), addenda included.

Use of this framework contract complies with the rules in force for external aid contained in the Practical Guide, in particular:

  • It is a procedure which takes precedence over the competitive negotiated procedure which can be used only where use of the Framework Contract Beneficiaries is impossible or has been unsuccessful.
  • The selection of the framework contractor for a specific service follows the process of consulting three of the framework contractors contracted for a given lot.
  • The inputs are always expressed in working days.
  • The administrative time-limits, e.g. for submitting the offer, performing the services, submitting the report and comments, etc., are expressed in calendar days.

 

Framework Contractors:

Between 4 and 7 contractors have been selected for each lot. Most of these 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 authorised to commit the consortium. The only valid contacts for contractual purposes are contacts with the lead firm.

All the framework contractors that have responded to the Framework Contract Beneficiaries invitation to offer are ad hoc consortia. They have no legal existence outside the framework contract procedure. Consequently, they cannot be used for any contract award procedure other than the Framework Contract Beneficiaries procedure.

Framework contractors are supported by a network of local partners registered in the beneficiary countries. The local partners are required to support them with logistics, identifying locally available expertise etc. Although local partners can offer their services to several framework contractors (even within the same lot), they cannot be included in more than one offer for a given consultation/assignment.

 

Users:

1. The Commission departments (headquarters and delegations) that manage external aid: EuropeAid - Relex – Development – Enlargement – Trade – Environment - ECHO the EC’s delegations in third countries

2. The European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR)

3. The decentralized Phare bodies (CFCUs4 – or decentralized ministries)

4. Other decentralized authorities directly authorized to use the framework contract.

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