Advance notice of SME helpline tender

As part of the implementation of specific measures to encourage SMEs to participate in the Fifth Framework Programme, the European Commission intends to establish a telephone helpline dedicated to actual and potential SME participants. It has published advance notice of an inv...

As part of the implementation of specific measures to encourage SMEs to participate in the Fifth Framework Programme, the European Commission intends to establish a telephone helpline dedicated to actual and potential SME participants. It has published advance notice of an invitation to tender aimed at providers of computing, telecommunications and training services needed for the creation of an 'SME helpline', who will shortly be invited to submit tenders to the European Commission, DG XII.

An estimated 3 million euro is available for the contract which will be divided into three categories:
1. The creation and maintenance of multimedia services appropriate to SMEs participating in the Fifth Framework Programme.
2. Setting up the technical means for the implementation of a telephone SME helpline.
3. Organising the training of national and regional intermediaries.

The invitation to tender is expected to be published during the third quarter of 1999.
For further information please contact:

European Commission
DG XII - Science, Research and Development
Mr R. J. Smits
SME Coordination Unit
200 rue de la Loi (SDME 2/114)
B-1049 Brussels
Fax [phone]