FRA086 - Digital Services Framework

This tender for a Digital Services Framework is well-structured with clear objectives and utilizes an e-sourcing portal, but it is significantly hampered by critical omissions such as evaluation criteria, mandatory exclusion grounds, and financial requirements, alongside severe data inconsistencies regarding key dates.

The tender correctly identifies the procedure type and CPV codes, and there are no reported disputes. The submission deadline provides reasonable time for preparation. However, the absence of explicitly stated mandatory exclusion grounds and, critically, the lack of specified evaluation criteria are significant legal compliance deficiencies. These omissions can lead to legal challenges and undermine the integrity of the procurement process.

The overall description of the Digital Services Framework and its three lots is clear and unambiguous, outlining WRAP's objectives. The AI-extracted eligibility and technical requirements are also clear. However, the complete absence of specified evaluation criteria makes it unclear how bids will be assessed, which is a fundamental flaw. Performance conditions are only broadly implied.

Basic information such as title, reference, organization, estimated value, duration, and CPV/NUTS codes are provided. However, the tender is critically incomplete regarding essential documentation and criteria. There is no mention of the actual Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, detailed technical specifications, or contract terms. Crucially, financial requirements, mandatory exclusion grounds, and evaluation criteria are explicitly missing from the provided information, which are vital components of a complete tender. The contract start date is also inconsistent.

The tender promotes fairness by disclosing the estimated value, providing reasonable time for preparation, and enabling e-procurement via the Delta eSourcing portal. The requirements for agencies and freelancers across multiple lots appear generic and not tailored. However, the complete absence of specified evaluation criteria is a severe fairness issue, as it prevents objective and transparent assessment of bids, potentially leading to arbitrary decisions and undermining equal treatment of bidders.

The tender supports electronic submission through a provided URL, which enhances practicality for bidders. The duration of the contract is clearly specified. However, the stated contract start date (2026-03-31 23:00:00) being identical to the submission deadline is a critical practical error, making the timeline impossible and requiring immediate correction.

There are significant inconsistencies in the provided data. The contract start date is identical to the submission deadline, which is illogical. Furthermore, the main submission deadline (2026-03-31 23:00:00) differs from the AI-extracted submission deadline (2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00). The "Value Classified: Yes" field contradicts the explicit disclosure of the estimated value. The "Liable Person" field is also empty.

The tender does not explicitly incorporate any green procurement, social aspects, or innovation-focused criteria. There is no indication of EU funding, which often drives higher sustainability standards. This suggests a missed opportunity to leverage public procurement for broader societal and environmental benefits.