Euro Info Centres - Assistance and auditing

The Euro Info Centres (EICs) are a European network offering information, assistance and advisory services in matters of Community legislation, policies and programmes to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The coordination of activities and the development of a network...

The Euro Info Centres (EICs) are a European network offering information, assistance and advisory services in matters of Community legislation, policies and programmes to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The coordination of activities and the development of a network are carried out by a central unit, based in Brussels, under the authority of Commission DG XXIII.

In the framework of the multiannual action programme for SMEs, the Commission has now published a call for tender regarding the Euro Info Centres. The purpose of the contract is the subcontracting, on the one hand, of a part of the support activities (information and management), and separately, on the other hand, the auditing/controlling of the quality of the EIC network within the central unit. The tasks deriving from the new orientations aimed at improving the impact of the EICs will also be executed by the central unit.

In particular, the following functions must be guaranteed by the contractors:

1. Support and stimulus of the network: management and information functions

The management function will cover the following aspects:

- Assistance for the sound operation of the network;
- Management of the computer equipment;
- Development of the network (animation, "first stop shop" and interface with the other DGs);
- Optimal usage of the computer equipment;
- Support with the promotion of activities developed by DG XXIII.

Information will involve centralizing the various actions necessary to guarantee the operating efficiency of the network, i.e. the sound knowledge, follow-through and distribution of useful information, advisory assistance and processing of up-to-date information. The EICs must therefore have access to:

- Community information useful to companies;
- Community databases;
- A team of information officers;
- Innovative information products;
- Training sessions.

2. Auditing and controlling of the quality of the services and the homogeneity of the network

This task involves:

- Auditing the EICs;
- Determining quality criteria and monitoring their evolution;
- Analysing the quantitative impact of the network and the level of quality of the EICs, and the level of quality of the central unit.
The tender documents may be requested from:

European Commission
DG XXIII - Enterprise policy, distributive trades, tourism and cooperatives
Unit B-1 - Euro Info Centres
Mrs. H. Andriessen
200 rue de la Loi (AN80 4/42)
B-1049 Brussels
Fax [phone]

The tenders may be sent to:

European Commission
DG XXIII - Enterprise policy, distributive trades, tourism and cooperatives
Mrs. Lucia Pitisci
200 rue de la Loi (AN80 4/42)
B-1049 Brussels