Prior information on economic research services and special services to international organisms
The European Commission's Enterprise DG has issued a prior information notice for a call for tenders for economic research services and special services to international organisms. 1. Economic research services. Carrying out studies concerning the competitiveness of European economies and enterprises, for the preparation of the Commission's annual competitiveness report. Estimated budget: 1,200,000 euro over three years 2. Economic research services. Studies concerning the economic analysis of European industries and enterprises, in view of the production of an analytical publication on the structure and developments of EU industries. Estimated budget: 1,000,000 euro 3. Economic research services. Carrying out of a study in the framework of benchmarking technology and research transfer institutions. Estimated budget: 450,000 euro 4. Special services to international organisations and organisms. An evaluation of the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (and other related EU programmes to Japan) will have to be carried out on the basis of the standard evaluation criteria of 'effectiveness, efficiency, utility, coherence and relevance.' It will be carried out for the Commission's own policy-making purposes, to provide them with information that helps to (re-)orient its policy or programmes, and to be accountable for results achieved. It should therefore lead to practical and realistic recommendations in terms of alternatives and possible proposals for improvement. It should therefore contain suggestions for actions and independent opinions. Estimated budget: 50,000 euro for one year 5. Economic research services. 'The anti-competitive effects of mergers between firms competing in adjacent markets.' The study will provide a survey of the literature on the indirect exercise of market power by a dominant firm on adjacent markets in which it does not have a dominant position and the impact of multi-market contacts in sustaining anti-competitive coordinated behaviour in oligopoly. The objective of the study is to provide a set of analytic tools to assess the competitive impact of mergers leading to the creation or strengthening of a dominant position in adjacent markets. Estimated budget: 50,000 euro 6. Economic research services. 'Theoretical and empirical analysis of the competitive impact of remedies in merger control.' The study will first provide, on the basis of economic theory, a comparison of remedies available in merger cases and the predicted competitive impact. Next, the study shall provide an empirical and quantitative analysis of the effects of accepted remedies in a set of at least 20 merger cases during the first ten years of the European Merger Regulation. Estimated budget: 65,000 euro 7. Economic research services. 'Analytic tools for dynamic competition assessment in the knowledge-based economy.' The study will provide an economic analysis of which concrete analytic tools and theoretical models could be used to assess competition problems on dynamic markets. These markets are characterised by a high rate of innovation and change, which makes the formulation of a list of clearly pro- or anti-competitive firms strategies very difficult. Nevertheless, it would be a long-term goal to define exactly those activities that can - on a safe and theoretical empirical base - be considered as being in line with dynamic competition. Estimated budget: 50,000 euroFor further information, please contact: European Commission Directorate-General Enterprise Brussels Projects 1 and 2: Mr T. Belessiotis SC15 5/110 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2993410/296 7235 Fax: +32-2-2998362 Project 3: Mr C. Lettmayr SC15 05/65 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2993410/296 7235 Fax: +32-2-22998362 Project 4: Mr R. Moran SC15 7/109 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2990120 Fax: +32-2-2966026 Projects 5, 6 and 7: Mr G. Dancet SC15 4/41 B-1049 Brussels Tel: +32-2-2960993 Fax: +32-2-2966814