DG XXIII issues pre-information on SME-related tenders for 1999

The European Commission, DG XXIII, has released an early notice that there will shortly be calls for tenders under the third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 1999. The prior information, includes provisional dates for initiating the award...

The European Commission, DG XXIII, has released an early notice that there will shortly be calls for tenders under the third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 1999.

The prior information, includes provisional dates for initiating the awards procedure and the subjects of contracts, as set out in documentation received by the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities on 26 January 1999.

The calls for tenders envisaged include further development of a database and Internet site, initially created under open invitation to tender 97/S 189-120069, published in 1997. This contract will be focused on updating, extending and translating the database, and to give access to it via the Internet site. The CPC reference number is 84. (CPV codes 72000000, 22000000, 74100000). This will be an open invitation to tender, which will provisionally be published in March 1999.

Another call expected in the near future will be for market research and public opinion polling services. this will include preparation of a self-assessment guide for SMEs that wish to be quoted on a stock exchange. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 74131100). This will be an open invitation to tender, and is expected to be published in February 1999.

The following tenders are also expected to be published under the same umbrella:

- A feasibility study on the creation of an investment agency for SMEs, based on the model of the Small Business Investment Corporation in the United States. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 74131120). This is also expected to be published in February 1999 as an open invitation to tender;
- A study on credit-rating systems for SMEs. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV 74131120).This will also be an open invitation to tender. The estimated date for publication of the notice for this tender is March 1999;
- A study on the impact of the introduction of the euro on the financing of SMEs in the context of their internationalization. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 74131120). There will be an open invitation to tender and the estimated date of publication is March 1999;
- A study on indicators of competitiveness of SMEs, to identify specific aspects of SMEs' performance which could be improved and their strengths and weaknesses compared to competitors will also be announced. The initial assumption for the study is that, at present, a competitiveness concept which is suited to SMEs has yet to be elaborated, and current concepts are based too much on quantitative aspects. It is estimated that this call will be published in March 1999, under an open invitation to tender. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 75110000);
- A study on subcontracting in seven Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), to gain a better understanding of these markets and facilitate subcontracting relations between businesses in the EU and in these CEEC countries. The study should enable the European Commission to devise suitable support measures for their extension to the CEECs. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 75211000). The publication of an open invitation to tender is estimated in April 1999;
- A feasibility study on the collection and regrouping of statistical data for craft activities. The objective will be to identify activities of a craft nature in existing databases available at Community level. The successful tenderer will define, with the business organizations, activities or groups of activities with craft characteristics and identify the relevant statistical sources. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date for publication of this open invitation to tender is April 1999;
- A study on external advisory services for small and micro businesses. The objectives will be to define the specific needs of small and micro businesses in matters relating to external advisory services, document the obstacles facing them in accessing such services and offer solutions to overcome them. It will also provide an inventory of external advisory services at European and national level. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date for the publication of this open invitation to tender is June 1999;
- A study on new forms of cooperation between businesses which improve the competitiveness of small businesses. The objective will be to identify the conditions (legal and economic) which permit the emergence of novel forms of cooperation between businesses (temporary associations, local systems of businesses, consortia, etc.), their characteristics (e.g. functions, capacities, and common services), and to disseminate best practice. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is June 1999;
- A study on the importance of factoring for financing SMEs. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 74131120). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is June 1999;
- A study on the role of credit insurance for SMEs. The CPC reference number is 864 (CPV code 74131120). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is September 1999.

There will also be calls for tenders in service category No 11, "Management consultant services and related services". These include the following:

- A call for tender concerning the linkage of training institutions specialized in entrepreneurship training and management training for SMEs. The objective is to link existing organizations with experience in this area in order to promote their cooperation at a European level, to exchange best practice and to provide a reliable reference source for enterprises and entrepreneurs to find appropriate training courses. This call will be for initial research, design and setting-up of such a network. The network will have to involve training institutions from all Member States, and the successful tenderer will require skills in the operation of networks. The CPC reference numbers are 865 and 866 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is February 1999;
- Analytical and information input into the identification and dissemination of best practice in Member State support measures for enterprises. This activity will take place within the work programme established for concerted actions with the Member States. The CPC reference numbers are 865 and 866 (CPV code 74100000). This will be a restricted invitation to tender, and the estimated date of its publication is June 1999, following a call for expressions of interest with an estimated date of publication in February 1999;
- A report on enterprise development in the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus. The CPC reference number is 865, 866 (CPV code 74141100). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is March 1999;
- A phased study to:
- - Monitor the spill-over effects of information technology (IT) from bigger companies towards smaller ones;
- - Develop statistical indicators on the performance of European SMEs in electronic commerce;
- - Study the business networks and cooperation structures enabled
by IT;
- - Assess the SME-specific barriers to entry in electronic commerce;
- - Monitor and assess the efficiency of key business applications for company (e-mail, intranets, dynamic web sites, workflow software, etc.);
- - Study the impact of IT investment of companies on their efficiency (sales, profits, market share, productivity).
The CPC reference numbers are 865, and 866 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is April 1999;
- A study on the international aspects of retailing. The CPC reference numbers are 865 and 866 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is June 1999;
- A study on purchases by large shops from local SME producers. The CPC reference numbers are 865 and 866 (CPV codes 74131200, 74131500, 74133000). The estimated date of publication for this open invitation to tender is June 1999.

These contracts are covered by the Agreement on Public Procurement concluded within the World Trade Organisation.
For more information, please contact:

European Commission
Directorate General XXIII
Enterprise Policy, Distributive Trades, Tourism and Social Economy
Christopher Todd
rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels
Tel. [phone]; Fax [phone]; Telex COMEU B21877