Technical services relating to the implementation of the Third Activity of the Fourth Framework Programme (CORDIS)
The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a call for proposals for the provision of technical services relating to the implementation of the Third Activity of the Fourth Framework Programme for research and technological development and demonstration (1994-1998). The notice concerns the Community Research and Development and Information Service (CORDIS). The Commission's Directorate-General for Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research (DG XIII), through its Dissemination of Scientific and Technical Knowledge Unit, collects and disseminates information related to research and technological development (RTD) activities of the EU. This information is currently gathered through a series of channels from various sources and made publicly available via an online information system called CORDIS (Community Research and Development Information Service), also distributing information on CD-ROM and on printed media. The present call concerns the continuous operation and further development of CORDIS and the provision of related services in connection with the dissemination of information on EU RTD activities. Tenderers can be individual organizations or consortia. They may bid for one lot or both, while clearly indicating which lot and whether they intend to provide specific services via subcontracting or work. Offers must be separate per lot. During the envisaged next contractual period of two or three years, CORDIS will evolve by improving the database (increased quality and user interface), additional functionality as well as towards multimedia, the use of new information channels and inclusion of gateways to other pan-European RTD information services. Existing activities will have to be taken over in a short period of time, not exceeding about six weeks as from signature of contract. Work will involve the following specific activities: Lot 1: Information collection and database production: - Information collection: Collection of information on RTD activities such as RTD programmes, projects, results, publications, partners, etc. This information exists in various (paper and machine-readable) forms. Thus preparation, abstracting, conversion, mapping, indexing and editing of information is required. In addition to these bibliographical data, CORDIS collects complementary information in the form of full text and multimedia documents. Particular emphasis is placed on a daily news information service. CORDIS will collect data from existing information services. The future contractor will therefore have to develop and implement common tools for decentralized information collection. Regular contact with RTD programme managers and other officials in Brussels and Luxembourg is mandatory. - Database production: Collected information is to be integrated into the common production system on a day-to-day basis while assuring good data quality. Regular delivery of database updates to the CORDIS dissemination host(s), as well as for the regular production of CD-ROM editions and other off-line products. - Languages: At present the content of the CORDIS databases is in English only. The tenderer is requested to make an offer for the production of all or a part of the existing information in other languages. - Development and maintenance of the common production system: The existing common production system has to be developed and maintained in line with the global evolution of the service, which is based on the political mandate of the service and on user requirements. Lot 2: User service and support operations: - System operation: Running the service; database administration; help desk, user statistics and administration; replication, mailing, dissemination of off-line products, such as user guides; training sessions, presentation and demonstration of the service. At present over 15,000 CORDIS users are registered. Operations will be expanded to cover new developments (see below) as they become available. The tenderer will make an offer for the dissemination of CORDIS databases in multiple languages. - Support activities: . Monitoring of user requirements; marketing and dissemination investigations; . Quality assurance of products; . Development and implementation of training programmes; . Assistance to CORDIS information multipliers and decentralized first-line user support organization; . Technical writing for CORDIS products; . Drafting promotional articles; . Organization of/participation in promotional events and their monitoring. - Development and maintenance of the CORDIS technical infrastructure for information dissemination: . Centralized online dissemination service: Development/implementation of ancillary services, such as electronic file transfer, electronic messaging, conferencing and bulletin board, gateways to other Community databases. Improve connectivity, making best use of facilities offered by Internet, ISDN and other networks. Develop systems for electronic dissemination of documents including multimedia documents. All the above services are to be provided in the framework of the existing ECHO dissemination host. However, in view of the fact that ECHO is based on a vendor-specific captive infrastructure, the tenderer is requested to study a new system based on Open Systems Architecture and to make an offer for its implementation and migration. Undertake investigations on how to facilitate access to national scientific and technical information services and propose technical solutions. Close liaison with the specific working group of Member States' delegates is mandatory. . Off-line products: In parallel with the online service, a number of off-line products, such as CD-ROM and diskettes of CORDIS data, are already available. These products are to be further developed and tailored to user needs. . Replicated distributed online dissemination: In addition to the central service, national relay centres and other multipliers in EU Member States are set up for dissemination of CORDIS data and for organizing feedback to the central service. Networking and maintenance systems are needed to support these remote systems with secure transfer facilities, etc. - User-friendly interface: Maintenance/modifications of the present user interfaces including further languages. Further development of easy-to-use integrated graphical user interfaces on top of existing applications integrating multimedia features. Emphasis is also put on the use of more flexible and more reliable telecommunication tools. A briefing on the call will take place in Luxembourg in the Jean Monnet Building (Room M1) on 13 June 1995. Interested parties should request a complete information package on the tendering procedures from: European Commission DG XIII/D Mr. B. Niessen Jean Monnet Building (B4/074) L-2920 Luxembourg Tel. +352-430133638; Fax +352-430134989 The documentation is also available from the CORDIS World Wide Web server on Internet at uniform resource location (URL): http://cordis.europa.eu/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie) Additional information on technical aspects, but not on financial or commercial aspects, may be obtained from the same address.