25.7.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 172/26

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Joint Harmonised European Union Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys

(2006/C 172/10)

1 CONTEXT

The European Commission is launching a call for proposals (ref. ECFIN/2006/A3-03) for carrying out surveys as part of the Joint Harmonised Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys (approved by the Commission on 29th November 2000) in the EU Member States and in the candidate countries. This call for proposals will cover Luxemburg, Malta, Croatia and Turkey.

The programme is designed to gather information on the state of the economies in the EU Member States so as to be able to compare their business cycles for EMU (Economic and Monetary Union) management purposes. It has become an indispensable tool in the EMU economic surveillance process, as well as for general economic policy purposes.

2 PURPOSE AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ACTION

2.1 Objectives

The joint harmonised programme involves specialised bodies/institutes carrying out opinion surveys on a joint financing basis. The Commission is looking to conclude an annual grant agreement for the action with bodies and institutes suitably qualified to carry out one or more of the following surveys for the period May 2007 — April 2008:

—	Retail trade and services surveys in Luxemburg;

—	Investment, construction, retail trade and services surveys in Malta;

—	Investment, construction, retail trade, services and industry surveys in Croatia;

—	Investment, construction, retail trade, services, industry and consumer surveys in Turkey;

—	Ad hoc surveys on topical economic issues: These ad hoc surveys are by definition more occasional and are carried out in addition to the monthly surveys, using the same established samples as the monthly surveys, to obtain information on specific economic policy issues.

The surveys target managers in the industry, investment, construction, retail trade and services sector as well as consumers.

2.2 Technical specifications

2.2.1 Survey timing and reporting of results

The following table gives an overview of the surveys requested under this call for proposals:

Survey name	Number of sectors covered/size classes	Number of questions asked monthly	Number of questions asked quarterly
Industry survey	56/-	7	9
Investment survey	8/6	2 questions in March/April 4 questions in October/November
Construction survey	5/-	5	1
Retail trade survey	9/-	6	-
Services survey	19/-	6	1
Consumer survey	25/-	14	3

—	The monthly surveys must be carried out in the first two weeks of each month and the results must be e-mailed to the Commission at least 4 working days before the end of the month and in accordance with the calendar that will be included in the grant agreement.

—

The quarterly surveys must be carried out in the first two weeks of the first month of each quarter (January, April, July and October) and the results must be e-mailed to the Commission at least 4 working days before the end of January, April, July and October respectively and in accordance with the calendar that will be included in the grant agreement.

—

The six-monthly surveys of investment must be carried out in March/April and October/November and the results must be e-mailed to the Commission at least four working days before the end of May and December, respectively, and in accordance with the calendar that will be included in the grant agreement.

—	In the case of ad hoc surveys, the beneficiary must undertake to adhere to the specific timetables laid down for them.

A detailed description of the action can be downloaded from the following Internet address:

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/tenders/2006/call2006_6en.htm

2.2.2 Methodology and questionnaires of the Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys

Details on the methodology can be found in the user's guide on:

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/indicators/business_consumer_surveys/userguide_en.pdf

3 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS AND DURATION

3.1 Administrative provisions

The body or institute is to be selected for a maximum period of 12 months. For this purpose an annual agreement will be concluded between the parties, which will specify the common objectives and the nature of the action planned. The grant agreement will cover the period May 2007 — April 2008.

3.2 Duration

The surveys run from 1 May 2007 until 30 April 2008. The duration of the action may not exceed 12 months (13 months for the investment survey).

4 FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK

4.1 Sources of Community funding

The operations selected will be financed from budget heading 01.02.02 — Coordination and surveillance of economic and monetary union.

4.2 Estimated total Community budget for this call

—	The total annual budget available for these surveys is in the region of EUR 360 000.

—	The number of beneficiaries will be maximum 17.

4.3 Percentage of Community co-financing

The Commission's share in the joint financing may not exceed 50 % of the eligible costs incurred by the beneficiary on each survey.

4.4 Funding of the action by the beneficiary and eligible costs incurred

Eligible costs can be incurred only after signature of the grant agreement by all the parties, save in exceptional cases and, under no circumstances, before submission of the application for a grant. Contributions in kind are not regarded as eligible costs.

The beneficiary will be requested to submit a detailed budget containing an estimate of the costs and funding of the action, expressed in EURO. The budget will be incorporated as an annex to the grant agreement. The Commission may subsequently use these figures for auditing purposes.

5 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

5.1. Legal status of applicants

The call for proposals is open to bodies and institutes (legal entities) with legal status in one of the EU Member States, or in one of the acceding or candidate countries. Applicants must show that they exist as a legal entity and provide the required documentation by means of the standard legal entity form.

5.2. Grounds for exclusion

Applications will not be considered for a grant if the applicants are in any of the following situations (1):

(a)

they are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts, have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended business activities, are the subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations;

(b)	they have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a judgment which has the force of res judicata;

(c)	they have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the contracting authority can justify;

(d)

they have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the contracting authority or those of the country where the contract is to be performed;

(e)	they have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity detrimental to the Communities' financial interests;

(f)	following another procurement procedure or grant award procedure financed by the Community budget, they have been declared to be in serious breach of contract for failure to comply with their contractual obligations;

(g)	they are faced with a conflict of interest;

(h)	they have been guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required or have failed to supply this information.

Applicants must certify that they are not in one of the situations listed under points 5.2 by means of the standard declaration form on eligibility.

5.3 Administrative and financial penalties

Without prejudice to the application of penalties laid down in the contract, candidates or tenderers and contractors who have been guilty of making false declarations or have been found to have seriously failed to meet their contractual obligations in an earlier procurement procedure shall be excluded from all contracts and grants financed by the Community budget for a maximum of two years from the time when the infringement is established, as confirmed after an adversarial procedure with the contractor. That period may be extended to three years in the event of a repeat offence within five years of the first infringement.

Tenderers or candidates who have been guilty of making false declarations shall also receive financial penalties representing 2 % to 10 % of the total value of the contract being awarded.

Contractors who have been found to have seriously failed to meet their contractual obligations shall receive financial penalties representing 2 % to 10 % of the total value of the contract in question. That rate may be increased to 4 % to 20 % in the event of a repeat offence within five years of the first infringement.

In the cases referred to in points 5.2 (a), (c) and (d) the candidates or tenderers shall be excluded from all contracts and grants for a maximum of two years from the time when the infringement is established, as confirmed after an adversarial procedure with the contractor.

In the cases referred to in points 5.2 (b) and (e), the candidates or tenderers shall be excluded from all contracts and grants for a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years from the date of notification of the judgment.

Those periods may be extended to five years in the event of a repeat offence within five years of the first infringement or the first judgment.

The cases referred to in point 5.2. (e) shall be the following:

(a)	cases of fraud as referred to in Article 1 of the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests drawn up by the Council Act of 26 July 1995;

(b)	cases of corruption as referred to in Article 3 of the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union, drawn up by the Council Act of 26 May 1997;

(c)	cases of participation in a criminal organisation, as defined in Article 2(1) of Joint Action 98/733/JHA of the Council;

(d)	cases of money laundering as defined in Article 1 of Council Directive 91/308/EEC.

6 SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants must have stable and sufficient sources of funding to maintain their activity throughout the period during which the action is being carried out. They must have the professional competences and qualifications required to complete the proposed action or work programme.

6.1 Financial capacity of applicants

Applicants must have the financial capacity to complete the proposed action and must provide their balance sheets and profit and loss accounts for the last two financial years for which the accounts have been closed. This provision does not apply to public bodies and international organisations.

6.2 Operational capability of applicants

Applicants must have the operational capability to complete the proposed action and should provide the appropriate supporting documentation.

The following criteria will be used to assess the applicant's ability:

—	At least three years proven experience in preparing and carrying out qualitative business and consumer surveys.

—

Proven experience in at least one of the following areas:

1)	evaluating business and consumer survey results, methodological questions (samples, questionnaires and scheduling) and analysis;

2)	construction of indicators based on business and consumer survey results;

3)	use of business and consumer survey results for cyclical and macro-economic analysis and research, using statistical and econometric methods, including analysis by sector;

4)	econometric models and other forecasting tools.

—

Ability to apply the methodology of the Joint Harmonised EU Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys and to comply with the Commission's instructions: meet the monthly reporting deadlines, implement improvements and changes to the survey programme as requested by Commission services, in line with agreements reached at coordination meetings with representatives of collaborating bodies/institutes.

7 AWARD CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used to award the agreement to successful candidates:

—	The candidate's degree of expertise and experience in the areas mentioned under point 6.2.

—	The effectiveness of the proposed survey methodology including sample design, sample size, coverage rate, response rate.

—	The candidate's level of competence and knowledge of the special survey features of the sector and country where they intend to carry out the survey(s).

—	The efficiency of the candidate's work organisation, in terms of flexibility, infrastructure, qualified staff and facilities for carrying out the work, reporting the results, participating in preparing the surveys under the joint harmonised programme and liaising with the Commission.

—	Value for money.

8 PRACTICAL PROCEDURES

8.1 Drawing-up and submission of proposals

Proposals must contain the completed and signed standard grant application form and all supporting documents referred to in the form.

The proposals must be presented in three sections:

—	administrative proposal,

—	technical proposal,

—	financial proposal.

The following standard forms can be obtained from the Commission:

—	standard grant application form,

—	standard budget statement for providing estimates of the survey costs and financing plan,

—	standard financial identification form,

—	standard legal entity form,

—	standard declaration form on eligibility,

—	standard declaration form indicating willingness to sign the standard grant agreement,

—	standard form regarding subcontracting.

as well as documentation regarding the financial aspects of the grant:

—	aide-memoire for drawing up financial estimates and financial statements,

—

model of the grant agreement.

(a)	by downloading them from the following Internet address: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/tenders/2006/call2006_6en.htm

(b)

In case the previous option is not possible, by writing to the Commission at:

European Commission,

Directorate-General ECFIN

Unit ECFIN-A-3 (Business surveys)

Call for proposals — ECFIN/2006/A3-03

BU-1 3/146

B-1049 Brussels.

Fax (+32 2) 296 36 50

E-mail ecfin-bcs-mail@ec.europa.eu

The Commission reserves the right to amend these standard documents in line with the needs of the joint harmonised programme and/or budget management constraints.

Proposals must be submitted in one of the official languages of the European Community together with a translation in English, French or German, where appropriate.

One signed original proposal and two copies must be supplied by the applicant.

Proposals must be sent in a sealed cover contained in another sealed envelope.

The outside envelope should bear the address given at point 8.3 below.

The sealed inner envelope containing the proposal must be marked ‘Call for Proposals — ECFIN/2006/A3-03, not to be opened by the internal mail department’.

The Commission will notify candidates that their proposal has been received by returning the acknowledgement of receipt slip submitted with the proposal.

8.2 Content of proposals

8.2.1 Administrative proposal

The administrative proposal must include:

—	A duly signed standard grant application form.

—	A duly completed and signed standard legal entity form and the requested supporting documentation proving the legal status of the body or institute.

—	A duly completed and signed standard financial identification form.

—	A duly signed standard declaration form of the applicant's eligibility.

—	The organisation chart of the body or institute, showing the names and positions of the management and of the operational service responsible for conducting the surveys.

—	A duly signed standard declaration form that it is willing to sign the grant agreement, if selected.

—	Proof of sound financial situation: balance sheets and profit and loss accounts from the previous two financial years for which the accounts have been closed, should be attached.

8.2.2 Technical proposal

The technical proposal must include:

—

A description of the activities of the body or institute, enabling the assessment of its qualifications and the scope and duration of its experience in the requested areas under point 6.2. This should mean any studies, service contracts, consultancy work, surveys, publications or other work previously carried out, indicating the name of the client and stating which, if any, were done for the European Commission. The most relevant studies and/or results should be attached.

—	A detailed description of the operational organization for carrying out the surveys. Relevant documentation should be attached regarding the infrastructure, facilities, resources and qualified staff (concise cv's) at the applicant's disposal.

—	A detailed description of the survey methodology: sampling methods, sampling errors and confidence intervals, sample size, coverage rate and estimated response rate.

—	A duly completed standard form regarding subcontractors involved in the action, including a detailed description of the tasks to be subcontracted.

8.2.3 Financial proposal

The financial proposal must include:

—	A duly completed and detailed standard budget statement (in euro), covering a period of 12 months, for each survey, containing a financing plan for the action and a detailed breakdown of the total and unit eligible costs for conducting the survey, including subcontracting costs.

—	A certificate of non-liability for VAT, if applicable.

—	A document certifying the financial contribution from other organisations (co-financing), if applicable.

8.3 Address and closing date for submission of proposals

Applicants interested in these grants are invited to submit their applications to the European Commission.

Applications may be submitted:

(a)

either by registered post or private delivery service postmarked no later than 25 September 2006 at the following address:

By registered post:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs

For the attention of Mr Jean-Pierre RAES

Call for Proposals ref. ECFIN/2006/A3-03

Unit R2, Office BU1 — 3/13

B-1049 Brussels

By private delivery service:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs

For the attention of Mr Jean-Pierre RAES

Call for Proposals ref. ECFIN/2006/A3-03

Unit R2, Office BU1 — 3/13

Rue de Genève, 1

B-1140 Brussels (Evere)

(b)

or by delivery to the central mail service of the European Commission (personal delivery or delivery by any authorised representative of the applicant, including private delivery services) at the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs

For the attention of Mr Jean-Pierre RAES

Call for Proposals ref. ECFIN/2006/A3-03

Unit R2, Office BU1 — 3/13

Rue de Genève, 1

B-1140 Brussels (Evere)

no later than 25 September 2006 by 16h00 (Brussels time). In this case, proof of submission will be by means of a dated and signed receipt issued by the receiving official in the above mentioned department.

Applications received by the Commission after the closing date will not be taken into consideration.

9 WHAT HAPPENS TO THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED?

All applications will be checked to assess whether they meet the formal criteria of eligibility.

Proposals considered eligible will be evaluated and given marks according to the award criteria specified above.

The process of selecting the proposals will take place during the months October/November 2006. A selection committee is to be set up for this purpose under the authority of the Director-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. It will be made up of at least three persons representing at least two different specialised units with no hierarchical link between them and will have its own secretariat responsible for handling communication with the successful candidate following the selection procedure. Unsuccessful candidates will also be notified individually.

10 IMPORTANT

This call for proposals does not constitute any sort of contractual obligation on the part of the Commission towards any body/institute submitting a proposal on the basis of it. All communication regarding this call for proposals must be in writing.

Applicants should take note of the contractual provisions which will be obligatory in the event of award.

(1) In compliance with articles 93 and 94 of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.